Taurus Judge or S&W Governor
- Thread starter GaryED50
- Start date
The Governor has better fit/finish and if you want to shoot 45acp in addition to .45lc and .410 it is the one you need to get. If it were me buying one? I would go with the Judge, it is still a quality piece at a lower cost.
And yes, there will be comments suggesting that you need to have your head examined for even entertaining the idea of such a worthless firearm...
And yes, there will be comments suggesting that you need to have your head examined for even entertaining the idea of such a worthless firearm...
I recently picked up a lightly used Governor. I always looked at these as "why?", but now I have it, its pretty interesting and I see it in a somewhat different light.
Ive owned a couple of Taurus handguns in the past, and that was enough. This is an S&W, and other than it being one with a "stretched" frame, its really no different than my others, other than caliber interchangeability.
I can load 45acp in moon clips (same clips my 625 uses), 45 Colt (using 25 speed loaders), or 2.5" .410's, bird or buck.
With those long chambers and using the shorter rounds, I wasnt expecting the accuracy I actually got, which was actually very good. It shoots surprisingly well, 45acp or 45 Colt.
Using Federal 2.5" four-piece 000 Buck, it shoots a roughly a fist-sized group at 10 yards. Its more a vertical string than it is a "group".
#4 birdshot gives pretty consistent 18"x18" coverage at the same distance.
The Smith has a Scandium frame. The action and trigger are the typical smooth and slick you would expect from S&W. Fit and finish the same.
This one came with a tritium dot front sight as well. The gun balances well in the hand, points well, and doesnt feel awkward or "off", as its looks might suggest. Recoil, even with heavier loads is not obnoxious, and easily controlled when shooting quickly.
I can see one of these being a decent, mixed-use, "field" type handgun when loaded appropriately. I picked up an El Paso "Tanker" for mine, and it makes for a handy package.
Ive owned a couple of Taurus handguns in the past, and that was enough. This is an S&W, and other than it being one with a "stretched" frame, its really no different than my others, other than caliber interchangeability.
I can load 45acp in moon clips (same clips my 625 uses), 45 Colt (using 25 speed loaders), or 2.5" .410's, bird or buck.
With those long chambers and using the shorter rounds, I wasnt expecting the accuracy I actually got, which was actually very good. It shoots surprisingly well, 45acp or 45 Colt.
Using Federal 2.5" four-piece 000 Buck, it shoots a roughly a fist-sized group at 10 yards. Its more a vertical string than it is a "group".
#4 birdshot gives pretty consistent 18"x18" coverage at the same distance.
The Smith has a Scandium frame. The action and trigger are the typical smooth and slick you would expect from S&W. Fit and finish the same.
This one came with a tritium dot front sight as well. The gun balances well in the hand, points well, and doesnt feel awkward or "off", as its looks might suggest. Recoil, even with heavier loads is not obnoxious, and easily controlled when shooting quickly.
I can see one of these being a decent, mixed-use, "field" type handgun when loaded appropriately. I picked up an El Paso "Tanker" for mine, and it makes for a handy package.
2damnold4this
New member
That would make for a pretty effective small game/pest control load.
an Old Shooter
Inactive
My Judge has excellent fit and finish and the function has been flawless. I have carried it in the field often and have dropped a deer with it shooting 45 Colt. I bought it new for $400 several a decade ago. I would do it again.
Northrider
New member
I have one of the 1st gen Judges and have no issues with it. I am storing my father in law's Judge (he is deceased now) and his has issues. Cylinder rotates very stiffly and some rounds drag against the back plate,,badly. I have not sent it back to Taurus yet, but should before mother in law decides to sell it. It hangs up after the first round is fired, or if there is a .45Colt in the cylinder.
TruthTellers
New member
I have the Judge and sadly I still haven't shot any .45 Colt in it yet (but I found some reloads and factory ammo I had stored away over the weekend 
) so I can't speak to what the .45 Colt is like, but I am going to say that I don't think a S&W Governor is worth the extra cost because I don't believe it will shoot any more accurately or effectively than a comparable Judge.
