Thoughts on the "GOVERNOR"

Fat B said:
I agree. I think the Governor has it's merits, and the .410 shot is a pretty good home defense round. But S&W is straight ripping of a... Taurus? That hurts. S&W is a better company than that. Or at least I'd like to believe.
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I have had both The Judge, which I sold, as well as The Governor, which I currently have, and wouldn't rely on it's .410 capability for self defense, unless at close-contact range, and then it wouldn't be my first choice. This is based on my experience actually shooting critter's, Raccoons & 'Possums, with The Judge.

The performance of the .410 000 Buck, even the 3" version was dismal to say the least. I've said this in a number of other threads but I think it bears repeating, while dealing with one 'Possum I actually blurted out loud to myself, "I would be better off with a Louisville Slugger!" That's why I sold The Judge and the only reason I now have a Governor is because it also fires .45 acp rounds.......

My Governor is currently in the safe, which is where it has been since "critter season" ended and is where it will stay until the season opens back up.

Below is the only photo I've ever taken of the yard critters I've dealt with. The only reason I went in the house and got my camera is because I thought it was such a major accomplishment / ordeal to get this 'Possum with The Judge that it deserved some recognition, to myself that is. When you consider that I've shot both Raccoons & Possums with .32 S&W Longs out of a revolver and had it go a whole lot easier than it did with the .410 000 buck then it should give you some idea of why I keep mentioning this in many of The Governor threads.

While the .410's may look good on paper, paper targets that is, they haven't performed as I thought they would on small critters, which makes me beleive that they would be even less effective on bigger "critters."

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dla said:
:eek: You've got to be kidding - right? :confused: It is the most pathetic scam directed at noobs I've ever seen - ever. I cringe every time some noob talks up the 410 as an SD round :mad:
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Hmmm... After seeing your reaction i did some quick research and it looks like I stand corrected. Their PR scam did a pretty good job convincing me it was a good self defense round and I wouldn't consider myself a noob. Maybe because I never really considered the .410 as there are much better guns to buy. And nothing replaces the old 12 gauge by my bed.

I found the arguement of dispersal and effectiveness over only a short distance to be appealling. I live in a neighborhood where the direction down my hallway from my bedroom fires right into my neighbor's house. I'm not too sure I'd fire my 9 in that direction. Or if I did, I'd be taking a pretty big chance.

Looks like I'll have to do some more research.
 
dla said:
:eek: You've got to be kidding - right? :confused: It is the most pathetic scam directed at noobs I've ever seen - ever. I cringe every time some noob talks up the 410 as an SD round :mad:
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+1! Along those same lines why not use an arsenic dipped pellet out of an air rifle. Strictly a clunker scared out of the bushes by taurus judge sales. Hey if it makes bangy noises and Smith makes a profit on them more power to them even though they are neither fish nor fowl.
 
ogilvyspecial said:
I have had both The Judge, which I sold, as well as The Governor, which I currently have, and wouldn't rely on it's .410 capability for self defense, unless at close-contact range, and then it wouldn't be my first choice. This is based on my experience actually shooting critter's, Raccoons & 'Possums, with The Judge.

The performance of the .410 000 Buck, even the 3" version was dismal to say the least. I've said this in a number of other threads but I think it bears repeating, while dealing with one 'Possum I actually blurted out loud to myself, "I would be better off with a Louisville Slugger!" That's why I sold The Judge and the only reason I now have a Governor is because it also fires .45 acp rounds.......

My Governor is currently in the safe, which is where it has been since "critter season" ended and is where it will stay until the season opens back up.

Below is the only photo I've ever taken of the yard critters I've dealt with. The only reason I went in the house and got my camera is because I thought it was such a major accomplishment / ordeal to get this 'Possum with The Judge that it deserved some recognition, to myself that is. When you consider that I've shot both Raccoons & Possums with .32 S&W Longs out of a revolver and had it go a whole lot easier than it did with the .410 000 buck then it should give you some idea of why I keep mentioning this in many of The Governor threads.

While the .410's may look good on paper, paper targets that is, they haven't performed as I thought they would on small critters, which makes me beleive that they would be even less effective on bigger "critters."
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Last coon season I hit a racoon with a 16 gauge bird shot at 30 feet away. I know I hit it because I rolled him. It got up and ran away. As I was cursing my decision to use bird shot, another one came out and I shot him about 10 feet away. It layed there and moaned for the next 10 minutes until I finally decided to put him out of his misery. I know it's not the best comparision but all of those critters are tough little buggers.
 
The main purpose of "The Governor" is to compete with "The Judge", the original version from Taurus.
Used to be that Taurus copied S&W. Now it seems to be the other way around.
Not sure I'd want either of the two guns. I don't know what they have that my other guns don't.
 
governor vs Taurus

The auto industry steals designs from each other all the time, you don't let that stop you. Who stole whose design on lazer sights. The question was is the 410 a good defensive round. Shooting distance according to the NRA is under 21'. Nobody is more trained in defense than cops and look how many times they miss under the extreme stress of the situation. As I get older I find myself not as coordinated,not as fast and it taking more time to focus in the dark. We all paint the scenio that we will surprize the attacker & put Him in his place in hell. A co worker got his house broken into several month's ago. They came in through the garage. They stole his tools, tool boxes, scrap metal etc. They even loaded up his own car in the driveway and stole that. His teenage son was sleeping in a room adjacent to the garage, His two daughters were home from college. He was in bed with his wife and their two dogs. Has Two gun safes--full of guns. Didn't know anything was wrong till morning. The 4 gangbangers were apprehended a month later--SCARY. He really got the upper hand on them. A shotgun length is hard to handle in close quarters even the 18". If an intruder grabs a hold of me, I can't afford to lose. He had the chance to run away & he didn't. I don't have that option.
 
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Prior to getting The Judge, which was my first .410 revolver, I spent a lot of time trying to find out what I could about the .410 round itself. During the course of those searches I heard that the minimum barrel length to get full powder burn from a .410 shell was between 18-19 inches.

I don't know how true that is, but I had to figure that having only 3" of barrel would have to effect the power of the .410 shell on some level.

Forget the platform for a minute. I would bet that if you asked people, gun people, what would be the best shotgun round for self defense you would get very few who would recommend the .410....This would even be in the context of a longer barrel which should give you more velocity and make the round more effective than it would be out of a barrel not much longer than the shell itself.

I'm not saying that the .410 would be totally ineffective, I'm sure it could have it's moments, but, when it comes to my Governor & self defense I'll stick with something like the 250 gr. Speer Gold Dot HP's in .45 Colt and keep the .410 loads for Raccoons & 'Possums.
 
Thanks for all the reply's.....
Now I'm really confused... Guess I'll keep what I have, might just add a S&W 357 to replace the Bersa for carry.
I own a S&W 67-1 home defense, A Bersa 380 auto self defense, and a Titan 25 auto backup. plus the M-1 for whatever... Just wanted one, now I have it but don't shoot it much. I like the S&W 67-1 the best for shooting. Thanks again for the replys....
 
mtgianni said:
You will never see one at a PPC match.
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True. I don't go to PPC matches.

I don't believe I will ever see someone practicing from the 50 yard line with one.
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Someone will. Hell, I shoot snubbies at 100 yards.

They must serve a purpose.
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Why?

I have other guns that serve that same purpose.
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So what?

I don't have a Governor. I'll probably never own a Governor because I don't want one. I also don't want an AR, any semiautomatic pistol other than a M1911A1, or an X-Frame wheeless cannon. That doesn't mean I'm going to bad mouth any one else's choice of guns (unless it's, like, a Glock):D.

Let me ask a question: If all you had to defend your family and yourself from an attacker, 2-legged, 4-legged, or no-legged, was a Governor, would you turn it down in disgust?

ECS
 
What is the velocity shooting a 45acp or 45lc out of one of these? I would think the velocity is severely deminished out of these short barrels.
 
