Judge VS GOVERNOR

[Sevens]

I put my take earlier in the thread, but here's another take that I have...

--I would rather carry probably a couple dozen or more different things for personal defense (any situation) than any Taurus Judge

--I would rather carry a Taurus Judge for personal defense than no firearm, for sure

--If coming to -ME- and asking for advice, I would tell anyone I care about to shop far & wide before settling on a Taurus Judge for defense, but at the same time, I will absolutely say and believe that:

--if that person has a choice between a Taurus Judge and no firearm, I'm very happy that they've chosen to carry a Taurus Judge and I'm very, very, very happy that another "good guy" has chosen to go armed.

If it's is your choice to carry a Taurus Judge for defense, I'm still very happy that you've chosen to arm yourself for defense, but you're wasting as much of my time trying to convince me that it's the best choice as I am of attempting to convince you that it isn't.

In the end, one more good guy out there that is armed, and I'm VERY happy about that. It might also be that I don't like the car you drive or the color you chose to paint your house, but I'm not sure why my opinion on THAT matters. (until someone asks me for it...)

 

[Leejack]

Buying a Judge or Governor is a personal choice just like anything else. I say buy whatever you like and don't worry about the naysayers on the internet. If Springfield had came out with the Judge instead of Taurus, 3/4 of the BS on the internet would have never happened.

 

[Cheapshooter]

I believe the pictured revolver is a S&W J-frame, holds FIVE rounds

But that wasn't the claim in the post.

"There are better choices for SD than a Judge", does not mean it might not work fine, just that a gun that was smaller and lighter that holds more rounds and is far mor accurate would be better.

No right or wrong, as long as no claim is made that the Judge/Governor platform is a useless gimick as many of the detractors have done. The video reviews, and personal results only prove that the 45/410 handgun can be a viable self defense option to quote Mchael Bane from his 2010 youtube video blog from the SHOT show.

 

[stolivar]

read about it from somebody that has actually shot one

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/08/chris-dumm/gun-review-sw-governor-take-two/



steve

 

[mavracer]

But my Poly fits the bill perfectly as an anti-carjacking devise riding between the seat, and console of my truck. 8 70 gr., 36 caliber projectiles @ over 800 fps point blank within less than two seconds is undeniably an attack stopping situation. Backed up by 3 rounds of 225 gr, 45 caliber hollow points. Do that with your "six shooter". Just saying.

If you have such confidence in the 410 as a attack stopper why back them up with a less effective round?
How about I just keep my HK USP in my truck that way instead of 8 36 cal 70 gr projectiles I can send 8 45 cal 230gr golddots with 5 more for backup, just saying.

But that wasn't the claim in the post.

Not really sure where you're trying to go here are you saying that larger capacity guns dont exist or that you think I can't shoot a compact higher capacity as well as I do a airweight J frame.
Or is the cold hard reality that the Judge's accuracy sucks requiring you to divert attention away by any means?

 

[Cheapshooter]

First two rounds of 410 buckshot for very up close target. 45 Colt to back up the first two in case of an additional attacker at a farther distance. In the driver's seat pocket carry would be very difficult to deploy the gun. IWB holster almost as much. But the PD in a holster, nect to the seatbelt buckle is very easy to draw. Also, no moving my EDC from holster to holster entering, and leaving my truck. Just all more reasons that the Judge/Governor platform is a viable SD firearm, not just a gimmick.

I was just pointing out that you mentioned more round capacity, however the photo you posted still only showed 5 hits. That is if as pointed out two were in the same whole.

My accuracy with my PD Poly is just that, my accuracy. The photo I posted was from the very first time I shot the gun. Also, although I didn't have a shot timer to give an accurate reading, the rapid fire group was just that. Pretty much point and shoot D/A as fast as I could pull the trigger 5 times.

Again, I am not saying the 45/410 handgun is the perfect do all SD firearm. For CCW, my XD40 or CM9 are my choices. Along with my Elsie Pea as a BUG, or quick grab and go pocket carry. As a nightstand gun, the Springer, or KAHR are both good, but the Judge starts to have more viability. Of course my Remington 870 18" barreled, 7 shot 12 Ga. Is about as good as It gets for a "house gun". But then there is the roll of an anti carjacking truck gun. That's where for reasons I have pointed out the Judge Public Defender Poly really fits in. As a bonus, It also serves well as a snake protection sidearm. It does produce a very snake proof pattern to 10 to 15 feet with 7 1/2 shot. And just as 75 foot shots in self defense are nearly unheard of, and would most likely result in very expensive legal fees, a poisonous snake even at 10 feet isn't a threat.

 

[Cheapshooter]

Or is the cold hard reality that the Judge's accuracy sucks requiring you to divert attention away by any means?

