I just don't get the .410 revolvers. I feel like a j frame with snakeshot would do just fine, be easier to carry, and be way more versatile.

 

This.

Or, avoid snakes....

 

My brothers favorite 'around the property' carry is a Judge. Had it since he lived in Missouri. He's dispatched quite a lot of critters with it over the years. The Gov would do the same thing.

 

I think the Governor allows use of 45 acp too.

 

Actually, it's .45 Colt aka .45 Long Colt.

 

I've had good luck with .410 when dealing with snakes, Cottonmouths or whatever on the banks of some strip pits I like to fish at. As long as you take your shots at a reasonable distance, up to about 15-20 feet, I would have confidence in it being able to dispatch any snake at or under that distance. It wasn't a revolver but my old single shot bolt action .410 shotgun I used to carry.

Snakeshot in .357 Magnums or .45 ACP also seemed to work well. I used to have some CCI .45 snakeshot that cycled and worked fine and I really liked those, but now I just carry either a 9mm or a .45 but we have also have coyotes here in KY to worry about and .410 or snakeshot won't be worth a whole lot on those.

 

My ‘Judge’ has been problem free. It looks and feels well made for a Taurus.

The .410/.45LC is a pretty daunting combination for a trail gun. I don’t think you’d be disappointed with this choice for small critters in the woods, even the two-legged ones.

If you’re more comfortable with S&W, spend the extra $. I bought the ‘Judge’ because it was in the gun store when I wanted the .410/.45 for walking around in Florida brush.

 

I bought the ‘Judge’ because it was in the gun store when I wanted the .410/.45 for walking around in Florida brush.

And we certainly have our share of snakes down here! We've had rattlers in camp before. And moccasins are just mean

 

I use a walking stick for snakes and JHP for everything else. In my experience 45 colt snake shot isn’t effective. I have used a 410 shotgun on snakes and that is very effective but I haven’t tried through a revolver.

 

I use a walking stick for snakes and JHP for everything else. In my experience 45 colt snake shot isn’t effective.

I'm not disputing what you said, merely surprised. Having shot .40 S&W CCI shotshells, I'd have thought the 45 Colt would rip them up.

Now, I do have a revolver shotshell that will really tear them up. Matt's Bullets sells shotshells for the 500 S&W Mag and with 3/4oz of shot, they're serious snake medicine but obviously, my 72oz unloaded weight 500 isn't the most convenient walkaround gun. Surprisingly comfortable in a chest holster rig, Don

 

I would pattern it just to be sure. The rifling may cause issues with the pattern. I know we are talking maybe 10 yards in terms of distance but with a barrel that short and rifling its totally different than a .410 with a smoothbore and 18-20 inches long.

If I was to place my bet on it would be that it would work.

 

I think the Judge/Governor is a solution looking for a problem. A marketing gimmick. It really does nothing well. Accuracy with the 45ACP, 45Colt and slugs is mediocre at best. Who cares how many different cartridges it can shoot if you can't hit anything with it? The pattern with 410 shot shells is almost useless due to the rifling. Three yards is about max effective range with shot shells in any handgun with rifling. Might as well carry a much-lighter J-frame and 38 Special shot shells. Or carry a similar weight, mid-size, K-frame 357 and you'll have accuracy with the 357/38 bullets and the option for 38 special shotshells. You'll be giving up nothing in comparison to the Governor, and gaining accuracy and or weight savings.

 

I pretty much agree and have thought the same thing. There are specialty shotshells (like the Winchester PDX) that are more useful (for HD) at a greater range, ie 12-15 yards.

 

I carry a judge while I’m out and about in the woods, I keep it loaded up with 00buck and I keep a hand full of .45 colt in my pocket. I’m in west Tennessee so the only things I have to worry about killing me in the woods is snakes and meth heads lol!!

 

Okay, here is a different opinion. I think shot shells out of a handgun (in any handgun caliber) are worthless. Try shooting one and see how far and wide the spread is. I've shot 22LR, 22mag, 38, and 357 shot shells and none of them were worth a darn. Maybe in the huge handgun calibers (like 500 S&W) they work, but lesser calibers are a waist of time, IMHO.

