The Judge or in other words "DANG"

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WALKERs210

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Have looked at the different models of Taurus line of the "JUDGE" for some time. Worked out trade for the "Public Defender" with 2.5 in barrel, and handles 2.5 in shotshells. Took it out back right at dusk to give a quick test fire. Years ago a good friend of mine used a term to describe anything that really got him excited "Dang Margeret" and this term is mild in regards to the Judge. I tried out shot shells in #8 shot, 4 triple 0 shot and then 45lc in three different loads. First thing that I over looked, EARPLUGS, it is loud and a huge ball of fire. First shot I guess I didn't grip quite tight enough because the front of trigger guard actually hit my finger now just grip it like I want to keep it. For a pistol with a 2 1/2 in barrel it is much more accurate than I ever expected. Wife has already laid claim to it so guess I will have to start searching for another one. Old saying I don't always want to be first to try something but sure don't want to be the last one to try, I should have tried it much sooner.
 
I go back and forth on them constantly. i want one for a while then decide it's ugly and stupid. then a few months later i start all over again and think it's a genius design. reading your post just started the cycle again. thanks.
 
This series of guns is very much like the Hi-Point Carbine. The first one I saw I bought it just because it was so darn ugly I figured it had to shoot good. And it did. For some reason I traded it off and have since been looking for one in 45cal. I can't remember which model of the Judge that comes with shoulder stock but I might wind up getting one of those also
 
When I was running the trap and skeet range here on the base, a buddy of mine had one and we shot a round of skeet with it.
Really fun and aggravating at the same time.
I'm in the same 'want, don't want' boat. It ebbs and flows like the tide.
Right now, I am still holding fast in the 'don't want' arena. But it won't last and I'll end up with one - I just know it.

Dave
 
I think the stocked model is the Circuit Judge. I looked at one in the LGS a while back and I seem to remember that it came with an attachment to straighten the shot pattern.
 
I like this one because it is very easy to carry, I like walking in the woods and around my property and this fits the bill for snakes or other critters that I might come in contact with. Tonight I did have one issue that I have never had in over 50 yrs of shooting. I had cut open a few 410 shells to better explain to the wife the difference of shots and slugs. I fired one of the opened shells and the primer backed out to the point I almost never got it cleared enough to open the cylinder. But I don't think it will be a serious issue due to what I remember the low pressure causing it. (but I have been wrong before)
 
Main criticisms I've heard leveled: it's too big for its low capacity, and it's a gimmick gun

I tend to agree the thing is too bulky for concealed carry (at least for what it is). That's why I love my bond c2k- it's flat.

It IS a niche gun... not a gimmick, just one with a very narrow envelope. The ability to hose a target 5 yds away or less with #4 birdshot AND a few pellets of 000 is something that doesn't fit every need... but if you worry mainly about dogs and snakes, those two shots may be EXACTLY what you want in your waistband.

If you want to carry the 5-shot on your hip in the woods, though... have at!

I love the. 410. :)
 
I bought one a bit after after they came out. I bought it strictly for the novelty factor. It's a fun toy, two of us have them at the hunt club and we hold hand-tossed clay bird competitions on the off-season and at club events. We laugh and jazz each other like guys do. It's been worth it for that alone.

Do I need it? Nope. Do I use it for anything important? Nope. Am I glad I have one? Yep, it's been worth the price just for the fun factor. Sometimes you just gotta do something for fun, right?
 
I like them a lot, and I think if there weren't other, better alternatives out there, it would be awesome as a self defense gun. But there are other things that already fit that need for me, and they do it in a more comfortable, easier-to-shoot package. Having said that, I think they make AWESOME plinking/backyard fun guns.
For concealed carry, they're just too big.
For open carry, my 1911 or .357 are just what I want, no reason to go for .410 there.
For home defense, if I want a shotshell I'll go with 20g. Until I buy the Saiga 20 I've been lusting after, my 1911 will do me just fine.
 
