Judge Help

[Half Dog]

I have a family member who is looking into purchasing a Taurus Judge. I occasionally shoot 410 on the skeet range and I have a press that is set up to load 2-1/2” hulls. Those two statements seem to be the limit of my knowledge and I’m hoping that I can reload rounds for the Judge.

Is there issues with the cylinder to barrel gap? My concern is the wad and some deformed shot wedging in the gap.

Would a Judge, rated for magnums, have issues shooting a 2-1/2” shell vs the 3” shell? Again I have trouble picturing the wad making a smooth transition across the cylinder to barrel gap.

Thanks in advance for your time and effort.

[AnthonyB]

Can't help with the question, but can't resist the advice to tell them not to do it!
Tony

[Der Gebirgsjager]

If it will shoot factory loaded .410s there's no reason it shouldn't handle your loads if they conform to the common reloading manual data.

DG

[cwtebay]

I purchased a Judge for my wife almost 20 years ago. 45's?? Not awful accuracy. 410??? Try throwing the loaded shells at the intended target rather than firing them. I asked Taurus to address this years ago, heard back that accuracy with shotgun ammunition cannot be guaranteed.
(She still carries it - with 45's)

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[Texas by God]

They are safe with .410 ammunition, but they are a very sorry excuse for a shotgun in my experience.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GhostHawk]

They are neither fish, nor fowl, nor good red meat.

They are a compromise, a contradiction in terms.

Take the advise given above, advise strongly against it.

[Half Dog]

Ok. Based on opinions, the Judge is not the handgun for him.
Any suggestions for a light, small, home defense for someone with shaky hands?

[HWooldridge]

Ok. Based on opinions, the Judge is not the handgun for him.
Any suggestions for a light, small, home defense for someone with shaky hands?

Small 9mm or a .380 would not be a bad choice for someone who carries more than shoots.

[Barry54]

Get him a Boxer. They are loyal and protective. Plus they aren’t prohibited by most homeowners insurance policies.

My experience is with a S&W Governor. It is surprisingly accurate with 45 Colt loads considering the jump to reach rifling. It’s six rounds instead of five. Plus it accepts 45 ACP with moon clips. Tritium front site too.

410 buckshot from it is a potent load. More energy than 357 magnum!
Several factory 410 self defense loads are out there to pick from.

In the ballistic products small bore manual there are single, double, and triple pellet 410 2-1/2” buckshot recipes.

[Thumbcocker]

Ok. Based on opinions, the Judge is not the handgun for him.
Any suggestions for a light, small, home defense for someone with shaky hands?

If the firearm in question is to be used solely for home defense, does it have to be a handgun? How much time does the person want to put in to gain skills with the gun? Do they have physical limitations? What type of area do they live in? If the only thing between them and the next residence is sheet rock and 2x4 walls that would be a factor.

A personal example. Many years ago my job took me out at night for long periods of time. We lived in a rural area. Mrs.Thumbcocker felt quite comfortable with a .30 carbine loaded with soft points. She could shoot it very well out to 50 yards. Very little recoil and high magazine capacity. Today something like a Ruger 9mm carbine might be the ticket for someone with limited handgun skills and not having the time or ability to become proficient with a handgun. I would suggest having the person in question examine and handle different guns and if possible shoot several that they show an interest in. Not trying to dictate what the person should get, just offering some suggestions based on experience.

[kaiser]

The Judge is a compromise for a "snake gun" or a defense weapon, but will suffice (marginally) for either. The "riflings" tends to destroy the shotgun shell pattern of the gun beyond 7 yards; and the size and weight of the pistol makes it unwieldy for people with small hands. It's at its best as a "truck gun" where size and weight does not matter with ammo to cover "all" situations IMHO.

[txbirdman]

I have a 45 Colt Bond arms derringer which can shoot 2 1/2” .410’s also. I have found it to pattern much better with conventional CCI 45 Colt snake shot.

[Half Dog]

These posts are great input. To further explain:
Home defense to be kept next to the bed.
The person is older and can’t hold steady to aim.
Dogs are out. In their eyes, animals belong outside.
A shotgun or AR style isn’t wanted.

I thought a Judge would fit the Bill but it seems it has issues.

[cwtebay]

These posts are great input. To further explain:
Home defense to be kept next to the bed.
The person is older and can’t hold steady to aim.
Dogs are out. In their eyes, animals belong outside.
A shotgun or AR style isn’t wanted.

I thought a Judge would fit the Bill but it seems it has issues.

Maybe a Mossberg Shockwave? Little bit of a learning curve to shoot, but compact and effective.
One more comment about the Judge - it actually does shoot the disc type self defense ammunition fairly well at under 10 yards. They still scatter like crazy compared to a smooth bore, but it's not awful.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[racepres]

IDK, I would test fire that Judge..We aint target shooting here.. My Only experience with .410, is Long Guns...and my Contender...Now...thinking of a short Contender with a Revolving Cylinder... May just be Fun!!!
The Thought of the 45 Colt /CCI shot capsule seems like a good one too...so any 45 will do!!!!
If you can find them empty capsules...I had a Friend who got Very Creative with "stuff" to put in them Capsules!!!

[Winger Ed.]

Ya might like using the Hornady self defense .410s in it.
They're made for these short barrel hanguns. The recoil is on par with cast in a mid range .45Colt.
They have two OOO buckshot balls with a thin jacketed .357, 110gr. JHP sitting on top.

Out of my Bond Derringer, they print a 7-8" triangle pattern at about 25 feet or so.

[Half Dog]

Ya might like using the Hornady self defense .410s in it.
They're made for these short barrel hanguns. The recoil is on par with cast in a mid range .45Colt.
They have two OOO buckshot balls with a thin jacketed .357, 110gr. JHP sitting on top.

Out of my Bond Derringer, they print a 7-8" triangle pattern at about 25 feet or so.

Hmm. This sounds interesting. I have some 110 gr JHP’s. Have you duplicated the rounds?

[Winger Ed.]

Hmm. This sounds interesting. I have some 110 gr JHP’s. Have you duplicated the rounds?

Nah. No more than I shoot it, I just gave 'em their money for a box.
For practice & such, I load a mid range cast SWC in .45 Long Colt.

Loading .410 for a handgun would get me out into uncharted waters.
All the published info. and the other factory stuff is for long barreled shotguns anyway.

[stubshaft]

Even with a steady hand I do not think the Judge would be able to hit the intended target.

[SSGOldfart]

you can very easily make your own 410's using 444marlin shells no press needed. a few wads and your in business
my buddy's wife carries a Judge she just points a shoots,it was made for close quarters.