The Governor??

[TheMystro]

I will admit I am a 000buck and 45lc guy in these pistols. I would be that way in a 410 rifle. Thats really all I carry with the exception of 4shot for snakes when I am running the chainsaw. I did kill squirrels pretty easy with #4 shot at 15 yards but other than extremely close range, bird shot is too limiting for my needs other than the use as a non lethal solution for animals on my property. With the Federal 000buck 4 36caliber balls hitting exactly the same time in the size of a softball at 20 yards is pretty devastating. The energy transfer is outstanding.

 

[Cazador Desnudo]

I agree with you, there, TheMystro. The .45LC and 000 buckshot are devastating. They're just too expensive for me to fire off a hundred of them on a day at the range. I can get 50 rounds of Winchester white box ACP for a little over $30, though.

The LC would present problems with over-penetration, even in the rare and expensive JHP. The 000 or 00 buck might not, but it's just more expensive than ACP. The ACP in JHP, though, would put a horrid hole in a person without going through the wall behind him. I have to fight as I train and train as I fight, so the Governor really isn't useful to me (not being a hunter of small game or someone who carries in public) as anything other than a gun that fires .45ACP. As a gun that fires .45ACP, the 625 is better.

 

[TheMystro]

Absolutely. If thats all you are looking to shoot, you cant beat the 625. The Gov is a 000buck/45lc pistol with the "oh by the way" it also shoots 45acp just for the fun of it. Its way too big of a gun to just shoot 45acp.

As a gun that fires .45ACP, the 625 is better.

The Gov's intimidation factor is much higher than my Judge. That sinister flat black duo silver barrel that accentuates the size of the bullet has movie action hero all over it.

 

[Cazador Desnudo]

The Gov's intimidation factor is much higher than my Judge. That sinister flat black duo silver barrel that extenuates the size of the bullet has movie action hero all over it.

No argument, there. I looked in the mirror with it and nearly pooped my pants!

 

[sportsman423]

How close is most self defense encounters?

 

[VaRecon]

I think the Governor is quite a step over the Taurus.
Moonclips can be very efficient, the ones for my 640 Pro in .357 are pretty easy to use and don't bend too easy.
Comparing Smith and Taurus is like comparing a Glock and an ISSC.
It may look similar but it is far from being the same gun.

 

[TheMystro]

Most are from 3-30feet. That's why 7yards is the training standard. In the woods, you should be able to hit out to 25 yards for furry threats.

How close is most self defense encounters?

I live in the part of Pa that holds some of the top world record black bears. 400-600lbs are common around my house. I have used 9shot in my Judge to move them along and discourage them from getting too close.
This is big Pa 869lbs black bear

This is a 600lbs black bear to compare to.

 

[sportsman423]

Most are from 3-30feet. That's why 7yards is the training standard.

So to say the Governor is more than adequate at that range would be spot on? and to say that a "Night" situation the option of having buckshot would be a great advantage. Also the fact that I can cover a silhouette at bout 10 -15 yards with buckshot would work in my favor then and after lights go on I might have to reach out a lil more with the .45.... Perfect personal defense gun for me. Much more distance than that and I am using a rifle lol.
By the way I looked up ballistic gel test and want to say one of the bird shot (#7 or #9) over penatrated the gel. I have to look again to find the link. Hate to even mention it without posting the link. So it would go deep enough.
Bad guy would'nt be to much a immediate threat in laws eyes if you are shooting at someone 100ft away.

 

[TheMystro]

The Gov with #4 would be great as a car jacking load. It might not kill the thug out of your window but it will remove his face. Federal 000 buck is the lethal shot load for this gun. The PDX1 is also good. The 45LC is a legendary man stopper at any distance especially with a modern hollow point.
Even the mighty 12gage has its limitations. #6 shot at 50 hards will piss you off but 10 yards will blow a hole through you. Then there is the argument that if you engage a threat too far out, you could be legally attacked by some liberal prosecutor. I shoot to kill so 000buck and 45lc Silvertips are loaded in my cylinder. I play in the woods with 4-9 shot.

 

[TheMystro]

Owning both, I can tell you they are. At the time I was buying, there wasn't a S&W option. Setting a side the fit and finish, trigger, etc.... The shooting performance is even better with the Gov.

I think the Governor is quite a step over the Taurus.

