Taurus Judge opinions?
- Thread starter ErikO
- Start date
- Status
PABLO becomes a jerk when he ...
... turns from fact into ad hominem dictus, and it's sad, because he is a good -- no: EXCELLENT! -- writer. I commend his facts, but deride his attacks. My reason for getting "Judged" is simply curiosity, plus my having oodles of .308 Enfield and .444 brass lying about. I can easily meet and beat any commercial shot-shell loads available now. That is my aim (no pun intended). Plus I have a T/C Encore .460 S&W that is crying out to be tested with all the "gimmiky" loads I can make. Last, it is unusual for a major cartridge designer and maker to jump on the band-wagon for just ANY "new" gun. PABLO is just a few years behind in the development of this weapon (plus, he hates it), as in the first iterations of Gaston G's "Perfection" gun proved-out with so many 1911-clones. All the above makers are still going strong, despite troll-like Snipe encountered along the way.
... turns from fact into ad hominem dictus, and it's sad, because he is a good -- no: EXCELLENT! -- writer. I commend his facts, but deride his attacks. My reason for getting "Judged" is simply curiosity, plus my having oodles of .308 Enfield and .444 brass lying about. I can easily meet and beat any commercial shot-shell loads available now. That is my aim (no pun intended). Plus I have a T/C Encore .460 S&W that is crying out to be tested with all the "gimmiky" loads I can make. Last, it is unusual for a major cartridge designer and maker to jump on the band-wagon for just ANY "new" gun. PABLO is just a few years behind in the development of this weapon (plus, he hates it), as in the first iterations of Gaston G's "Perfection" gun proved-out with so many 1911-clones. All the above makers are still going strong, despite troll-like Snipe encountered along the way.
oldfool
Member
parting shot...
some here perhaps really are Taurus bashers, and I know TOA folks understandably get real tired of that, but the excuses used in praise of da' Judge just don't hold up
"innovative", not hardly, anything but, no matter how trendy
I really don't get why people think nine shot rimfire revolvers and 45/410s are "who ever woulda' thunk of it" things, but some part of their theme song seems to be that versatility buzzword
ok, try this on, if you think this is Taurus bashing -
old model Taurus 6" nicely blued steel SA/DA revolver, model 66, holds six, not five, 38/357, classic k-frame styling, ergonomic
you can load a different cartridge in every chamber, if so inclined
38 wc, 38swc, 38sp, 38+p, 357 mag, and (drum roll)... snakeshot
want non-lethal, well you can't run 410 ga birdshot in it, but Glaser will sell you something to put in it, probably no pricier than boutique 410 shells
if snakes attack six at a time, you can kill 'em all
you can carry it on your hip, under your shoulder, in your car, on your riding mower, on your tractor, or lay it on your bedside nightstand with your TV remote
(want shorter and/or lighter, they make lots of similar with shorter barrels, lighter alloy frames in any brand flavor you want)
show me a Judge with that versatility
good sights, good SA trigger, very good DA trigger, good lockup, very accurate out to 25 yards and well beyond... minute of soda pop can at 100 yards if your hands & eyes are up to it
show me a Judge with that performance
power factor - you would pick like, wow, four 000 pellets over a 158 gr 357 JHP ??
you think if you cannot hit COM with 357 JHP, you can do it with four 000 pellets ?
cost ?
$300 bucks, used but not abused
less filling, tastes great
versatile, innovative, no gimmicks required, high recreational value, no watermelons required
out-buzzword that
some here perhaps really are Taurus bashers, and I know TOA folks understandably get real tired of that, but the excuses used in praise of da' Judge just don't hold up
"innovative", not hardly, anything but, no matter how trendy
I really don't get why people think nine shot rimfire revolvers and 45/410s are "who ever woulda' thunk of it" things, but some part of their theme song seems to be that versatility buzzword
ok, try this on, if you think this is Taurus bashing -
old model Taurus 6" nicely blued steel SA/DA revolver, model 66, holds six, not five, 38/357, classic k-frame styling, ergonomic
you can load a different cartridge in every chamber, if so inclined
38 wc, 38swc, 38sp, 38+p, 357 mag, and (drum roll)... snakeshot
want non-lethal, well you can't run 410 ga birdshot in it, but Glaser will sell you something to put in it, probably no pricier than boutique 410 shells
if snakes attack six at a time, you can kill 'em all
you can carry it on your hip, under your shoulder, in your car, on your riding mower, on your tractor, or lay it on your bedside nightstand with your TV remote
(want shorter and/or lighter, they make lots of similar with shorter barrels, lighter alloy frames in any brand flavor you want)
show me a Judge with that versatility
good sights, good SA trigger, very good DA trigger, good lockup, very accurate out to 25 yards and well beyond... minute of soda pop can at 100 yards if your hands & eyes are up to it
show me a Judge with that performance
power factor - you would pick like, wow, four 000 pellets over a 158 gr 357 JHP ??
