Testing the Judge (Range Report)

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I went to the range today (Pulaski Outdoorsman's Club in Somerset, KY), and tested my Taurus Judge PD Poly. I have read that some people don't like the Judge for some reason or another, but I decided to go out on a limb and give one a shot. All targets shot standing. First of all, the pistol in question:


Judge by kamelean, on Flickr

First up, I took a shot at a splatter target at 7 yards. Shooting Federal Premium 2 1/2 inch 000 Buckshot. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/533166/federal-premium-personal-defense-ammunition-410-bore-2-1-2-000-buckshot-4-pellets-box-of-20. This was one shot, single action, 2 handed. (The yellow impact mark to the left of the bulls-eye was the wadding impact.)


Buckshot by kamelean, on Flickr

Target number 2 is courtesy of Remington Slugger, 2 1/2 inch rifled slug, 1/5 ounce. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/415676/remington-slugger-ammunition-410-bore-2-1-2-1-5-oz-rifled-slug-box-of-5. 5 shots, single action, 2 hands, slow fire. Again at 7 yards.


5 slugs by kamelean, on Flickr

More in post 2.
 
Target number 3 is provided courtesy of Remington #8 shot sporting clays load http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1601813402/remington-premier-nitro-gold-sporting-clays-target-ammunition-410-bore-2-1-2-1-2-oz-8-shot. Target shot at 3 yards, typical snake distance. One handed, single action.


Birdshot by kamelean, on Flickr

Final target was the same buckshot as earlier, http://www.midwayusa.com/product/533166/federal-premium-personal-defense-ammunition-410-bore-2-1-2-000-buckshot-4-pellets-box-of-20. This target was shot at 25 yards. 2 hands, single action. The target was a standard B-29 target. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/219685/nra-official-silhouette-target-b-29-50-foot-paper-package-of-100. I admit that I pulled the shot, but the grouping was what I was after. I shot at the x-ring, and caught the target at the left shoulder.


Group by kamelean, on Flickr

I feel that targets speak louder than words, so consider this my review of the Judge. I look forward to your comments.
 
Same size category as the Judge, but at 23 yds as opposed to 7 yds, standing, with a Les Baer UTC 1911 .45acp:

IMAGE_D7E3EBED-BFB1-47F8-B459-7076F4EDD835.JPG


The Judge makes some sense to me as a snake gun, or as a fun gun. For SD vs armed humans, the Judge would not be on my handgun list.

But to each his own.
 
I bought one a couple of months ago and i love it. I keep mine in my truck just in case someone try's to car jack me. All I have to say is good luck to whoever try's.
 
Regarding the Les Baer UTC. I think that is a very fine piece. Impressive shooting as well. However, comparing it to the Judge is like comparing a Ferrari to a Camaro. The Les Baer is in a league of it's own, with a price tag to match. I snagged the Judge for $469.
 
The results would have been not quite as good, but not a whole lot worse, with my M&P45.

Probably similar for my PPQ.

I do get a fair amount of practice, but my point is that dedicated defensive pistols are probably going to produce better accuracy, although I have seen some Judge shooters do pretty well with .45 ammo. (I've also seen some reviews by otherwise good shooters who could not get the Judge to group .45 all that well.)

Leaving the standard handgun ammo aside, I'm not a fan of .410 for self-defense, even if they have finally produced some shot loads that work well from short barrels. I know some people like the idea of the three cylindrical shot for multiple hit chances and reduced penetration. The way I see it, though, if the distance allows the spreads I've seen in some test reviews, then overpenetration isn't the issue - the issue is the projectile or two that whizzes past the target and goes wherever it may go, with each round fired.

OTOH, for snakes, the .410 snakeshot loads make plenty of sense.
 
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