Anyone else disappointed with the S&W Governor announcement?

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Ok, I've got to be honest here -- I was disappointed with the announcement from Smith & Wesson regarding their new Governor. Nothing against the Taurus Judge -- by any definition, the Judge has been a PHENOMENALLY successful revolver with a legion of devoted fans -- but a "me too" announcement from S&W chasing Taurus was a let down. Clearly, the success of the Judge forced S&W's hand to produce a .410/45 revolver, but even the name "Governor" smacks of a cheap rip-off. I dunno...maybe I'm just getting a bit crusty in my old age...:rolleyes:
 
Crikey, I just read some of the threads in the S&W forum on the same topic. Geez, it seems like a lot of those people were incensed by this announcement. A lot of acrimony from S&W devotees. :(
 
Doesn't bother me a bit. I don't want one, but I don't blame Smith & Wesson saying, "Aparrently there is a market here. Let's grab a share."

Yes, it's about the money. That's why they're in business.
 
Doesn't bother me a bit. I don't want one, but I don't blame Smith & Wesson saying, "Aparrently there is a market here. Let's grab a share."
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I agree and understand S&W's decision to enter this market. I think what sticks in my craw a bit is the name. Should it have been a 6xx or 7xx model or something like that, I think I would've shrugged it off. "Governor" or "Senator" or "Congressman" or "SCOTUS"...ugh, it just seemed so desperate.
 
I wonder how well it will sell. It seems everyone who was fascinated by the Judge has already bought one, and those curious have seen enough reports and reviews or had enough first hand experience to either buy one or realize they don't want that.

I have dealer friends who can't get rid of their Judges. Seems like a really late entry into a saturated market.
 
Yes, very disappointed. But, after the last ten years, I've come to expect disappointment from the current company calling itself S&W.

They can't produce a lock free K-frame magnum, or a scandium framed single stack TDA pistol, but they can put the famous trademark on that hideous Taurus rip off.

S&W is simply Taurus North with a better advertising budget. TJ
 
Doesn't bother me a bit. I don't want one, but I don't blame Smith & Wesson saying, "Aparrently there is a market here. Let's grab a share."

Yes, it's about the money. That's why they're in business.
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Exactly!

No one is required to buy one either.
 
"No one is required to buy one either."

You are absolutely correct. And you will not find either one in my gun safe. Unbelievably a stupid idea and ugly to boot.
 
A model number would have had some class.

The name they chose was like choosing the female gov. of Alaska as VP.

A desperate move, nothing more.
 
So, S&W = 'Taurus North'? Ay caramba! (Of course, they speak Portuguese, not Spanish, in Brazil, but I don't know the equivalent saying.)
 
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Well if they were "Taurus North" I guess they'd be selling revolvers for $400 insteald of $800:eek:

Old S&Ws are great but they cost an arm and a leg too. People talk about "get a nice used pre-lock for cheap"? Where for crying out loud? Not around here. Used S&Ws are like $600.

I object more to their pricing than the lock or anything else. Why does a revolver have to cost $800? They are far from perfect...we're not talking triple locks here!!!

I want to like S&W but they make it hard. I do own two and I am happy with them both (one 80% anyway) but I am hard pressed to lay out the cash for another...I'll buy an AR for what a nice new .357 costs:confused:
 
It doesn't bother me. They saw that Taurus has a market for them, and are trying for a piece of that pie. Frankly I think the old expression "A day late and a dollar short" kind of applies to the timing.

Besides since the locks went onto the S&W revolvers, I really don't care anymore what they make.
 
A once great company, whom Taurus and Rossi basically took their cues from, has become a company that is now taking their cues from Taurus and Rossi. Ironic. Reminds me of what happened to the American auto industry.
 
The economy is tanked, and people need jobs. S&W is tapping into a market that has grown hugely, despite the fact that one shop cannot "get rid of theirs". Perhaps it's their pricing?

As for "ugly and bulky", that's a matter of taste, and nothing more. If they sell anywhere as well as the Judge, it will enable S&W to keep their employees working.

S&W made a business decision a while back to add locks to their products. It enables them to sell their products in places where others cannot. Try certifying a revolver in California without a lock, or Maryland. Other smaller municipalities have similar laws on their books.

If you don't like the Governor, or the locks, don't buy them. They don't add or subtract anything from the guns.
 
Smith and Wesson can make as many as they want to, but I will still not have any use for a firearm that is both a piss poor revolver with normal bullets, and an even poorer shotgun.
 
That still isn't as bad a Ruger saying they "started with a clean sheet of paper" when they copied the Kel-Tec P3AT and brought out the LCP.
Heck, they even copied the parts list drawing from Kel-Tec.

At least the S&W will be a somewhat different design then the Taurus.

rc
 
Where for crying out loud? Not around here.
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dude, you gotta get out of the car and get your boots muddy.

pawn shops, the internet (smaller boards), gun shows (especially in smaller towns), gun stores that get police trade ins.

heck, the last smith I bought, less than a year ago, a police trade in 686, I was harangued for paying 400 for it.
 
Guillermo

Well you've sort of hit my nail on the head. Pawn shops around here don't seem to sell guns...I don't think they are prohibited but I just haven't seen one that does...probably is. And our big gun show here in Indianapolis, while absolutely huge and every two months, is just a big dealer showcase with very few used guns.

So I think your comment about "getting my boots dirty" is good advice. I would indeed love to find a police trade in. A buddy found a 6-in model 28 :eek:...what a gem! I think a small town LEO had it and it had a little hoster wear...very little. Maybe he paid 425 for it. Just a beautiful gun...my dream gun. Maybe there is hope.

Maybe I'll find a triple-lock :rolleyes:

Thanks.
 
What's the big deal?
Everyone did it to colt- 1911.
Now most are doing it to colt once more- ar15.
ruger did it to kel-tec, and no one cares.
And did not S&W come up with the 22 rim fire. I think all gun makers have a 22 in there line.
Yes the swing out cylinder was there idea too.
I am a very big S&W fan and I think they can do it if they want.
I know a guy who has a judge and all he does with it in 410 is shoot carp of the dock. At the price of a box of 410's. It is cheaper to shoot 45's out the thing.
And you can find a better platform to shoot 45's. And that's a fact.
There has not been a lot of original idea's in the firearm biz for a few years.
So lighten up and be glad that S&W is out to make the buyer happy.
And one thing for sure is the Governor will be better made than the judge.
 
Maybe I'll find a triple-lock
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now there is dreaming big!!! :eek:

I tend to avoid the big shows unless I have a lot of time to look for individuals selling. Seems like the dealers at the large shows have higher prices.

When I hear of a small show, if it is less than an hour drive I am there. Often find good deals. Plus, country folk seem to take care of their guns better.

Try pawn shops on the bad side of town. True they have less quality merchandise but less prosperous clients too. And the clients that they have that do have money tend to like autos that they can shoot sideways.
nyte-sytes.jpg


If there is a cheap ad rag, like the Thrifty Nickel or Greensheet, pick it up on the first day (I have never scored but have had some near misses, including a $350 Colt Diamondback). The deals are gone fast so if it has been out for a while, use it to start the fireplace.

Some folks do well at flea markets but I don't have the patience for that.

Don't give up...that triple lock might be out there!!! :D
 
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