WOW!

[Larry from Bend]

In NC MT the Judge has been unbelievably popular. Our hardware/gun store couldn't keep them in stock for months. I know many people that own them. I'm tickled that S&W came out with a competitor to the Judge --- I'll bet it's a better firearm and I'm sure it's a kick to shoot.

The only thing that I don't understand is that I read arguements that never end on these web sites about which is the best defensive round. It HAS to be bonded, skived, made of unobtanium and cost @ least $1.50 apiece. Some of you contribute to those threads!

But now we've found the answer to our self defense ammo quest----- two 410 shells stuffed with 000 buckshot --- followed by two 45 ACP and then two 45 Colt ---- WAIT I FORGOT the flat disc WW 410s --- I'll bet those could give you a naaaaasty cut. We really need an 8 shot Guv!!!!!

How much ARE those Guvs anyway? I think I want one!

 

[Frank237]

The Box O' Truth #41 - The Taurus Judge Vs. The Box O' Truth - Page 1

I know this test is somewhat old...I understand the ammo companies made some IMPROVED .410 loads specifically for the Judge/Gov. Anyone tried them?

FN in MT

 

[TX58]

Cost

For those who asked: I got mine for $579.00 plus $20.00 shipping from Florida gun works? Florida Gun Exchange? Anyway, I went to gunsamerica.com and typed in Smith & Wesson Governor and went to the lowest price site and imagine my suprise when it was the Florida one. I had bought another gun from them about four months before that, good service and communiction when transfering the gun to my FFL dealer.

I have used the following loads andI have found they all work great for the distance I use them. They are: the Winchester PDX rounds - great for "close" range, as the three flat copper discs hit just about right next to each other up to about 7 to 10 yards, with the BB's hitting on the target as well. After that, the copper discs do alright, BUT the BB's start to spread off the target and that's too much spread for me, that's why these are the first two rounds I use - for real close range. The copper discs might be on target out to 25 yards, I haven't tried that far. Then, I load two Federal 000 buck loads (four per shell) and those (I Know) will stay (from my Governor) in a 5 inch circle out to 25 yards. Finally, two Gold dot 250 grain hollow points (see the picture I suggested posted above by another poster that is in another Governor thread) that group into about three inches at 25 yards - just as good as my 9mm or .45 Glock do. The .410 loads may work well for self defense, I just haven't tested them too much, other than to "blast" soda pop cans for fun. I would not fault anybody for using .410 ammunition for self defense (as others have), I just like the other stuff better.

F.Y.I. the six round 625 speedloaders from HKS work perfectly in the Governor as well, I got two yesterday and may need a few more loaded with .45 Colt. I tried them with the .410, but the rim on the .410 won't go into the speedloader. I forgot to try them with the .45 ACP or .45 GAP, but then that is what the full moon clips are for!

 

[Cyrano]

Some enterprising manufacturer needs to come up with moon clips for the 410, to be used in the Governor.

 

[TX58]

Excellent idea - however.....

Cyrano: Excellent idea however I don't think it would work because the .410 rim is so thick now, that when you put a moon clip under the rim, I don't think you could close the cylinder on the Governor. The good news is HKS speed loaders for the 625 work for the .45 colt and full moon clips work for the .45 GAP and .45 ACP. three out of four ain't bad.

 

[Stainz]

First, the the Governor, like many other lite weight S&W's, is made of an Aluminum alloy which contains Scandium. As to size comparison, it is 8.5" OAL vs 7.625"/7.75" for the 325NG/327NG, etc. It weighs 1.6 oz more than the 325NG - only .3 oz more than the 329NG. They are all ~2.75" barrel and have a Tritium Night Sight on front, and a non-adjustable rear sight.

