Handguns are reactive instruments. They are carried on the person to answer a threat. They may be kept at home ready to address a threat in the home. If we have warning, then we are most often better advised to deploy a rifle or shotgun. Therefore, the handgun is rightly labeled as a weapon of opportunity. While handguns are not the most powerful firearms, they are the ones we are most likely to have on hand when a firearm is needed to save our life.
The Judge
I have spent several months evaluating the Taurus Judge and have formed a favorable opinion of the revolver for specialized use. The Judge is a five-shot revolver that chambers both the .410 bore shotgun shell or a .45 Colt cartridge. This means real versatility. By the same token, the design limits the accuracy and range of the revolver. As a pure, short-range home defender, the Taurus Judge has merit.
There is a considerable argument that getting on target fast and getting a hit — any hit — very fast is critical. This is true. I have taught that it is better to slow down and get a center hit than a fast miss. This doesn’t mean a fast hit isn’t possible; it simply demands practice.
The Judge addresses this need by offering a shot payload. The .410 bore isn’t a powerhouse, but with the right load — and that is the key — it offers a viable defense option. Surprisingly, my evaluation indicates the Taurus Judge may be viable for protection against predators at close range as well. My test piece is perhaps the most common Judge, a steel-frame revolver with a 3-inch barrel.
The revolver is light enough, handles better than its ungainly appearance suggests, and offers good hit probability for those that practice. Fit, finish, and smoothness of action are good. The revolver features a red fiber-optic front sight. This sight offers a good aiming point and aids in rapid target acquisition.
A short-barrel handgun with a smooth bore firing a shotgun shell is illegal, the .410 and the .45 Colt are close enough that Taurus was able to design and manufacture a revolver chambered for both the .410 shotgun shell and .45 Colt cartridge. There is rifling but it is fairly shallow.
Like all double-action revolvers, the Judge is simple to operate. Open the cylinder, load the chambers, and press the trigger to fire. There is no slide to rack and no safety to operate. The concept is to allow the shooter to get a fast hit with a load of shot. While each individual buckshot pellet doesn’t carry much energy, the effect of the loads hitting instantly with several projectiles offers excellent wound potential.
.410 Loads
You may have seen ill-conceived videos and hype in which the Taurus Judge is fired at a target and the target is peppered with hits. Birdshot is a tiny shot grade intended to humanely kill a bird with a few hits. It is by no means useful for personal defense. Like firing a full-size shotgun, birdshot is fine for practice but not personal defense. A charge of birdshot from 7 to 9 shot carries hundreds of small pellets that form a pattern. At the typical personal defense range, this pattern runs 18 to 32 inches. This is 7 yards, and past that, birdshot is useless. Worse yet, the small shot penetrates only a few inches. A felon wearing a heavy winter jacket may not be hurt at all.
At about 15 feet, the Federal 4 buckshot load, carrying #3 buckshot, holds a cohesive pattern of less than three inches. This is a preferred load for those using the .410 load for personal defense. The Federal load is advertised at about 750 fps but actually clocked over 800 fps in the Judge. The total payload is 292 grains.
Winchester offers the PDX load with a total payload of over 300 grains — three flat disks and a load of BB shot. With this load, the pattern is often quite large (as much as 16 inches at 15 feet) with the disks striking the center of the target.
The Hornady .410 defense load features a .41 caliber slug followed by two round balls. The slug generally tracks straight with the point of aim with the balls radiating around the center. It is essential you pattern the shot on a paper target to determine how the shot spreads at 5 to 10 yards.
In my opinion, 7 yards is the outside range for these loads, although the Hornady slug with its FTX design might be useful a bit beyond. The bottom line, buckshot and specialty loads are useful for home defense and for short-range defense against predators. Penetration tests in water jugs and wet newsprint indicate these loads will produce a serious wound.
According to A Prepper’s Guide To Shotguns, birdshot may penetrate a six-inch gallon jug and some shot will make it to the second jug, but very few. Federal’s 2 ½-inch shell with four 000 balls penetrates over 24 inches, which might correlate to 18 inches in gelatin. That is excellent. The Winchester PDX load exhibits a much larger pattern. However, the three disks in the PDX offer a 3×4 pattern at 15 feet. The much larger pattern is made up of 12 BBs. The Hornady FTX slug penetrates 15 inches from this revolver, with the two round balls making a total 3 to 5 inch group at 15 feet.