Can't really warm up to it-but I tried. I like the idea of shooting .45 ACP and .45 Long Colt out of the same gun but the shot shells ....eh. If I am going to use a shotgun I'll use my 870. For back yard pests, I'll take my 63 over a .410 in a handgun every day. If I am going to spend that kind of money-I'd rather buy a stainless steel Ruger convertable - makes more sense for me. But I ain't gonna disparage anyone who thinks otherwise.
Sorry
 
If only the Governor detractors had some real world experience with said revolver before they opined on same. Even read the specifications - or fondle one - if you can't find one to shoot. It differs from a Taurus - it's a S&W! It has a better lockwork, will fit moonclipped .45 ACPs, and it's a six-shooter, to start with. It is basically a 325 Night Guard with an elongated N-frame, frame opening, and cylinder. It is 7/8" longer than the 325 Night Guard - and 1.6 oz heavier. They share the Al/Sc frame construction; fixed rear & tritium Night Sight front sight; SS 2.75" barrel length; and SS cylinder. The Governor, SKU #162410, has a current MSRP of $679; the 325NG, SKU #163421, is currently MSRP $1,049.

Yes, with or without the .500 Magnum grips mine sports, it's bigger than a 642:

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The 642 will remain my 24/7 pocket protector. The Governor, with .45 ACP ball ammo and 250gr Speer GD JHP .45 Colts, has joined my 2" 10, 4" 64, and even a 2 5/8" PC627 UDR as home protectors. Again - you don't have to approve my choices - only I do. YMMV.

Stainz

PS As it will chamber 2.5" .410s, it is a first for me... at 63, I finally have a 'shotgun' - of sorts...
 
I cant speak for the govener or the judge, but I have a bond arms 3" 45 410 deringer. and I can tell you 410 buck is absoulutly worthless from a short barrel!!!!!! I thought highly of what I THOUGHT it could do, UNTIL I shot a scrap peice of 7/16 osb at ten feet and the buckshot did not penetrate the osb but instead rebounded straight back and hit me, one piece to the forehead one to the cheek and one to the shoulder! it just felt like a bumble bee hit, nice little welp, didnt break the skin. I also have a tc contender 45/410 and if you want a squirel it better be inside 15 yds with 7 1/2 shot! let me put it this way if you ever actually have to use a 410 pistol you are going to be sorry you made that choice!
 
treerat said:
I cant speak for the govener or the judge, but I have a bond arms 3" 45 410 deringer. and I can tell you 410 buck is absoulutly worthless from a short barrel!!!!!! I thought highly of what I THOUGHT it could do, UNTIL I shot a scrap peice of 7/16 osb at ten feet and the buckshot did not penetrate the osb but instead rebounded straight back and hit me, one piece to the forehead one to the cheek and one to the shoulder! it just felt like a bumble bee hit, nice little welp, didnt break the skin. I also have a tc contender 45/410 and if you want a squirel it better be inside 15 yds with 7 1/2 shot! let me put it this way if you ever actually have to use a 410 pistol you are going to be sorry you made that choice!
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osb,2x4,plywood etc....shoot it at 10 feet with any shotgun and its subject to blowback on you...
 
Shot gun burn time

If I'm correct, the shorter the barrel the shorter the burn time you need in a cartridge. Are the regular shot shells designed for short barrels or are we comparing apples and oranges. Winchester makes defensive rounds just for the shotgun pistol. I can't believe there not any good for PD. If what people are saying that the short barrel loses all of the momentum then those pistols that shoot rifle bullets wouldn't be any good for game.
 
When I first saw the Judge, I thought to my self, who would want something like that. Didn't appeal to me at all. However, in my area they sold like hotcakes. Just goes to show you how little I know! Anyway, as far as Smith & Wesson copying Taurus, that doesn't bother me at all.
 
Federal 410 Handgun ammo with 000 Buck ..is the only 410 ammo I'd ever consider for SD.....The 410 SD concept is sound as long as you know your gun/ammo limitations..short range.20 ft and under with 410....the 0.36 caliber pellets will most likely will lose velocity very fast beyond that ..thus limiting penetration...At close range the 4 000 buck pellets will go through and through a normal size fellow...
 
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