Revolvers that shoot shotgun shells

Revolvers that shoot shotgun shells
Being somewhat new to the world of guns, I see there are some revolvers (like the Taurus Judge) that are capable of shooting shotgun shells. What would you use this for? I'd imagine the recoil would be significant. Is it even practical?

Mike
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Not the most effective but still better than some and not as good as others. Personally, I'd load 'em with 45 LC instead of .410. The short barrel and the oversized diameter saps too much energy from the shotshell.

I think it's a lot of hype and marketing that sells those beasts. Folks hear that a revolver can fire shotgun shells, they get the idea in their heads that it's a sawed off shotgun. You know...something verboten... That's why they sell. They're sold to folks who are not knowledgeable with firearms or those who refuse to look at the data.
 
Thanks for posting the video link Cheapshooter. That is the one I viewed. What is shown in those videos and what is discussed here don't jive.

I am going to try this logically.

Penetration of projectiles is important for a self defense round to be effective.

The minimum effective penetration is twelve inches.

The Taurus Judge can send certain projectiles that can penetrate over 18 inches.

Logically then, the Judge is an effective self defense firearm.

As I said, I have zero experience with one and I doubt I ever will. But the above linked video clearly demonstrates that it would indeed work. At least with those particular Federal shells.

Now, if the gun has serious mechanical flaws, that would be a different story.
 
At least two people have mentioned it already but I'll be the third. This is an excellent video and will give you an informal look at how it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRlry5KH6I0

As you can see, light shot will definitely ruin someone's day and has a wide enough spread for riot situations. I'd guess your attackers would have a relatively high chance of survival and there is something to be said about legal shenanigans after the fact. While any of these would be devastating at point blank range, physiological stopping power becomes a rapidly increasing concern for the light stuff. The heavier stuff was interesting. It's kind of like half a mag of .32acp, all at once. The specialty loads didn't impress me.

The use of .45 Colt sure feels like it has more to do with legal compliance. If you want to shoot .45 Colt, you'll probably be happier with a gun specifically made for it. Otherwise, this is where it's at for legal revolving shotgun pistols.
 
For what it's worth......Here's my opinion...

I have a Thompson Contender single shot pistol with a 45/410 barrel and enjoy it as a 410 shotgun pistol. I have never fired it with 45 Colt ammunition but have killed many rats and other critters with a 410 3 inch shell.... As an efficient rat killer it is fantastic.....

I have other weapons that are much lighter, concealable and more efficient as a self defense weapons than the 410 revolver.

That is my opinion.....Merry Christmas

Lemmon from Rural South Carolina
 
On the question of multiplying projectiles, hickok45 showed that it is the #4 buck that has any balance of spread and devastation at closer ranges. The specialty rounds mostly make one big hole, raising the question of what goal was in mind...what problem was solved?
 
I saw four distinct holes in the video. I don't know what exactly the projectiles are designed, but I saw four, foot and a half long holes.
 
Bella, my take on the Judge, and my usees are definitely in the category of niche. For defensive purposes it is best suited for short range. My use, as I stated earlier is for truck carry as a defense against a close attack carjacking scenario. With the results in the videos, and others, I think it is shown to be an effective choice. With a diminished ability to properly aim, and an assailant right at your door, I believe the eight projectiles with two quick shots would be highly effective. I also have had accuracy results very similar to those in the video with Winchester PDX1 45 Colt rounds. At what is considered normal SD distance my PD Poly is as accurate as anything else I carry.
For a snake gun I also find the PD Poly a great choice. It is not, and never will be a small game shotgun. But at the distance that a venomous snake would be a threat, it holds a pattern that is more effective than shot capsules in handgun calibers. For performance it does it with a larger size shot as well.
However, where I think the research I have done proves to me that the 45/410 revolver format is effective for these situations, it is not a perfect SD, or CCW firearm. I would say if you are limited to one gun for home defense, and concealed carry a semi auto with a higher capacity might be a better choice, but a Judge or Governor could be very effective in most every SD situation you might find yourself in.
 
I saw four distinct holes in the video. I don't know what exactly the projectiles are designed, but I saw four, foot and a half long holes.
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Yes, you would likely get a staggered slash effect, if shooting sheet metal at an acute angle.
 
I am amused that most of the nay sayers on the judge never owned one, I have owned one and have shot it, I will say this used as it was designed for it is very effective, 20 feet and in it will do some serious damage and this gun was never intended for long range shooting, but for close in encounters it will stop any fight quick. Not to mention it will be easier to hit with it in the heat of the moment than with a conventional pistol or revolver. I sure would not want to be hit with it at 10 to 15 ft. after seeing how much damage it does to the wood targets I shot at with it and with a speed loader I can reload in seconds.
 
hanleyfan wrote:
I am amused that most of the nay sayers on the judge never owned one, I have owned one and have shot it, I will say this used as it was designed for it is very effective, 20 feet and in it will do some serious damage and this gun was never intended for long range shooting, but for close in encounters it will stop any fight quick. Not to mention it will be easier to hit with it in the heat of the moment than with a conventional pistol or revolver. I sure would not want to be hit with it at 10 to 15 ft. after seeing how much damage it does to the wood targets I shot at with it and with a speed loader I can reload in seconds.
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While the rifling irks me, I've looked favorably upon these guns for close-up use with .410 shot. Drawing upon the Hickock45 video that some of us were discussing earlier, a few types of shot look far better than others. You said you "have owned one" but do you still own it? I'm just curious what loads you've played around with and what you've chosen for defensive carry. Also, did you actually CC this or was it more like a "truck gun" for you?

