Smith Wesson Governor Release? Thoughts compared to Judge?

[eapking]

Good for snakes. That's about it.

[JeffL]

Save the .410 for squirrels. I'll stick to 9mm/.40/5.56x45 for my home defense needs.

[Guest Travtastik]

I have always wanted to try and shoot skeet with one. I almost got one last year for snakes, but we moved out of the country before it got warm enough to need it. I will end up with a governor but its down the list a ways.

[vontar]

I was about to start a new thread, but I used search first.

I have always wanted to try and shoot skeet with one. I almost got one last year for snakes, but we moved out of the country before it got warm enough to need it. I will end up with a governor but its down the list a ways.

I own one, never tried skeet but I bet you won't do well. Trust me.

However it is fun at the range. I have one on my night stand loading with the winchester personal defense rounds. 3 of those followed by 2 .45's just in case. (Also have a 12 ga pump at the ready as well)

Does anyone know when these are available? I saw some preliminary prices released. Looks to be only about $100 more. I think the extra round (making 6) with added 45 acp cartridge and the S&W name / quality is well worth it in my opinion. Resale too is obviously better...

The name is just to top The Judge. However I like the extra Chamber and the 45 extra round. I never understood why The Judge could not use the 45 acp. (only 410 and 45 Colt)

My Judge is the 3 inch Chamber so I can use the 3 inch 410 shells but the pdx1 are better.

Edited June 2, 2011 by vontar

[Guest bkelm18]

Dude your talking over 20 yrs ago since you were in college that is ancient history. Ammo has come a long way since then. Just check out the tests done on the new Winchester PDX1 .410...that stuff demolishes! They probably used bird shot which doesn't do much even now.

Since we're digging up old threads I thought I'd comment. Yes, handgun and rifle ammunition has come a long way in the past couple decades. Shotgun ammunition? Not really. You're talking about a plastic hull containing some metal shot/bearings/pellets and a charge. There isn't a whole lot that can be improved. I still would not carry one or trust my life to one, especially in something with a 3 or 4 inch barrel. Again, that's just my opinion. YMMV.

[Bubbas]

I took the judge to the range last weekend, and we tossed skeet up by hand. My old lady broke the first traget she shoot at, and was able to break 3 out of the 5 targets on her best round. i was tossing them about 15-20 feet away

Edited June 2, 2011 by Bubbas

[Guest nysos]

I've seen some gel tests with a judge with the 410 defense loads. Pretty much you might do some damage, probably just going to really hurt the person/piss them off. You are better off with the 45 LC loaded for defense.

My brother got some corbon hunter loads that we shot at an indoor range, thing was like a small explosion. Fun as hell to shoot. Lit up the entire range and so loud everyone else around stopped shooting and started looking around to see what made the blast.

I didn't buy into the whole judge thing, but after shooting my brothers and playing with it - it isn't a half bad gun. I would probably never own one but it is a really fun toy. Surprisingly accurate too. I grouped better shooting 410 slugs out of that 3inch barrel compared to most of the semi's we brought that day.

In regards to the governor, if its as good as the taurus or better, I think it will be a win. Sure it is a small niche to fill, but people seem to like them so more power to em. I'll never own one unless maybe I hit the powerball and just have that much money to burn on guns. As someone else already stated, I have many other guns that I "need" to fill one role or want long before the judge/governor gets to the top of the list.

[bockey]

Crazy or not, I want one!

Heck, I want all guns.

[wcsc12]

Crazy or not, I want one!

Heck, I want all guns.

I've shot the judge so if the governor is supposed to better....I definitely need to see it in action. I've heard about a week ago that it should be shipping out in about 6 weeks so about 5 to go.

[dralarms]

I've shot the judge so if the governor is supposed to better....I definitely need to see it in action. I've heard about a week ago that it should be shipping out in about 6 weeks so about 5 to go.

My local gun store has one. Very nice compared to the judge.

[Guest DELETED]

I've held a Governor in my hands and it seems to sit quite a bit higher than the Judge. Being able to shoot 45 acp with it is a gimmick. The pistol comes with 3 tiny clips to hold the bullets in the cylinder instead of 1 big moon clip. I imagine it would take about 5 minutes to load the thing and it costs about $100 more. However, I could just be biased because I own a Judge and love it. It stays on my wife's night stand and I have full confidence that it will eliminate any threat within about 15 feet.

[wcsc12]

My local gun store has one. Very nice compared to the judge.

Lucky CCA doesn't have them yet and I haven't had a chance to visit any others. CCA is more just convenience though as I go to their range.

[bockey]

I already have a Judge, think the Governor would make it a nice duo.

This would give the Judge a chance to take a breather.

The Outpost Armory in Murfreesboro has one, held it today.

Someone please buy it, so I will have an excuse to wait.

[dralarms]

I already have a Judge, think the Governor would make it a nice duo.

This would give the Judge a chance to take a breather.

The Outpost Armory in Murfreesboro has one, held it today.

Someone please buy it, so I will have an excuse to wait.

How much was it?

[bockey]

How much was it?

MSR $679

Edited June 12, 2011 by bockey
correction

[BigJim]

They are both fine I guess if you want a novelty gun. Tom Givens of Rangemaster in Memphis reviewed the Judge for SWAT Magazine in Sept. 2010. He also discusses this review on the Pro Arms Podcast. I believe it is Podcast #60. Tom was able to give this gun an honest review since it was not sent to him by Taurus but one that he ordered himself.