Taurus Judge: Update
I not a Taurus fan, not real critical just not a fan. But......isn't there always a but.
I am a fan of the .410 round for home protection, couple that with the choice of a couple 45 rounds in the last cylinders all in a handgun configuration and I think this may be better than the 410 pump I currently have.
I've read articles, but would like to hear from those with hands on experience with this weapon.
What think ye of this handgun. Particularly has anyone shot one in the 3" version with the 3" .410, and how did it handle, what is your opinion of it? Would you choose it for home defense?
I know other's have the favorite, I would really like to hear from those who have shot this piece.
Update: More clarification: I have large revolvers and larger shotguns. I like the .410 because I have children and you never know when something will come about and your children could be anywhere. Best chance to stop someone with the least threat to my children is the .410 loaded with #4 shot, in my opinion. Putting that round in a revolver is of great interest to me, smaller platform, easier to place at different locations etc. I am talking about something you grab immediately. If I have time to secure my children and know where they are, I've already got that covered and it isn't a .410.
I am a fan of the .410 round for home protection, couple that with the choice of a couple 45 rounds in the last cylinders all in a handgun configuration and I think this may be better than the 410 pump I currently have.
I've read articles, but would like to hear from those with hands on experience with this weapon.
What think ye of this handgun. Particularly has anyone shot one in the 3" version with the 3" .410, and how did it handle, what is your opinion of it? Would you choose it for home defense?
I know other's have the favorite, I would really like to hear from those who have shot this piece.
Update: More clarification: I have large revolvers and larger shotguns. I like the .410 because I have children and you never know when something will come about and your children could be anywhere. Best chance to stop someone with the least threat to my children is the .410 loaded with #4 shot, in my opinion. Putting that round in a revolver is of great interest to me, smaller platform, easier to place at different locations etc. I am talking about something you grab immediately. If I have time to secure my children and know where they are, I've already got that covered and it isn't a .410.
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I have shot mine with 3" .410s quite a bit, with birdshot and the buck loads. Handling is much the same as any big revolver. Recoil about not much different with the .45 Colt or the .410.
Have heard of difficulty ejecting .410 hulls, I did too with old ammo but no problem with new.
A tester showed the .410 buck only penetrated 5" in ballistic gelatin where "they" recco about twice that. Even so I would not reject it for home defense particularly with the .45 to back it up.
Actually I have other guns, depending on what part of the house. I bought it out of curiosity mostly and I like it.0 -
There have been far more posts here about problems with the Judge and the crappy service from Taurus, than accolades for the gun. I own a couple of Taurus and they have been flawless, but it appears I have been fortunate, because that is not a universal experience. The Judge really seems to have some problems judging by the post here over the last year or so. Do a search and see for yourself. 0 -
Check it out with some unbiased tests.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm
His conclusions
1. Jack bought this pistol for snakes and it looks like a fine tool for that job.
2. Birdshot, in any gauge, is for little birds.
3. Buckshot out of a .410 does not penetrate enough to be an effective personal defense load.
4. The rifled slug was also a disappointment and did not have enough weight or power or penetration to be effective as a defense load.
5. The .45 Long Colt loads had plenty of penetration and would be the preferred defense load for this pistol.
6. It's fun to bust clays with this pistol.
And, as usual, it's always fun to shoot stuff.0 -
The one I had left a lot to be desired. No shot loads, either factory or my handloads would have any kind of a satisfactory pattern past 5 yards, from the muzzle. The extraction problems because of the machined shoulder in the chamber meant that the only hulls that would function for reloading was the Winchester AA's. Because .45 LC ammo is so darned expensive mostly shot my reloads, accuracy was mediocre at best.
The only way that I could see the Judge as being viable for home protection is if you lived in a apartment and over penetration was a factor. .410's loaded with birdshot would be best in this kind of situation.0 -
I am curious how the .410 buckshot load would perform at close ranges. 5 000 pellets should make a impression on the recipient. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
I am a fan of the .410 round for home protection,
Why? If you like a shotgun, there are better gauges (if you can handle them), and if you prefer a solid bullet, you can do better than a solid .410 slug with any serious pistol round (let alone a bigger shotgun gauge).
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with a .410, but I think there are better choices out there (many of which are less expensive and more functional than a .410).
quote: couple that with the choice of a couple 45 rounds in the last cylinders all in a handgun configuration and I think this may be better than the 410 pump I currently have.
Well, if you prefer the platform of a revolver (and there are several reasons why you might, including increased ease of carry and storage, concealability, more rapid fire, potentially faster reloading, and one-handed operation) then of course this one will be better.
But if you like a revolver, what's wrong with a .357 (or other large caliber of your choice)? You can buy some pretty nice wheelguns for less than the cost of the Judge.
I see a .410 pistol as mostly a novelty. It could make a good gun for defense against snakes. As a trail/backpack gun, where you might want both small shot for snakes or other small game at close range AND big bullets for bigger things, this could make a lot of sense. I don't just dismiss this gun out of hand.
But purely for defense? Again, just I think there are just better choices out there.
By the way this idea that "Judges" carry this pistol in their courtrooms is pure marketing BS. I know a few judges who like to be armed. . .they don't carry bulky odd-caliber revolvers!
quote:I've read articles, but would like to hear from those with hands on experience with this weapon.
I've shot one. . .once. It was kind of fun. Not fun enough to make me want to buy one.
Gun is sort of bulky, though not really much more so than many large revolvers.
It fired. So from my experience of 1 shot, it was 100% reliable! [;)] Trigger pull was unmemorable.
If I had to use this for defense, I'd put in all .45LC rounds, as I think those are going to outperform either .410 slugs or any shot.
If overpenetration were really a concern (ie in an urban apt), I'd probably just stick to the shotgun.
By the way on Taurus revolvers quality, see here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vftq9hNpvBc
But hey. .. they offer a great warrantee and will fix your gun if it breaks. Doesn't that make you feel better? [;)][}:)][}:)][:p]
PS: There was a run of Smith guns where the barrels broke off too. . .so its not just Taurus that has these problems.0 -
Thanks for the replies, quaility seems to be an issue. Maybe they will work that out over time. 0
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