Some people are seriously bugged by judges due to the whole not-optimized-for-utility thing.

I like them, especially when it comes to things like handgun clays. That's a sort of real-world dynamic shooting practice most people simply cannot do with a handgun for safety reasons. That alone could earn them a place on the roster of useful guns.

Where it gets iffy... I have a coworker who has one that he says is his "nightstand gun"...loaded with birdshot no less. He also has a pump shotgun but it's also loaded with birdshot. When I tried to gently guide him in a different direction he described a legitimate overpenetration issue caused by the layout of his house, which he says funnels "invaders" into a corridor with him on one end and his children on the other. A missed shot would pass through his kids' bedroom. Not good. Unfortunately neither is birdshot.

In his shoes I would be rearranging, or reinforcing, the house...but try convincing a coworker who has shelled out a lot of money on (and is mentally invested in) a "solution" like the Judge. I left off with a suggestion that he try his birdshot on some sheet metal because I have and my observation is that birdshot and even some buckshot will not penetrate light sheet steel. In his shoes I would replace the kid's bedroom door with a good steel door and get some low-recoil LE buckshot for his pump gun (which I've also bounced off thin sheet steel). Oh well. Anyway, that's kinda off topic.

If I can find a stainless raging judge in good condition/for a decent price I'll get it to add to my .454 collection. :)

How would a person carry one of those?
Click to expand...

Everyone and their cousin makes a judge holster nowadays.
 
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I go back and forth on them constantly. i want one for a while then decide it's ugly and stupid. then a few months later i start all over again and think it's a genius design. reading your post just started the cycle again. thanks.
Click to expand...
It would be an even more genius design if they'd just trim that god-awful long cylinder and offer it in .45 Colt, period.
 
I guess I'm the oddball who wants one with the long barrel. Not interested in the snubbies in the least, but I really do like the look of the long barrel. The wife likes it too, so I'll eventually wind up with one.
 
From the "What its Worth" category, today I took the Judge out along with my Ruger Vaquero and a reproduction 1892 Winchester. I know the rifle was never an issue for accuracy at the range of 20-25 ft but the Judge with a 2 1/2 inch barrel I was surprised. The Vaquero was almost shooting a single hole, the Judge came in surprisingly close at a good 2 1/2 - 3 inch group. Biggest thing that I forgot again was earplugs, dang Judge is loud. However I did try a new (to me) round by shells by the Italian company Fiquerrio (spelled wrong) and they are very accurate and much easier on the ears. The ones I have are target loads with a coating of some type of that keeps from leading up the barrel. I also tested out rounds from Hornady, critical defense rounds. Using a 2"x6" piece of pine the target loads made a neat hole in front and larger exit, the Critical Defense rounds made the same neat hole going in and a Hughes hole on the back side.
Again using a 2 1/2 in barrel I am pleased.
 
"First thing that I over looked, EARPLUGS, it is loud and a huge ball of fire."
"Biggest thing that I forgot again was earplugs, dang Judge is loud."

Hearing will not be an issue for you for much longer! Really ONE shot can do permanent damage to your hearing, not worth the risk. Not being preachy but just trying to help. NEVER shoot (even a .22) without hearing and eye protection! Once your hearing and eyes are gone they are gone!
 
I keep both ear plugs and mouse ears on my shooting cart. Just for some reason today I only took my pistols and rifle out to shoot. At least I did remember to bring the shells and even the firearms. Yes I have left things at home that were very important to the hobby I was involve with, Building and flying RC aircraft, yes I did drive 25 miles to the club only to find I had left the main wing for a 1/3scale J3Cub. Getting old has its drawbacks
 
I could see where a judge would be great for pest control. I work on generators, some of which are in the middle of no mans land. I would lo e to open carry one of these things for snake control. Could also make a heck of a boat gun. Other than that it has no real use IMO cept for a very fun range gun.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2
 
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