Why did I buy a Governor?

[Stainz]

If you know, let me know! Talk about an impulse buy... I stopped at an Academy Sports - they had the Judge - I shot one several years ago - thought it laughable - the answer to a question I sure hadn't asked. Secretly, I lusted for a 3" capable SS version... then, S&W has to introduce their model...

I started off the day looking for .22 Stingers for my 3" at 63 Academy - none around. I saw the Judges and asked about the new S&W Governor - he didn't know when or if they'd get them - suggested I try the new gunstore down the street. Well, the Ma/Pa store - my usual 'pusher' - hadn't seen them. He said no, try the new store - actually further up the road - nearer my home! A new - well stocked - gunstore? Gads, how'd I miss that over the last two+ months?

Long story short, having not even seen a picture - I spied it - they got in five last Friday - sold one - one on layaway - and I bought one - $613.74 w s/t. On my way home, I called the range where I'll shoot it in the AM - they only had the Federal 3" Handgun .410 ammo. Hmmmm. Stopped by WallyWorld - no Stingers - and only the same 3" .410 Federal handgun ammo... what gives? You could only buy 2.5" Judges forever, it seemed - now, what do you feed them - or the Governor? BTW, the addendum page on the Governor in the S&W Revolver Instruction Manual doesn't state the size - it directs you to look at the barrel. There it is, 2.5" .410. Back to Academy for some .410 birdshot! Of course, I have plenty of .45 Colt and .45 ACP.

I'll take pix and report back after Tuesday's range trip. I am like a kid with a new toy. I don't expect a target gun - it looks like a totally self protection device, from the Sc alloy frame and black SS cylinder to the Night Sight - and fixed rear sight. No pretense that it is a CCW, either - it's huge. The trigger is good - feels about like a new N-frame, pull wise. The boot-like one piece grip is just big enough for my medium+ hand - any smaller, and it would have to go quickly.

I am not usually an impulse buyer...

Stainz

 

[thomasinaz]

It's the new S&W in a weird handgun caliber of 410. Everyone doesn't have one yet. Um, it will shoot 3 different calibers. I looks cool....Impulse buy, I'd never do something like that....Oh wait a minute I've got a 450 Marlin carbine with 1/2 of the original box of ammo, that I bought for no reason except it seemd like a good price. And the 327 Ruger SP101 that I had to have......At least you get the chance to try one out and see if you like it. If you do, you've got a new toy that you enjoy shooting. If not, well at least you tried it out and don't have to wonder if you "needed" one or not. That's got to be worth the price of admission, especially if you break even if you sell it. I hope that helped some.

 

[bassoneer]

You bought it because it is a very cool gun. I saw one Saturday and I plan on getting one in the future. Very cool...let us know how you like shooting it...B

 

[Cory10/22]

Saw a bit on TV, the Taurus guys shoot clays with theirs. Could be fun if you don't know what else to do with it. I'm intrigued myself, but you hit it with the 'Answer to the question I didn't ask." I shot a friend's Judge, it was neat, and I don't even trust Tauri.

 

[mes227]

I bought a Governor last week -- no idea why but I like it! Took it to the range yesterday with some friends, it's definitely a hoot to shoot. I have better guns home defense (M&P40ctc, 1076 and 1911PD) and hiking (586, 686, 610, 625JM, 625NG, 625MG, 657PC & 629MG) so other than playing at the range I've no idea what I'm gonna do with the Governor. But no regrets!!

 

[Stainz]

Getting the range bag ready for this AM's range trip. I returned to the new gunstore yesterday and bought a box of Remington Express Long Range #6 shot (1/2 oz) and a box of Winchester PDX1 (3 discs & 12 BB's). I'll be 63 next month - and this is the first shotgun ammo I've bought - heck, my first 'shotgun'! I've always heard you should start with a .410. As a teen, I shot an old 10 gauge double barrel... maybe the reason I've avoided shotguns! I'll have some homebrew .45 ACPs, Colts, and maybe, if I find them, some Schoffields to try. Should be fun.

No buyer's remorse - this thing is neat! Oh, sure, I spent the tires for my Jeep money on a new toy, but who cares? I can always drive my wife's pocket rocket, her SRT-4. I will hit the S&W Accessories line for the matching holster - priced the same as the recently acquired 3" J-frame ($65), it should be <$75 delivered - probably a DeSantis, too. "I'll be back'!

Stainz

 

[Milton]

Why did I buy a Governor?

Sounds like political troubles ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Stainz]

You missed the monster, Milton! I shot two types of 2.5" .410's - Winchester PDX1 (3 discs followed by 12 BB's - all plated) and Remington Express 1/2 oz of #6 shot; 255gr LSWC & 250gr Gold Dot .45 Colts; 250gr LRNFP .45 Schoffields; and both my detuned 230gr FMJ .45 ACPs and the UMC bulk pack ball ammo in both the 6-slot Ranch Products moonclips and the included 2-slot 'clips. The .410's were sometimes not drop-ins - probably variations in the plastic hulls. All ejected easily. I started with the longer cases - .410's - then .45 Colts - then .45 Schoffield - then .45 ACP.

I shot at the COM of a paper silhouette target at 12 yd, starting with the personal defense Winchester .410's. I found four larger holes - and a bunch of smaller ones, whose center of 'spread' 'spread ' seemed slightly left and lower than the center of spread of the three discs - and I assume, the wad. That was the worst recoil in the dimunitive grip, followed by the Remington .410's, .45 Colts, UMC .45 ACP ball ammo, and my .45 ACP ball and .45 Schoffield being tied for the most comfortable, ie, least punishing, to launch. It does bounce a bit - it only weighs a couple of ounces more than my 60 Pro - what did I expect! It needs a larger grip, that's for sure.

I did pick up a box of Winnie #9 bird shot - for next time. It's forte may just be to be used to dispatch extra/old .45 ammo - as well as the ultimate home defender. Yeah, right... I really needed this thing. Still... I like it. No, it won't replace a plinker in the range bag. I have that S&W/Desantis holster ordered - it might be a woods companion. I'll checkout the grip situation after I clean and inspect the revolver tonite. Pictures in the AM.

Stainz

 

[.357magger]

Post the pics or stop teasing us.

 

[Gorenut]

Haha, maybe you can just say you got it as a snake gun?

 

[OKFC05]

I did pick up a box of Winnie #9 bird shot - for next time. It's forte may just be to be used to dispatch extra/old .45 ammo - as well as the ultimate home defender. Yeah, right...

I appreciate your irony, and wish you well with the "I didn't have one" impulse buy. I have an old USAF .22 survival rifle that fits into that category. Not the most accurate or reliable, but it is different, and gets shot from time to time.

I do have some people showing up at the range with a Judge as their first gun, and some of them fervently believe the ads and think they DO have the ultimate all-purpose defense gun. Now if I can just get them to only shoot the targets and stop demonstrating the gun's "power" by shooting the Bianchi barricades instead........

 

[williamlayton]

What is really--really--really stupid is when you buy two--of anything on an impulse.
Blessings

 

[Stainz]

I cleaned it tonite - everything was fine. I did note the ball/detent lockup on the front of the yoke. The ejector rod end is rounded over. Removing that boot grip exposed the usual K/L/N style leaf spring and strain screw. Getting a couple of two piece N and K/L frame round butt grips, I determined that the latter fit. I didn't tighten a set of Uncle Mikes Square Conversion Combats - I am not sure about the gripframe thickness. I recalled my two Hogue .500 Magnum monogrips - that fit K/L/N/X and now the Z-frame. Great fit - that covered backstrap should make the recoil tolerable (They really helped with the 629!). Pix in the AM - when my lighting system is 'up' again.

Stainz

PS I bought two 2 5/8" PC627 UDRs last year... that may be my favorite revolver. Probably not stupid... more likely just glutony!

 

[VictorLouis]

I fondled one yesterday, just because. I must say, it has the nice sideplate fit of perhaps any S&W revo I have ever seen. It nearly looked like a sold frame, were it not for the two tell-tale screws.

 

[TAROMAN]

 

[dla]

it looks like a totally self protection device, from the Sc alloy frame and black SS cylinder to the Night Sight - and fixed rear sight.

Wow! I mean seriously... "a totally self protection device"? Did it say the word "tactical" too? Cause that means it is really an awesome totally self protection device. Did they ship it with a test watermelon too?

 

[fyimo]

Have fun with it and shoot the tar out of it. You bought it because you could !!!!

 

[MTKTM]

I've not yet seen one, but imagine they'll start showing up one of these days. I've never had much of a yen for the Judge series and doubt that I'll want to acquire one of these either, but I see them as a fun range-toy, and also think they'd not make a bad nightstand gun loaded with 410 buck. One concern about many standard SD handgun calibers, i.e., 45ACP, 9mm, 357, etc., is overpenetration in an urban or suburban situation. I personally keep an FN Five-seveN on my nightstand for that very reason, but think a 410 revolver, while very different, would serve much the same purpose quite well.

 

[Loco Weed]

I've owned several Judges in different weights including a 6" one, all in 2 1/2" chamber. So... this may be relevant to the Governor too. I tried S&B buckshot and RIO birdshot and had A LOT of trouble chambering and extracting the empties. Now I use Winchester, Remington and Federal and have no such problems. Use good quality American made .410 shells in your revolver and save yourself some trouble.

 

[Stainz]

Here it is - with some of the ammo I have for it. L-R: .410 PDX1, #6, & #9; .45 Colt 250gr Gold Dot JHP; .45 Schofield 250gr LRNFP; .45ACP 230gr FMJ. It sports the Hogue made-for-S&W .500 Magnum grips, with it's OEM boots alongside for comparison.

Here it is with my 642 for size comparison:

Sorry, Gunny!

Stainz