Taurus Judge: “Hollywood Justice” by Nutnfancy04:33

With such a narrow application, the Taurus Judge is surprisingly popular. That’s because many bought it for the cool factor after seeing it in the movie “Max Payne.” Of course this isn’t the first time this has happened: “Dirty Harry” Callahan helped popularize the Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver and the powerful .44 Magnum cartridge. However that combination did indeed perform impressively albeit at a substantial weight and size (which was very common in the 1970s). The Taurus Judge in some models has some of the same issues. The Model 4510TKR-3SSMAG weighs a stout 37 ounces. This bobbed hammer Ultra-Lite version (shown) is a more reasonable 25 ounces and others like it list in the Taurus catalog for 23 oz. Don’t expect perfection in the design though. Chambered for both .45 Colt and the .410 shotshell, the Judge is a compromise of design in order to accommodate these different loads. The long cylinder is necessary to fit the .410 but sacrifices .45 Colt accuracy in doing so (also the shallow rifling needed to accommodate the shotshell). Overall length of the .410 shell is around 2.5″, the .45 colt around 1.6″. This length difference necessitates a long “jump” into the rifling and degrades accuracy. Close range accuracy of the pistol round is adequate but there are reports that it degrades quickly past 15 feet. If you can connect, the venerable .45 Colt with 185 gr JHP will do damage as perhaps will a .410 shotshell packing three 000 pellets. Also consider its very limited firepower of just five rounds and the fact that the ammo will be bulky and HEAVY (which negates its backpacking use). For home defense it could serve adequately with alternate loadings of shotshell and centerfire ammunition. But other downsides include inability to regulate the fixed sights (rear sight groove milled in frame), bulkiness in carry, limited holster options, substantial blast and recoil, high cost, and difficulty in concealment. The Taurus Judge then remains a close range weapon only and there are many smarter options that will expand your defensive options. But in the role of snake killer, I think the Taurus would excel providing a close range shotgun capability in pistol form. . /////////////Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 3 of 10