 

[sportsman423]

My Dad had 2 Govs and a Judge and gave one for Christmas. I came home hopped online and read negative review after negative review and thought well this is going to be junk.
Next day I took it to the "range" behind my house and was blown away with the performance and accuracy of it and I just got aggravated thinking about all the negative "input" threads and what not from people who didn't own or much less fire one.
Its a great lil gun with low recoil for my standards, I usually shoot .357 and above, and accuracy was right where I thought it should be. I am above average shooter that is 33 year old and been shooting for 27 years. Dad bought every kind gun imaginable and never sold or traded anything.
All in all it's a personal defense gun for home inside and out, or on the trail. It's not a "Target" "Match" gun putting a sub 1" MAO groups at 1000 yds. Take it for what it is. Just the same as .380 vs 9mm vs .40 vs .45 vs Semi VS Revolver VS whatever. Some will love it ( I do ) some will not. But please don't pass (NO PUN INTENDED) judgement on it from Judge experience cause its not a Judge. The Governor is first class where the Judge is coach. It's like a Jude on steriods. It shoots a 2.5" shell so you save a half inch on the chamber over the Judges 3" chamber. It has Night sights that will still be glowing at 6am after going in the nightstand 12 hrs before. It shoots 6 shots where as the Judge shoots 5. So u get more firepower out of a smaller package and less recoil becouse of the 2.5" shell. It also just feels tighter, solider, and just better quality gun.
Also I have a Galco Holster and my wife can never tell when I am packing or not so it can be conceled pretty good if she of all people can't tell. Now it is big and bulky compared to a LCP .380 but not too big when compared to a .357
All around I would give it a 8 to 8.5 out of ten for a full frame revolver

 

[Cazador Desnudo]

I had intended to take my new 625PC to the range tomorrow, but the range is closed due to Gun Appreciation Day at the state capitol. My youngest son and I will go to Austin to make sure the folks there understand where Texans stand on gun control.

We plan on going to the range on Sunday, now. Monday is MLK day, so we might go then, if not Sunday. I'll post a full review after that. So far, we've only shot 2 rounds apiece from the 625.

It's not really fair to compare that to our experience with the Gov just yet.

 

[IkenI]

Most experienced shooters would gently suggest that you not waste your hard-earned $ on it.

Well, Crud! I thought I was an experienced shooter. I have a safe full of guns, go to the range weekly, at least - spent 20years as an Army Counterintelligence CWO and 22years as a federal agent, carrying, and shooting handguns for those 42 years, plus 10-12 years as a civilian. But I would never suggest, gently or otherwise, what someone else should or should not spend their $$ on.

Now, back to the gun. I owned a Judge for a short while but didn't care for the quality of it. I am thinking of a Governor but want to see and handle one first. If I get one it will be a self-defense firearm but not at home. I need a good snake gun for my kayak and tent. That worked with the Judge and I think the Governor will take care of the quality problem. Where I fish in my kayak, wade, or camp there are numerous aggressive cottonmouths and copperheads. I don't like snakes! The only commercial shotshell handgun loads I have found effective are .45 ACP and I don't want to carry my DW Valor, HK45c or Ruger Birdshead Vaquero in my kayak.

We will see when I get to handle one but I think it will fit the bill.

 

[TheMystro]

You will love it. I live in the woods so my CCW always has to pull double duty. Load 2 shots of 45LC, 2 shots of 00Buck, 2 shots of 4shot and you are covered for anything. 9shot works good on snakes but 4shot works just as good for snakes but also destroys squirrels and grouse. Just get a good holster and you will never know you are carrying it.

Well, Crud! I thought I was an experienced shooter. I have a safe full of guns, go to the range weekly, at least - spent 20years as an Army Counterintelligence CWO and 22years as a federal agent, carrying, and shooting handguns for those 42 years, plus 10-12 years as a civilian. But I would never suggest, gently or otherwise, what someone else should or should not spend their $$ on.

Now, back to the gun. I owned a Judge for a short while but didn't care for the quality of it. I am thinking of a Governor but want to see and handle one first. If I get one it will be a self-defense firearm but not at home. I need a good snake gun for my kayak and tent. That worked with the Judge and I think the Governor will take care of the quality problem. Where I fish in my kayak, wade, or camp there are numerous aggressive cottonmouths and copperheads. I don't like snakes! The only commercial shotshell handgun loads I have found effective are .45 ACP and I don't want to carry my DW Valor, HK45c or Ruger Birdshead Vaquero in my kayak.

We will see when I get to handle one but I think it will fit the bill.