I've been looking around for another revolver for my collection, and both the Taurus Judge and S&W Governor have caught my attention. I do like the Governor because of the higher capacity, (6 vs 5 on the smaller models) but the much higher price is a bit of a problem. Primary use will be for those snakes that get a little too friendly as you're walking the south side of a ridge! I guess I was just curious if anyone owns both and would recommend one over the other after a side by side comparison. Any other input or information is welcome as well.
Judge vs. Governor
- Thread starter DJF113
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TTv2
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Unless you plan on shooting a lot of .45 ACP for fun, there's no reason to buy the Governor. It's llght, but it's large and IMO that does nothing given what it is.
The Judge tho you get a variety of models and the Public Defenders are much smaller than the Governor and the poly models weigh less than the Governor does. The extra round is meaningless if all you're looking for is a snake gun. That said, if all this is for is snakes, any small revolver you have now can be loaded with CCI shotshells and do the same job.
For anything other than snakes, your choice of 000 Buck and .45 Colt is going to do fine if you're within the proper distances. I find the Federal 4 pellet 000 Buck to shoot the best and it's really best suited for indoors use given the short distances involved. .45 Colt is good out to 15 yards, probably more, but you'll see people saying that if you're going to shoot .45 in these .410 revolvers, you'd be better off getting a .45 Colt only revolver.
The only problem with that line of thinking is outside of Charter Arms, there aren't any small-ish frame .45 Colt double action revolvers currently made.
The one drawback to shooting .45 in the Judge (and I'll presume the Governor too) is the throats are HUGE and if you shoot lead cowboy ammo in one, it's going to lead the bore quickly and badly. So, either take up reloading and use jacketed or plated bullets or only buy jacketed/semi-jacketed .45 Colt ammo.
So, if you want a .410 revolver to add to the collection, but also be the most logical for any field work, then the Judge is the best option and a great price.
The Judge tho you get a variety of models and the Public Defenders are much smaller than the Governor and the poly models weigh less than the Governor does. The extra round is meaningless if all you're looking for is a snake gun. That said, if all this is for is snakes, any small revolver you have now can be loaded with CCI shotshells and do the same job.
For anything other than snakes, your choice of 000 Buck and .45 Colt is going to do fine if you're within the proper distances. I find the Federal 4 pellet 000 Buck to shoot the best and it's really best suited for indoors use given the short distances involved. .45 Colt is good out to 15 yards, probably more, but you'll see people saying that if you're going to shoot .45 in these .410 revolvers, you'd be better off getting a .45 Colt only revolver.
The only problem with that line of thinking is outside of Charter Arms, there aren't any small-ish frame .45 Colt double action revolvers currently made.
The one drawback to shooting .45 in the Judge (and I'll presume the Governor too) is the throats are HUGE and if you shoot lead cowboy ammo in one, it's going to lead the bore quickly and badly. So, either take up reloading and use jacketed or plated bullets or only buy jacketed/semi-jacketed .45 Colt ammo.
So, if you want a .410 revolver to add to the collection, but also be the most logical for any field work, then the Judge is the best option and a great price.
Godsgunman
Member
The difference is hundreds of dollars for a "better" name stamp. Get the Judge and be on your way.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
An acquaintance of mine owned and shot both. He liked the Governor more and sold the Judge to a coworker that wanted a “snake gun”. He wanted an all around home defense night stand gun. Besides that he thought the Governor was “cooler”.
I would say go with the Judge if it’s just for snakes.
I would say go with the Judge if it’s just for snakes.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
I have been thinking about purchasing a Bond Arms Rowdy for the same purpose. The smaller size would make it easy to carry, but you are limited to 2 shots. If capacity is a concern the Taurus will fill that at a more reasonable price than the Smith. The Governor will have a higher value to collectors and normally a little better fit and finish. It really boils down to how much weight you want to carry and spend on the handgun.
Have fun deciding!
Have fun deciding!
I bought a Judge before the Governor came out. Then I wanted a Governor for the extra shot and .45 ACP capability but finally decided against it. Now I only wish that I had bought a longer barrel Judge but I can live without that too.