I wasn't precision bullseye shooting that target. As stated It was rapid fire, point and shoot that resulted in that target. More like 5 shots in probably less than 10 seconds. Poor accuracy? Don't think I would want to be the object of those 5 bullets!

 

[Sarge]

The Public Defender's accuracy with 45 Colts is sufficient to keep all shots on the torso a 25 yards, provided you can shoot. 50 would be a little iffy but I could make do at that distance.

In the grand scheme of revolvers, it's not very accurate. Viewed in the context of short-barreled carry guns, it's not bad.

 

[mavracer]

First two rounds of 410 buckshot for very up close target.

Any evidence that two 45 Colt rounds would be ineffective for this. and since I have 9 rounds on tap in my prefered truck gun (Sig P220) any reason to think 4 230gr golddots still leaving what you started with in the gun would be ineffective.

But the PD in a holster, nect to the seatbelt buckle is very easy to draw. Also, no moving my EDC from holster to holster entering, and leaving my truck. Just all more reasons that the Judge/Governor platform is a viable SD firearm, not just a gimmick.

My P220 resides in the same place so this is moot.

That is if as pointed out two were in the same whole.

Yes there are 2 in one hole as was pointed out.

As stated It was rapid fire, point and shoot that resulted in that target. More like 5 shots in probably less than 10 seconds.

I did have timer 5 shots in under 2 from low ready. 10 ain't rapid just saying.

Poor accuracy? Don't think I would want to be the object of those 5 bullets!

I wouldn't want to get splashed in the fase with warm cat urine and if it takes you 2 seconds per shot you're gonna be in a world of hurt before you get the first round off.

 

[Cheapshooter]

You have an answer for everything obviously. I didn't say 5 seconds, or 6 or 7 because you would have doubted that as well. It's obvious that you are one of the closed minded "experts" that have no intention of ever giving the 45/410 platform it's due. Probably would be an entire different situation had S&W brought out the Governor first.
Anyway, you have your opinion, I have mine. I gave examples of what the 45/410 can do. Others may do better, others may do worse. I have no concerns about the "poor" accuracy of my Poly. 5 hits in however many seconds it took all in center mass is not an unacceptable level of accuracy for self defense.

But this conversation has led away from the OP which was which one, Governor of Judge NOT is the 45/410 platform a viable self defense firearm.

Judge:
Smaller, and lighter variants available
45Colt/410/454 Casull (454 in larger "raging" model
Lower cost

Governor:
1 round more capacity ( at the expense of a bit more size)
45 Colt/410/45ACP
S&W is to some a more trusted name.

So each has it's own advantage. It depends on what you want it for. Personally my PD Poly works best for the intended purpose, and is also a lot of fun to just play with blowing up various targets.

 

[shortwave]

Maybe we could get our own WildBill45 to video his outstanding pistol shooting skills with the Judge/Gov. to see if even he can hit with one.

Would like to see him try his 100yd shots with one.

FWIW, neither are target pistols. Neither were made to be. Neither claimed to be.

Both are capable of shooting accurate enough with the right ammo at SD distance to do the job.

 

[deputy tom]

I chose the Governor for several reasons. I prefer S&Ws to most other brands and after hearing horror stories from my son's friend I decided the Governor was a better choice for me. I have, however owned Taurus pistols in the past with no problems. YMMV. tom.

 

[cdbeagle]

I truly don't understand polls like this one and threads where the OP asks, "Which gun should I buy"? I have never seen or heard of a specific firearm that didn't have detractors, especially on the internet.

I do not in any way think I'm a firearm expert. There are people much more experienced than I that own many more firearms than me. I own 11 rifles. 7 handguns and 9 shotguns. Each one was purchased after research but I didn't ask for advise on a forum.

I believe in buying what speaks to you and to hell what anyone else thinks. I don't believe in bashing other's firearm choices. I also don't believe in 500 yard shots at big game as so many internet posters allegedly do. These are my personal beliefs and would not try foist them on anyone(except my kids when I am paying for the firearm).

When I was a kid in the 60's I just had to have a pair of PF Flyers "with the action wedge). My mother said they were a gimmick and bought my tennis shoes at Sears. PF Flyers are not around anymore and time will tell if the Governor, Judge and Raging Bull will last. I will never own one but won't bash anyone who does.

 

[dayman]

I'd kind of like to own a judge.
Since it wouldn't be getting a lot of heavy use, I see to reason to spend more on the S&W. Plus, the light weight versions would be more pleasant to carry.

It seems like it would - for me anyway - be a pretty perfect backup gun to carry hunting. A 30-30 does a number on small game, and a 6" 410 seems like it might have the range to pop any grouse unlucky enough to wander under my stand. Also, should the day come that I need a second shot to take a deer, the 45colt would be more than enough to fill that role.
If I lived in snake country, it would have a third purpose.