These heavy loads should produce devastating results at 15 feet to perhaps 21 feet, the magic 7-yard average range. In truth, across a room or bedroom is more likely. The Judge must be aimed, but the pattern has spread enough to aid in hitting at 10 to 15 feet. This handgun isn’t useful past 21 feet with shot loads.
.45 Colt
Another option is to load the Judge with .45 Colt ammunition. In order to meet Federal law pertaining to handguns and shotshells, the Judge is a .45 Colt revolver with the option of firing .410 shells. The barrel is rifled. The long jump of the .45 Colt bullet from the chamber to the barrel throat would seem to limit both velocity and accuracy. In some cases this is true. However, my most recent testing indicates that this loss isn’t always what we think it may be.
The Judge is plenty strong for the heaviest loads, including hard cast SWC bullet handloads. The determining factor is how much recoil tolerance you have. A good choice for personal defense is the Hornady Critical Defense. This 185-grain bullet has a good reputation for expansion and penetration. Velocity is 891 fps form the three-inch barrel Taurus Judge. Recoil is modest. This load strikes to the point of aim. At 15 yards, five shots fired from a solid benchrest firing position yielded a 3-inch group. This is plenty accurate for personal defense.
Another choice worth considering is the Winchester PDX 225-grain JHP. This load offers a heavy hitter at 780 fps. This bullet weight offers plenty of momentum. The .45 Colt is among a very few handguns that performs well without bullet expansion. This was proven in the Old West and in many engagements since.
A solid choice is the Winchester 255-grain lead bullet. This bullet exits at 770 fps from the Judge. (And 778 fps from a 4 ¾-inch revolver on hand for comparison.) Penetration is about 18 inches, ideal for personal defense, yet recoil is mild. This is also a relatively accurate load with a 3-inch, 15-yard group. If the Judge owner anticipates a long shot, the .45 Colt offers proven wound potential without high recoil.
The Judge is a specialized handgun. It isn’t a go-anywhere do-anything handgun by any means. But what it does, it does well. It is worth your time to explore the Judge.
Do you have a Taurus Judge? Which ammunition has given you the best results? Do you use the Judge for home defense or vehicle defense? Share your answers in the comment section.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in February of 2019. It has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and clarity.
I carry my 3” stainless Judge as a hunting sidearm. During the spring and summer when the rattlesnakes here in Texas are active, I chamber 3 2.5 inch bird shot .410 shells followed by 2 250 grain lead bullets. During fall and winter it’s 5 lead bullets. So far, the gun has performed well in testing and thankfully I haven’t had to use it on a snake, hog, large cat or varmint.
I bought a long barreled model when they were new. During a walk through about three inches of snow to where we shoot at my brother’s farm the entire cylinder and crane assembly fell out of the revolver into the snow. I was able to retrieve it and stuck it back into place. I didn’t shoot that day. The following week I sent the revolver to the repair facility in Florida. I had to go FedEx overnight. $72. Two weeks later the revolver was returned in a repaired condition. It had tool marks on it. No repayment for my shipping cost and no explanation whatsoever. I will not even look at another Taurus of any kind.
I bought a 6.5″ Judge Mag to carry hunting. I want something to stop a charging hog but still kill a snake. I am pretty confident the 45 would stop a hog but I shot 6 shot 3in Centurion shells (all I could find at the time) and every shot got hung up in the chamber. Then I tried 7 shot 2 1/2″ fed top gun and about every 3rd shot got hung up. shot 000 buck and had no problems at all as well as the 45 colts. I hope after shooting more it will loosen up. Has anyone had better luck with another brand of shells.
I like my Judge for home defense. I found out very early on that when firing 410’s you have to use metal cased ammo. The soft case shells swell and after the first shot the cylinder will not turn because of the swelling. I use metal cased ammo and it works fine however.
I reload ammunition and the 200gn FMJ, HP and the Hornady FTX work perfect and very realible at 10 to 15 yards. I always set my load in the middle of the load and it give the same performance. Also the 410 slug work just fine at the same distance.