Honestly, the only reason I don't own one is that something else always seems to beat it out in priority on the rare occasion that my family can afford a new gun. If not for the restrictions built into these by ludicrous and totally unconstitutional laws, it would arguably be a higher priority...
 
From what I can gather, the allure of these revolvers is that they can chamber a .410 2 1/2" shot shell. There exists SD/HD loads for this, they have 3 pellets of 000 buckshot, each pellet of which is pretty potent in its own right. The idea of it is that the pattern will, in a rifled barrel, spread about 12 inches or so in "across the room" ranges. Essentially, it gives you 3 shots in 1 shot. Personally, I'd go with more pellets of a somewhat smaller diameter (00 or 0, maybe even smaller), but they are what they are.

No, I don't have one of these. But I do understand the allure.
 
Well, I do have one. The short (2") barreled Public Defender Poly.
The Federal Premium Handgun 000 Buck 2 1/2" rounds contain 4 hardened lead pellets. I'm not sure what "across the room" range is, but @ 10 yards the four 35 caliber balls stay inside a three inch circle. The group is pretty much centered to point of aim. So if you are expecting a 12" spread, you're gonna need a bigger room.
With Bird, or "snake" shot, say the #7 1/2 I use for snakes, the shot spreads quickly. But at a normal range where a poisonous serpent would be a threat, say six to ten feet, theaters is dense enough to eliminate the threat.
Now, on the single projectile side, another myth is that the rifling is so shallow as to be useless. Coupled with the long leade in the cylinder that the detractors who have never owned a Judge "speculate" adds to inaccuracy. In real life this claim also proves to be bogus. At least at normal self defence range of 10 yards. With Winchester PDX1 225 gr. 45 Colt ammo I shoot a consistent 2-3 inch group to point of aim.
Where I don't use my Poly for CCW, I have posted a few pics comparing it's size to my Springfield XD 40 Sub Compact, and Colt 1991a1 Compact showing that with the smallest Judge any way there isn't much difference. Plus, for carry comfort the Poly version is three ounces lighter.
Theis Holsters http://theisholsters.com/productDetails.php?pcID=15 make an IWB hybrid holster foe the PD Poly that should work well.
 
Coupled with the long leade in the cylinder that the detractors who have never owned a Judge "speculate" adds to inaccuracy. In real life this claim also proves to be bogus. At least at normal self defence range of 10 yards. With Winchester PDX1 225 gr. 45 Colt ammo I shoot a consistent 2-3 inch group to point of aim.
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"Inaccuracy" is a variable term, depending on who is using it. Not being able to hit the broad side of a barn from the inside fits this category, but guns that don't shoot as well as the owners think they ought to are also "inaccurate".

I don't have any personal experience with a Judge, but I do have experience with the .45Colt/.410 in the Contender. For me, the .45 Colt ammo wasn't accurate enough in the combo barrel. I bought a .45 Colt (only) barrel, and it groups better than the combo barrel. However, I was interested in accuracy at ranges beyond the 10 yards you are looking at.

2-3" groups at 10 yards is acceptable for a defense gun, but I don't consider it great. A good .45 Colt revolver will do 2-3" groups at 25 yards, easily, and some will shoot better than that.

I won't deny that the defense loads for the .410 look like they would be effective. Where I remain unconvinced is that they are superior to a properly crafted defense load in .45 Colt.
 
Inaccuracy" is a variable term, depending on who is using it. Not being able to hit the broad side of a barn from the inside fits this category, but guns that don't shoot as well as the owners think they ought to are also "inaccurate".
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The inaccuracy I speak of is the myth repeated by those who have never owned a Judge that because the rifling is shallow it is incapable of any sort of acceptable accuracy. A myth that has been debunked by many more owners of 45/410 format handguns than just me.
In addition to poisonous snake protection, and fun range blasting my Poly serves as a truck gun. As a defense against an up close attack such as a car jacking. With an attacker just a few feet away, the 215 grain payload of 4, .360 diameter hardened lead balls that have shown to penetrate 12"+ from a handgun would most likely cause multiple wounds in a close area. With two quick shots that's a lot of tissue damage in a short time. Not to mention the multiple opportunities for one or more to reach the spine for an instant stop.
I'm not saying it would be the best choice for longer distances, but for up close I think it would be devastating. That's why I load it with the first two rounds of Federal 000 Buck for at my truck door range, and follow with three PDX1 45 Colt rounds if there is an additional threat at a longer distance.
 
Interesting replies and discussion. Other than the Judge, how many other revolvers can shoot shotgun shells? Let's see a list.

Mike
 
Since I don't intend to every carry it, I got the one that shoots 3 magnum shells. They feel noticeably spicier than the 2.5" ones.

My buddy's mom lives out in the country and has a bunch of dead gourds laying around in one of her fields. We are going out there this weekend to have some fun with them and the Judge. It is a very entertaining plinker.
 
Other than the Judge, how many other revolvers can shoot shotgun shells? Let's see a list.
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Magnus Research BFI........The original 45/410 revolver I think. With a MSRP over a Grand!

S&W Governor......A more "acceptable" brand to gun snobs, and would probably have been praised as a great SD innovation had it been introduced before the Taurus!
 
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