Smith & Wesson GOVERNOR Revolver

BigBoy99

BigBoy99

US Veteran
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
3,590
Reaction score
6,862
Location
SE Wisc.
Has any one bought one of these revolvers? Any comments or feedback on it? Does it take the 3" .410 shells or is it limited to the shorter .,410 shells? Does it fire the .45 ACP rounds or is it limited to the .45 Auto Rim ammo? If .45 ACP, does it need the "half-moon clip"? Anyone have shooting results on it? It is "uncomfortable or unpleasant" to shoot this light revolver because of the Scandium frame?

I would appreciate any info. on this new revolver as I'm thinking of buying one. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I don't own a Governor. It is chambered in 2 1/2" 410bore, .45Colt, and .45acp. It requires either full moon or 1/3 moon clips. It will not operate with Half moon clips or .45AR.
 
I have a buddy who owns one. He likes it.
It will shoot 2-1/2" 410, 45acp in Moon Clips, and 45 Colt.
NO 45AR. In order to work with 45 Colt it will not work with 45AR. No big deal at all.

It has an XS Tritium Front Night Sight.

My local dealer has one at this time. I have looked it over a time or two.

If I had it I would probably shoot 45acp in it most of the time, and reserve the 410's for snake loads.

An Airweight N Frame 45acp, whats not to love.

With a nice Pancake Holster it is a great carry piece.

Bob
 
My buddy tried to sell me his NIB gov, If I lived in the country or on a farm I would probably have one. There are better guns for SD in the city.
 
I have one for things that go "Bump" in the night.Great revolver for home defense and a pleasure to shoot.
ranger98-albums-ranger-98-picture7736-smith-wesson-governor-display.jpg
 
I have one...... shot it once, loved the 45lc and 45acp... Shooting the 410 was no biggie.... it was just plain fun to shoot. I am sure somewhere down the road I will have an opportunity to carry it in some kind of a defensive roll. If not.... that's fine too cause I just plain like my S&W guns.. I can't shoot em all , all the time... but when I shoot em... I'm happy to have them.

As for comfort to shoot.... heck ya, it's no different shooting it than my shooting any of my other 45's... if you are looking to concealed carry.... well, if you want to carry a big gun... it's as good and effective as any other big gun, no matter where you carry it, in the city or wayyyyyyy out in the country or on a farm. :)
 
Ranger98 said:
I have one for things that go "Bump" in the night.Great revolver for home defense and a pleasure to shoot.
ranger98-albums-ranger-98-picture7736-smith-wesson-governor-display.jpg
Click to expand...

I enjoy shooting mine as well. The 410s recoil the most, 45 acp and 45 colt are pretty mild.

I like being able to select from a wide variety of self defense loads that vary in barrier penetration (control the risk for family members in another room) but are still effective self defense loads.

I keep mine loaded at home with a mix of ammunition that increases in penetration capability. I feel this lets me respond quickly to that bump in the night with "less" concern about shooting direction and angles, and then as the situation becomes more clear I have the advantage of greater penetration if needed.

I also keep reloads ready in speed strips and moon clips that let me choose what I want to top off or reload with.

Naturally shot placement and awareness of what's behind or around the target can't be ignored.
 
The "judge" is what got me into guns. I never ended up buying one and I'm happy because now I can get a governor. I will be shopping around for one during income tax time. Is it the end all self defense gun? Of course not. But I'm sure it's a hoot at the range to shoot, I will have 3 choices of ammo to look for at the store helping to assure I'll have something to shoot out of it for whatever purposes during this ammo shortage.

I admit that when thinking of the judge way back when, I thought it was an ultra powerful unstoppable hand cannon. I've changed my thinking over the years, and appreciate these guns for what they are. Fun shooters with different ammo choices that with the proper ammo can serve as self defense.
 
Strongly suggest using the search function -- the Governor has been discussed in several threads ad nauseam. ;)
 
But, it is Fun.

Hapworth said:
Strongly suggest using the search function -- the Governor has been discussed in several threads ad nauseam. ;)
Click to expand...

But then those of us that really like our Governors, or folks who are new to/considering a Governor wouldn't get to share our current ideas and opinions :(
 
LoadEmUp said:
But then those of us that really like our Governors, or folks who are new to/considering a Governor wouldn't get to share our current ideas and opinions :(
Click to expand...
Which is fine, but since the OP's looking for information now, perusing extant threads that have the Governor covered can only help. :)
 
Hapworth said:
Strongly suggest using the search function -- the Governor has been discussed in several threads ad nauseam. ;)
Click to expand...

Hapworth said:
Which is fine, but since the OP's looking for information now, perusing extant threads that have the Governor covered can only help. :)
Click to expand...


Very true, the search function certainly can help in finding information on [insert S&W model here] previously discussed on the forum, wether or not it was discussed ad nauseam. I have used the search function many times myself with great results. I also enjoy reading new threads that folks may start on previously discussed firearms. Sometimes they even lead to bifurcated threads that lead somewhere new and provide different perspectives.

Seems like we are basically in agreement and recognize folks research topics/ask questions in different ways. That is part of why I like this forum, people seem more than happy to share ideas and recommendations with each other. :)
 
Well I had a Judge and it was a fun revolver but I sold it and just bought a Governor because I like the feel of it better and the fact that it can also shoot .45ACP. Can't wait to get it. That's two Smiths coming in this week......OMG. I have other handguns for self defense purpose but doesn't hurt to have this one laying next to them :D It will be fun to shoot at the range and carry on my sister's property that happens to be frequented with copperheads and rattlesnakes.....ugh. Sure I could use snakeshot/ratshot in my S&W 686 .38 SPCL but I like buying new guns better. Gonna try out some of that PDX1 combo pak ammo, looks great.
 
Gov

Fun to shoot. Well made. More accurate than I am.

Recoil is a little more with the .410's, but doesn't feel .44 magnum stout by any means to me. .45 acp and .45 long colt is smooth and easy.

OK comfortable with standard grips. Even better with the Smith 500 grips. Not just for recoil, but for better balance.

Part of what I like about owning different Smiths is having a little variety. The Gov definitely adds that.

The only two revolvers I wish I really hadn't sold was a model 610 and a Governor. I miss those two. That says something to me.

At least I can always find another Governor...not so easy with the 610.
 
BigBoy99 said:
Has any one bought one of these revolvers? Any comments or feedback on it? Does it take the 3" .410 shells or is it limited to the shorter .,410 shells?
Click to expand...

The Governor takes the 2 1/2" shells only. And not all 2 1/2" shells. I have a couple .410 scatter guns so I had some various shells to begin with. When I first bought my Governor I loaded it up with some buck shells I had laying around. If I recall correctly it was Noble Sport ammo. First one I fired slid back a tad and locked up the cylinder. Locked it up good and tight. The newer self defense rounds made for the Judge and Governor work fine, but not all shells will work in them. Something to be aware of.

And I do like the Governor. I'd buy it all over again without a second thought. But a lot of people thought I was crazy way back when I bought my 547 too. Back when nobody wanted them and they were selling new for less than $200. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top