I thought that my first choice would be the NightGuard 325; .45 ACP, 6 rounds. But it is nearly the same weight as the Governor, and lists out at over $1,000.00. That makes for a pretty big spread in dollars. I would probably choose the Governor in light of the cost differential.

Note: The NightGuard comes with nicer sights, but does not accept any of the alternative ammunition. It is more compact than the Governor.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...layErrorView_Y

Originally Posted by Packard

I thought that my first choice would be the NightGuard 325; .45 ACP, 6 rounds. But it is nearly the same weight as the Governor, and lists out at over $1,000.00. That makes for a pretty big spread in dollars. I would probably choose the Governor in light of the cost differential.

Note: The NightGuard comes with nicer sights, but does not accept any of the alternative ammunition. It is more compact than the Governor.

You can get the 325 NG for under $900. As for the pricing of the Governor, it has to compete against the Taurus product, hence the lower cost. It is the lowest costing Scandium frame revolver S&W has ever released. Every other Scandium revolver from S&W is almost twice the cost of the Governor.

I'd shop around for a used 325PD.

I am not bragging about my group. Just saying this revolver- The S&W Gov, is fine for a self-defense application with the right self defense ammo. I do not think the Bad Guy will ask for another round. If ya doubt what I am saying try one out and you'll see what I am saying. I gave $575.00 new in the box for my S&W Gov- not $900.00 for a S&W325 Night Guard. Maybe a Smith 625 at 900.00.....

Originally Posted by Cat

Here people,The test of the 410. D Dupleks 410 gauge Dupo 7 expanding slug 4-layer jeans denim gelatin test - YouTube

Supposedly that ammo has been banned for import by the ATF, so we won't be seeing that used any time soon.

Originally Posted by DaveShooter

I am not bragging about my group. Just saying this revolver- The S&W Gov, is fine for a self-defense application with the right self defense ammo. I do not think the Bad Guy will ask for another round. If ya doubt what I am saying try one out and you'll see what I am saying. I gave $575.00 new in the box for my S&W Gov- not $900.00 for a S&W325 Night Guard. Maybe a Smith 625 at 900.00.....

Do you plan on carrying this thing? a sub 3" bbl revolver with the overall length of a 5" 1911?

I carry it everyday on the trail I walk 6.2 to 10 miles a day. Been fighting type 2 diabetes. Lost 63 lbs since this past june.
I honestly like my S&W Gov. Have had Taurus nothing but issues and problems. This S&W product rocks on.

The governor does have a sweet trigger pull like most S&Ws, from the hip rapid fire I can keep all shots inside a pie-tin at 10 feet, the #6 shot shell is good on grouse out to about 20 feet from my judge, my only grip on the judge is the double action trigger pull is pretty heavy.

As for the guns not being accurate, my S&W will shoot coffee cup groups single-action at 50 feet, I fired my 1st handgun when I was in the 6th grade (1941) and have burnt my share of powder since then, it is rather ammusing to read some of the posts by self proclaimed experts, a little like watching some young bucks argue about which car is the best

One parting shot: you only use a handgun in a gunfight if the 12 gauge is empty or out of reach

First of all, how a gun looks is fine for personal taste if your a range junkie, and I've bought quite a few on that stipulation, but when it hits the fan, it does not matter. How what you're carrying feels in your hand, which is different for each individual, how it performs, and your level of familiarity and training with the weapon is the biggest deal. A lot of people rag on the concept behind the Judge, and the Gov'nr now, but every gun frame/concept/load is designed for situational use.

Different guns are for different things, period. I carry a poly public defender more often than not these days, but I don't take the thing to the range, it hurts like a sob to start with. As some guys have pointed out, it's not a target gun, so putting shots on paper after seven yards, whether with .45 LC or .410 is just dealers choice as far as where the round/spread is going. For up close and personal, sudden in your face conflict, they're both keepers, though. No disrespect to Packard, but brother I don't know how familiar you are with assassins but no, that's not what this gun is either. Silent and deadly ops are low velocity, low cal ammo with cans.

The Judge is loud, inaccurate over a few feet, and does not control well. So standing off a mugger? Absolutely. Walking into a convenient store to buy a pack of smokes? Sure. Killing rattlers? You got it. The concept is solid IF you are using the right gun for the right job. It's a revolver, for heaven's sake, it's for a one or two shot conflict. People say bring enough gun. More so, bring the right gun. On the job I holster a full size .45. Call me old school. On the nightstand, Sig 220 with Tridium and surefire, extended mag. Just think where you're going to be/shooting from/shooting at.

