Taurus Judge

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rem44m

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From what I can find on the net, the 410 out of a short barrel like the judge is worthless. Does anyone have info saying otherwise.

I'm starting to wonder why Taurus even made a judge it seems from what I can find it is worthless for self defense.

Guess it'd make a good snake gun but that's about it.
 
I don't see a purpose to it myself. I'd bypass .410 altogether and go for .45 Colt,for which there are, IMO, better guns out there.

But tastes vary
 
Wake me up when .45 Colt stops working, because that's what I load for anything with legs. This Judge thing has been the source of some of the funniest internet wars thus far. It's got to be right up there with mall ninja.
Here we have a firearm with the identical useful payload of a 1873 SAA, and it just don't work, Marshal Dillon! Hopefully this thread will yield some more side-splitters before it gets locked.

Thanks for the eyes
 
What about the Smith and Wesson Governor? Is that worthless? Why would they copy Taurus. Only a few 100,000's of Judge variation have been sold including the circuit judge rifle. Why?
The OP needs to do a little more than reading and go to the range and get some hands on time with a Judge.
 
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Well the Judge and the S&W Governor can also fire both .45ACP and .45LC without a cylinder change, and I don't think any Ruger or S&W production revolvers can do that.

The Governor weighs 29.6 oz, nearly a pound less than your typical all steel N-frame, but still hefty enough to soak up some recoil. It's also blackened and comes with a tritium night sight. These are standard specs for a semi-auto these days that's made for defense purposes.

So even if you toss the .410 aspect, if you want a .45ACP/.45LC capable purpose-built carry gun, you're not going to find it in traditional offerings from either S&W or Ruger - might as well get the Governor (or Judge).
 
What about the Smith and Wesson Governor? Is that worthless? Why would they copy Taurus. Only a few 100,000's of Judge variation have been sold including the circuit judge rifle. Why?
The OP needs to do a little more than reading and go to the range and get some hands on time with a Judge.
Click to expand...

This is what's known as argumentum ad populum, the fallacious suggestion that there is a 1:1 correlation between what is popular and what is right, good, etc.
 
Winchester or Remington ( I can't remember which) makes a real nice .410 home defense load. It's a mix of bird shot and copper plates.
 
I thought the Governor could fire .45 Colt, .410 AND .45 ACP, while the Judge was .45 Colt and .410? Oh, well, I could be wrong.

I don't see much use in it, either, just not much penetration even when using a .410 slug.

It might be good for snakes, I guess, but generally a shovel works fine to kill those around here...usually I haven't found it necessary, though. On the trail I've always been able to walk around a snake.

As far as .45 Colt, unless you plan on overloading it in a Ruger, then the .45 ACP is a better cartridge. For me...I'd rather have a 625 in .45 ACP or even a 629 firing .44 special/.44 magnum.

I've met some people that have the gun for the novelty, some that have it for self-defense, and none of them are reloaders...they always complain about the cost of .45 Colt ammo, so they rarely shoot it.
 
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S&W Governor will chamber .45 ACP with the use of moon clips. Taurus does not make that claim on their website.

So I guess .45 ACP shotshells are a choice. I wouldn't shoot anything but shot out of the things anyway.

I've always thought of them as a five shot .410 that will fit in your tackle box. 'Adds a lot of weight though.
 
Raging judge can fire 454, 45 lc, 410
Judge just 410, 45lc
Governor 45acp, 45lc, 410

45acp requires moon clips I believe I have never shot one though. The judge is very impressive as far as I'm concerned. The shot shells made for it are devastating to flesh and I was surprised at the accuracy of the 45lc out of a 2in barrel. I got my dad a poly one for his 60th bday him and mom both love it. Its not a gun I would have taken into battle but as a sd or hd handgun its fine.
 
.410 loads are pretty weak from a handgun....unless the .410 ammo is marked ".410 handgun"....then it works pretty well.

I think it curious that many will discourage the performance of .410 handgun 000 Buck for SD.....yet be OK in recommending a pocket auto using .32ACP or .380ACP ball ammo.....
 
Well, one expert on self defense seems to think they are good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOq9a8sAHfg

Michael Bane "A very viable self defense gun"

I think as a close range weapon it is a viable option. With a combination of some of the made for handgun buckshot loads, and 45 LC rounds it will do a good job as a car gun in defense against carjackings. Also, with smaller bird shot it is a good choice for protection against snakes. I have a Judge Public Defender Poly which holds a tight pattern of buckshot to point of aim at 15 yards. Shoots a tight group again at point of aim with Winchester 250 gr PDX-1 45 LC ammo. Finally, produces a snake proof coverage of 7 1/2 shot at 10 feet or so.
The two things that bring on the ridicule are #1. The I want to be prepared to save the world in an extended gun fight at long range so I need a mega caliber, high capacity firearm mentlity of some self proclaimed "experts" 2. It's a Taurus. that in itself brings on the negativity.
 
Amazingly accurate

I have to agree that with the specifically designed 410 handgun ammo the Judge should be a fine self defense weapon. Also, I was amazed at the accuracy of mine shooting 45 lc. I own the snubbie model and can shoot four inch groups at ten yards. I know that's not "smoking" but it's pretty good for a two inch barrel.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young
 
I admit right up front I don't carry a Judge for SD but they do make a pretty good house gun at those ranges. I can dispell any doubts with a load of #4's from one end of my hall to the other. Mine is also very accurate with .45LC loads. The Judge is a gun that fits a purpose just like the Ruger LCP. Neither is perfect but they fit the bill when something else won't. The Judge is also just fun to shoot.
 
I think it curious that many will discourage the performance of .410 handgun 000 Buck for SD.....yet be OK in recommending a pocket auto using .32ACP or .380ACP ball ammo.....
Click to expand...

You ever try to put a Judge in your pocket? :D

Might as well try to conceal a .410 shotgun.
 
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