S&W Governor - I think I "need" one
- Thread starter drobs
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mcb
Member
My father has always gotten decent accuracy with his hand-loaded 45 Colt in his Judge. Not bulls-eye type accuracy but he can keep them in a 6-inch shoot-N-C target at 15-20 yards. That's not terrible for a fixed sight revolver.
With shotshells I was initially worried that you would end up with donut-shaped pattern due to the rifling spinning the wad but when we patterned it the pattern open up super fast but the pattern was always fairly uniform, much to my surprise.
My only real disappointment with the Judge has been with most buckshot. The setback flattens the rear pellets so much that they turn into disks rather than balls and I had trouble getting all three pellets into hit a wet phone book at 10-12 ft. I have recovered #000 pellets (from the wet phone books) with 45 caliber rifling marks all the way around them they flatten out so much under setback. Maybe some of the new 410 buckshot load has addressed this issue but it was a disappointment when I was playing with dad's Judge.
Can't forget the fun factor!
Maybe I'll get my feet wet with a Judge, see if I like it.
17 years ago I had a real pretty S&W 25-5 45 Colt. I got it right before everything S&W went up in value / price. Sold it to friend when the AW Ban ended and bought Vector Uzi.
Now I find myself wanting a "Modern" DA/SA 45 Colt. The Ruger Redhawk is a possibility.
17 years ago I had a real pretty S&W 25-5 45 Colt. I got it right before everything S&W went up in value / price. Sold it to friend when the AW Ban ended and bought Vector Uzi.
Now I find myself wanting a "Modern" DA/SA 45 Colt. The Ruger Redhawk is a possibility.
If you have a venomous snake on your property, you want to get rid of it.
If you haven't shot one then it is just your opinion and not one from knowledge .
I have one and that sucker is accurate with everything I shoot though it . If you shoot federal triple o buck you would be surprised how far it will keep a tight pattern. The Judge doesn't hold a candle to the governor in fit, finish or suitability. Here is a good link showing how tight it shoots.
Steve
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Nooooo.
5 shots vs. 6.
No to .45 ACP vs. yes to .45 ACP.
You said you already have .45 ACP . . .
Nooooo.
5 shots vs. 6.
No to .45 ACP vs. yes to .45 ACP.
You said you already have .45 ACP . . .
You do make good points. If I have carry it in a holster it ought to have 6 chambers.
Alaskan Ironworker
Member
The raging judge holds 6, and also works as a dumbell.
I have played with shot loads in handguns since the fifties, using gas checks under and over the shot, Remco shot caps, Speer capsules, cut down 444 cases in the 44 mag, Contenders in 45/410, 44 Hotshot, 357 Hotshot, the little side by side doubles, and the Judge. Have sold dozens of Judges and a few Governors out of the shop. All that said, my 624, 44 flattop, or Bulldog with Speers will do just fine at similar distances compared to the Judge and will shoot ball ammo without the horrific leading caused by the vastly oversize cylinder chamber throats in the Judges. My 45/410 Contender is in a totally 'nother class with shotshells but is single shot with the choke to fool with.
Bottom line, a Judge is a gimmick and if you want one, or a Governor, buy it. Just don't expect shotgun quality patterns, or decent ball ammo accuracy. And, invest in lead removal patches by the bale.
Bottom line, a Judge is a gimmick and if you want one, or a Governor, buy it. Just don't expect shotgun quality patterns, or decent ball ammo accuracy. And, invest in lead removal patches by the bale.
BigSteve57
Member
I was like you - convinced that I needed a handgun like the Judge.
So bought a Judge on a whim before the Governor was available.
If you really want that type of handgun I'd opt for the Governor over the Judge - but that wasn't really your question - Judge Vs. Governor.
If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't have bought the Judge nor would I now buy a Governor for mostly the reasons that were already stated.
So bought a Judge on a whim before the Governor was available.
If you really want that type of handgun I'd opt for the Governor over the Judge - but that wasn't really your question - Judge Vs. Governor.
If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't have bought the Judge nor would I now buy a Governor for mostly the reasons that were already stated.
TTv2
Member
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The .410 revolvers are fun to shoot, no doubt. You don't "need" a Governor no more than I need another black powder revolver, but I'm gonna get one anyway.
Speaking of black powder, if you reload, you can shoot a little something called the .45 Black Powder Magnum in the .410 revolvers. It's basically a .460 S&W case loaded with black powder under an appropriately lubed lead bullet. All the smoke that would make would be a lot of fun.
Speaking of black powder, if you reload, you can shoot a little something called the .45 Black Powder Magnum in the .410 revolvers. It's basically a .460 S&W case loaded with black powder under an appropriately lubed lead bullet. All the smoke that would make would be a lot of fun.
CajunBass
Member
Not really. I never thought Smith and Wesson would sell a 1911 at one time either. Or you could say they got the idea for the 5/686 from the Colt Python.
If I was a stockholder, and I could see how many of them Taurus sells, and Smith and Wesson didn't offer one, you can bet your boots I would want to know why.
bikemutt
Member
I've had a Governor for years. Don't use it much because it's a bedside gun but I did put it though it's paces when I first bought it. I was prepared to be be disappointed but found it shot everything I ran through it well. Not saying it's any sort of match pistol but for what it is, it's decent. The grouse I shot out of a tree with .410 was as dead as any shot grouse I ever saw. The thing that surprised me most was how balanced it was to shoot, it feels as if it's going to be a nose-heavy bludgeoning tool but it shoots very politely.
I say yes, go get yourself one!
I say yes, go get yourself one!
I was referring to the fact that Taurus has expended much energy over the years producing copies of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The Governor is a case of role reversal. Nothing more, nothing less.
CajunBass
Member
Well, considering that everyone and his brother has made copies of Smith and Wesson revolvers over the years, it's about time they did a role reversal.
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