you think if you cannot hit COM with 357 JHP, you can do it with four 000 pellets ?
cost ?
$300 bucks, used but not abused
less filling, tastes great
versatile, innovative, no gimmicks required, high recreational value, no watermelons required
out-buzzword that
You're right, the Fed .410 000 buck handgun load is a joke.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4550011&postcount=37
Try going over to the shotgun forum and making a pitch that any handgun is a great choice for SD. I've never seen anyone touting it as a better dedicated .45 colt than any of regular .45 colt guns out there.
I would like to make something clear here. I'm not advocating the judge as a good SD gun, especialy for HD. It doesn't hold enough rounds for me. That said, there will be those that use it for SD. I would like for them to make an informed decision as to what ammo to use. You can't just put any .410 round in and think you have the hamer of Thor. In .410 the Fed 000 handgun load is the only good choice. It patterns well and has very good penetration. It is range resticted to 12 to maybe 15 yards. In that resticted range I'd take the round over most any traditional handgun round.
People that think they can use bird shot to blind an attacker really need to set up a target at 5 - 7 yards with a couple of eyes draw in. You may be sadly disapointed. The judge tends to shoot a doughnut pattern, shot density is lower at the aim point and denser at 5+ inchs out. Not to metion that once you move outside area of the iris an eye is much tougher than you might think.
Even picking a .45 colt HP load that will function is not a simple problem the velocity is so low they just don't expand reliably. Win ST expands sometimes, sometimes not. Sometimes the you get a core - jacket seperation.
The GD will not expand at such a low velocity.
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-464846.html
The Win PDX1, I've only seen one test and it didn't expand. At this point I think the BB heavy standard presure 255 soft cast SWCHP with a gas check is about the only good choice. If similar bullets work well out of snub nose .38 spl they should work out of the judge.
Last edited:
They aint nothing wrong with a Taurus Judge. It is versatile very useful gun. I own Smiths, Rugers, Colts, but this is the gun I trash around the farm, woods,camping,hiking and at times its the only gun in my vehicle. And so far I have killed a few snakes with some 6 shots but I always keep three 45 silvertips in the chamber in case any Old Fool comes along. I can hit with all my 45's including this nice light wieght Judge...
Last edited by a moderator:
Ya, I know I need one. My brother and I always head off gunshows together. When ever I pick one of them up, my brother just rolls his eyes and we move on. Kind of funny because getting a judge was his idea.having said all that.. just to show a little love for our Judge-mental friends, you know
the perfect BUG for those days when that revolver don't hold quite enough for that snake attack in the melon patch
http://www.gunblast.com/Bond-Derringer.htm
you know need one, don't deny it
Why is the Taurus Judge worthwhile?
Because I own one.
Because I have shot one.
Because I have seen the damage it can do.
Because I know first hand with the "right ammo" it "is"
all it says it is.It has to be the right ammo.
The right rounds make it awesome.
I recommend the Taurus Judge to anyone
wanting a "serious" all-around pistol.This from one that can give a first hand review.
I totally disregard any "hearsay" reviews as they
are just that.Hearsay.
I also take with a grain of salt the so called
internet experts that seem to know everything.
Never held a Taurus Judge in their key typing fingers
but seem to know "everything" there is about them.
Because I own one.
Because I have shot one.
Because I have seen the damage it can do.
Because I know first hand with the "right ammo" it "is"
all it says it is.It has to be the right ammo.
The right rounds make it awesome.
