Thoughts on 410 pistol snake guns like the Judge?

[Doc Safari]

Thought I'd run this past you guys since you tend to tell it like it is.

What's your opinion of .410 handguns like the S & W Governor or Taurus Judge?

Or is there a better alternative.

I'm hesitant to own a Taurus of any kind for known reasons, but I sure could have used the S & W Governor as a snake gun this past weekend.

There are just times in the brush I need a handgun for snakes and other up-close varmints. Even though I have killed a rattler with my Glock, it took three shots and I'd rather win the argument quicker than that.

Should I put a Governor on my "must have" list, or is it a gimmick in search of a tactical niche?

Thoughts?

[Icculus]

...or is it a gimmick in search of a tactical niche?

Thoughts?

This imho. A friend of mine has a judge and I've shot it a couple of times. It's big and heavy with limited uses. It's rifling isn't deep enough to accurately shoot the 45 lc but it definitely has enough to spin out the .410 pellets into a big circle pattern with not much in the middle. Great if you get attacked by an angry bagel but of little use beyond that. Obviously ymmv.

[Doc Safari]

I have used snake shot shells in various pistol calibers, but they seem woefully inadequate, hence the desire for a "hand cannon" with a little more punch in the shot shell department.

I'd have to agree, Icculus, that both .410 revolvers look like big honkin' beasts though.

[Doc Safari]

I found an interesting review of the Governor:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...rnor-take-two/

It's surprising that they consider it a devastating home defense gun with the right ammo, but don't recommend it as a snake gun.

[lurpygeek]

I think they're both very poorly named.

"I'll be back in a while. I'm headed out to shoot the Governor."

"Finally got to shoot the Judge last week. What a blast!"

[mallowpufft]

I've shot a buddie's Judge and it's got that "cool" factor but it felt heavier than my. 41mag Blackhawk loaded for hunting and was definitely more unbalanced.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2

[skyugo]

I found an interesting review of the Governor:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...rnor-take-two/

It's surprising that they consider it a devastating home defense gun with the right ammo, but don't recommend it as a snake gun.

I'd consider it a laughable home defense gun, but an ideal snake gun.

[John Fritz]

... Should I put a Governor on my "must have" list, or is it a gimmick in search of a tactical niche? ...

Double post on the review. Disregard.

[Pi3]

I shot one once. It seemed like a novelty piece. Carry a hoe.

[Buckshot TX]

Both are crappy 45 Colts (they shoot patterns rather than groups due to the style of rifling used) and crappy 410 shotguns (they shoot donut shaped patterns due to the spin imparted on the shot load). The ONLY role they'll serve reasonably well is as a close range snake gun.