Taurus Judge

[Passport1]

Thinking about getting a Taurus Judge with the short barrel, polymer frame for home defense. It seems like a capable weapon for its intended purpose. They aren't expensive maybe $400. Chambered with .410 bird shot they should be enough to convince anything but an enraged grizzly to back off. It seems like easy to use and fire in a chaotic situation. It can fire the ACP .45 but I don't want to use a weapon inside my house that can pierce walls and injure anybody else. The reviews online are mixed.

Anybody have experience with this weapon?

 

[BISCUT]

Personally, hard pass for me. Large and overly awkward to shoot, IME. I'd weigh heavily using a .410 for SD/HD against 2-legged creatures. Birdshot isn't ideal with a 12GA and .410 out of a shorty barrel isn't going inspire confidence in your selection should you need it against a human.

I suggest spending time researching overpenetration and pick a 9, 40, or 45 that you shoot well or likely better, a quality 12GA set up for SD/HD. You'll find overpenetration is not prevalent in the majority of shootings but misses sure can have consequences.

 

[Blinker Fluid]

I own the 3 inch Judge and it's 100% a gimmick firearm. It's great for snakes, but I wouldn't use it for self defense. If the firearm can't punch through dry wall it's not going to stop an attacker. I recommend any 9mm from a reputable brand (Glock, Sig, Ruger, ect) then mount a Streamlight to it. Whatever you decide on, pair it with a weapon light. Knowing what you're pointing a gun at is critical.

 

[AZjeff]

Suggest you shoot one then decide if you want to shoot it again.

 

[GMBoy]

I own one but don't care for it much as a self defense firearm. With defense you want to stop the intruder instantly not just sprinkle them with some tiny pellets and hope they stop - which they won't. Shoot to kill not injure.

 

[burbguy82]

Thinking about getting a Taurus Judge with the short barrel, polymer frame for home defense. It seems like a capable weapon for its intended purpose. They aren't expensive maybe $400. Chambered with .410 bird shot they should be enough to convince anything but an enraged grizzly to back off. It seems like easy to use and fire in a chaotic situation. It can fire the ACP .45 but I don't want to use a weapon inside my house that can pierce walls and injure anybody else. The reviews online are mixed.

Anybody have experience with this weapon?

View attachment 231305

I have fired a Judge, and the SW Governor. I did not like them one bit. For snakes, sure. With 410 buckshot, sure, a decent possiblity for home defense.

It is a cool idea, cool gun, but for the purposes that I understand you put forward in your OP, it is not a great choice, and there are several out there in that range and cheaper.

The models I shot were metal, cant imagine how much i would hate shooting that polymer piece.

These can be had for $299:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/sw-sd9-2-2-tone-16rd

If price is a concern, this is what I would spend my money on today. Cheapest one know of.

Good luck.

 

[StumblingElk]

Highly advise to NOT use birdshot for self or home defense. Especially 410. And Especially from a 3" barrel.

Birdshot is for birds. Shooting to injur vs shooting to kill also has legal consequences.

 

[SR5]

I would prefer a regular 38 special revolver over a 410 Judge.

A 38 special has same revolver ease of use, decades of service as a police caliber, choice of long or short barrel, and with non+P ammo is easy to shoot and isn't known for over penetration.

If I had the choice of a 38 special with 148 grain target wad cutter, or 410 birdshot, I would prefer the 38 special.
Check out the lucky gunner testing in both 2" and 4" barrels

Cheap 38 Special Ammo For Sale - 148 Grain Super Match Wad Cutter Ammunition in Stock by Winchester Super-X - 50 Rounds

Cheap 38 Special Ammo In Stock by Winchester - 148 Grain Super Match Wad Cutter Ammunition by Winchester For Sale Online at LuckyGunner.com - 50 Rounds

www.luckygunner.com

 

[4WD]

I went to look at them and came home with a .410 Mossberg

 

[4WD]

I would prefer a regular 38 special revolver over a 410 Judge.

