S&W Governor?
- Thread starter jski
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gotboostvr
Member
For shooting 45ACP/LC it's fine. There might be better choices, but It'd work.
.410 is a bit of a gimmick out of a handgun. It looks impressive on paper, but the pellets don't penetrate much at all. Very shallow damage.
.410 is a bit of a gimmick out of a handgun. It looks impressive on paper, but the pellets don't penetrate much at all. Very shallow damage.
Even Hornady’s 410 Critical Defense loads?
P5 Guy
Member
Gimmick.
mcb
Member
The one thing the Governor (and Judge) does better than any other handgun is dispatching snakes and similar size critters at spitting distances with shot-shells. A typical 2.5-inch 410 shot-shell with 1/2 oz of #8 or #7.5 shot beats any other shot load on the market for a handgun. Beyond that their performance falls rather flat.
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Starter52
Member
The Governor.
Right up there on the list with the S&W .35 auto and the 1970's .22 Escort.
Not S&W's proudest moment.
Right up there on the list with the S&W .35 auto and the 1970's .22 Escort.
Not S&W's proudest moment.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
In addition to the govenor, we need to include the judge and Bond Arms 45/410 in the defense role.
I think these 410 defense loads (buckshot, disks, mini balls) don't offer much advantage over the 45 LC. What I have seen in reviews the charge has very little spread. I do see a benefit when using birdshot as it does open up at short ranges some. This could be a benefit for snakes. With that said I am considering buying a Bond Arms Rowdy for snakes.
I think these 410 defense loads (buckshot, disks, mini balls) don't offer much advantage over the 45 LC. What I have seen in reviews the charge has very little spread. I do see a benefit when using birdshot as it does open up at short ranges some. This could be a benefit for snakes. With that said I am considering buying a Bond Arms Rowdy for snakes.
Armored farmer
Member
Handloaders that load .45colt, .45acp, and .410 could certainly get good use for one.
I have shot my neighbor's judge. I like it. He likes it.
I have shot my neighbor's judge. I like it. He likes it.
Why do you like it?
Yes. A 410 is still a 410. It works great for squirrel hunting out of a shotgun barrel. It sucks for almost everything out of a pistol barrel. There are a huge number of better options out there in that size handgun. No point deliberately handicapping yourself.
edwardware
Member
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The geometry and enormous throat length make it a poor compromise for weak-kneed 45 Colt.
.410 shotshell or buck is a gimmick as a defensive round.
For a gun that size and weight, you can do better. If you want that particular gimmick, go for it.
.410 shotshell or buck is a gimmick as a defensive round.
For a gun that size and weight, you can do better. If you want that particular gimmick, go for it.
Obturation
Member
Its a gun for use on carjackers and snakes. Can't do anything well but it can do a little bit of everything. Too bulky for carry and too ineffective to warrant it's size. I say gimmick
Obturation
Member
Yes. Spreads shot in donut pattern.
mcb
Member
In my experience with a 4-inch Judge the pattern spreads super fast but it does not engage the rifling well enough, long enough, to make the pattern do the donut like shooting shot-shells through a rifle slug barrel. The patters open fast (my chrono wears the scares from that testing) but were surprising uniform in my limited testing.
gotboostvr
Member
I never got around to testing that specific load. I did shoot up a bunch of the Federal "Handgun" load, at just a few feet out would not penetrate a single gallon jug of water.
I don't see anything that the Hornady load will do that can fundamentally change all the shortcomings of a 410 handgun.
It did shoot my 200gr SWC 45ACP load very well though! It sold me on mooclips. I ended up getting rid of the Governor and picking up a 625 instead. THAT'S a wheel gun I get excited about, personally.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
I know 3 people with Governors and they all think their gun is cool but all three say they would only use it for up close defense or for snakes. They told me that accuracy with ,45 ACP and .45 Colt was definitely nothing to brag about.
In my opinion they are like Swiss Army knives. They can do lots of things but not very well.
In my opinion they are like Swiss Army knives. They can do lots of things but not very well.
Well, Henry just released this:
Lever Action .410 Shotgun
Lever Action .410 Shotgun
JFrame
Member
You sort of have to correlate the testing depicted in the two videos here. In the first one, a guy tests the patterning of the .410 Federal buckshot load across various distances:
In this video, Jerry Miculek shows the penetration of the same load against ballistic gelatin (the final test in the clip):
.
In this video, Jerry Miculek shows the penetration of the same load against ballistic gelatin (the final test in the clip):
.
mcb
Member
That is significantly more interesting IMHO. It lack only the side gate loading port. Winchester and Marlin also have, are, or will be making 410 lever guns. Both of those have side gate loading. I believe Marlin is currently producing another batch of their 410 lever guns built on the 336 actions.
https://www.marlinfirearms.com/lever-action/model-1895-big-bore/model-1895-410
I love my Winchester 9410.
I agree with 410 shells not being as effective out of a pistol. From all the test videos that I have watched, the 3" Winchester PDX1 shells and 3" buckshot loads do better than the Hornady Triple Protection rounds out of the Governor and Judge. Now take the 3" PDX1 and 3" buckshot loads in a 410 shotgun and they are quite effective for SD/HD use. My Mossberg 500 will keep all 5 pellets inside a pie plate at 20 yards.
Obturation
Member
The loading gate is coming in sure.
You guys seen this thing?
https://www.henryusa.com/firearms/lever-action-axe-410/
Armored farmer
Member
*I like big bores, but not too interested in magnum recoil or decibels. Both .45colt and. 45acp are pleasant to shoot.
*I reload for both calibers, catching empties easily is a plus.
* I reload .410 also. I think it would be interesting to develop a .410 load for rats, bats, moles, vermin, pests at spittin' distance.
* I broke some clays with a judge. That was fun.
*.45acp revolvers are fun.
*moon clips
*I like the idea of being able to use three different kinds of ammo for whatever reason.
mcb
Member
Nice! now put that on a full length stock , barrel and barrel length magazine and that could be a contender with the Winchester and Marlin for sure.
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