Taurus Judge: Trail gun or self-defense?

[bladz]

No way anyone will take a .410 to the face and not drop to the ground writhing in pain and blinded, or drop dead. I would trust a .410 more then a .22 for that role any day.

+1, even at 15', it would be pretty devastating to take #4 shot to the chest.

 

[j williams]

I sometimes think that waay to much goes into these things. Nobody wants to get shot. Nobody. I think that any gun is better then none, but nobody will ever agree on the best gun for HD. Think about emptyin this Judge into sombody point blank, I doubt they would still want to break in, or whatever, even if they could.

That review Rat posted was very good. It shows that there are better alternatives then this gun for HD, but it still seems like a versitile weapon. Some wicked handloaded .410 might be a good option.

 

[Don Rearic]

No way anyone will take a .410 to the face and not drop to the ground writhing in pain and blinded, or drop dead. I would trust a .410 more then a .22 for that role any day.

The problem is, the head is not the best target, if you go back and read my post perhaps you will see where I am going. There is a reason that center of mass is generally taught. The head can move very, very quickly, etc. As far as this stuff penetrating the sternum/chest wall at anything other than contact range, I just think people are better served by something else. Ultimately, people make their own decisions.

All of that having been said, I think sometimes people search for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

I also think that people underrate MANY different things, you see it time and time again on forums when self-defense with firearms is discussed, you know what I mean?

 

[WhitleyStu]

I sometimes think that waay to much goes into these things. Nobody wants to get shot. Nobody. I think that any gun is better then none, but nobody will ever agree on the best gun for HD. Think about emptyin this Judge into sombody point blank, I doubt they would still want to break in, or whatever, even if they could.

I totally agree...:thumbup:

 

[Horn Dog]

Okay, so now we have the Judge in its niche. A large trail gun with some ammo versatility. I wonder how "hot" a 45LC load this revolver could handle? Never mind. That would be better for a gun forum.

 

[j williams]

The problem is, the head is not the best target, if you go back and read my post perhaps you will see where I am going. There is a reason that center of mass is generally taught. The head can move very, very quickly, etc. As far as this stuff penetrating the sternum/chest wall at anything other than contact range, I just think people are better served by something else. Ultimately, people make their own decisions.

All of that having been said, I think sometimes people search for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

I also think that people underrate MANY different things, you see it time and time again on forums when self-defense with firearms is discussed, you know what I mean?

Oh I know exactly what you mean. Bigger target area = more hits, and more hits faster w/o having to think about aiming, which for your average person goes out the window under duress. Thats why I go center mass, and I do it with my 1911. :thumbup:

That said, empty any gun center mass, whatever the choice equals a bad day for shot guy!!

I am pretty floored by the review Rat posted, I thought it would have alot better penetration.

 

[j williams]

Okay, so now we have the Judge in its niche. A large trail gun with some ammo versatility. I wonder how "hot" a 45LC load this revolver could handle? Never mind. That would be better for a gun forum.

I wonder too. With your barrel length on yours, I think it could handle some pretty gnarly loads!

 

[shecky]

Any .45 load would be good enough for HD. Even ball. HP all the much better.

I wonder how much the barrel length affects the buckshot load? Typically on a long gun, .410 aren't individually any less powerful than those fired from a 12ga. There's just less projectiles overall. However, the short barrel may make a significant difference, knocking a few hundred fps off the velocity. This can make a big difference in stopping power.

Additionally, those three and five ball loads might give significant kick. Such a thing might not be good for less experienced shooters. .410 slugs are typically pretty light weight, less than 100 grains. Again, with the short barrel, they may amount to a rather anemic "bullet".

By all means, if the wife is more comfortable shooting slugs or buckshot, than that's the stuff to use. .45LC is better stopper, however. Save the birdshot for clays and small critters.

 

[ilbruche]

Where is Andrew Colglazier? He has a Judge....kills the coons with it.

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

I have arrived!

The Judge is an interesting critter. I've had mine for over a year now and indeed, have killed several raccoons with it.

For shotshell use, IMO, the longer barreled version is superior. It will hold the shot charge in a tighter pattern over a longer distance. I've killed a raccoon out to 20-25 yards with 000 buckshot.

I have not tested much in the way of .45LC, however. Most of my shooting in that caliber has been with Blazer 200 gr. hollowpoint loads. This is a mild load which grouped decently when fired offhand, without being too serious about it. Say, minute of big can at 30 yards, no problem.

IMO, the handgun is too heavy for a trail gun, except perhaps in the lightweight version. But even then, I think I would opt for my Glock 23 over this handgun.

However, for a survival gun, it could be pretty useful if loaded with a variety of loadings such as smaller birdshot, 000buckshot, and slugs. I also would like to know what its capabilities would be with more heavily loaded .45LC selections, something that would take down a deer.

I have had the Judge at my bedside many nights. I usually keep the first two chambers loaded with buckshot, followed up by three chambers of .45LC. I would feel decently armed with this handgun in a home defense role, but it is backed up by a shotgun and an AR, not to mention numerous khuks and the like. I kept it there mainly as my anti-raccoon armament, however.

I would not replace my Glocks as my main SD battery or hiking guns. But in its most lightweight version with the 3" barrel, it could be a viable trail companion. I've heard it is now available in a hammerless version. I think if I were in couger country, I would like it as I would be more able to hit and dissuade a fast moving cat with buckshot than a solid slug. For HD I think it could be formidable. But it wouldn't be my first choice as you can't mount a light to it, and it has low capacity.

I like my Judge and will be keeping it. It is a bit of a novelty, but a pretty useful novelty I think.

Andy

 

[dipbait]

No way anyone will take a .410 to the face and not drop to the ground writhing in pain and blinded, or drop dead. I would trust a .410 more then a .22 for that role any day.

In complete agreement.

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

In complete agreement.

I think too, a handgunner who can't put at least one shot into a headsized target shooting a shotload isn't much of a handgunner.

Andy