Ruger Forum banner

The Taurus Judge

17K views 52 replies 37 participants last post by  rc229 
#1 ·
Wow, I would love to own one of these. Seems like it is a great home defense weapon.




Argyle, How do you like yours?
 
See less See more
3
#2 ·
Sorry, but I would advise against it.....for several reasons.

The quality of the Judge leaves a LOT to be desired. Pretty sloppy production and assembly.

If you are considering using the so called Winchester 410 rounds for SD, forget it. The 5 balls .360 Dia if memory serves rattle down the barrel and scatter to the winds upon leaving the barrel not only because of the rifling, but the bullets just rattling down the barrel. I tried these and just about decided the safest place to be would be about 15 feet right in front of the gun. The 410 birdshot round are not a lot better, but are a little. This is because the shot is contained in a wad, and although the wad is rotating, there is enough shot in alignment for at least some to be on target.

Although the Judge will fire 45 Colt, because of the long jump the bullet must make upon leaving the case, allows hot gas leak around the bullet, eroding it, and there is no guarantee the bullet will hit the forcing cone square. Because of both the gas leaking, and bullet free travel in the cylinder greatly reduces power and accuracy.

I have a 410/45 chambered weapon. Ultimately I fire formed 444 Marlin cases to 410. These are loaded with 15grs of Herco under a 410 wad with four .360 Dia balls. At SD ranges, the spread on these balls is about 2 inches. This is because the balls are lined up, one behind the other and held in that position by the wad, which the rifling imparts a spin. Since they are just spinning around the centerline of the bore, scattering is minimal.

Just my opinion,

Chris
 
#3 · (Edited)
It's a fun gun, but definitely a novelty weapon. I have the 6" barrel, not the short one, which makes it reasonably accurate at 25 yds with 45s. If you look at the targets shown by Taurus in the ads for it, they are shot from a distance of 6 ft - that's right, 2 yards. At 7 yds even with the 6" barrel, the shot dispersion from the .410 is so wide that it would not have much effect.

In general, I think it fills a psychological niche - for those cases where you want to seriously discourage someone without dispatching them. I'm reading "In the Gravest Extreme" and really thinking about all the implications of killing someone, even in self-defense. I'm sure I would have no problem with it with adrenaline rushing through my system, but I've done many things in the heat of the moment that I had 2nd thoughts about afterward.

Where other guns are considered "belly guns", I would call this a "face gun." A full load of bird shot in the face at a few feet is probably more disorienting than a .357 that doesn't break a bone or sever an artery. Think of it as the harshest possible warning you can issue to someone to cease and desist aggression. I think it would fit the needs nicely of a guy who wants to give a gun to his wife or GF who doesn't particularly like guns, and really doesn't want to hurt or kill anyone, but who really, REALLY, doesn't want to let anyone hurt her.

The short-barreled version would be a good anti-carjacking gun.
 
#5 ·
If you do a search on youtube.com there are quite a few videos showing the Judge and firing it. Don't own one, everyone I work with wants one, but so far no buyers.
Also, if you do a Google search, there are many magazine reviews to read, referencing it. Biggest complaints are, lack of shells available for purchase in different shot #s, and poor penetration with buckshot.
Good luck
 
#8 ·
And saved you about 500 bucks in the process. :D

It's a fun gun, but for about $150 less you can get a Charter Arms Bulldog .44, load it with Glaser safety slugs for the first 2 chambers, and get much the same result.
 
#10 ·
If you want one, then buy it. I got one with the 6"bbl just to play around with. My son and I had a blast shooting clay birds and soda cans tossed up in the air with it. I shot 2.5" 410's in shot size 4, 6, 8, and 9. I bought some S&B buckshot loads but have not tried them yet. Just remember, it is what it is. The shot pattern opens up pretty fast. You won't hit much past 20 yards when it's loaded with the birdshot. Like I said if you want one to play around with it's alot of fun. It is not my defense gun and I haven't shot any 45LC out of it yet. I don't know what they are going for retail. My friend has an FFL and I got mine for wholesale lastyear. I think I paid $326 plus about $15 shipping for the 6" blue model NIB.
 
