The Taurus "Judge"

[DonnieBoy]

Anyone own one of these?

I find this gun interesting and thought it might be fun to shoot.

Taurus-Judge.com: Your Source for the Taurus Judge

[Plan9]

Fun to shoot but probably not all that practical for anything like self defense or hunting. I suppose it could do both but it wouldn't excel at either given size and bulk vs. barrel length. It doesn't weigh that much, though.

Also, the utility of the thing is compromised by the less-than-commonplace ammunition types. Both .410 and .45 Long Colt are not to be had at Joe Sixpack's favorite gettin' place: Wal-Mart. Even if these calibers are available, a proper loading is even harder to find. .45 Long Colt is pricey.

If you roll your own rounds, this piece might be a spectacular platform for hiking (?).

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I'd just stick to a solid .44 Magnum. .410 shotgun shells? Get a 12 gauge.

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Thing is a total clone of the Thunder-5, a revolver / shotgun combo from way back when. Taurus model is less expensive and probably higher quality.

I see that Blackhawk is making Serpa holsters for the Judge.

Overall, thing is worth a few chuckles. Who would tote that thing as a sidearm?

[Fire]

its a niche gun, but then who am i to knock that, being a proponent of such things as the 17" barreled enfield in .303 brit - (for more firepower than you will ever need in a trunk rifle) and someone that lusts secretly for a derringer in .410/45lc.... part of what makes it great that we are americans is the ability to own firearms on a whim- and as overkill for snakes, or any other trail trouble, it has some utility....

[MSD]

fun to shoot? No more than any other 45. Beyond an expensive-to-feed range toy, not good for much