Tallball
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I bought a Judge just for entertainment. It is the 3" magnum version. The trigger is stiff. Even so it is as accurate as any snubby revolver at seven yards. I kept it handy when the neighbor's brush pile created a bunch of copperheads. It is in my safe now, but I would feel well-armed with it for HD. It can unleash 30 32-caliber balls in a few seconds. I shoot snubbies well, and would never feel under-armed with it in my hand.
unclenunzie
Contributing Member
My personal experience is with the "public defender poly" judge. For snakes, it is probably the ideal combination of functionality, price, convenience. I wear it when riding the mower, etc. Counter-intuitively the smaller barrel is better for shot patterns because of required rifling.
Glock21user
Member
I have several Taurus Judges of various configurations and one Governor, I would recommend the Judge anyday all day.
Not one time have I ever felt the need for more.
Not one time have I ever felt the need for more.
TTv2
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Since we're on the topic of snakes and birdshot, has anyone ever tested the patterns the Judge gives compared to that of a .44 Spl or .45 Colt shotshell? I've believed for a while that a .44 or .45 CCI shotshell will work just fine, but a .410 from a handgun is probably more ethical as the shot payload is greater and makes for a more ethical kill.
DocRock
member
These 45 cal / 410 revolvers are gimmicks. Anything that you want to shoot with a .410 shell in one of these gimmicks, you can shoot with a 45 shot shell. And anything that you wouldn't dare shoot with a shot shell wants a proper pistol cartridge. Snake shooting is right up there with the disproportionate attention paid to the hoards of marauding bears waiting for one to set single foot in the woods.
These revolvers are neither jacks of all trades nor masters of any. They deliver marginally larger payloads than a 45 shot shell with marginally better patterns at more or less the same distance. They require a considerable amount of freebore for the pistol cartridge and the shallower rifling designed to mitigate the negative impact on shot patterns of the rifled bore does no favors for pistol cartridge accuracy.
A Ruger BH or Vaquero in 45, or any other 45 single or double action, with a couple of shotshells in the cylinder, would be a better tool.
These revolvers are neither jacks of all trades nor masters of any. They deliver marginally larger payloads than a 45 shot shell with marginally better patterns at more or less the same distance. They require a considerable amount of freebore for the pistol cartridge and the shallower rifling designed to mitigate the negative impact on shot patterns of the rifled bore does no favors for pistol cartridge accuracy.
A Ruger BH or Vaquero in 45, or any other 45 single or double action, with a couple of shotshells in the cylinder, would be a better tool.
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DocRock
member
I can tell you categorically that a 45 Colt shot shell can take a bit more than 5/8 oz of no.9 shot and that it will pattern effectively out to 15 feet, effectively enough to kill squirrels, so certainly effective enough to kill a snake. If you are shooting snakes at farther than 15 feet, you are hunting them rather than defending against them. There are better ways to hunt snakes than with a revolver.
FFGColorado
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Might want to check this out
About 10 minutes in.
If you do the math, over a period of 5 or ten years, the difference in cost of a Governor and a Judge is less than a nickel a day. You get the better Scandium Finish, six shots,(may be more than 1 snake, on that trail), and an overall better build, not to mention, much better rep and resale value, with the S&W.
That said, I'd say if you're in the sticks, and you need a snake gun, this one gives you the easy 410/45 Colt mixed cartridge option. Even if you miss, it's loud enough to scare off the average reptile,
That said, I'd say if you're in the sticks, and you need a snake gun, this one gives you the easy 410/45 Colt mixed cartridge option. Even if you miss, it's loud enough to scare off the average reptile,
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I've owned both.
The judge has an issue supporting that big heavy cylinder. I had mine break and drop out on me. It's a cheap easy fix but catastrophic in the moment.
The build quality on the governor is significantly better. Running 45 acp moon clips and having a front site night site is also useful.
No contest, if you intend to use it go gov.
The judge has an issue supporting that big heavy cylinder. I had mine break and drop out on me. It's a cheap easy fix but catastrophic in the moment.
