The Smith and Wesson Governor: Misfit or Misunderstood?

We have shot every commercially available .410 load made here at 10 yards. The Federal Premium made for handguns has 4 .36 caliber copper plated buckshot stacked one on top of each other. Out of 3 guns with over a dozen people shooting they will consistently shoot a "group or pattern" of no more than 5 inches. Assuming you get penetration, and I have NO data on that, 4 .36 balls hitting at once from 10 yards into a 5 inch circle on your target should get anything's full attention.
 
Lee's Landing Billy said:
We have shot every commercially available .410 load made here at 10 yards. The Federal Premium made for handguns has 4 .36 caliber copper plated buckshot stacked one on top of each other. Out of 3 guns with over a dozen people shooting they will consistently shoot a "group or pattern" of no more than 5 inches. Assuming you get penetration, and I have NO data on that, 4 .36 balls hitting at once from 10 yards into a 5 inch circle on your target should get anything's full attention.
Click to expand...

My tests with .410 defensive handgun rounds, into ballistic gelatin have been promising.
 
They sell a ton here. I had to get mine online cuz no one can keep them in stock.

By the way the Hornady critical defense 410 I used today was awesome. The slug hits point of aim and the balls in a tight group. Definitely a viable defense round.

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Not on my personal short-list of guns I really want, but I do think it's neat. I think any gun that can chamber more than one caliber has something going for it inherently. If for nothing other than range fun. Never mind crossing over into shot. But it's ugly as sin to my eye, and I don't like the way it feels in my hand either. Awkward.
 
Yeah the winchester sucked today. No consistency. Not a big fan of the federal either. I like Hornady's approach with the slug coming out first

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I ran some Remington number 6 game shot. Wow did that kick. Little pellets bouncing around the range after each shot LOL.

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As far as it's viability as a home-defense weapon, why not? It's going to get that job done fine. Could you do better with different guns chambered for 45 long or ACP? Of course. But you could do a lot worse too. Certainly a capable home defense gun.
 
MISFIT, NO. MISUNDERSTOOD QUITE A BIT.

It never fails to amaze me how many fall for or believe that it is the best thing in the world for home self defense because "it is impossible to miss someone with it". :D
 
For those in the "Pro-Governor" camp, why do you think so many well known and respected instructors have such a negative opinion of it and The Taurus Judge?

"Other than being a "fun" toy for some segments of the population, these types of firearms are inane, illogical, and ineffective--peddled by unethical vendors to insipid, ill-trained, uneducated consumers who have not bothered to perform even a modicum of research on a literally life and death subject." - Dr. Gary Roberts(DocGKR)

I still think a .410 revolver is silly. - www.GrantCunningham.com www.GrantCunningham.com

THE CULT OF THE TAURUS JUDGE – Revolver Science

...
 
None of us ever said it's better than other options. Simply that it is an option. As for instructors why do I give a **** what they say? I'm not carrying the thing unless I'm hiking.



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If someone is so opposed to the governor that they have to post six or more times.And also search the Internet for anyone who agrees with them.They should not buy a governor .But they have no business telling other pro gun people what they can and cannot have.If you do not like the gun because it looks different and makes you feel icky .Dont buy it.
 
shell627 said:
If someone is so opposed to the governor that they have to post six or more times.And also search the Internet for anyone who agrees with them.They should not buy a governor .But they have no business telling other pro gun people what they can and cannot have.If you do not like the gun because it looks different and makes you feel icky .Dont buy it.
Click to expand...

I have nothing against the Governor and find it to be an interesting gun. I do however question the wisdom of using suboptimal .410 loads known to be less powerful and less accurate than .45 caliber offerings.

If one of those flyers hits an innocent bystander, what do you think a prosecutor will make of the fact that you could have gone with a more accurate round but didn't?
 
From a guy who has only held one, I don't think I'd own one. I just think there are better options and if I'm firing shot it will come from a shot gun.

Don't blame you for owning one though. Different strokes for different folks... :D
 
Innocent bystander in a home hallway? Same argument goes for a 12 gauge then.

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I'd say maybe 1 percent of governor owners are EDC the thing.

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Mister X said:
For those in the "Pro-Governor" camp, why do you think so many well known and respected instructors have such a negative opinion of it and The Taurus Judge?

"Other than being a "fun" toy for some segments of the population, these types of firearms are inane, illogical, and ineffective--peddled by unethical vendors to insipid, ill-trained, uneducated consumers who have not bothered to perform even a modicum of research on a literally life and death subject." - Dr. Gary Roberts(DocGKR)

I still think a .410 revolver is silly. - [url]www.GrantCunningham.com www.GrantCunningham.com[/url]

THE CULT OF THE TAURUS JUDGE – Revolver Science

...
Click to expand...



Could be your search bias. Could be that they are gun snobs. Inherently people don't like new ideas. While a 410/45 mashup is not new, the interest in it is.

Finally, I don't care if an instructor doesn't like it. They don't have to shoot it. I like it. It works for me.


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Last edited:
comiskeybum said:
I'd say maybe 1 percent of governor owners are EDC the thing.

Sent from my Pixel XL 128
Click to expand...

For home defense I can think of dozens of options I'd pick over .410 buckshot out of a 2.75" barrel. You could get a used Model 64 and a 20 gauge shotgun and be better armed for less money.
 
Blah blah blah I don't really care. You act like my governor is the only Home defense gun I have ready. I got plenty of choices.

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