I sure hope I don't need a 1911 and three extra mags to go grocery shopping, but hey the world is always getting worse. For now, though, all in all I would recommend the Judge, haven't shot the S&W but can't be to different, as having owned, carried, and used it for it's designated purpose. Good gun. Solid construction. Looks mean, but then back to looks thing, and if you pull it, you better be shooting it.

When I first saw the Judge, I thought that the 3 different round you can use was brilliant, on the other hand,that was when I saw it, i was NOT an owner of a hand gun at the time. then I saw the Governor, I am more familiar with Smith and Wesson, So I like the Governor a little more. I like the versatility or the 410, and 45lc, and 45lcp. But I am just a shoot for fun/home defense kinda guy. If someone had broke into my home while I was sleeping, while it was pitch black, and I heard a noise, the 410 would make them go
away, or the sound would make them poo there pants and leave, fast.......or if I had a laser on some other pistol, they might rethink there theivery, and leave

Originally Posted by theycallmejam

...If someone had broke into my home while I was sleeping...the 410 would make them go
away, or the sound would make them poo there pants and leave, fast...[emphasis added]

What sound?
Do you think that the Governor has a slide to rack?
Or would you merely shoot first?

The .410 is an ineffective round, even when loaded expressly for one of these revolvers.
Used with .45 "Long" Colt or .45 ACP, these guns are large and unhandy, and relatively inaccurate. If you want to shoot a .45 pistol round, then buy a .45 "Long" Colt or .45 ACP pistol.

The Governor, just like the Judge, is merely a gimmick.
And not a good one, either.

I have never shot the judge or the governer. I have heard that the long cylinder makes them inaccurate, but haven't tested for myself. I have never wanted this design mainly because I have always thought they were big, heavy, and unattractive. It just looks like an ugly gun to me, and adding all that size just to accomodate the 410 shell doesn't seem practical. I would never want a 410 out of a short barrel for anything!

Hey guys new to the forum. I have a question about the 410 rounds for the Governor. I know the Governor takes the 2.5 inch rounds but some models of the Judge will take the 3 inch 410 rounds. Does the length of the round make a difference? Would that be an advantage to the Judge?

I know there is a lot of controversy about these guns and I dont want to go into that...just curious on if the longer rounds would be more effective

thanks!!

Originally Posted by bsj177

Hey guys new to the forum. I have a question about the 410 rounds for the Governor. I know the Governor takes the 2.5 inch rounds but some models of the Judge will take the 3 inch 410 rounds. Does the length of the round make a difference? Would that be an advantage to the Judge?

I know there is a lot of controversy about these guns and I dont want to go into that...just curious on if the longer rounds would be more effective

thanks!!

The Box O' Truth #41 - The Taurus Judge Vs. The Box O' Truth - Page 1

The Box O' Truth #53 - The Taurus Judge, Revisited - Page 1

Lessons learned:
1. The 3 inch .410 shells did slightly better than the 2 ½ inch shells did. But most of them still failed to make the 12 inch minimum penetration standard. However, a few loads made the minimum penetration standard.
2. Some of the pellets deviated sharply from their path and left the water jugs.
3. The longer barrel of the 28 inch shotgun made quite a difference in penetration. It seems that the short 3 inch barrel of the Judge is its main limitation.
4. Even at 7 yards, the pattern of the Judge is too wide, and will cause some of the load to miss a bad guy. Not only are you responsible for every pellet you send down range, but if they miss him, they do not Stop him.
5. The sun was shining, it was a blue bird day, and it was better than any day I ever spent at work.
6. It’s fun to shoot stuff.
Many thanks to ArmedSuspect and Ashby Arms in Harrisonburg, VA, for supplying the Judge and ammo for this test. And thanks to Vern and Bill for the help hauling all that water.

thanks for the links...interesting stuff

I just love arm chair experts. Many of these comments remind me of what was said about Glocks when they first came out. Stupid idea and what were they thinking of.

I wonder if anyone heard if S&W plans to eventually come out with a stainless steel version of the Governor in the near future. Bet that would be nice!