Author’s Bold Assessment

I will cut right to the chase: The Smith & Wesson Governor revolver is probably the finest and most versatile handgun on the market. It does a bit of everything — and does it well. Let me explain.

Details on ‘The Ultimate Survival Revolver’

I tested the 2.75-inch-barreled Governor model, weighing in at 29.6 ounces. The S&W Governor is a genuine “six-shooter” that chambers three different calibers without adjustment: .45 Colt, .45 ACP and 2.5-inch .410 shotshells.

This flexibility makes it ideal for foraging on the trail, for packing in an emergency relocation situation, as a shopkeeper’s handgun, or for use in personal and home defense.

Let’s start with the Governor’s ability to handle three different cartridges interchangeably.

Three Caliber Capability Explained

1. Legal .410 Pistol

For legal purposes, a handgun firing a .410 shotgun shell is not considered a “shotgun” if the barrel of the pistol is rifled. If it were smoothbore, it would be a shotgun. Rifled barrels are the reason guns like the Governor and Bond Arms derringers are entirely lawful to own and shoot.

*May not apply to all states — sorry California. Always be sure to check your state gun laws before buying a firearm.

2. .410 Shell Compatibility

The .410 shotgun shell has nearly the same exterior dimensions as a .45 Colt, even though the slug is .410 caliber. A .410 will chamber in a .45 Colt cylinder if the chamber is long enough. The Governor’s cylinder will accommodate all .410 2.5-inch shells.

3. .45 ACP with Moon Clips

While the .45 Colt is a rimmed cartridge, the Governor can fire the rimless .45 ACP cartridge by using the included full or 1/3 moon clips. The clips allow for proper seating and ejection of the auto-pistol rounds.

Survival Advantage

The ability to fire .45 ACP ammo is an important feature if you employ the Governor as a survival handgun. Popular .45 ACP rounds are more widely available and less expensive than .45 Colt. Power levels are very similar, so either would serve as good defense loads against man and all but the most massive beasts.

Construction and Design

While the Governor has an ungainly look to it, it handles quite nicely! The cylinder is stainless PVD, and the barrel is stainless. The finish of the cylinder and barrel mates nicely with the finish on the Scandium-alloy frame.

A white-outlined tritium front sight complements the traditional rear-sight trough cut into the frame’s topstrap. The trigger face is smooth, while the hammer spur — slightly wider than the hammer — is checkered for easy single-action use.

A synthetic finger groove grip helps control recoil. The Governor is also available with factory-installed Crimson Trace Lasergrips.

Testing the S&W Governor Revolver at the Shooting Range

I went to the range with three different loads to get a feel for the Governor’s versatility. I tested load-outs as a self-defense gun, snake gun and less-lethal launcher. Yeah, it really can do all that!

Test Ammunition Selection

Purpose Ammunition Specifications
Self-Defense SIG Sauer Elite V-Crown .45 Colt 230-grain bullet, 850 fps, 369 ft-lbs
Snake Defense Estate Super Sport Competition 2.5-inch #8 Shot Target Loads
Less-Lethal Lightfield Home Defense 2.5-inch four-pellet Rubber Buckshot, 1,400 fps

Range Performance Results

The trigger pull of the Governor is smooth and manageable. It makes the Governor a literal blast to shoot! The prominent front sight, combined with the relative mildness of the test rounds, aided in accurate shot placement.

SIG .45 Colt Performance

The SIG .45 Colt loads were easy to keep in the 3-inch range at 30 feet when fired double-action.

Estate Target Loads

The Estate Target loads were very mild but spread rapidly. The maximum range you would want to use those on human or smaller targets is 15 feet.

Lightfield Rubber Buckshot

The Lightfield loads were the most interesting. Recoil was non-existent. The pellets penetrated cardboard and impacted into the telephone pole backstop.

Less-Lethal Capability

It is obvious these would sting if they struck the lower legs — the preferred target. Loading the Governor with these for use against dangerous interlopers might turn the tide without causing severe injury.

Important Safety Note

If you load the Governor with rubber buckshot, have a backup firearm loaded with lethal ammo.

Intimidation Factor

The Smith & Wesson Governor performs tasks that would typically need two or more handguns. Viewing the fully loaded revolver from the “felon end” is quite intimidating.

Adding Crimson Trace Lasergrips amplifies the “think again” factor.

Pricing Information

  • Standard Model MSRP: $869
  • Lasergrips-equipped Model MSRP: $1,119

Smith & Wesson Governor Revolver Specs

Feature Specification
Barrel Length 2.75 inches
Overall Length 8.5 inches
Weight 29.6 ounces
Cylinder Material Stainless PVD
Barrel Material Stainless Steel
Frame Material Scandium Alloy
Action Single/Double
Capacity 6
Governor Applications
  • Trail Foraging: Multiple caliber flexibility
  • Emergency Preparedness: Versatile ammunition options
  • Personal Defense: .45 Colt/.45 ACP power
  • Home Defense: Less-lethal and lethal options
  • Snake Defense: .410 shotshell capability
  • Shopkeeper Protection: Intimidation factor
  • Survival Situations: Common ammunition compatibility
  • Less-Lethal Options: Rubber buckshot capability

Sources:

About Scott W. Wagner

After working undercover in narcotics and liquor investigations, Scott W. Wagner settled down to be a criminal justice professor and police academy commander. He also served as a SWAT team member, sniper and assistant team leader before his current position as patrol sergeant with the Village of Baltimore, Ohio.

Scott is a police firearms instructor certified to train revolver, semi-automatic pistol, shotgun, semi- and fully automatic patrol rifle, and submachine gun.