I have had Judge Public Defender for many years. My wife keeps it in the drawer of her home office desk and loves to shoot it. I take it down to the woods while foraging or picking blackberries, or when I am walking the dogs up the mountain. I have shot racoons and oppossums with it when they were caught bothering my chickens. Alternating a .410 and .45 will take out a coyote too. I shot and dropped small wild hog in the head with the .45 last year in my yard at around 15 yards of distance. For home defense my wife likes that gun which would stop a home intruder with the .410 and .45 mixed load. She always say that she would stop him with the .410 and set him up for the kill shot with the .45 and I don’t argue with that. It is not our EDC gun, but it has proven to be useful around our very rural homestead. I have a stockpile of plenty of ammo that we use, but have found that it is difficult and expensive to find some types of ammo for the Judge now. I recommend the Judge for homesteaders wanting to have a well rounded and practical gun collection.
I love the taurus weapons. We own 2 9mm pt99 and 2 taurus 3in. 38 special for carry. my 3in. is a 357/38 carry revolver. good luck on the 410 modles.
I love my Judge 3″ chamber 3″ barrel. I have tried all the loads above. I have some slugs leadvantage. Getbrid of but stock up on .45 Long Colt when deals are found for longer distance uses. I fire .410 with 5 000 buck the most becuse it is devastating at 7 yards and is very easy to reload. I am using Lil Gun powder and stubby wads. Even during the worst ammo shortages I was able to shoot just about all I wanted. That is the best long term advatage.
Just someinfo.There are some 5 round moon clips available for the judge also, so that 45 acp is useable. I acquired 2 and did have to work on them for them to operate in my gun which is an early model. I found them on online.
All well and good…I suppose. But I’d like to see what happens when you pull the trigger in the dark. Stopped using my. 357 after I shot it at night. Way too much fireball for this boy…
Just bought a Taurus Judge Magnum 6.5 ” barrel. I’m disabled in my right hand . have a hard time pulling the trigger, anyway to light the pull on the trigger?
Send it to a gunsmith for a trigger job. ~Dave
what other 45 rounds can the Taurus Judge Magnum fire?
.410 shells (shot or slug) and .45 Long Colt. ~Dave
Have a brand new Judge just bought today went to fire it with 3″ 410 shells sold to me by the gun store where I bought the gun. Needless to say the shell is stuck in the barrel preventing it from advancing to next round. This is my 1st revolver, had no idea i needed a 2.5″ shell and not a 3
I have a 2015 model judge loaded with Remington 3″ .410 000 buck. inherited it from Dad. I see some of you are using the 3″ buck shell. have you had a problems with that load? I also some of you are using .410 slugs. Taurus specifically the Judge is not recommended for slugs. anyone have a comment on the safety factor with the slugs?
I’ve owned a Taurus Judge Magnum for about 2 years now and I love it. It’s a lot of fun to shoot at the range and the often devastating results of self-defense ammo on a wide variety of targets gives me a lot of confidence in its defensive capabilities.
It currently sits at my bedside loaded with 3 rounds of Federal Premium .410 Handgun 000 Buck 3″ Shells and 2 rounds of Barnes VOR-TX 200gr SCHP .45LC.
Mine is multi role.
If I’m going out amongst the rock and snakes, the first and maybe second load are 410 7 1/2.
The next one or two are the slug and buck combo.
5th round is 45 Colt Critical Defense.
I have taught close quarters combat and done extensive testing of the same Judge model as this article on cardboard with various loads and distances. I also tested it at close range on ballistics gel. My favorite load is 3″ magnum with 5 rounds of 000 (.350 caliber) buck. Federal ammo patterned tightest but all were good to 25 feet, and all brands penetrate about 14 inches of gel +- at 10 feet. I have lots of guns handy, but keep this one under my pillow. How often would anyone defend the interior of their home beyond 25 feet? More likely 5 feet, or maybe 10? Only thing I might add would be a flashlight or laser.
“goofy” being a matter of opinion??
the Judge wouldn’t be my choice after shooting the S&W Governor. Only because of the Taurus Grip design is goofy.
My wife carries the judge for her car gun….2 spray loads followed by the colts. This offers her point and shoot and then a penetration when she gets on target.
That is exactly how mine is always loaded. Pretty much how I tell it also.
I purchased the 6.5 inch Judge. I have never fired it with .410 shells, however I have found that .45 Colt rounds at deadly accurate out to 25 yards. It is just fun to shoot. I did a great trigger job on it because the trigger was just nasty out of the box. I’ve fired factory .45 Colt loads as well as lighter plinking rounds and they are all extremely accurate.
