I shot the Judge....

[blueline541]

A friend let me run five rounds through his wife's home defense revolver - the Judge. Before shooting it I had written it off as a novelty for the youtube crowd, but I've changed my mind. I would love to have this as a nightstand weapon. Recoil wasn't too bad, and it does very well exactly what it was designed to do.

[MONTEGOD7SS]

I have shot em and still consider em a novelty. It was fun seeing BGGB empty the cylinder trying to hit a jack rabbit running at full tilt through the sagebrush. The weird grip Taurus puts on those and a lot of their other guns must have been designed by the Devil himself.

[nitesite]

Did you shoot shotshell or .45 Colt?

I'd be quite interested to see what the .410 shot charge chronographs.

Interesting handgun, for sure.

[blueline541]

.410.

[gjk5]

I get a .45LC but I don't get a .410 out of a short barreled bandgun, like to see some real data on the shotshells and slugs too.

[MONTEGOD7SS]

Really as far as .410 goes shooting shot is the only thing that makes sense. Bird shot would be good for snakes, buckshot for self defense if you want to use a 2lb gun, and slugs make no sense whatsoever because you could just use .45LC. Federal 2 1/2" buckshot is four 000 buck pellets at 1200fps from a Judge, so not too bad in that aspect.

[Blackdog]

"I shot the Sheriff,........ but I did not shoot the Deputy."

:party:

[Gashira]

Personally I consider this gun a gimmick. I'd feel much safer with my G30 next to the bed.

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

Honestly, it makes a damn fine bedside gun for the ol ladys. all they have to do is point in the general area and pull the trigger. I like mine, but I got it from Taurus before it was even called the judge. but after a while it wore off.

[AdamN]

I wouldnt use it anymore than I would a 410 pump shotgun, The woman can handle a 12ga so thats not a problem.

Now a 12ga revolver:thumbsup:

[MONTEGOD7SS]

Shotguns don't spread out a path of death like people think. Down a 20ft hallway it might spread 3". I explained this to my mom after she thought she could just point the 20ga down the hallway and hit three bad guys with one shot. My 12ga is loaded with 00 buck, but my P220 is my bedside gun.

[Gashira]

Honestly, it makes a damn fine bedside gun for the ol ladys. all they have to do is point in the general area and pull the trigger. I like mine, but I got it from Taurus before it was even called the judge. but after a while it wore off.

Or you could be like me and just teach your wife to use the Mossberg 12ga :).

[creophus]

The Judge is a cool gun. It's not going to be for everyone, but Taurus came out with something a bit different to try to meet the needs of their customers.

If only some other companies *cough* Glock *cough* would do the same thing.

I've fired one before and it wasn't that bad. It's not on my short list, but I can see why some people would want it.

[Jayhawker]

I bought mine mostly as a snake gun for when fishing or hiking, but would not feel bad to load it with .45's for night time camping for two legged varmints.

[creekwalker]

I still remember the Thunder Five that started out as a 45 Colt/410 only to become a 45/70-410. Never tried the 45/70 but did shoot the 45Colt and a number of 410 loads. Didn't want to buy one then and still don't want to buy one, but they're cool as heck...

[MakeMineaP99]

What's the weight on one of these "Judges"?

[MONTEGOD7SS]

Bout 8 1/2lb. Actually it's 23oz unloaded I think, but feels more.

[Silverback]

I like mine and have no doubt that it will be a good defensive weapon should it be needed. 45 or 410:patriot:

[CZ93X62]

Shotguns don't spread out a path of death like people think. Down a 20ft hallway it might spread 3". I explained this to my mom after she thought she could just point the 20ga down the hallway and hit three bad guys with one shot. My 12ga is loaded with 00 buck, but my P220 is my bedside gun.

EXACTLY right, Monte. A shot charge expands about 1" for ever yard of downrange travel, buckshot/birdshot/whatever. Buckshot heading down a rifled barrel might open up a bit more than that, but the Hastings rifled barrel we tried that trick with was kinda iffy--one shot would act like smoothbore, the next would spread out some, then the next would throw fliers all over--then settle down again. I think Remington's recommendation from the 1950's concerning buckshot patterning is pretty much on the money--smooth bore, improved cylinder or skeet choked, rifle sighted barrel.

At bedroom distances, all this is specious crap. The recipient gets a toe tag instantly, and style points aren't a factor. Rat-hole wounds predominate in this venue.

[MONTEGOD7SS]

Not a whole lot of shotgun "injuries" it seems. I doubt a high powered rifle like a .30-06 would do as much damage at 20ft as a 12ga with buckshot even though the rifle is much more powerful overall.