Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns SW Governor

Anyone have one?

Opinions?

Like mine much better than the Judge I had.
Great snake gun for around the Ranch.

What load do you use for snakes?

How close do you get and does one shot generally end it?

Handled one in the gun shop. Tempting, but couldn't think of a mission for it. They seem to be quality built revolvers. Surprisingly light, too, due to aluminum frame. Certainly a much better choice than the Taurus Judge.

Unless you have a snake problem, I see no use for them. They are quality guns, unlike the Judge.

100% agree.
Can't think of a better gun for snakes.

Can't think of another good use for that gun.

Wouldn't the Federal 000 buckshot load or 45 LC be a decent self-defense application?

I prefer a 260 gr WFN LBT Hard Cast bullet at 1000 FPS personally

# 9 Shot skeet loads

I'm certainly not saying that anything out of the Governor would make for the ideal self-defense load.

A Ruger Security Six would be my primary self-defense handgun, but I would think the Governor would make for a decent secondary type revolver.

Mine rides in the door of my pickup. If someone tries to carjack me they’re fugged. 🤠

Love mine. It's well made and perfect for what I use it for. I've killed several copperheads with it while bushhogging. Main use is to shoot rats when bushhogging pastures......and some of them are at pretty good distance. Carried in a HPG kit bag it's perfect for that use.

I've never shot 45 LC out of it but have put a bit of ACP through it and can quickly put 6 on a 12x12 steel plate at 25 yards fairly easy. Never shot it for groups. It's one of the last things I'd carry for self defense (because of size) but I have no doubt it would be adequate with either of the 45's.

Sure, but there are handguns in much more convenient packages at least as effective as 000 buck 410 ga out of a handgun barrel. You do get a bit of a spread with buck, at distance, but I think penetration isn't so good out of a short handgun barrel like on these. Each shot ball is likely to hit like a .32 S&W Long.

A gimmick created to empty the pockets of the ignorant.

That would be a Keltec...

I like mine. Unlike the Judge, they work. I've had three Judges and all exhibited the same propensity for being unreliable double-action. The Governor is reliable. As has already been mentioned, they are surprisingly light. The only reason they are not popular for self-defense is that the day of the revolver has passed. This is not to say people don't use the revolver anymore, but it has been eclipsed by the semi-auto.

The Governor is a good compromise that does many things well. If you want specificity, it is probably not your gun except for snakes, but if you want something that is very versatile and poor at nothing, get one.

Yeah, it would seem to be a good gun for a farmer who wants only one handgun for all common purposes relative to living on a farm, snakes, pests, defense of self, home, and family against all predators, both four legged and two.

For the typical gun enthusiast who's looking for an ideal CCW, there are way too many better choices more specifically designed for that.

I love mine. It lives in a cubby hole in in the garage. Carry it when I'm working in the yard. We do have the odd copperhead once in a while.

What I like is the versatility. I load mine so the first one round under the hammer is a Winchester AA #8 skeet load. Next is a Federal #4, followed by two Winchester PDX1 defenders (3 discs and 12 BB's). Finally, 2 Federal 45 ACP 230 gr. Hydro shocks in a two shot moon clip. I keep two full moon clips of Hydro shocks in a speed loader holder for reloads if needed.

Seems to me it will take care of anything that needs shooting.

I found that 6 rapidly fired shots from a model 19 and cast bullets not to be as effective as I wished for rattle snake application. Ask my how high I can jump and how far, with my jeans around my ankles and me in a crouching position.