I PURCHASED A TAURUS JUDGE WHEN THEY FIRST CAME ON THE MARKET FOR HOME DEFENSE. I ALWAYS ENJOYED SMALL GAME HUNTING AND MY FIRST WAS A .410 BOLT ACTION CLIP FED. THE JUDGE I BOUGHT TAKES 2 1/2″ SHELLS AND I USE SUPER X 3P 000B SHELLS. I ALSO PUT A CRIMSON TRACE ON MY JUDGE AND THAT MAKES IT A PERFECT HOME DEFENSE WEAPON DAY OR NIGHT. I AM WELL PLEASED WITH THE JUDGE.
I’ve owned a Judge Public Defender for a little over a year now. I bought it specifically for home defense. I keep it loaded with PDX1 .410 Defender shells. I’ve shot .45 Colt through it as well, but I prefer the PDX1 rounds. Even with the shorter barrel of the Public Defender, everything stayed within the silhouette at 5-7 yards, which is what I want.
Primarily use forHome Defense, 4 pellets of 000 Buck high brass, and loaded for Bear, 45 Colt +P when out in the Colorado mountains. Worn open carry in a Chest rig in the woods.
I have had the TI judge when they first came out. It is very light weight. I have shot Winchester PDX load with the disk BB load and had about the same results as was tested by other people. I carry it when I am out on my two acres. I live in the desert never know when a rattlesnake pops out of a hole or is sunning it’s self
Mohave greens don’t warn and are aggressive. Use #6 bird shot seems to do the job.
I am a retired Correction Officer and have the Judge SSR. I knew that as I got older my aim is going to get “off”, and a shotgun handgun sounded perfect. No it doesn’t shoot straight past 20 feet, or even 15 sometimes depending what you put in it. But It also won’t go through the wall of your house and kill a neighbor. I think that in a home defense weapon, this is a major plus. It is highly maneuverable, and concealable, compared to any nail biter shotgun of any caliber. My load preference will offend those who want one kill quick shots. I want to be able to face a real Judge and Jury and tell them I gave the guy a chance to stop. My loads are
1). Rubber buckshot: 4 pellets say ” I got a gun, get out, I don’t want to
kill you, yet”
2). 00 Buckshot: If he’s still coming now your’e getting 3 solid hits,
7 projectiles in 2 shots.
3).PDX1: My favorite. 3 discs, a shit load of tiny pellets.
My center of mass point and shoot gun is hitting
this guy everywhere. 3 shots so far and 10+
projectiles.
4) Basic 410 slug: It’ll take down deer at a distance and transfer a lot
of energy fast. 4 shots 11+ projectiles with almost
no chance of the projectiles leaving my Home.
5).45 LC hollow point: Last bullet. last chance. last resort. As long as
I’m hitting center of mass he better be wearing
armor.
Five shots, 12+ projectiles from less then lethal to end game. My intent is not to kill but to stop. That looks and sounds good legally.. And in case of panicky spaz fire ( a lot of noise, lights and hits), I’m not tearing up my house too much and not endangering my neighbors
Does the 3″ chamber make a big difference for home defence? Using 3″ 410 shells
I’ve owned a stainless tracker with a 2 1/2″ cylinder and 4″ barrel for many years. Most of the 45 Colt shoot pretty good except for cowboy loads past 10 yards. They drop a foot or more at 20yds. Even shot some 265gr CorBon +p, which is the absolute limit I’m willing to go with it. Had the best luck with homemade .410 shells. By homemade I mean taking apart other shells and putting different shot in it. I usually start with a 3″ shell and cut a 1/4 inch off. My cylinder is actually close to 2 7/8″. I usually cut the wad to allow the most shot possible. Best results have been a mix of #4 buck and BB with one 000 buck and slug out of the Critical Defense on the top. They mostly stay together around 5yds, but the BB and #4 buck scatter pretty good at 10yds. I’ve since got a 6 1/2″ Raging Judge Magnum but I haven’t play around with it much, other than the 454 rounds. I think the cylinder in it might be 3 1/4″ long if not 3 1/2. The scary thing is I slid a 454 Casull into my old tracker just to see if it would. I can see the little ridge in the cylinder that was supposed to stop it, but maybe its shot out. I’ve put more rounds through my Judge than any other gun I own. A friend gave me several thousand rounds of 45 Colt. No telling how many .410 rounds I’ve used. Figure once the rifling is gone, the shot shells will patern better and thats all I’ll shoot out of it. Hope they eventually make a 460 S&W version.