The most accurate 000 Buck ammo is the Federal with 4 pellets, but the recoil is snappy and you feel it after a few rounds while 3 pellet 000 Buck has a very mild recoil, it's not accurate past 5 yards.
I can only imagine how .45 ACP shoots in the Gov.
The Gov is larger in size, but due to the alloy frame it's about equal in weight. I don't like the idea of carrying any .410 revolver other than the Public Defender Judge, but if the idea is not carrying it, making it a truck gun or home defense gun... it can work well in that role.
From all that I see the Judge and Governor do shoot .45 Colt well, the usual complaints are that smaller .45 Colt only revolvers will shoot as well or better and be smaller, but you lose the ability to shoot buckshot or larger charges of birdshot vs a .45 Colt shotshell.
As usual, the best way to answer a question like this is what do you plan on using it for?
) so I can't speak to what the .45 Colt is like, but I am going to say that I don't think a S&W Governor is worth the extra cost because I don't believe it will shoot any more accurately or effectively than a comparable Judge.The most accurate 000 Buck ammo is the Federal with 4 pellets, but the recoil is snappy and you feel it after a few rounds while 3 pellet 000 Buck has a very mild recoil, it's not accurate past 5 yards.
I can only imagine how .45 ACP shoots in the Gov.
The Gov is larger in size, but due to the alloy frame it's about equal in weight. I don't like the idea of carrying any .410 revolver other than the Public Defender Judge, but if the idea is not carrying it, making it a truck gun or home defense gun... it can work well in that role.
From all that I see the Judge and Governor do shoot .45 Colt well, the usual complaints are that smaller .45 Colt only revolvers will shoot as well or better and be smaller, but you lose the ability to shoot buckshot or larger charges of birdshot vs a .45 Colt shotshell.
As usual, the best way to answer a question like this is what do you plan on using it for?
First, evaluate why you want a .410 shotpistol, and google up some patterns and gel tests. Some people have unrealistic ideas about this sort of thing.
If you are interested in birdshot for snakes and pests, the Judge costs about half as much ...with variable quality if you are willing to roll the dice.
If you are interested in solid rounds, you are probably making a mistake. However, the Governor can fire .45 acp, which costs half as much as .45 LC and a quarter as much as .410 slugs.
If you are interested in birdshot for snakes and pests, the Judge costs about half as much ...with variable quality if you are willing to roll the dice.
If you are interested in solid rounds, you are probably making a mistake. However, the Governor can fire .45 acp, which costs half as much as .45 LC and a quarter as much as .410 slugs.
silvermane_1
New member
Wouldn't a Raging Judge be a better choice because you could shoot 410, 45 Colt and 454 Casull(watered down factory ammo) in it as well?
I watched a couple of YouTubes about both..I find the gun fascinating also. Seems like it would be fun and a nice carry piece for in the desent for snakes.
The S&W 'seems' better made, holds 6 instead of 5 but it also more expensive. Saying the S&W is 'better' doesn't mean the Taurus is 'bad', according to these vids.
I think it depends on what you want to use it for..just plinking, fun and occasional field carry, the Taurus.
I youre only considering price, Taurus has more varying models and does look more appealing, especially if youre limited in funds.
I think if youre going to compare the S&W to Taurus, then the Raging Judge is probably the closest, more similar comparison of the two.
Those two are only about $40 apart in price, and for that little bit of difference, and given Taurus's sketchy history across all their guns, I think the S&W would be the no brainer.
The S&W will only take 2.5" 410's, where the Taurus I believe will take 3". Not sure how much of a difference that really is, but I guess its something.
I was surprised at how accurate and how little the pattern spread with the Federal handgun specific Personal Defense 000 buck load was. I didnt find it to have heavy recoil or was it difficult to shoot with. The load also went where I was aiming when I shot.
I havent shot any of the three pellet 000 buck, so I dont have a comparison.
If I were going to use it for people defense, I doubt Id use either.