#11 ·
I don't know what they are going for retail. My friend has an FFL and I got mine for wholesale lastyear. I think I paid $326 plus about $15 shipping for the 6" blue model NIB.
That was a great deal! Going price around here is about $480 for the 6", and about $50 more for the shorter one.

If I had it to do over again, I probably wouldn't buy it, and if I bought one I would definitely get the version that takes the 3" magnums.
 
#13 ·
I intend to try the 45 LC next time I shoot it. Now I'll have to get a box or 2 of the 410slugs and try them too! I like the Bond arms too. I love to watch Bob Munden shoot long range with his on the TV show American shooter. I forgot how long the shot was but it was amazing.
 
#14 ·
Before I get a fun gun like the Judge, I think i need something a bit more practical. I have been looking at the Mossberg Persuader w/ pistol grip. I can get one at Academy Sports for $275.00
anyone want to donate some money? :D
 
#15 · (Edited)
My Dad bought a Judge about two months ago. I've fired both .410 shells and .45LC through it. In both instances I felt something hit my face as it was fired (powder I guess) It wasn't terribly unpleasant, but noticable none the less.

Overall I liked it, I don't know that I would rush out and buy one, but it's pretty fun to shoot.
 
#19 ·
the judge is a purpose built pistol designed for automotive defense light bird shot will shatter any modern driver or passenger side window it isn't designed to spray buck shot into them but instead it will send quite a bit if modern safety glass into the assailents face the theory is they will be temporarily blinded and you follow up with another bunch of bird shot not garaunteed death but the car jacker will no longer be a threat I accidentally shot my friend in the back with a .410 loaded with low recoil bird shot at about 50 yards all it did was get me kicked in the groin later (i deserved it)
p.s. before anyone calls me an idiot the gun was broken and ent off as I released the safety now I check anything I do not own extra thoroughly before I am going to use it it as a loaner shotgun
 
#21 ·
I thought the Judge would be the coolest thing ever, and i wanted one for a while. After I finally handled one, i decieded i would not spend my hard earned money that such a POS. It felt like garbage in my hand.

I will say that i still want to shoot one very badly, and slefishly, whenever some one i know askes for a recomendation on a revolver, I tell them about it.

DW
 
#22 ·
A .410 slug weighs less than 100 grains . . . a .45 Colt bullet usually weighs 250 grains.

You really want a gangbanger's Momma crying to the jury about how you blinded her "good little boy" with a face full of birdshot?

I think it's a marketing ploy, although it might be a lotta fun to play around with. And the "Box -O-Truth" has some thoughts . . .

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm

JMHO

:D
 
#27 ·
I first thought that the judge would be a neat gun.. but the more you read the more you find its like was said.. "a novelty"... I have never been a taurus fan but i think there quality is getting better but i cant prove that..

Was considering the GP100 or the Judge and I think I cant go wrong with the GP100. I have never heard a bad word about the GP100.. now if i can find a really nice cond one at a good price.
Gun show this weekend cant wait.
 
#29 ·
I had [repeat HAD] a 6" SS Judge and it was a lot of fun to shoot and accurate at 100 yds. with 45 LC and a kick with 5's and 6's at close range.
I got 35 45 LC's and 10 410's through it and the dad burned pot lickin son of a seacook's cylinder fell out while reloading. Their crane-yolk retention system leaves alot to be desired. Instead of a dog point screw like S&W they have a screw spring and a plunger looking device that let mine fall out at my feet. BYE BYE it went quick after reassembly.
The fellow who makes Wright rests, told me he really likes his and he put a thompson choke in the bbl. and his range went out 15-20 yds. and made a good shotgun for him.
I had 3 toreasses and got rid of them all, well replaced them with a fleet of more RUGERS and have no regrets.....
 
#31 ·
Next time I get attacked whilst driving, by those rogue pumpkins or a flock of birds, I may regret not having the "Judge Fudge" with me, I'll just have to make do with my 1911 or SP101 or GP100 or Security Six or Redhawk or Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk or S&W 19 or or or or................Watch out pumpkins ,"I Like Pie"
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top