I have a Judge, first hand gun i ever owned.it is loaded with 2 -410 defense loads and 3- 45 defense loads. I keep it for home defense. I carry a Tarus 9mm
The Judge, to me is a fun gun to practice with. I don’t figure to use it at a distance of more than 12-15 feet for defense, and pray i never have to. My wife is more accurate with it than i am, but too heavy for her to carry.
I carried a Judge on a ranch in Texas for rattlesnakes and hogs. #7 or 8 shot would take care of a rattler, and a 410 slug would at least stop a hog charge. I did have success dropping a couple hogs with Hornady’s 225 grain FTX round, not an instant drop, but less than a 20 foot run.
I want to buy one the ten year anniversary where can I buy one?
If you are looking for something used, check Auction Armory or Gun Broker.
I have the Judge. I bought it for my wife to open carry on our dairy goat farm. Also it is used for home defense of our residence. My wife loves it. She uses federal 0000 buck . It patterns well enough at 10ft where she feels confident against coyotes and 2 legged predators alike .Not having to be spot on in an emergency is key while working outdoors. We also carry in-house the Judge with Federal personal defence loads. Disks and ball ammo.
Thanks for in affirming article . We are big supporters of the judge in our situation.
Actually, the Federal load is Triple ought 000B or .36 caliber. https://www.federalpremium.com/products/shotshell/premium-personal-defense/personal-defense-410-handgun/pd412jge-000 . The #3 buck is only .25 caliber. The 4 pellets weigh about 73 grain each. I do not have the Judge but the SW Governor which has the shorter 2.5 inch barrel. My experience is different than the authors. I do my defense shooting a 50 feet. My Governor will put every one of the Federal 000 Buck loads into a 12 inch target at 50 feet and the grouping/pattern is uniform. Better than most people report. That is 4, 70 grain .36 cal bullets at about 750 fps. In terms of actual power, that is more like 4 32 acp rounds, just bigger in diameter. I agree, the birdshot loads are really only good for 25-30 feet, although I carry the #4 shot in mine, which is hard to find by the way, since my gun only takes the 2.5 inch rounds. The Governor actually also take 45 acp, so my backup rounds are a couple of 6 shot moon clips loaded with 45 cp plus p. While a pretty big gun, it is fine for hiking carry under a vest. It is also ideal for carry in a truck or RV, just in the console. My daily carry is a Glock 43 or J frame 38, but I feel this gun is far superior, at least to 50 feet and a hit first shot is more likely. I carry the 45 Colt Hornady Flex tip, 225 grain bullet for my last three rounds, and like it. I can hit an 18 inch gong 100% at 25 yards and that is about all the accuracy I need. It only gets about 750 fps with the 225 grain bullets, but that is still near the same as my Officer’s Model 1911, with it’s short barrel. So, I do not feel handicapped with it at all. Thinking back I had one federal law enforcement job where we were issued J frame 38s, think about that, only about 225 foot pounds of energy, far less than this. And until 1994 New York City police only carried 38 special handguns, only then going to 9mm. Just saying, this is not a gun for bear country, but just fine for 90% of my travels. Not trashing the judge, I just prefer the SW for the extra round in the cylinder and the ability to shoot cheaper 45 acp in it. And yes, I have safe full of 9mms, 40s, 45s, and 44 mags that might be better, but this one works, Also, I have tried several of the other rounds the author mentioned, just do not have my notes handy, none of them worked nearly as good as the federal load. There is some extensive research on the Smith and Wesson Forum on the short 410 loads. And for what it is worth, this is the most fun plinking gun you can buy, IMHO.
I have owned a Judge since not long after they came out. I have the sst model, 6-1/2″ bbl, chambered for 2-1/2″ 410 shells. I have put several different 45 Colt loads thru the gun, including Cowboy loads and hot loads. Best in my gun so far has been 225 gr HP’s that come in the PDX Defender combo. I carry the gun when hunting…loaded with either 2 410 # 2 or #4 shot and 3 45 colt, or 2 PDX shells and 3 45 Colt. I’m not the best or most practiced shooter but can keep 5 rounds of the 225 gr 45 Colt inside a pie plate at 25 yds. Very rarely have I put 2 or 3 really close together with those fixed sights but I feel that’s more a function of my lack of control than the guns capability.