Cost? The basic Governor has a current MSRP of $679 while the N-frame NG's, the 325/327/329 models, all have an MSRP of $1,049. The smaller L-frame 386NG is MSRP $979 (All prices are from the S&W site.). Locally, the 325/327 NG's run $889-$899 - that's still over $300 more than the Governor. In my case, I only had one .45 ACP revolver - a 625JM - and wanted a possible nightstand 'protector' so chambered - the Governor fills the bill. It's also fun... and, if you find an old U.S. Calvary cache of .45 Schofield ammo - often referred to as '.45 Short Colt' - it'll work fine - except tor the miserable mess the black powder leaves! I reload, so I have actually made some smokeless .45 Schofield ammo (Starline brass) - neat rounds with a 'real' rim! Regular .45 Colt is pretty nice, too - and extracts 100% from the Governor, as it does from my 625MG in .45 Colt (Not so my old Rugers - .454 SRH & .45 RH - they often skipped over the small .45 Colt rims.). The SASS folks had some specialty made short .45 Colt brass made for them - and labelled '.45 Special' - they'd work, too.

I don't care who likes/dislikes the Governor. Those who entertain me by 'protesting too much' may just be 'closet Governor lovers', however. It'll be okay... just open the door... no one is looking... come to the 'dark side'...

As to a holster - I bought the first Governor I saw - it was June 13th. I called S&W Accessories (1-800-331-0852) when I arrived home - they already had a RH DeSantis holster available - I had it within a week:

My holstered Governor sports a set of S&W/Hogue .500 Magnum (X-frame) grips - they fit perfectly and help with the .410 recoil.

Stainz

 

[David Sinko]

Will this thing chamber and fire the longer rimless .45 cartridges? The .460 Rowland comes to mind. And .45 Winchester Magnum when loaded with Starline brass will also snap right into common .45 ACP moonclips.

Dave Sinko

 

[mag318]

Will this thing chamber and fire the longer rimless .45 cartridges? The .460 Rowland comes to mind. And .45 Winchester Magnum when loaded with Starline brass will also snap right into common .45 ACP moonclips.

Dave Sinko

That's a very good question and an interesting one.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I know this test is somewhat old...I understand the ammo companies made some IMPROVED .410 loads specifically for the Judge/Gov. Anyone tried them?

Both Federal and Winchester make some specific loads for the Judge/Governor.

 

[Greyson]

I have a friend that is waiting for a Judge to come up cheap enough used to keep it as a truck gun. I recently told him that the S&W Governor will also run 45ACP. And could run that God Aweful GAP ammo.

Obviously the price was a a bit of a deterrent so he is still looking for a Judge. I..since I am a 1911 guy...am very interested in The Governor. Will I pay retail for one? Probably not. But I know they are out there and they have kind of a fad associated with them. Eventually I will see one at a gun-show cheap and I will pick it up.

In short, I am circling like a shark looking for an easy kill.


Regards,
Greyson

 

[mag318]

Considering the prices on current S&W revolvers and their great build quality, I'm amazed at the price S&W released the Governor at. I paid $525 for mine so good prices are out there. I'm sure once the initial feeding frenzy subsides you'll see more available at very reasonable prices.

 

[OldArcher]

The Gov has been a source of much contention. Does someone really need the Governor? Something that is expensive and expensive to shoot? Shoots 410's and 45 ACP and Colts? How many revolvers does someone really need. Then Why climb the highest mountain? Why sail the farthest sea? I recently picked mine up. Ergonomics are great (Grips!), recoil is extremely manageable and mild. Versatile in ammo and shoots them all very well, and accurate. Appears a bit bigger than the Nightguard series with a larger chamber. I think that if I didn't buy the piece I'd have missed out experiencing the .45 Colt in action. S&W did good. I think if anyone picked it up, they'd really like it.

Hi, semperFI,

I picked-up my first Governor today, my other three arrive tomorrow. These weapons breathe "versatility, utility, and reliability..." I bought these for the purpose of still having weapons, when the other, more common ammo, becomes scarce...

I learned something on this very thread, that with full or 1/3-moon clips, one can use the .45GAP... Why does this interest me? Though I don't have a .45GAP, that may, one day, be the only ammo I can find... Until now, I was only aware of the .45 S&W, .45 Schofield, .45 Colt, .45 ACP, and a 2 1/2" .410 GA bore shotgun shell... Now, the available cartridge/calibers number SIX, with the addition of the .45 GAP. Perhaps there are more that I don't remember, or don't know about...

