You forget that it is going to be quite slow - not coming out of a long shotgun barrel. This guy estimates about 2" penetration. You'd only tickle a bad guy if he is wearing a thick jacket ...

The Box O' Truth #41 - The Taurus Judge Vs. The Box O' Truth - Page 1

George

I seriously doubt the 2" penetration claim. Decreasing velocity generally increases penetration in soft tissue.

My sisters BF has the 8" model. When it gets nicer out maybe i'll talk him into blasting some phone books so we can see how deeply it penetrates with the 00 buck.

Of course, if you want deep penetration in a Judge you can just use full power .45 long colt rounds.

I have never fired the gun though, so i cannot honestly reccomend for or against it. About the only thing i can say is that it's a big-bad-looking momma.

The 8" barrel will help, that's for sure. Both with velocities as well as bad boy looks.

George

Just for the record, the guy you linked to uses "wetpack" for testing. Wet pack is well known for giving reduced penetration figures when compared to scientifically accepted 10% calibrated ballistics gelatin. So again, i would not put too much stock in that 2" figure. My guess is that with a 4" "self defense" type barrel the Judge will probably give 6-8" of penetration, which is probably enough for frontal shots. Me personally, for self defense i'd stick with the .45 long colts, and load it up with full power light weight high velocity jacketed hollowpoints.

At that point you are basically just using a gigantic, super heavy 5 shot revolver. There are many better choices around than that! IF the Judge has an actual use besides just being a curiosity, i suspect it would be as a trail gun using full power .45 colt ammunition. Using heavy solid full power .45 colt ammunition it would be perfectly capable of blasting pretty much anything you'll find on the North American continent.

Sniper - which all brings us back to the point that this is a neat gun but wouldn't be the first choice for a self defense gun. Of course Lubey didn't tell us what he wants it for!

George

A 686 would be nice. You can get them in 6 or 7 shot configuration. 4" barrel is probably most versatile.

George

http://www.olegvolk.net/gallery/d/9641-2/L_frame_06.jpg

I did my rounds of the local shops today and saw a few judges. Christ what a boat anchor. The thing is HUGE. I have shotguns that I think weigh less. Might as well buy a rocket launcher.

My MIL bought a Judge because the wild turkeys were keeping her from getting to her car in the morning.

One day last year as she was trying to get her 90 yo mother to the car for a doctor's visit, a couple of toms attacked the two women. MIL pulled the Judge out of her purse and shot the nearest tom in the head. I think they ate him that Saturday.

True Story,

Troy

During my day job I try to be polite enough not to say things like that when people bring in such stuff. Thanks for expressing my inner feelings so well.
Can we perhaps agree the Judge will not go down in history as great a design as a Colt SAA or Walther PPK? As fun as it may be to blast away with is it something you'd want to hand down to your kids? Not to imply that all firearm purchases need to be considered from that point of view.
Jim

I think the three pellet load is actually 000 buckshot. Even at that, 000 pellets only weigh about 68 grains (00 is 54 grains). Chronograph results from short barrel derringers and this Judge are consistently well under 600 fps, sometimes as low as 500 fps. One could damn near get that with a wrist rocket.

Absolutely. Stick with something like this. The Judge is no more than a bad joke. Even when loaded with .45 Colts, it gives up a great deal of velocity because of all the freebore in that long cylinder. This Judge is meant to impress those with little firearms knowledge.

Thank you Jeff.
You're welcome Jim.

Not even a chuckle from the crowd? That was a funny story.

the turkey story?? Hilarious. You must have really BIG turkey around there.

It's a tough crowd.

LOVE IT! i hunt those damn things. during the non hunting season, i have been chased on my bike. keeping my bike between me&bird, i can let them get very very close. viscous birds. and viscous rhymes with delicious...hard to hunt when they get wary. i like your MIL.

Chuckle! :)

Buy a S&W 686....either 6 or 4 inch Barrel...just check out Gun Broker.com

it is a 357 and you find it far more versatile