I like the Judge!
I have read many messages since buying my Judge one year ago. Apparently, those who have not used it as a personal defense gun only have what others have said about it. All the talk about "outrageously poor patterning", "insufficient penetration", "muzzle energy", etc. are missing the point. Does it work for your intended purpose?
For me, it certainly does. For me, real distance is 5-7 feet. Real examples are walking into a shed or barn, or rounding the corner of a building, into the path of a wild dog, coyote, raccoon and putting it down immediately. Sure, the gun is not intended for CCW. It is designed to be carried openly, as any other farm tool.
For those of us who are working when we encounter wild animals in and around the farm, I believe the Judge, as a tool, serves a valuable purpose, especially with alternating rounds, when dealing with pests and varmints.
And with the new Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 ammunition coming out soon, I think they will be better. Apparently, the shotgun ammunition makers don't think much of making 2 1/2 in., .410 gauge shot shells in the buckshot style such as #4 buck, which in my opinion, would be a better round, but I will take what I can get. I look forward to trying the new rounds with 3 disc pellets backed by 12 BBs.
I, for one, LIKE the JUDGE. It is comfortable, handles well, and after much searching, fits nicely in a chest holster. I've dispatched several varmints with it in the last year, three raccoons and a opossum. I almost took out the neighbor's dog who was threatening me, but the neighbor was calling and finally the dog ran home. He hasn't been back since, that I can tell. But if he comes at me again, I won't hesitate the next time.
Roy