Taurus Judge .410 Revolver and Ammunition Review

[stg2ahn]

Personally, you throw 400 grains of metal at me at those kind of velocities I'm thinking twice about what I'm doing, regardless.

I read the memo on box o truth. Though I trust their "research" I was thinking the exact same thing you were wolly.
00 buck going at or near supersonic speeds is gonna do damage, whether or not the buck shot come out like pancakes....

[stg2ahn]

:thumb: Great post. I was always wanting more info on the "judge"

Unfortunately, they are not for sale in CA.

Here's some more links regarding the judge.

http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus-UltraLiteJudge.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus-Judge.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Esteves]

Nice!

[Vortec MAX]

I'm still working on it. It is almost done. It has ended up being more work than I thought.

I just finished the last two load reviews and am going to work on the conclusion and Blackhawk holster review. Check back later.

Thanks for the links to the other reviews as well. Those are interesting.

Mike

[stg2ahn]

http://www.sb-usa.com/shotshell_pages/buckshot_410.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I personally would want the 3 in chambered "judge"
the above load is what I would recommend. 5- 00buckshot pellets rated at almost 1200 fps... wow.

But I wonder what the velocity loss would be if fired from a "judge" and not a 18" barrel shotgun????

Vortec Max, Do you have a chrono?

Keep up the good work..

[ynoty3k]

interesting article. Wonder if anyone will test the Judge Magnum now that the 3" cylinder is out.

anyone know if anybody makes a solid .410 slug? the slug he had was hollow.

[Vortec MAX]

I think I am done! Whew. If an admin knows how to properly align my lists in the conclusion, please help me out.

Enjoy!

Mike

[Vortec MAX]

http://www.sb-usa.com/shotshell_pages/buckshot_410.htm
Vortec Max, Do you have a chrono?

Yes sir. I was able to chrono the Silvertips and the Federal 000 buck. The chrono did not like the other loads because there were too many projectiles going through the screens.

I wonder how the manufacturers measure the velocity of shotshells? Maybe with high speed film?

Mike

[stg2ahn]

THnk your range report is the best one yet....on the "judge" that is..

[f3rr37]

I think I am done! Whew. If an admin knows how to properly align my lists in the conclusion, please help me out.

Enjoy!

Mike

I don't see anything wrong with your lists...

[abatis]

I went to the local gunshop yesterday and they had a 3-inch chambered 3-inch barrel Judge blued finish for $479. I almost bit but I am still wanting a Sig p250 in 40S&W as my local carry gun. Torn, the Judge looks like fun. Maybe a stainless in 3-inch chamber would have sealed the deal.

[Vortec MAX]

I don't see anything wrong with your lists...

Me either... now. Are you sure you did not fix them? The second list was indented under the first and I could not get it to look right. Now it looks fine. Magic?

Mike

[f3rr37]

Me either... now. Are you sure you did not fix them? The second list was indented under the first and I could not get it to look right. Now it looks fine. Magic?

Mike

I don't see anything in the logs about any of the mods editing it, and it wasn't me... must be magic :p

[Vortec MAX]

Just an update. I got my Taurus Judge back a couple of weeks ago. They fixed the lockup... sort of. The rear lockup is perfect, but the front lockup moves enough to slightly misalign the cylinder to the barrel. I think the problem is in the position of the "fingernail" groove machined into the frame that the front detent is supposed to click into. The position allows the front part of the cylinder to open slightly as it locks up.

I think it will work, but the alignment is not perfect. It still aint a S&W. :ponder:

Mike

[amc31b]

Nice review but I can't say the same about the gun. I know a few people who own Taurus products and I have read a lot of the reviews (particularly on this gun), I have to keep it real, sorry. What a crappy company and stupid gun. Taurus sucks.

[zaknorris]

this is great
bookmarking this page

[warlokk08]

That is a great review. I plan on purchasing the Public Defender. Still a little big for a carry gun, but I think it will make a great handgun for walking around in my woods shooting birds and such. Thanks for all the info.

Josh

[Vortec MAX]

Taurus has some new offerings. The Raging Judge Magnum holds six shots (instead of five) and can fire 454 Casull rounds. Interesting.

Public Defender Polymer
Raging Judge Magnum
Raging Judge Ultra-Lite

Mike

[owsi26]

Without a doubt, that is the best gun review that I've seen. Great job! I've been trying to find an excuse to buy one. I'm more of a semi-auto guy, even though I own a number of revolvers.

I believe in carrying extra magazines, but is there even a speed loader for 410's? I can't see using it for home defense as I have a 10mm, with laser, extra mags, etc.

The only excuse, for me, would be target shooting. I'm curious about this: How many of you that carry daily, carry the judge and what ammo do you have in it for SD?

[Cyberfly]

Excellent review. Found it very interesting and informative.
The only thing I noticed was the 00 buck size comparison. We were always taught in CLEET that 00 buck is just about the same size as a .38 round. Maybe a .32 is more accurate and they use the .38 for 'awe'? Dunno, but that came to mind when I read it.

[Vortec MAX]

We were always taught in CLEET that 00 buck is just about the same size as a .38 round.

I used the .32 because I thought it was the closest comparison when you consider the weight of the 000 (not 00) pellet and the speed it is travelling. The energy of a .38 Special, even in snubnose form, would be considerably more than one of these pellets, at least when fired from a 3" barreled Judge.

The energy of the smaller 00 pellet MIGHT be more in line with a .38 Special when fired from a long gun, which can send them downrange at 1,325 FPS. Most .38 Special rounds are between 110 and 135 grains, which is much heavier than one of the 61 grain 000 pellets found in the Federal Judge round, but will travel at roughly the same speed from a snubnose. The diameter of the 000 pellets are close to the diameter of a .38 (.357"), but the 00 pellets are actually closer to .32" diameter.

