I saw an "as new," used, Governor the other day, for a fairly good price. I was debating the purchase, but really see no use for this type of revolver. It seems to me that while they are multi-role revolvers, they do none of those roles, very well. 'Looks to me like they're an $800 "snake-gun," which can be accomplished with a .44 mag, loaded with "bird-shot." 'Too much "free-bore" in the cylinder, along with oversized cylinder-throats, causing extreme, velocity-reduction, and "less than stellar" accuracy issues. I wouldn't mind the revolver, but see no practical use for them. Am I "missing something?" Thanks in advance for your input?
S&W Governor Questions
- Thread starter JLH
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Fine Figure of a Man
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Considering your evaluation of the gun, which I agree with, why would you even consider it?
Franky50
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Hi drunkenpoacher. I am perhaps not the best one to ask such question to. Here in Spain we have a limit on the number of "short guns" we can own and I am quite close to such limit. On the other hand, I would not be allowed to shot that gun with 410 neither at my club nor in the field (for different reasons, club rules and law). All that said, I recently considered it for five minutes and I gave up the idea. It is a nice gun to bring to the club canteen and to attract all people around, but as I said, in the best case I would never be allowed to shot a single 410 cartridge.
To me, it is an appealing revolver. Should I be a US citizen my criterion would change, as I would like to try it. Perhaps I would even buy it if I knew that it could be sold easily the day I change my mind. As JLH said, it's free bore would prevent it to be as accurate as any "dedicated" revolver shooting both 45 calibers (perhaps a .454 Casull?) but I see it more a passion-driven decision than a logical one
Hey, in case any of you finally buys one please upload here some pictures, even to make me jealous!
Driftwood Johnson
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Howdy
I agree, although I am very biased. I think the Governor, and the similar Taurus Judge are the dumbest ideas in revolvers to come down the pike in a long time.
Absolutely no use for either of them and absolutely no interest in owning one.
They are obviously very popular, when I took the S&W factory tour a few years ago there were bins and bins full of X frame frames, fresh from the hammer forges, ready for further processing.
But as far as I'm concerned, a completely useless firearm.
I agree, although I am very biased. I think the Governor, and the similar Taurus Judge are the dumbest ideas in revolvers to come down the pike in a long time.
Absolutely no use for either of them and absolutely no interest in owning one.
They are obviously very popular, when I took the S&W factory tour a few years ago there were bins and bins full of X frame frames, fresh from the hammer forges, ready for further processing.
But as far as I'm concerned, a completely useless firearm.
They all, Gov and Judge, lead badly with lead ball ammo. Throats are way oversize. If you want a short barreled ineffective shotgun, go for it. TC Contender in 45/410 is way more effective and my 624 gives just as good patterns with CCI shot caps and handles 44 special loads without leading. (Former Judge owner, 44 associates member, and sixty year 44 handloader).
Zaydok Allen
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buck460XVR
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I was under the impression that the "Governor" was built on it's own "Z" frame.
As for practical or not, if they are so popular, must be some folks that think so, either that, or some folks like their impracticality. I too have no interest in one, but it seems there are many out there that do, and thus you're gonna find used ones on the market, like any other firearm.
SteadyD
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My father owns a judge, and after 20 rounds of lead I was amazed at how bad the barrel was. I pulled a bore snake through it and then peeled long strips of lead off the bore snake.
I agree with your assessment 100%. My friend has 2 of them, Lord knows why. I tried to dissuade him...
I've shot them, and here's what I experienced, from the standpoint of using this as a carry revolver...
.410 - Personally I just don't trust this round for self defense, the ballistic performance on the dedicated self defense ammo is not impressive. Plus the shells tend to stick in the cylinders after firing making a speed reload too time consuming.
45 ACP with Moon Clips - much faster to speed reload, but if the full moon clips bend, you are in a world of crap, so not an option for me. Half moon clips are probably the best option and I like the 45 ACP for self defense
45 Colt - the longer cartridges are a pain to get free from the cylinder for a speed reload, and the cartridge is expensive if you don't handload.
Snake Shot in 45 - no better than snake shot in any of my 44's
I have not chronographed any of these loads from the Governor...that is probably something to look into if you want one.
All rounds shot in this revolver were soft shooting.
In a field scenario, the 410 out of a short barrel is all but useless, except for snakes close up. The other rounds are more useful, assuming they get close to a standard 4" barrel velocity (doubtful).
If you want something like this, just get a dedicated 44 Special or 44 Magnum. It can do everything the Governor/Judge can do and more, better. Just make sure you Handload to keep your costs down.
I like what others here have said... it can do a lot of things, poorly.
I've shot them, and here's what I experienced, from the standpoint of using this as a carry revolver...
.410 - Personally I just don't trust this round for self defense, the ballistic performance on the dedicated self defense ammo is not impressive. Plus the shells tend to stick in the cylinders after firing making a speed reload too time consuming.
45 ACP with Moon Clips - much faster to speed reload, but if the full moon clips bend, you are in a world of crap, so not an option for me. Half moon clips are probably the best option and I like the 45 ACP for self defense
45 Colt - the longer cartridges are a pain to get free from the cylinder for a speed reload, and the cartridge is expensive if you don't handload.
Snake Shot in 45 - no better than snake shot in any of my 44's
I have not chronographed any of these loads from the Governor...that is probably something to look into if you want one.
All rounds shot in this revolver were soft shooting.
In a field scenario, the 410 out of a short barrel is all but useless, except for snakes close up. The other rounds are more useful, assuming they get close to a standard 4" barrel velocity (doubtful).
If you want something like this, just get a dedicated 44 Special or 44 Magnum. It can do everything the Governor/Judge can do and more, better. Just make sure you Handload to keep your costs down.
I like what others here have said... it can do a lot of things, poorly.
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