If you travel the world, you might be able to find one of these... I talked to S&W this morning, and suggested they use the same concept with a 9mm/.38 cartridge interoperability... There are, indeed, more cartridges based upon the venerable .38, than with the .45... Imagine being overseas, and you run out of your favorite .357 fare... You'd possibly be S.O.L... From .380 to Ruger's .357 Super Maximum, you'd be in a much better place, for finding usable ammo...

I like being able to literally tailor my potential responses, before going into a situation that may find me, or others, in harm's way... Where I live, we have snakes- poisonous ones. Chances are, I'll have two chambers loaded with two .410 shells of #7 1/2, in 2 1/2" ammo from Winchester or Federal...

I already have beaucoup .45 ACP, .45 Colt, and .410 ga in 2 1/2" ammo... I will acquire a couple of boxes of the .45 GAP- just in case...

This new revolver is nothing like the Taurus Judge. The S&W Governor is light years ahead of the Taurus. Fit, finish, quality, and reliability are nothing less than superb... I can objectively compare the two, because I had four Taurus Judges... To those that have them, and find them to be adequate to your needs, bravo.

Six different calibers trumps two. Likewise, the very solidity of the Governor is not equaled by other makes or designs that offer only two possibilities... Quite simply, the Governor, now, has no equal as the best survival handgun...

I'll be posting more on this marvelous weapon, in the coming months, so I'm glad to see so many here like it... So far, as you can see, it's possible ammo mix, coupled with the excellence of S&W, make this an amazing political expedience, WHEN those in power try to either tax ammo out of existence, or ban it all together... Add to this, the ability to use black powder for reloading, and then all you need, is the ability to cast bullets, and have a large store of appropriate primers on hand... Politicians aren't gods or goddesses. The good ones are rare, but they support our rights, freedoms, and privileges, via the Constitution. Of the bad ones, they are "legion."

If S&W Governors can keep the fight for Freedom in this nation, or anywhere on the globe going, they'll have proved their worth, many times over...

BTW, from an old Squid to a Devil Dog, Bravo Zulu...

May you and yours always be well, safe, happy, and forever, free...

OldArcher, out...

 

[Smith doctor]

After having and shooting a Taurus 3 inch magnum judge for over 2 years I finnaly sold mine and centered on a 357 magnum smith and wesson revolver. The cylinder was just to big for a carry gun. If you want one for home defense, why not a 12 gauge shotgun? I feel smith and wesson should quit trying to copy other gunmakers who copy them and stick to making good quality revolvers that have stood up to the test of time. Now if youre talking 8 shot 357 magnum revolvers thats a different question, but 410 revolvers, please give me a break. I know alot will be upset at my remarks but a shotgun is a shotgun and revolver is a revolver. If you want to spend alot on a 410 revolver go ahead

Let's see you put a shotgun in your dresser drawer! :

 

[Gorenut]

Always wanted to try one out. Unfortunately they're completely illegal in CA.

 

[OldArcher]

Best shotshell for the Governor?

Both Federal and Winchester make some specific loads for the Judge/Governor.

Arguably the Winchester PDX-1 .410 2 1/2" .410 GA ammo is the "Best"... I prefer it to the "Defense" loads offered by some others. The Winchester has three disks, backed-up by a dozen copper plated BBs. No, I too thought it was a variation of buck n' ball... Nope, this is far more effective...

Remember when Billy the Kid made his escape, shooting the Sheriff with a loads comprised of dimes? Look it up, it happened, and it was evidently, horrific...

One only has to remember that this is really, a superbly made, "LARGE" snub-nosed revolver. More powerful than it's .38 Special fore-bearers, like the .38 Chief's Special, it is still concealable. It's the same size as my Glock 21's, that I carry readily. No, not up to 18rds in one frame, but it is more versatile...

Wasn't it Chuck Smith who said, "The pistol is what you use to get to the rifle or shotgun you shouldn't have put down in the first place?" Working with the Governor this evening, I'm sure that it's superb pointability, balance, and phenomenal trigger, are now my choice...

OA, out...