Also, if I ever again have to crawl under a barn to off a groundhog/raccoon it seems like it would be a pretty good tunnel gun.

For CCW I'll stick to my XDs/G19/SP101,
and for HD I'll stick to my 870/AR15/Wolfhounds

 

[BubbaBlades]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsSiyt8XmOg

The above YouTube video shows me shooting the Governor with 6 .410 loads of 4 pellet 000 buckshot into a heart size group at 7 yards. This places 24 rounds on target in approximately 4 seconds. Other videos mentioned in this thread show the considerable penetration and power of these buckshot loads so anyone that thinks that human flesh is tougher than 3/4" plywood is not going to have their mind changed.
I originally bought a Judge but sold it to get the Governor's extra round capacity and S&W fit and action.

Mark

 

[Beretta686]

To borrow from Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, I'd say they "are all equally worthless".

Though shooting them is amusing, I see them as little more than a novelty item (though many will disagree).

 

[Strafer Gott]

It's an internet phenomena that on damn near any subject, hard core detractors and naysayers will overwhelm the words of the knowledgeable and informed. That said, I had a judge and it shot great. I took game with it. The game all seemed to appreciate being DRT. One of the kids wanted it, off it went. I elected to buy a Governor. Down at the LGS, they don't play games. They sell the Smith product as soon as they come in, so I had somebody tip me off when they had one, and I had him put a hold tag on it. I noticed when I picked it up the next day, there was another name on the hold tag under mine. So if I didn't take it, it was sold anyway. Demand, IMHO is a better statement of value, interest, and utility.
Now just because you aren't afraid of that itty- bitty shotgun, the rest of us mortals still need to be.
Watch Hickock45 shoot this gun. You might learn something.

 

[Cheapshooter]

It's an internet phenomena that on damn near any subject, hard core detractors and naysayers will overwhelm the words of the knowledgeable and informed

So very true. Even with the very compelling evidence in the article linked in post #45, and the two video reviews available by clicking on the blue "review" in that article. It just seems that self proclaimed internet experts are insistant on "saving" others from having a free, and informed choice of owing something like a Judge, or Governor. And don't even get them started on Hi-Point!
If the 45/410 platform were actually the poorly advised gimick they claim would S&W have joined in with their own version? Would sales still be as high as they are even after so many have already been sold? Would they not have been "found out", and be flooding the used market?
But the haters will continue to claim those Who actually own a 45/410 revolver are missing "reality", are lying about their personal experience with the performance, and are not as " sophisticated" as a gun owner as the internetexperts. They will continue to nit pick the posts of people who show decent results with their own gun, and they will keep grasping at straws to disprove the facts. But in the end anybody who is thinking of getting one will be well advised to look at all the evidence from both sides with an open mind, and decide if the 45/410 really fits their need. If It does, then they can decide between a bit larger size, one more round capacity, and manufacturers name or a bit smaller size, and weight, one less round, and a lower price.

 

[Avec Bien]

Don't like 410 how about 45colt?

For those who say the Judge/Governor is only good for shooting 45colt check out this round that can only be fired in the Judge/Governor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bLonprIWm4

 

[mavracer]

If the 45/410 platform were actually the poorly advised gimick they claim would S&W have joined in with their own version? Would sales still be as high as they are even after so many have already been sold? Would they not have been "found out", and be flooding the used market?

I wouldn't base my claims on consumers in the mid 70s Gary Dahl became a millionaire by selling 1.5 million rocks to people for pets.

But the haters will continue to claim those Who actually own a 45/410 revolver are missing "reality",

the funny part is you say the same things.

Again, I am not saying the 45/410 handgun is the perfect do all SD firearm. For CCW, my XD40 or CM9 are my choices. Along with my Elsie Pea as a BUG, or quick grab and go pocket carry. As a nightstand gun, the Springer, or KAHR are both good, but the Judge starts to have more viability. Of course my Remington 870 18" barreled, 7 shot 12 Ga. Is about as good as It gets for a "house gun". But then there is the roll of an anti carjacking truck gun. That's where for reasons I have pointed out the Judge Public Defender Poly really fits in. As a bonus, It also serves well as a snake protection sidearm. It does produce a very snake proof pattern to 10 to 15 feet with 7 1/2 shot. And just as 75 foot shots in self defense are nearly unheard of, and would most likely result in very expensive legal fees, a poisonous snake even at 10 feet isn't a threat.

It's not really good for CCW check, It's not really a good choice for home defense check, It's has a small nitch that it actually performs ok as long as the scenario follows the script but doesn't add lib well. I totally agree with you and again.
"If you're happy with your judge that's fine but there are better options."