I recommend the Taurus Judge to anyone
wanting a "serious" all-around pistol.This from one that can give a first hand review.
I totally disregard any "hearsay" reviews as they
are just that.Hearsay.
I also take with a grain of salt the so called
internet experts that seem to know everything.
Never held a Taurus Judge in their key typing fingers
but seem to know "everything" there is about them.
Last edited:
I measured the cylinder throats on a Judge we had in the gun store I work at. It measured .458" and for a 45 Colt I like the throat at .4525". An oversize throat does not help with accuracy. The Judge is not supposed to be a target gun though. It was a comfortable enough gun to shoot but it is not something I would spend money on. I was reading that Smith & Wesson just introduced a .410 revolver at the Shot Show.
jdmb03
Member
I have a Public Defender model and really like it. I load it with Federal 000 buckshot. It's a nice tool to have when I go hiking and fishing.
Gryffydd
Member
The real question though is how is it a better tool than the cheaper, smaller, more accurate, more powerful alternatives? What made you choose it over other options?
Leaky Waders
Member
Let me preface this by saying I don't own a Judge...but I do indeed like them. For the following reasons:
1) They make 45 Long Colt a common round again - at least in the shooters vocabulary. People don't look at the cartridge as an obsolete cowboy gaming round anymore.
2) Taurus has influenced the market...S&W is trying to catch up. It will be interesting to see who stays on top of sales with this particular firearm.
3) I imagine the platform will be very versatile for hiking etc. Load 45 LC for self defense against two-legged critters and load your 410 hulls when you need a rabbit or squirrel in the pot.
4) They would be good on the farm or farmed field for the same reason...rat wacker and hog walloper all in the same package depending on load. Compact enough to keep on the green and yellow deer with a box of shells and hulls alongside.
5) A fun plinker. Let's face it...hitting cans is fun. Missing them is well kind of embarassing. Wacking some pre-shaken mountain dew with some #6 shot from a handgun makes for good fun.
So basically, when one gets a judge they get the versatility of a proven manstopper in 45 LC and the shortrange versatility of a 410 shell as a game getter.
I laud taurus on their success and bold entrepreneur spirit - releasing a novel firearm that is doing well even during these tuff economic times.
L.W.
1) They make 45 Long Colt a common round again - at least in the shooters vocabulary. People don't look at the cartridge as an obsolete cowboy gaming round anymore.
2) Taurus has influenced the market...S&W is trying to catch up. It will be interesting to see who stays on top of sales with this particular firearm.
3) I imagine the platform will be very versatile for hiking etc. Load 45 LC for self defense against two-legged critters and load your 410 hulls when you need a rabbit or squirrel in the pot.
4) They would be good on the farm or farmed field for the same reason...rat wacker and hog walloper all in the same package depending on load. Compact enough to keep on the green and yellow deer with a box of shells and hulls alongside.
5) A fun plinker. Let's face it...hitting cans is fun. Missing them is well kind of embarassing. Wacking some pre-shaken mountain dew with some #6 shot from a handgun makes for good fun.
So basically, when one gets a judge they get the versatility of a proven manstopper in 45 LC and the shortrange versatility of a 410 shell as a game getter.
I laud taurus on their success and bold entrepreneur spirit - releasing a novel firearm that is doing well even during these tuff economic times.
L.W.
Guillermo
member
if I wanted a blunderbuss I would get something vintage
to me, only accurate guns are interesting to shoot
to me, only accurate guns are interesting to shoot
TheGrimReaper
Member
A lot of folks hate the Judge. I my self love mine and want to pick up another one. A Polymer defender.
PcolaDawg
Member
I'm actually starting to lust after the Smith & Wesson Governor. That sucker looks sweet and has six cylinders. My kids are well aware of my lust for the Governor and are already asking me what I plan to do with the Judge if I pick up a Governor.
jdmb03
Member
Which guns would you consider cheaper, smaller, more acurate and powerful?
The Judge cost around $450. The defender model is small and it will shoot the powerful .45LC. I've seen video of the Judge shooting Federal 000 buckshot. The shooter was 5 and 10 yards away from a 2x4 wall and he was blasting quarter size holes through it.
- Status
