Taurus Judge

[MegaWatt]

Can someone please clarify something for me? I've been seeing the ads for the Taurus Judge, a .45 revolver that is chambered for a .410 shotshell. This gun can be purchased with a 3" or 6" barrel. OK, so what's the difference between this and a sawed off shotgun which is illegal?

[Mike1951]

Rifling.

[MegaWatt]

Rifling.

Ah! OK, I didn't think of that. Thanks.

It's a neat little gun though! Devastating at close range.

[jbirds1210]

I had an opportunity to shoot one a couple of months ago....the recoil is not nearly what I hoped it would be

[kwf2006]

My father picked one of these up a short while back.

Upon first examination I thought it was somewhat of a novelty gun, I was wrong!

I would like to share my experience with it, as I dont get to very often.

The judge is chambered in 2 3/4 (A 3 inch is going to be available soon).

Blued, with the 4 inch barrel and fiber optic sight.

I have shot it with the following loads.

.45 long colt, cowboy loads

Winchester Sivertips Self defense ammo.

000, #4,#6 buckshot, birdshot and slugs.

The recoil is dull, more of a push than a snap. Its very docile, even my 100 lb fiancee likes to shoot it.

The accuracy is very acceptable, at close range, the birdshot will skin something/someone alive!

He loads it with birdshot, (for that quick unaimed blinding first shot), then buckshot then follows with the Winchester silvertips.

Its a great gun, and a whole lot of fun to shoot!

Every time we go to the range people come over to check it out and have to see what is blowing the pie plate size hole in the targets.

I highly recommend them..

Not totally ideal for CCW, but an excellent vehicle gun. (which it was designed for)

I will post some pics of it tomorrow.

Please check out the link below, it shows it in action.

http://www.taurususa.com/video/taurus-t ... -video.cfm

[M9FAN]

Anyone have an idea as to the cost?

[SC1903A3]

Guns America lists it for between $410 and $460 depending on the dealer.

[Lodge2004]

The Box O'Truth did a good review of this handgun...

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm

Looks like it would be fun to play with.

[DoubleJ]

Guns America lists it for between $410 and $460 depending on the dealer.

bwa ha ha ha
they better sell it for $410

[KBCraig]

The Box O'Truth did a good review of this handgun...

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm

That's pretty much the results I would expect. People have been way over-hyping this revolver based on shot spread, without paying any attention to penetration.

[SC1903A3]

Guns America lists it for between $410 and $460 depending on the dealer.

bwa ha ha ha
they better sell it for $410

If we had sound effects on this board i think a rim shot would be appropriate

[DoubleJ]

ahthankyou!

[flintknapper]

The Box O'Truth did a good review of this handgun...

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm

That's pretty much the results I would expect. People have been way over-hyping this revolver based on shot spread, without paying any attention to penetration.

I'm not a big fan of "Box O' Truth". I find most of his experiments to be sadly incomplete...and most (as with this one) are approached with preconceived ideas and a slant toward his position.

In this case, the firearm was tested (with shotloads) beyond the distance it was intended for. If he wants to move up to 5 yds (15 feet) instead of testing at 10 yds. (30 ft.) he might discover something more useful.

I find myself laughing that anyone would attempt to shoot a "snake" at 30 ft! Just walk away...the snake is no danger to you and you're too afraid of it to make a telling shot anyway.

He used #6 shot (fine for snakes/small critters) to evaluate "penetration" with shotloads, he shoots it into a water bottle and somehow calculates that to mean 2" penetration into flesh? Remember this is at 30 feet!

O.K. lets go with that. Get out your tape measure and start taping places on your body where 2" of penetration would not be welcome.

Eyes: Completely penetrated
Hands: Most people completely penetrated
Major vessels in neck: Penetrated in most folks
Major vessels elsewhere: Anyplace on your body I can "take a pulse"= Completely penetrated.

Then, consider penetration if we move up to a more acceptable range of 15 ft. and things would look even better.

I am not sure why he wasted his time and ours testing buckshot and slugs. It doesn't make sense to charge your weapon with either...as the pistol is already designed to shoot a cartridge (.45 long colt) that far outclasses both.

For shotshells, simply choose according to expected needs:

If you want to use it as a snake gun, #6-#9 shot should handle things just fine. Of course, you'll need to be close enough to the snake to actually see it (3-10 ft).

For personal protection (0-15 ft.) I'd opt for (BB) if available in 2-1/2 shell.

Or the .45 long colt in at least two of the chambers.

Note: He tested the .45LC with exactly one load (the silvertip) and didn't like the expansion. Just to give the guy a clue.....45 LC is NOT a round noted for its expansion. Thats why it starts out .45 caliber.

I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the effectiveness of this "combo" pistol based on the "Box O' Truths" backyard tests.

Anyone considering one of these simply needs to recognize the gun's limitations and use it accordingly.

Sorry for the rant.

Flint.

[KBCraig]

There is no significant difference in energy (thus penetration) from 2 to 10 yards, so "the range it's designed for" isn't a factor.

I just want to see someone test muzzle velocity from this gun. That's all the data we need.

[flintknapper]

There is no significant difference in energy (thus penetration) from 2 to 10 yards, so "the range it's designed for" isn't a factor.

I just want to see someone test muzzle velocity from this gun. That's all the data we need.

As a matter of "velocity" this holds true. However, this is the same shortsightedness that yields incorrect conclusions.

The consideration here (out to practical distances) is not velocity, but shot pattern density. The shot pattern cannot be thought of as a single projectile with only a frontal plane. It leaves the barrel and travels in a "string".

The pattern... besides expanding, also "strings". The mass/energy available from a shot incurred at 3 feet is very different from that at 30 feet, as I am sure you know.

Further, a shot incurred at muzzle contact distance (or thereabouts) would create quite a wound, whereas one further out only has the energy of individual pellets. In real life...closely "stacked" pellets have the effect of being one heavier round.....more mass at the same velocity= more penetration.

Shotgunners know....the disadvantage/handicap of the .410 is NOT velocity (it propels shot at about the same vel. as other shotshells (12/20/16 ga.), the handicap is shot string density (fewer pellets).