I didnt find the birdshot load to be any different recoil wise than the buck loads. The patterns seemed pretty consistent and more or less centered on the POA too.
Of the three, for me anyway, its probably going to be the best choice for the .410 loads.
As far as how much of it your hand can take shooting it? Id rather shoot 50 rounds of the buck out of my Governor, than 50 rounds of the 158 grain loads I would carry in my Airweight J frames.
45Colt has more felt recoil than the 45acp. Kind of what youd expect I guess. Both are still easy to shoot well with though. Seems like the 454 would go the other way.
The main reason I went with the Smith was, Ive had/seen bad experiences with Taurus handguns in the past, and I like S&W's, and considering the number Ive owned over the years, have had very few problems with them.
The few (2) times Ive had to use it, S&W's customer service, while not great, was a lot better than Taurus's. Call S&W, and they will have a label for you in a couple of minutes, and the gun back to you within a week or two.
As far as these things go, S&W is pretty limited in their offerings of them, and I have a feeling, they probably just did them to cut into Taurus's market.
Taurus does have a lot more options and at lesser prices.
Whichever floats your boat, go for it. As was mentioned, thats really the only way to know. Might be the best thing you ever did.
I think if youre going to compare the S&W to Taurus, then the Raging Judge is probably the closest, more similar comparison of the two.
Those two are only about $40 apart in price, and for that little bit of difference, and given Taurus's sketchy history across all their guns, I think the S&W would be the no brainer.
The S&W will only take 2.5" 410's, where the Taurus I believe will take 3". Not sure how much of a difference that really is, but I guess its something.
I was surprised at how accurate and how little the pattern spread with the Federal handgun specific Personal Defense 000 buck load was. I didnt find it to have heavy recoil or was it difficult to shoot with. The load also went where I was aiming when I shot.
I havent shot any of the three pellet 000 buck, so I dont have a comparison.
If I were going to use it for people defense, I doubt Id use either.
I didnt find the birdshot load to be any different recoil wise than the buck loads. The patterns seemed pretty consistent and more or less centered on the POA too.
Of the three, for me anyway, its probably going to be the best choice for the .410 loads.
As far as how much of it your hand can take shooting it? Id rather shoot 50 rounds of the buck out of my Governor, than 50 rounds of the 158 grain loads I would carry in my Airweight J frames.
45Colt has more felt recoil than the 45acp. Kind of what youd expect I guess. Both are still easy to shoot well with though. Seems like the 454 would go the other way.
The main reason I went with the Smith was, Ive had/seen bad experiences with Taurus handguns in the past, and I like S&W's, and considering the number Ive owned over the years, have had very few problems with them.
The few (2) times Ive had to use it, S&W's customer service, while not great, was a lot better than Taurus's. Call S&W, and they will have a label for you in a couple of minutes, and the gun back to you within a week or two.
As far as these things go, S&W is pretty limited in their offerings of them, and I have a feeling, they probably just did them to cut into Taurus's market.
Taurus does have a lot more options and at lesser prices.
Whichever floats your boat, go for it. As was mentioned, thats really the only way to know. Might be the best thing you ever did.
Cheapshooter
New member
I am very happy with my Taurus Judge Public Defender Poly. The short barreled, polymer framed version of the Judge. With it's polymer frame, shorter barrel, and cylinder chambered for 2 1/2" shells it is easily carried, performs quite well, and as a bonus, less than half the price of the S&W. The Judge gives up the 45 acp capability, but that means nothing, and certain!y isn't worth an extra $400. More than the price of a Judge PD Poly.
Won't comment on the guns, directly, but consider this, if something isn't right, or goes wrong, one is made by S&W and the other isn't.
Taurus does not have as good a reputation as S&W. Especially if you have issues.
For me that's enough, and outweighs a difference in purchase price.
Thoughts?
I shot a Judge a little bit, when they first came out ....... target was an appliance box (approximately 2 1/2' x 3') at ten yards ...... the birdshot pattern did not stay on the box, and there was an 12" blank spot in the middle of it with no hits if one was trying to hit everything but what you were aiming it at in the room, this would be great ...... NOPE.