Mike

[Vortec MAX]

NEW Federal Ammunition Offerings:

Federal has introduced a couple of new rounds designed specifially for the 3" chambered Judge.

They are:

PD413JGE-000 (5 pellets of 000 buck at 960 FPS)
PD413JGE-4B (9 pellets of 4 buck at 1100 FPS)

Mike

[Vortec MAX]

NEW Winchester Ammunition Offering:

Winchester has also introduced a new round designed specifially for the Judge. This round contains 3 large disc shaped projectiles and 12 BB size plated shot. This round looks very interesting... and promising.

410 ga. 2 1/2" Supreme Elite PDX1 410

There is a video here: Supreme Elite PDX1 410 Video

Mike

[bayhawk2]

Great info on this pistol.Glad you mentioned the bad pattern from the Winchester Super X #4's.My luck.That is the shells I purchased.I thought it was the norm and put it off as to never shoot any bird shot from this pistol.Glad I read this.I will try to find some Remington Long Range #4's.I haven't seen any here in my area.I did discover the Federal 000 Buck though.I kept it a secret here.As you,I found all mine at Wal-Mart.3 Wal-Marts in my area.I got all they had.5 boxes is all the stores had together.I have the 6 1/2 inch bbl.It kicks pretty hard with the Federal Shells.May not be the 1200 fps,but it is bad ass.Great pattern all the way out to 18 yards.I also have the Winchester 3 disc/bb's shells built for the Judge.Their o.k.,but the BB's just splatter.I think they'd be better off leaving the BB's out and adding another disc.The disc held a good pattern at 10 yards.Ok.Thanks for this very informative article on the Judge....westbrazos

[Vortec MAX]

I will tell you that until Smith and Wesson makes one of their .460 handguns with a chamber long enough for .410 shells that a Judge will reside in my stable of guns.

Looks like it might be time to trade up.

Smith & Wesson Governor .410 Shotshell/ .45LC Revolver

Mike

[Nickf150fx4]

I've had my eye on getting a judge for a while and now I saw that SW has the new governer and now I'm back to square one. From what I've read the governer is pretty solid but that price tag compared to the judge is a killer.

[flyingirish04]

I held a Raging Judge the other day. It shoots the 454 Casull as well. I was tempted on wrapping her up and taking her home.

[Reese706]

Theres another .410 pistol offering by Swith&wesson now called the Governor. Its a six shot instead of 5 and looks of much better quality which is expected being a smith. And one added bonus with this pistol is it also fires .45 acp as well as .410 and .45 colt

[SeaHawkDriver-B]

Theres another .410 pistol offering by Swith&wesson now called the Governor. Its a six shot instead of 5 and looks of much better quality which is expected being a smith. And one added bonus with this pistol is it also fires .45 acp as well as .410 and .45 colt

I've been wanting to get a Judge for a while now as a handy snake-gun. We've got about 4 acres on a lake in South Carolina, all waterfront, and the moccasians are really bad in the Spring and Summer. Been using a .22 "Sat Night Speical" snubnose with rat-shot in it, which isn't very effective, lucky if you hit the stupid snake with 1 or 2 pieces of birdshot at 5 yards...any range beyond that is a waste of ammo. The Judge seemed like the perfect snake-gun...

UNTIL, I saw the Smith Governer... man that is an awesome thing. You get the traditional 6th shot in the wheelgun, and you can use moon and half-moon clips for .45 ACP!!! Did I mention it shoots .45 ACP?! :thumb:

If you don't care for the ACP, then just load her up with .45LC, 220gr Silvertips, and you've got a proven cowboy load... I like the idea of being able to split the chambers between 2 or 3 .410 shotshells for snakes and rodents, and the remainder can be defense loads for undesirable situations.

I plan on picking up TWO of these things.

[fatherfoof]

Vortex, thanks for the great review! The timing issue on a new gun is important, for in no time you'll be shaving lead. The cylinder lock simple has to be right on each and every time. The SW Gov withe the 45ACP ability will make an interesting comparitive study.

[Vortec MAX]

I picked up a Smith & Wesson Governor from Ray Tanner (one of our site sponsors). My initial impressions (I have not fired it yet) are very good. The quality difference between the S&W and the Taurus is very apparent. The front detent ball is much more solid and heavy duty on the S&W and the timing and lockup are perfect on it as well.

I plan on doing a report on the Governor once I have a little range time with it. Also, there are some interesting new ammunition offerings that I have picked up that I want to pattern on paper.

Mike

[Vortec MAX]

Sorry the pics no longer work in this review. My ISP pulled the plug on my personal web space, which is where the pics were hosted. They will no longer offer that service to subscribers. I will try to find another place to host the pics in the future.

Mike

[500SWfan]

I picked up a Smith & Wesson Governor from Ray Tanner (one of our site sponsors). My initial impressions (I have not fired it yet) are very good. The quality difference between the S&W and the Taurus is very apparent. The front detent ball is much more solid and heavy duty on the S&W and the timing and lockup are perfect on it as well.

I plan on doing a report on the Governor once I have a little range time with it. Also, there are some interesting new ammunition offerings that I have picked up that I want to pattern on paper.

Mike

Hmmm. :drool: Being a Smith fanatic, I may have to pick one of those up when the current frenzy dies down. I knew there was a reason I haven't bought a Judge yet. :clap:

They also sell it with Crimson Trace Laser grips.

[Vortec MAX]

Pictures are back online and all the broken links are fixed. Only about two of the links still worked. All the manufacturers and ammunition companies changes their sites which affected the URLs. I think I updated them all. If you find one that does not work, let me know.

Mike