Now, MAYBE 410 would work, but remember, you're shooting it out of a short, rifled barrel, not an 18 inch shotgun barrel like it was designed for. My uneducated guess is that it won't be very effective. I agree with the poster that said to use a stick or shovel against snakes.

Also, these revolvers are BIG and HEAVY. Not what I would call a trail gun.

Sorry for the negativity, I just think you're going to be disappointed. Now, if money is no object and you just want to play around with a new gun, have at it!

 

I agree with Mountain10mm above. I had one for a while. The 410 shot shells didn't pattern worth a darn. at much over 3 yards or so.

 

Trail guns, to me, aren't target guns. If I can hit a venomous snake at TWO yards, I'm a happy camper. If I'm shooting at a predator threat, in the woods, I'm not hunting - 7 yards is adequate.

My primary concern with them is their weight. More easily carried than a full length shotgun, and (possibly) more effective than the 357 shot shells I use now.

 

What is wrong with learning to aim and shoot a pistol caliber handgun and relying on it for snakes as well as other threats? Maybe you should consider snake boots and/or chaps if snakes rattle your cage to the point of affecting your marksmanship so much that you need a shotty for them.

 

 

I think these types of 410 do serve that purpose for short range snake guns. Way more load in that short range. A load of 6 or 7 1/2's would be perfect. Also think for self defense for NON gun types at a rooms length with buckshot or a no 4 load. Someone that is gun oblivious all they have to do is point, not aim to get pellets that way, enough to get them away.


However, 410 has been very scarce and expensive.

 

Strictly for snakes, I'd opt for something slightly less expensive, like a trusty shovel.

 

Harder to carry in a holster...

 

No step on snek.

 

For woods walking, There is also a bunch of youth mini folding single barrel 410's out there. Avg 3 or 4lbs 18.5 barrel and around 29 to 31in open. Rossi has one thats 45 Colt. I got my son and I know 3 others that have the traditional stock Rossi's and they weight nothing.

The Original lil 410.

 

For woods walking, There is also a bunch of youth mini folding single barrel 410's out there. Avg 3 or 4lbs 18.5 barrel and around 29 to 31in open. Rossi has one thats 45 Colt. I got my son and I know 3 others that have the traditional stock Rossi's and they weight nothing.

The Original lil 410.
View attachment 956784

 

Nope. I just shoot their heads of with bullets.

 

Nice.

 

I've wanted a Governor gun, Taurus or otherwise. But just never thought them to be size efficient for my carry.

 

Dad always carried a Judge when he went fishing. I have a S&W 442 with CCI Big 4 shot shells when working around the property.

 

Snake you do not see is worst snake.

 

Edit: good job, mods!!!!!

 

Something to seriously consider about these 410 revolvers is that the long chambers and oversize throats, necessary to use 410 shells in them, also rob velocity from standard 45 ammo shot in them. Check reviews on them which include chronograph results with 45 ACP or 45 Colt ammo.

This doesn't necessarily disqualify them as woods guns, but they are the last thing I'd choose for really large animal defense.

 

I do get the idea behind the Judge/Governor but personally I don't care a thing for them. The .410 doesn't pattern very well and outside of something like snake or perhaps an aggressive and vicious rodent, I'm not sure I'd want to run .410 out of 3" barrel, let alone expect to be effective. The .45 ACP from the S&W version loses a lot of velocity and although I do think the .45 Colt is a good cartridge, only five shots in a rather large gun just doesn't sound good.

To me I'd rather carry something smaller, if I want a revolver it'll be either my 686 or 629, both 3". But even then, chance are it'll be a Glock. For snakes, it's best to leave them alone really but in the event you just have to kill one, lop its head off with a machete. I've used the .40 and .45 shotshells on snakes and they work but they don't cycle the slide and range is still quite limited, so much so that I'm pretty sure a machete would be the cheapest bet since those shotshells are pricey. You could just carry an extra mag of FMJ to take out a snake, it would make good target practice.

 

I have used multiple shot shells from various calibers, .22lr, .38, .9mm, .45acp, and .44. I thought that the .44 mag shot shells worked the best, but that is a heavy gun to carry all the time. I found that the best solution for me was using the .38's out of a J frame wheel gun.

The 9mm and .45acp shells are hit and miss, depending upon what gun I was using the slide never fully cycled.