.45LC was ok ..... but that thing was huge, for 5 rounds of LC ...... nope .....
There are better guns, for less money, I think ..... it's a gimmicky concept, targeting people that don't know any better, thinking they can put a shotgun in their pocket.
I shot a Judge a little bit, when they first came out ....... target was an appliance box (approximately 2 1/2' x 3') at ten yards ...... the birdshot pattern did not stay on the box, and there was an 12" blank spot in the middle of it with no hits if one was trying to hit everything but what you were aiming it at in the room, this would be great ...... NOPE.
.45LC was ok ..... but that thing was huge, for 5 rounds of LC ...... nope .....
There are better guns, for less money, I think ..... it's a gimmicky concept, targeting people that don't know any better, thinking they can put a shotgun in their pocket.
chuck jones
New member
It's one of those things that sounds better than it actually is. It's big, kind'a gimmicky and a poor compromise if you ask me. I've only put a couple dozen rounds through the Taurus, but wasn't impressed.
I strongly suggest you shoot one before you buy and I'd assume the S&W had the better action of the 2 though I haven't shot that one.
I strongly suggest you shoot one before you buy and I'd assume the S&W had the better action of the 2 though I haven't shot that one.
Here's my thing, I have a .45Colt/.410 barrel for my Contender. I like it a lot as a pest gun. Would like it more if it was smoothbore but Uncle doesn't allow that without $ and a hassle I'm not willing to put up with.
Was not pleased with the performance of my .45 Colt rounds and got a .45 Colt (only) barrel.
A 10" Contender is quite effective, but the same stuff from a short barrel revolver just leaves me wanting.
Too much market hype on "oooh its a shotgun, you get multiple hits" etc.
A .410 slug is no slouch, call it 110gr and the MV out of a pistol is in the magnum range. BUT, its a .41 slug fired from a .45 barrel, so you lose a bunch, and its not a performance bullet its a lead slug.
Buckshot? sure, 3 pellets, 4?? again, not enough for me to match up against a good pistol round for defense use.
I wouldn't get either revolver, but if you're going to anyway, get the S&W, and don't whine about what it costs.
Was not pleased with the performance of my .45 Colt rounds and got a .45 Colt (only) barrel.
A 10" Contender is quite effective, but the same stuff from a short barrel revolver just leaves me wanting.
Too much market hype on "oooh its a shotgun, you get multiple hits" etc.
A .410 slug is no slouch, call it 110gr and the MV out of a pistol is in the magnum range. BUT, its a .41 slug fired from a .45 barrel, so you lose a bunch, and its not a performance bullet its a lead slug.
Buckshot? sure, 3 pellets, 4?? again, not enough for me to match up against a good pistol round for defense use.
I wouldn't get either revolver, but if you're going to anyway, get the S&W, and don't whine about what it costs.
My local shop has a used Raging Judge (a more "apples to apples" comparison to the S&W) sitting on the shelf right now for $695. Not really "cheap" and actually about $50 more than Buds is selling them new.
He was asking $550 for the "used" Governor, basically, NIB, when I got it this fall in the same shop. Buds is selling the same gun I got for $740 new.
They arent always "more", nor are they always expensive.
When I was looking in the box when I got home, I found the previous owners original transfer paperwork, and the gun was originally sold less than a year ago. Im assuming it just wasn't thier cup of tea, which I can understand with things like this. The only reason I bought it was I was bored, never had or shot one, and it looked interesting.
He was asking $550 for the "used" Governor, basically, NIB, when I got it this fall in the same shop. Buds is selling the same gun I got for $740 new.
They arent always "more", nor are they always expensive.
When I was looking in the box when I got home, I found the previous owners original transfer paperwork, and the gun was originally sold less than a year ago. Im assuming it just wasn't thier cup of tea, which I can understand with things like this. The only reason I bought it was I was bored, never had or shot one, and it looked interesting.