But in all fairness, I wonder what the holes would look like had you shot the same target with the .45 ACP or 45LC out of the Gov.
They wouldn't look like holes at all because neither round would likely penetrate! The 45 acp definitely would not, because its too slow and the 45 colt would have to be pretty hot to penetrate that. It would also have to be a FMJ round because a hollow point has a hard time penetrating such objects and most often, it cannot at all. This example is exactly what I'm talking about, a lot of people just don't know this stuff and coincidentally think that the judge/governor is a good SD option. Its not a coincidence.
Brad
You read the thread, but you didn't read it for comprehension. The statements that I made about the gun do not necessitate that I own it first. I didn't say I don't like the grip feel, I didn't say the sights are too small. etc. I debated its usefulness, which can be analyzed on a spec sheet about the gun.
I think you misread or plain didn't understand previous posts here. No one said the calibers themselves are something to sneeze at. No one said a 45 acp doesn't stop a human. The question is, what does this gun do that is an advantage over whats already out there? Other than being a snake killer, of course. We know its awesome for that.
Let me throw out a few thoughts for consideration by the arm chair analysts, by someone who actually owns one.
Armchair analysts? How about "critical thinkers"? As I said, the statements that I made do not necessitate that I own the gun, as they are completely obvious. I will stay away from statements that I would need to own the gun to prove or disprove, just like I have. You didn't really add anything of substance to the convo despite owning the gun itself, and a lot of what you said is false.
1. The Governor is built on the L frame. For my medium size hands it is the perfect vehicle for the .45 ACP round. The N frame has always been a little too big for me. The grip size (I have the Crimson Trace grips) is perfect.
Wrong. The gun cannot be a L frame because as Venom said, no L frame can have a 6 shot 45 cal capacity. L frames are medium frame. Frames are not differentiated by the grip type, you judge it by the height and width of the frame as it relates to the cylinder. The gun is actually a Z frame, and it accepts K/L frame grips. It is not a N frame because of the cylinder length. The X frame is the same idea (it takes K/N frame grips but is X frame). I am a revolver guy btw, and I think as a revolver guy, you should know that the 44/45 cal for S&W was the N aka large frame, the 38 frame is the K frame aka medium, and the I (which became the J) is the 32 cal frame aka small. That's a little revolver history for you, you're welcome.
3. While the gun looks ungainly at first view, I’ve really come to appreciate its design. The extra weight in the front seems to do a nice job of controlling muzzle rise. It’s the easiest revolver I’ve ever shot to get back on target.
If the gun is so "useful" its looks are basically meaningless. I can appreciate however the weight at the front end, and I'm sure that was purposeful from S&W.
5. The price of the Governor is very low compared to what it offers. Have you looked at the prices of a 625 lately? The Governor gives you a scandium frame, Tritium front sight, great black finish, and three caliber choices.
The 625 is a totally different concept than the governor and not a valid comparison. Lets go back to S&W history: the model 25 aka model of 1950 and 1955, was a post war 45 acp or 45 colt N frame TARGET REVOLVER. Of course, its going to be more expensive than this SD shot-volver, and of course it would be bigger and heavier. Remember that the traits of a given gun should fit what it was designed for. The same is true about the scandium frame of this gun, no target guns are made with alloy frames for the most part, because it offers no real advantage for target shooting. Some would say a light gun is a disadvantage for target shooting.
I think the 625 is a better purchase/value. It is at least great for what its designed for. The governor has the tritium sights because of its intended use, it has the finish because of its intended use, and it offers 3 cal choices because that's what people think is a great idea! No wonder why a 625 doesn't offer any of those features, because its completely different minus the caliber. Is it that hard to figure out?
6. The fit, finish and reliability are first rate. I have had no issues with any of the various loads I’ve run through it. I have yet to try the .45LC but that’s next on the list.
That's true for most S&Ws and should be an expectation when buying a new revolver from such a company. That does not separate the Governor from most any other revolver or SD gun. Even with Taurus, you should be able to expect a fine fit and finish with reliability, but many times Taurus falls short of achieving that goal.
And btw, of course the critics won't own the gun. There is no reason to "try it cause you might like it" because the criticisms as I said come from the specs, and what the gun tries to do, not from shooting it or owning it. The people who criticize it like myself will not waste their money on such an arm to see if its worthwhile. You can gauge how useful or worthwhile it is based on all of the info out there about it.
I won't be volunteering to be shot with a .410 load of buckshot regardless of the experts opinions that it won't slay a runt field mouse
Once again, first read to understand, and then post, no one said the calibers themselves are not lethal. The 410 buckshot is not a better man stopper than a well placed 38 special or any other cal (equal to or greater). The buckshot gives you more chances, but in reality, its going to be one or perhaps 2 that causes the fatality. Its not like each one is likely going to hit a lethal area.
The criticism revolves around the platform itself being inferior to most everything out there before hand. Remember, there were already 45 acp SD pistols, there were already small combat type shotguns loaded with buckshot (I know they would be much longer and bigger than the governor, but we are talking home defense anyways), and there were already 45 colt revolvers. Now this gun compared to previous 45 colt revolvers might be lighter than most, but that's about it. I don't see any other advantages to the shot-volver.
that you can stuff in a governor that will best that.