Not sure where I land on the Judge/Governor, but I somehow keep wanting to try one. Got me to thinking if they would make a decent home defense/nightstand piece, so thought i would toss it out there. Going back a step, I much prefer a revolver over a semi-auto for nightstand duty (another debate for another thread perhaps). Given my preference for revolvers in general and especially for nightstand duty, just got me to thinking, "what about a Judge or Governor?" So, what say thee?
Judge/Governor for HD/nightstand?
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It flings big heavy lead. If it piques your interest go for it.
Like riding a moped or something? Fun but don’t wanna be seen?
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just had this conversation today. Go with the Governor so you can also shoot 45acp.
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Agree. Was sort of not meaning to imply which one of the two, but rather the concept of a .410 shooting revolver. Your point however, is well made as I didn't consider .45acp capable as part of the equation.
To start with, if it tickles your fancy, then go for it. It wont be a bad choice.
Personally, I have never really warmed up to the idea of them. They seem like a solution looking for a question.
Personally, I have never really warmed up to the idea of them. They seem like a solution looking for a question.
After a grip change to a Pachmeyer, I like it.
Much smaller than a Governor.
Initially bought for the wife but it's a great yard gun too!
Much smaller than a Governor.
Initially bought for the wife but it's a great yard gun too!
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jjwestbrook
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Great fishing gun for snakes. There is much better options for home defense
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You thinking buckshot ? Birdshot ? Or .45?
The Fudd answer would be birdshot AND buckshot AND 45.
@RS wore 2 Judges OUT......Now has a Governor....Not Even Apples and Oranges. More like Apples and Row Boats. Loaded with Federal Premium Buck Shot it is a game changer. Those of you that have seen it shot here can attest to the unbelievable groups at 10 yards. 4 00Buckshot in the palm of my tiny girlish hand. She is walking around with a 24 shot .38 special. I couldn't Begin to tell you how many Possums, Coons and snakes have been killed by her with it. Disregard Anyone that tells you to use .410 slugs. A .410 slug is miniscule compared to a 300 grain 45 Colt load.
The Governor is a Hell of a tool.
The Governor is a Hell of a tool.
If you choose a revolver for your home defense handgun...the Governor is the most versatile available. A 300 grain bullet at over 1,000 FPS is formidable.
I've had a Judge next to my bed for years. Mine is the stainless 3" magnum/3" barrel. (I'm not much for the defender versions)
First 3 rounds are winchester pdx slug/bb combo's and the last 2 are hornady critical defense 45 lc. The pdx rounds absolutely destroy a milk jug full of water, and the hornady's open up the back of 1/2" plywood to about a 4" circle. Point of impact with both loads is consistent with point of aim.
This is also my atv-riding-woods sidearm. Spend the money on a high rise holster if you wanna carry it and it doesn't seem so heavy.
@Ben Jefferson is spot on with the pachmayr grip. The stock ribber grip is a joke, so buy the pachmayr before you even have the gun in hand.
@BatteryOaksBilly is correct. The Governor is a better gun, and it holds 6 rounds and shoots acp too. It's also almost twice as much $ as the Judge. That's up to you.
The Judge has done very well for me in the applications I use it for.
I hope to hell I never have to shoot anybody with this thing. It'd be more merciful to shoot em with a 30-06.
First 3 rounds are winchester pdx slug/bb combo's and the last 2 are hornady critical defense 45 lc. The pdx rounds absolutely destroy a milk jug full of water, and the hornady's open up the back of 1/2" plywood to about a 4" circle. Point of impact with both loads is consistent with point of aim.
This is also my atv-riding-woods sidearm. Spend the money on a high rise holster if you wanna carry it and it doesn't seem so heavy.
@Ben Jefferson is spot on with the pachmayr grip. The stock ribber grip is a joke, so buy the pachmayr before you even have the gun in hand.
@BatteryOaksBilly is correct. The Governor is a better gun, and it holds 6 rounds and shoots acp too. It's also almost twice as much $ as the Judge. That's up to you.
The Judge has done very well for me in the applications I use it for.
I hope to hell I never have to shoot anybody with this thing. It'd be more merciful to shoot em with a 30-06.
I shot my first Judge this past weekend... my friend Maria wanted to practice.... She was a little intimidated by my .40 M&P and .40 XDm until I showed her the .45 LC and .410 #00 load. I said, I am the one who is intimidated... damn thing will tickle your fancy for sure!
I wouldn't want to be on either side of one.
I wouldn't want to be on either side of one.
Not sure what ya expected...it’s like going into a drug dealers convention and asking if you should snort Coke or not.
The most discouragement you will get is people recommending their brand of coke over another.
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@jfanatic
Billy is dead on with his description of the Federal Premium performance (except I think it’s 000 buck instead of 00 buck?). He test-fired my .410 and provided pics. But this one is more than a 24 shot...more like a 64 shot .38 special. 😎
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but the governor can't do .454...
and the price is a good bit higher too.
and the price is a good bit higher too.
Neither was a consideration here. I see no mention of a .454 Judge anywhere. Is there such a thing?
The Governor can do a 300 grain .45 Colt at well over 1,000 fps.
I don't know what it'll do out of a revolver, but this stuff is amazing!!! It's pricy @ $30+ for a box of 5, but it leaves turkeys laying in a pool of their own blood at 50+ yards from a 26” barrel and a turkey choke. It's #9 shot hits like #5 lead.
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Come here and shoot Both....no further conversation will be needed.
I try to have personal experience when I answer about guns. If I haven't owned one....I simply keep quiet. I tend to listen to folks that have spent their hard earned money and not the Gun Magazine opinions.
I had a friend that bought a judge that I advised him against. He was in the woods a nd jumped a creek and that Judge fell into the creek
After retrieving it ha brought it to me to clean it. When I took the side plate of I could not believe the shi#y ship. The inside was extremely rough and looked like a 10 year old made it. .After he saw it he sold it and bought a Governor. I have a Governor with crimson trace grip with a 15 yard zero. .Fit and finish are great It is far superior to the POS Taurus
After retrieving it ha brought it to me to clean it. When I took the side plate of I could not believe the shi#y ship. The inside was extremely rough and looked like a 10 year old made it. .After he saw it he sold it and bought a Governor. I have a Governor with crimson trace grip with a 15 yard zero. .Fit and finish are great It is far superior to the POS Taurus
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The Raging Judge is .454/.410/.45
I can't help but think that extra caliber will shorten the life... but it's another option.
I had one of the early Judges and could never get it to work properly. I sent it back twice and had a local gunsmith work on it, but it never was right. I gave it away with full disclosure of the problems I had with it. I would be interested in the S&W version of it. It would make a good tractor revolver.
I've had zero issues with my judge magnum. Fun to shoot. Wish they still made ones with light rails.
Just saw a Public Defender poly in the case today at Butlers in Forest City if anyone is having trouble finding one. No affiliation, just passed through town and can't go by a shop without stopping.