The build quality on the governor is significantly better. Running 45 acp moon clips and having a front site night site is also useful.
No contest, if you intend to use it go gov.
Glock21user
Member
I have several thousands rounds through one of my Judges and close to 1k through another with zero problems with either one.
My Governor is solid and well built but I refuse to just buy a weapon because it has a specific name on it.
As noted earlier in this thread there are better single use weapons for the task at hand but the novelty and fun is why I bought mine not because I expect SAA accuracy or a shotgun tight group, they are just fun.
My best friend and I shoot together ALOT and he has never had a hiccup in 10 or so years of just having fun type of shooting with his either.
Good and bad come from all manufacturer's so I buy what I want and enjoy it, if it does develop issues the manufacturer gets notified and it gets sent back.
To be upfront I have had 2 Henry's I have had to send back and a Ruger so it does happen to all of them.
It's sorta like the Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge thing, they all make a great product and overall they will serve you well it really comes down to feel and what you are used to.
Good luck to the OP in your journey and please keep us updated with info and pics.
My Governor is solid and well built but I refuse to just buy a weapon because it has a specific name on it.
As noted earlier in this thread there are better single use weapons for the task at hand but the novelty and fun is why I bought mine not because I expect SAA accuracy or a shotgun tight group, they are just fun.
My best friend and I shoot together ALOT and he has never had a hiccup in 10 or so years of just having fun type of shooting with his either.
Good and bad come from all manufacturer's so I buy what I want and enjoy it, if it does develop issues the manufacturer gets notified and it gets sent back.
To be upfront I have had 2 Henry's I have had to send back and a Ruger so it does happen to all of them.
It's sorta like the Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge thing, they all make a great product and overall they will serve you well it really comes down to feel and what you are used to.
Good luck to the OP in your journey and please keep us updated with info and pics.
PA Revolver Guy
Member
One of my shooting friends has the 3 inch magnum judge. It is a pretty cool gun. He carries it as a woods gun and as a backup during hunting season here in Pennsylvania. Definitely not my first choice and certainly not for everyone. I much prefer my Ruger Blackhawk Flattop 44 Special as a sidearm in the woods or back up while hunting. I will say that the judge is more accurate using 45 colt ammo than most folks would believe. Out to 25 yards it is fully capable of 2 inch groups. I personally believe that is good enough for most back up applications while hunting. Whether the 45 colt round at SAAMI specs is adequate, well I guess that depends on what is being shot. Probably adequate for most 2 and 4 legged threats.
The Federal 000 buckshot 4 and 5 pellet shells are accurate within 10 yards on a B-27 target. Plenty accurate for self defense agsinst human threats if used within those distances.
The birdshot is a completely different story. Accuracy degrades somewhat significantly after 15 feet (3 yards). Plenty accurate for snake duty if a venomous snake is required to be dispatched but not much else. Personally, I don't shoot venomous snakes if they can be avoided. However, venomous snakes in and around the house/yard can be very dangerous to curious children or pets. The judge will make short work of a copperhead within its 3 yard effective range.
I am not sure I agree with the judge or the govenor as being a gimmick. However, my definition of gimmick is something that is sold that completely fails to deliver on its intended purpose. Either gun is absolutely capable of being effective within a certain set of limitations. Perhaps others definition of gimmick is different than mine.
The Federal 000 buckshot 4 and 5 pellet shells are accurate within 10 yards on a B-27 target. Plenty accurate for self defense agsinst human threats if used within those distances.
The birdshot is a completely different story. Accuracy degrades somewhat significantly after 15 feet (3 yards). Plenty accurate for snake duty if a venomous snake is required to be dispatched but not much else. Personally, I don't shoot venomous snakes if they can be avoided. However, venomous snakes in and around the house/yard can be very dangerous to curious children or pets. The judge will make short work of a copperhead within its 3 yard effective range.
I am not sure I agree with the judge or the govenor as being a gimmick. However, my definition of gimmick is something that is sold that completely fails to deliver on its intended purpose. Either gun is absolutely capable of being effective within a certain set of limitations. Perhaps others definition of gimmick is different than mine.
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