A 38 special has same revolver ease of use, decades of service as a police caliber, choice of long or short barrel, and with non+P ammo is easy to shoot and isn't known for over penetration.

If I had the choice of a 38 special with 148 grain target wad cutter, or 410 birdshot, I would prefer the 38 special.
Check out the lucky gunner testing in both 2" and 4" barrels

Cheap 38 Special Ammo For Sale - 148 Grain Super Match Wad Cutter Ammunition in Stock by Winchester Super-X - 50 Rounds

Cheap 38 Special Ammo In Stock by Winchester - 148 Grain Super Match Wad Cutter Ammunition by Winchester For Sale Online at LuckyGunner.com - 50 Rounds

www.luckygunner.com

Agree - got 3

 

[MParr]

It’s fine for home defense.
For shot shell loads: Hornady Critical Defense or Winchester PDX
.45 Long Colt is a formidable round for home defense.
Load the cylinder with a combination of shot shells and .45 LC.
It’s not the sort of gun to carry on your hip.

 

[4WD]

I own the 3 inch Judge and it's 100% a gimmick firearm. It's great for snakes, but I wouldn't use it for self defense. If the firearm can't punch through dry wall it's not going to stop an attacker. I recommend any 9mm from a reputable brand (Glock, Sig, Ruger, ect) then mount a Streamlight to it. Whatever you decide on, pair it with a weapon light. Knowing what you're pointing a gun at is critical.

Yep, at the camp - load my .410 Mossberg: bird, buck, slug - most likely first shot is a rattlesnake on the doorstep - next rounds are hot enough from the longer barrel to actually count …
The .410 pistol is odd to me …

 

[SC Maintenance]

I didn't know such a thing existed, but I have shot a lot of shotguns, and this thing would be last on my list.

Does Mossberg still make that 16 inch barrel home defense thing?

 

[4WD]

I didn't know such a thing existed, but I have shot a lot of shotguns, and this thing would be last on my list.

Does Mossberg still make that 16 inch barrel home defense thing?

I have an old Mossberg 12 Ga “riot” - but not sure if they still sell them.
My .410 is a standard full choke …
Others are Remington …

 

[c502cid]

I had one. It is not super comfortable to shoot for my hand. It is a very reliable revolver though, always went boom.

 

[StumblingElk]

Forgot to mention that having a light on a gun is always beneficial for home defense. Just about any pistol has an accessory rail these days. Even some revolvers

 

[oldcodger]

I have quite a gun collection, 38 S&W, 38 special, 9mm, 45 Colt, 45 ACP but my go to house gun is my Mossberg 12 ga. with buck shot. It is just my wife and I so if it goes through the wall I will just patch it.

 

[faltic]

Thinking about getting a Taurus Judge with the short barrel, polymer frame for home defense. It seems like a capable weapon for its intended purpose. They aren't expensive maybe $400. Chambered with .410 bird shot they should be enough to convince anything but an enraged grizzly to back off. It seems like easy to use and fire in a chaotic situation. It can fire the ACP .45 but I don't want to use a weapon inside my house that can pierce walls and injure anybody else. The reviews online are mixed.

Anybody have experience with this weapon?

View attachment 231305

I've got one the same but black. Even bird shot will go thru a wall from close enough. It's not the first gun I'd grab for defense but I like having it around because any gun is better than none.

 

[TiGeo]

Good friend has one and really likes it. Uses for basic carry fishing etc. for snakes because he's scared of well...snakes. For those that think this stinks for home defense would you want to be shot by it and think you wouldn't turn around and leave?

 

[wwillson]

Suggest you shoot one then decide if you want to shoot it again.

This. The Judge with 3" .410 kicks like an angry mule. The 3" .410 and the 44 Magnum can be loaded to have similar energies. I like to practice a lot with a gun that I'm going to use for self defense and you won't shoot this gun a lot. I fired one once and set it back on the bench in front of the owner. Not for me.