By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
SMITH & WESSON
In 1854 – Smith & Wesson® introduced the .41 Magazine Pistol, “The Volcanic,” and never looked back. It was the first repeating, American firearm capable of successfully using a fully self-contained cartridge.
In 1877 – The .38 Safety Hammerless became the world’s first double-action, concealed-hammer revolver.
In 1899 – The .38 Military & Police was introduced alongside the .38 S&W Special cartridge, now known as the Model 10; over six million units have been produced since its introduction.
Smith & Wesson produced its first automatic pistol, the .35 Automatic, in 1913.
1935 – Smith & Wesson introduces the .357 Magnum. The .357 Magnum quickly caught the interest of law enforcement agencies looking for a way to deal with more treacherous and better-armed criminals.
1942 – The Victory M&P model was released for the United States Women’s Naval Reserve, better known as the WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) stationed at Norfolk, VA Naval Base, that carried important, confidential messages between various section units.
The Model 36, Chief’s Special®, debuted at the IACP conference in 1950.
In 1955, S&W unveiled the Model 29 chambered in .44 Magnum – the handgun made famous by Clint Eastwood in the movie “Dirty Harry.” In 2005, Field & Stream rated the Model 29 as the 5th best gun ever made, the only handgun to make their top ten.
In response to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit, Smith & Wesson built a pistol that could fire the newly developed .38 AMU cartridge. In 1961, the Model 52 was introduced and became known as the most accurate target pistol of its day.
In 2003, An entirely new frame size was developed to fire the new.500 S&W Magnum cartridge. The Model S&W500™ is the world’s biggest, heaviest, most-powerful factory-production double-action revolver.
2005 – Smith & Wesson® debuts the M&P® Pistol Series. Law enforcement officials championed the new line of polymer pistols. In the first year after their debut, over 100 departments purchased M&P pistols.
The M&P15 is introduced at the 2006 SHOT Show to overwhelming enthusiasm.
2017 – The M&P M2.0™ family is the culmination of a decade of research and design featuring upgrades to nearly every aspect, including trigger, grip, frame, and finish.
THE GOVERNOR
If you’re in the market for a handheld shotgun, and who isn’t, the Smith & Wesson governor fits the bill. Available in Black or Scandium/Stainless, the Governor gives you the option of .410 2-1/2 inch shotshells, .45 Colt, or .45 ACP using moon clips that give you the amount of knockdown power you need for any situation.
The trigger pull breaks at around 4.5-5 pounds in single action and 10-11 pounds in double action, and it’s smooth, crisp, and consistent each time.
Smith & Wesson’s use of a Scandium Z-frame helps keep the weight down on this monster, and the ergonomic polymer K-frame grips help tame recoil.
The fit and finish of the Governor are exceptional, as Smith & Wesson products are.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Extra Large, Z-Frame, Single/Double Action Revolver
Caliber: .410 2-1/2” Shotshell, .45 Colt, .45 ACP
Magazine capacity: 6 Rounds
Sights: Rear fixed, Front Sight Ramp
Barrel Length: 2.75 Inches
Overall Length: 8.5 Inches
Width: 1.75 Inches
Height: 5.5 Inches
Weight: 30.2 Ounces
MSRP: $919
URL: www.smith-wesson.com
THE VERDICT
Whether for self-defense at home or in the wild, the Smith & Wesson Governor revolver puts six rounds of customizable response under your control. Load with .410 2 1/2″ shotshells, .45 ACP, or .45 Colt.
Shipped with (2) 6-round and (3) 2-round moon clips for use with .45 ACP.
Check one out at your Smith & Wesson Dealer today.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected].