I love how people treat the .410 bore. In a full-length, 28" shotgun it's often a youth shotgun for small game. Many states prohibit its use in deer hunting, and even where they do, most hunters wouldn't. Now you take that same shotgun, cut its barrel down from 28" to 3" and now people talk about it like it's the ultimate self-defense tool.
@@bluestatepaine yes and no. My point is that people see a handgun that takes a shotgun cartridge and think it's far more powerful than it is. Thanks to the way such guns are marketed, people often either don't know or forget that the .410 is a pea-shooter of a shotgun round. They further fail to consider that its ballistics are abysmal out of a short barrel. The box of slugs they buy will say 1/5oz slug at 1800 fps. Those specs are from a 28" shotgun. From a handgun, you'll get such a drop in muzzle velocity that those slugs would have energy more similar to a very anemic .45 ACP. The .45 Colt is the far more powerful cartridge out of a handgun like a Judge, and standard .45 Colt loads aren't all that powerful. I've seen people gawk in awe at a Taurus Judge the same way they would look at a magnum revolver. The fact is that any magnum revolver's performance leaves the Judge in the dust and often can do it while being smaller and lighter.
Whoever came up with these certainly had their finger on the pulse of Fudd-dom. They've sold a ton of these things. Go figure. 🤣 I'll stick with my old 586, thanks very much. I hope you are well, Paul. 🙏
@@cristianespinal9917.45 colt is a sure man stopper but there are def better revolvers out there but to be fair the .45 colt is pretty accurate out of the judge
+Brains for Dinner I think he not-so-secretly enjoys disproving its usefulness. Not that it has to be useful to be enjoyed and worth owning, for those who like it, but this is a pretty sure way to make some general points in our ongoing firearms education, not just about the Judge specifically.
I think the way the slug .410 stopped shy of going through the water jugs made a case for their use in apartments. In the case of a home intruder in an apartment you want to be confident that you wont have over penetration. These could have a specific application for apartments and inside a traditional home to avoid a round traveling through a wall into another room.
i agree. & when a projectile is stopped within a target it has no choice but to transfer all of its energy which is always a plus. a 110 grain slug traveling 1300 fps (i dont know the velocity of the slugs he was using, so im just guesstimating) & that expands to close to 1/2'' or even 3/4" an is stopped within the vitals is going to be alot more effective in my opinion, then a .45 that completely penetrates and expands half to 3/4 of what the slug will & doesnt transfer all of its potential energy. id much rather have a fast moving slug expand alot and stop in vitals rather then have something just make a decent wound cavity and keep on trucking till it hits a wall or someone else. but opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one. some would worry about not having enough penetration. say if it was cold and attacker had thick clothing on or something of that nature. either way i wouldnt want to be on the other end of the stick.
The 410 slug dumps all its energy into the first object. The fact it flattens out will cause extensive tissue damage. It also won't over penetrate a target or continue through a wall into the next room.
The thing is though, it needs to cause damage to vital tissues. Its limited penetration may mean it struggles to do so reliably. Sort of like how a hollow point propelled too quickly will struggle to penetrate adequately.
@@knifedance2402 dude do you really think a 3oz slug at 344fps is going to struggle to penetrate a humans chest 3 inches deep? Come on man what the hell is it with you people? A toothpick is long enough to kill someone if stabbed into the right spot in the chest... You really fucking think a slug can't penetrate that deep?
Thank you Paul. I had wondered about this same subject a few months ago. I guessed what the results might be, but never tested (partly because I never bought any slugs). Well, now I know. I had guessed right, but there's nothing like knowing. Someone else here said you're becoming one of the best channels. You're certainly one of the absolute best in my book, and I appreciate your approach, presentation and work in creating these video's.
@sheparddog117 Sheparddog, Some people consider the AK platform to be very reliable and low maintenance. You mention deer hunting. Your point is well taken, but again, some people consider the 7,62X39 cartridge to be plenty of power for deer hunting. Some people just think the AK platform is cool. Some people use it because it's what they have or what they're familiar with. you use the word justification. Luckily we don't have to justify why we like the guns or cars that we like. Can you imagine a woman trying to justify all the shoes she owns? The bottom line is some people's opinions are different than yours or mine.
Wow, that really helped with my decision on which to use, 45 Colt or Slug. I have a Judge as well as a bond arms Snake Slayer, and a Henry .410. I don’t need to look for .410 slugs any longer. Thanks for update three.
My exact thoughts hawk. Hit intruder stop in dry wall. Miss intruder energy spent on 2 layers of drywall. Perfect night stand shoot before I get my glasses on gun.
@@knifedance2402 I have, my edc is a Sig P365, but i acknowledge the usefulness of the .410 round as a home defense shell the when chosen carefully isn't likely to kill your neighbor or his dog and in a far more usable pistol it can be reasonably effective.
dave runner I went up to the Raging Judge...shoots .454 Casull, about twice a .44 magnum. It DOES present that over-penetration problem, and a sore wrist.
@@johnstewart8849 I have a 44 mag and i only have hard cast 44spl and fortscott tui and they both have way too much penetration im looking for some jhp so i dont put a hole in something i dont want a hole through
There's a few reasons why I bought a Judge. One, the cost was about $400, two, the .45 LC is about as heavy a round as I reasonably need for where I live, and three, I appreciated the ability to load the thing with shot shells for small game hunting/ chicken coup guard duty. Although it would be pretty awesome to watch a raccoon explode after being hit by a 225gr bonded JHP, it's not worth the money for the ammo. Aw hell, and four, who doesn't want a pocket shotgun?
Hey I don't want to knock why you bought this particular gun. But $400 seems alot. You could just go with regular Mossberg 500 12ga for half the price, and arguably get a much more functional gun. As for pocket shotgun, my pockets aren't that big. The Taurus is beyond what I would consider good for concealed carry. If you buy a gun because you just think it's cool then that's a very valid reason to buy it.
I am glad I saw these videos. One thing that I think you might consider mentioning is that the lack of penetration by the .410 slugs might be a positive if you are concerned with over penetration. Situations like an apartment building, or rooms where the shots might go through walls and into other people's houses. That's about the only benefit I would see to this pistol.
Paul, great work and thank you for your efforts. I was very likely to buy a Judge before your seeing your videos, now I'm going to go with a .357 with a 4 inch barrel. Thank you for helping me out in my decision making process and saving me disappointment and money.
I'm liking the .410 slugs. For compact areas ya ain't gotta worry about over penetration. Meaning the only thing not safe in doors is the threat. Thank you for the show of ballistics. Very helpful, answered all my questions.
For part 4 please do your meat and home walls tests with the judge or governor vs. the 38 357 and 1911. I think it will show you how the shotgun pistol can shine...lethal but without over pentetration. Please address hit probability with less experienced shooters under stress vs. carefully aimed shots by an expert like you. I think you will find he judge can outperform these other guns in the right circumstances like the real world ones I live in. It is a bit of a special purpose gun. But it truly can out perform others in the situations I mentioned, which are actually pretty common concerns, over pentetration, and average or below shooters under stress where penetration through apartment or thin and close home walls is a real danger.
I'm amazed at the amount of patience and fairness you displayed, reviewing the Judge three times xD I really thought it was the best gun for everything, until I saw your initial review - which is really disappointing. I have a lot of respect for the .45 colt, and thought the shotshell would do just as well (I know nothing about shotgun performance) as a normal shotgun. But seeing as the .45ACP is just as powerful (arm swing) as the .45 colt OR MORE, I am not even sure I trust the .45 colt, anymore. I might just buy something like a 1911. Either way, thanks for an awesome final (hopefully) review of a gun I really wanted to be the best. If I buy a .45 colt revolver it'll be a full size, 6 inch barrel.
Thanks. Don't lose too much faith in the .45 colt, it will get the job done. If you want to see the best use of a judge, it makes an appearance in our "shooting from a car" video.
The 45acp was designed to replicate the original black powder load of the 45 Colt. The 45 Colt can be loaded to equal the 44 Rem Magnum in SOME handguns. I have one. Ruger New Model Blackhawk. I load it at 117fps with a 250 gr bullet, out of a 4.5 inch barrel. No need for 44 mag levels unless I'm going after a T-Rex.
.45 acp represents the low end capabilities of the .45 colt, compromised for a semi automatic weapon that needed a comfortable grip with the magazine inside. The larger case allows for either heavier bullets, more powder, or a combination of both.
I really learn a lot from your videos. thank you for your hard work. very few what you do, prove what you are saying. shooting a firearms which most do really has no purpose. again thank you
The Judge was, as I recall, originally marketed as an anti-carjacking pistol to be used at just past contact range with 8 or 9 birdshot. Target becomes hamburger minimal over penetration.
I have to agree with others who have stated over penetration is a detractor when dealing with home security or situations you want to hit the target and not what is in the next several rooms behind the target. Knowing how the gun and ammo work together is exactly why people need to practice their shooting with the ammo so you are in control of your shots and not just hoping it will do what you want and remove all uncertainty.
I think what you are missing in this review is... Never shoot at something unless you are willing to destroy what is behind it. The slug seemed like it had way more kinetic energy than the .45 It may not have had the penetrating power, but if that slug didn't dispatch whatever target you were firing at... it would have absolutely knocked it on its ass without collateral damage. You proved that the slug would be perfect in a home invasion/robbery/burglary because of this effect. I wouldn't want to harm someone behind my target. The slug would almost guarantee that desired affect. Also, might I suggest and I know this might be a bit of a crazy notion... But go out and buy some flare rounds for a .410 flare-gun. This handgun could fetch you some food, fend off a bear, and signal for help in one bad camping trip. The reason I feel this handgun is one of the best around is because of it's versatility. It is the swiss-army knife of the hand cannon... Plus if you are carrying a lever-action in .45 colt with this handgun, there is virtually no need to worry about ammunition compatibility. Just my thoughts
"I think what you are missing in this review is... Never shoot at something unless you are willing to destroy what is behind it." Paul spent over 20 years in the Marines and spent much of that time as a shooting instructor. He's won many shooting matches. No, Paul didn't miss anything.
The 45 has more energy than the .410 slug. The difference is because of how the slug expanded it transferred that energy faster. Whish is why the penitration was so low. If you used a bullet design that expanded better/faster the .45 would look more devastating. I would say it boil down to what you need or want from the round. Do you want one with more hydrostatic shock and less penitration, or one that has better penitration. That is a pretty common trade off with ammunition.
Good information. I've wondered how the slugs would compare with the 45 Colts. I never bothered with 410s of any sort in my Judge. Shot shells realize their intended potential in smooth bores anyway, and rifled barrels drastically reduces its effective range. The Judge is a fun gun for when I want to shoot 45 Colt, but that's pretty much it. Otherwise, with 410 shells, it's pretty much an extreme close range weapon. Not a bad thing, I suppose, if you're using it to shoot at bad guys across a room inside your house. But then again pretty much all guns can do the same thing, and many of them could probably perform better than the Judge. It's the most popular "gimmick gun" ever produced.
I have a Governor and while I don't think it's the end all be all gun, it certainly has a place in the handgun world in my opinion. I think they are about perfect for four wheeler riding or simply being out in the hills due to the variety of caliber and ammunition selection they can fire. And they're kinda light to be such a big gun (slightly less than 30 oz I think). But mine really shines at just having fun target shooting. It's a blast shooting any kind of shotgun shell. And then being able to shoot 45 Colt and 45 ACP is extra nice too, especially 45 ACP due to cost.
Yep, last gun I would grab. It is accurate enough. I won't trust my life to it since mine is poor quality and broke after 26 shots. Same goes for the rest of modern s&w products, i.m.o.
Thank you for the Taurus Judge series. Very informative. Appreciate your videos as I have just recently discovered them. This video series saved me from making a poor purchase. Thank you. Take care. :)
Hi Paul Loving the vids and as I’m a shooter living in the UK I’m very jealous of the options available to you guys. I would love to see a 4th Judge video where you are shooting moving targets.. vermin / birds can be simulated with clays and may give a different point of view on the judge.
I went with the Governor. It's more versatile, being able to shoot 45 ACP with moonclips, which is effectively a speed loader making it even better. Also, I've heard some bad stories regarding the Judge and having to take advantage of the manufacturers warranty.
I had a bad experience with my governor(broke after 26 shots). Poor quality and bad customer service are the reasons I will never buy another s&w. It does make it easy to look at gun stores/shows now.
The 410 slug delivered COMPLETE energy transfer......therefore it flattened completely......the hitting and stopping power is unequaled. Any deer hunter that has downed a deer with a 410 slug will tell you....that thing will put 'em down! Thanks for the video.....I like the "JUDGE"
-Deer hunters who have used a .410 almost certainly use a long gun, which will produce higher velocities. -.410 slugs are not as effective as other rounds even if they have been used to kill deer. Paul has used a .25 auto to kill a deer. It doesn’t make the .25 auto a good cartridge to hunt deer with. -In the case of a pistol which can fire .410 slugs and .45 LC, the question isn’t the viability of .410. It is the viability of a specific type of .410 round from this handgun as compared to .45 LC. That viability is quite low, I believe.
In my home state, a 45 LC revolver is allowed for deer hunting. However, the Judge doesn't meet the barrel length requirements. A shotgun with slugs is permissible, and there is no barrel length requirement. Therefore, the Taurus Judge could be used for deer hunting, and that is an excellent reason for the .410 slugs. On top of that, it is the only skeet gun which can be carried in a holster. How have I live my life without one of these fabulous firearms? Am I being serious? You be the judge.
Great information Sir!!! I have a Polly frame dandy on it's way. For me I'll carry three OOO Buck and two Long colt in mine. Your testing has great points I must say. I just subcribed to your Chanel and blessings to you and your family 😇
I recently discovered this channel via a friend’s suggestion when asking him some questions about the Taurus Judge. I love the content and have watched several other videos outside of the Taurus Judge. I watched all 4 Taurus Judge videos you made on and know that they are old, but I wanted to post this question here, and on the other 3 videos, in hopes of getting a response from someone. One point of discussion you mentioned was, “What are you buying this gun for?” To answer, I want to buy a ‘squirrel gun.’ When I am archery deer hunting, and not seeing deer, I get tempted to shoot a squirrel, or other small game (rabbit, quail, dove). Some of shots would be ‘up’ so firing a single projectile ballistic would not be safe and I need to fire shot. Carrying a proper shotgun while I’m archery hunting is not practical, but a sidearm would be. Since I don’t want an illegal ‘sawed off shotgun’ a 410 handgun might do the trick. I recently saw a 6.5” barrel Taurus Judge, cheap, at a gun store. But would I have enough lethal energy, accuracy, shot spread at a target that’s upwards of 20 to 25 yards away? Having watched your videos I dare say would 10-15 yards away be effective on small game? I think what I want is impossible, by the laws of physics, let alone man. What does the internet think about a “squirrel-dove handgun”?
Just carry more gear. Get a cheap hatfield single shot 410, cut it 16.5 inch barrel, cut stock short. Youth model short. Get a sling you can tie down decent. Compound/conventional bow or crossbow? I carry crossbow and 10 22 charger, but I can shoot skyline where I hunt.
I'm watching this series for at least the third time. I'd like to see Paul look at the Smith and Wesson governor with 45 ACP versus conventional 45 ACP, but I know he would probably just say "Why? I have done the dawn of time testing with the Judge, and the governor isn't that much different." I'd still like to see it :)
Hi Paul, so this is more for those who read the comment section than for you. So this video was produced in 2016 and the guys in the shotgun shell biz must have watched it because NOW!!! they have come out with a 3-inch shell with a 1/2 ounce slug that reduces cinder blocks into gravel. So consider this an update. Oh, and on a Postscript, the slugs are rifled and have a Muzzle velocity over 700. I suggest a wrist brace if you shoot it a lot.
All good points, and a good overall analysis. There is one point that needs to be mentioned. On target impact appeared to be the same, but penetration greatly differed. It's this very fact that makes the Taurus a viable indoor defense tool. Would I hunt with a slug out of a Judge? No. Would I load the cylinder with both buckshot and slugs for self defense purposes? You bet.
I feel like there's a trade-off between penetration and energy transfer. The slug appears to do that fairly well... Honestly, the judge might be better as a smoothbore shot-shell only pistol; forgoing the 45 Colt altogether, and then the pattern shouldn't spread so far out so fast. Then use a good number of bbs instead of buckshot, or a slug plus bbs (if you roll your own, perhaps). Higher brass might help as well.
The main reason I am considering the Judge is it's multi-shot potential at mild sacrifice. We both fire two shots. Bad guy fires two conventional bullets. I fire ammunition with a slug and 3 buck per trigger pull. Lets say all shots land in torso. I have two bullet holes and am bleeding out in two places. The bad guy suffered 8 bullet holes. And this multiplier just gets more insane per trigger pull. 1-4 2-8 3- 12...! That's a lot of more damage. At ranges of self defense where running away wont be a better option (close to medium range) your bound to land most those. That's the perk that most appeals to me and if I suffer mild decrease in performance across the board and harder concealability so be it. Because at the end of the day, unless the dude is wearing body armor if buck can kill deer, it can kill a man at those ranges. I've seen J's ammo fired at ballistic jell and it got 12 inches of penetration. Most torsos are not 12 inches in depth which I think makes up for the slight protection advantage humans wearing thick clothing may give. On top of that, each of those eight have a chance to hit something vital and wear down bone. Same with the bad guys two shots of course but the group will likely be tighter meaning he is likely to hit the same vital organ if not my similar precise "dead eye" shot placements would just due way more damage due to overwhelming quantity. But seriously I'd say the odds are more in my favor. If aimed at the head some pellets/ buck are more likely to hit the eyes so I can run away assuming the slug misses the head (because if they land that's instant incapacitation anyway). Aim at torso: Can put 4 holes that each leak blood (faster bleed out time), hit the gut 4 holes leaking blood and stomach acid, 4 wholes in a lung some may hit the liver, etc.…, 4 chances to hit the arms and legs so I can run away/ disable the attacker. multiplied damage by shot placement and trigger pulls and the advantages are clear. Pluss it's a good snake gun which their are plenty of snakes threatening my cats. If me and the bad guy both are dying, at least I can guarantee the bad guy will die first and most painfully and I'll have the last laugh. The stopping power is off the charts.
I'm down to about 3 or 4 gun channels now..Thanks for being there and being who you are. Never change. I have a friend that carries a Judge with some sort of wonder ammo. Friend would be an exaggeration, more as comic relief. That and his ginsu knife make him a master ninja operator.
I've never been a fan of this gun. But if you ever get a chance Mr. Harrell it be nice to see a review of the Judge with the 22lr, 9mm, and 38 special adapters.
So I was looking for a revolver rifle. The circuit judge popped up. Wife saw it at a gun show the next day and fell in love with it. I put a holographic red dot on it for her and she can shoot chew can centers all day long at 100 yards. with it. She now has an Fn 5.7 and this. She will school people at the range with these. We must remember that there is that special gun for everybody out there. It's not always about having to "defend against an attack" when it comes to shooting. If that time ever comes I would rather have her comfortable with what she has.
I have two Judges, one with a Crimson Trace Laser Grip, and enjoy them both. But if you're going to stick with .45 Colt because of accuracy realize the bullet has to jump a lot due to the .410-length cylinder. You might consider the Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Special with the hottest factory loads you can find or some warm, not hot, handloads. It is more concealable than the Judge as well.
Hello Mr. Harrell, Do you think that the Taurus Judge loaded with .410 slugs would be a good firearm for home defense purposes based on the damage it does to the intended target while not having to worry about over penetration through said target? I also wonder if you will ever make a video on a list of firearms that you would recommend for home defense based on the characteristics I mentioned before regarding the Taurus Judge using .410 slugs (effectiveness on target and lack of over penetration). Regardless, thank you very much for all the information you provide.
Viewed the three Judge Reviews, all excellent. If there is a Taurus Judge Review Part Four/update ... (or a "Shooting from Cars Part II" or a "Why Bring a Carbine Same Caliber as your Sidearm Part II" or ".410 Shotgun for Home Defense Part II"), ... it would be interesting to include or focus on the "Taurus Raging Judge M 513 Revolver" (Stainless Steel six shot Magnum w 6.5 inch barrel and 3 inch chamber) examining at least the .454 Casull, ( if not all the rest: .45, .410 and .45 S&W rounds, depending on which video update is relevant.) Of interest: how would the Taurus M 513 revolver paired with a Rossi R92 454 Casull lever action or an appropriate .410 compare to the Ruger .357 GP-100 six inch paired with the .357 lever action (1873 or 1892), or for that matter, the other carbine/sidearm combinations already reviewed?
Good review friend I had one of these .410/45 pistols back in about 2000 or 2001. It was junk, couldn't hit anything, never would even consider it for home defense.
Hey Paul Thanks for your time & good work. I agree with pretty much everything you said about the Judge all valid points, for yourself & other seasoned shooters the Judge has almost No use. However for my wife, a person who goes to the range once maybe every two years. It's exactly what I would want her shooting in the house god forbid if there's an intruder & Im not home. For those exact reasons you mentioned our Judge is loaded with .410 Slugs. In all reality our rooms are less than 5yds across & I don't want penetration if she's the one shooting it. I'm counting on her missing at least 2 out of 5 rounds. That being said it also is a Hand Cannon, the shear size of it will scare off an unarmed intruder. She won't even have to fire if some creep is looking in the window & sees that on the other side. If I'm home I'll grab my .40 that's all tactical or my 12 Ga 930. I would have to consider my backstop, I don't want her grabbing either one of those & shooting them; for the sake of others who would be home, & our neighbors so we've talked about what she's supposed to do.
In a way this revolver is marketed incorrectly. It probably should be advertised as a survival revolver. With 50 rounds of .410 birdshot and 50 rounds of .45 Colt this would be a good weapon for getting birds(at closer range) and deer, or even larger game, out to 50 yards or so,or as a defense against bears. Of course it could be argued that the weight and expense could be better spent as a .22 with 500 rounds or more of ammo. To each his own
@@patriciastauffer3278 this was pretty well cover in part two of this series. A .45 with shot shells is way superior as a firearm and functions better with shotshells. The only reason I would own a Judge is if I were collecting, or using it for fun.
@@patriciastauffer3278 The Judge has been Taurus' most successful product ever. I think its marketing was just perfect. The marketing was aimed at idiots and uncurious, ignorant people - the two groups most likely to buy stupid shit. And it worked. It worked massively well. Kudos to Taurus.
Wow your area has some very expensive 410's and very low cost 45 colts. I absolutley agree the 45 colts are better but as for cost in my area its the opposite here in Ohio. The only 45 colt ammo I can find locally is over a dollar a round for lead cowboy loads. Self defense rounds are even higher. 410's can be piccked up for 3.99 a box of 5 or 9.99 for 15 close to deer season around here. I can find it cheaper but have to drive for over an hour which off sets the cost quite a bit. Good review. I would be curious to see what those slugs chrono out of that short barrel.
Paul, Concerning your videos on the Judge: I find them all interesting and true But I think they miss The main reason for the Judge. I am, unfortunately, old enough to remember when the judge was first marketed. It was marketed as an urban self defense gun that would offer acceptable terminal ballistics while minimalizing collateral damage. Also the point was stressed that with the shot shell there would be a better chance of hits under less than optimal conditions. I have witnessed 2 negligent discharges in a home and it would be nice to have a gun that would not shoot through 2 inner walls in embed in a third. The name “Judge” was chosen because it was a gun a judge could more safely use to protect himself in a courtroom (or so I was told). I think a much more illustrative test would be the effect on meat and drywall. I enjoy the videos ad learn from them. I especially watch the ones on body armor. Gregory GammonPaul, Concerning your videos on the Judge: I find them all interesting and true But I think they miss The main reason for the Judge. I am, unfortunately, old enough to remember when the judge was first marketed. It was marketed as an urban self defense gun that would offer acceptable terminal ballistics while minimalizing collateral damage. Also the point was stressed that with the shot shell there would be a better chance of hits under less than optimal conditions. I have witnessed 2 negligent discharges in a home and it would be nice to have a gun that would not shoot through 2 inner walls in embed in a third. The name “Judge” was chosen because it was a gun a judge could more safely use to protect himself in a courtroom (or so I was told). I think a much more illustrative test would be the effect on meat and drywall. I enjoy the videos ad learn from them. I especially watch the ones on body armor. Gregory Gammon
410 slug (and buckshot) seems perfect for anti-personnel defense, a lot of initial energy and tissue damage into a soft target, penetration isn't that important unless the bad guy is wearing body armor, but in that case 45 colt wouldn't be enough either.
You have to love that if Paul hates a gun. He will not just do a video but he will prove exactly why he hates it. And by the end of the day you are going to feel the same way.
You might want to consider using the .410 slug if your shooting in doors against an intruder. You do not want to over penetration and shooting through walls possibly hitting unintended victims.
Good job Paul on this clip too, Nope i'm not today or tomorrow or ever buying a Judge revolver .. If i could ever convince myself i have a need for a gun like that it would be the S&W model .. But that's not gong to happen anytime soon from what i seen..
So the judge is a solution looking for a problem. agreed. also you should consider slowing down on the snake killing. they are a vital part of the ecosystem. same mentality as cleaning up your shot shells. dont be one of those guys who goes into the snakes home and then yells 'OH MY GOD WHAT IS A SNAKE DOING OUT HERE IN THE WOODS!!!??"
@Kissalude omg a harmless 3 feet boa its could have choked you to death be serious dude unless that snake flew in the air and wrapped it self around your neck its really not gonna do much to you. A boa that size is harmless
I apologize if I have missed this point because I didn't get all the way through part two but I have watched many of your videos and would definitely describe you as an above average shooter with above average confrontation training and experience. So what I am leading up to is that with buckshot in the judge and novice shooter (the majority of people) your point of aim could be off by a few inches on every shot and you could still potentially hit the target where as with a single projectile and same point of aim miss that same target. Essentially providing a larger margin of error for a shooter in a high stress situation whose aim could very easily be off target.
And also increase your chances of a flyer hitting a bystander. He covers the accuracy in the other two videos. It doesn't help your hit chance at all and it's so inconsistent you may hit the wrong target (like his did).
love my circuit judge. wish someone would do a shot comparison between the original judge and circuit judge. I know it will be highly predictable but haven't seen anyone do it
Out of that little revolver I have to agree, 45 Colt is better. However, out of a longer barrel 410 shotgun, those slugs pick up a lot of velocity and have a lot more energy than a 45 Colt.
Okay, I have completed the series. I watched all three in the same sitting. Now what did I learn? I have learned just because a firearm is different(cool) looking, and can chamber three different calibers, one being a shotgun round, doesn't mean it is particularly effective in shooting the different rounds. Although it is versatile, so is the S&W 460 XVR, it can chamber four different rounds and with a moon clip mod., five different rounds. .45 ACP, .45 Scofield, .45 Colt, 454 Casull, 460 S&W, with varying bullet weights and loads in all five rounds. They make a 3" barrel XVR, so one could even argue that the firearms are of similar size, the XVR being slightly heavier. So, what is the take away in all this? If I had $1000.00 to spend on a revolver, it would not be a Taurus Judge, a few $100 cheaper than a Governor or a Governor. It would be a S&W 460. For the reasons I mentioned above..One more thing I would like to add..If you are at the range, shooting a Judge/Governor, someone would actually have to look to see that you were shooting something different or cool..With the 460XVR, they could be minding their own business and they couldn't help but to look your way do to the massive fireball and sound coming from it...I appreciate Paul for the series, on the Judge, Not sure if it was just all the in depth information, or the presentation, or the overall length of all three videos combined, but I no longer desire a Judge or Governor, But I am still out $1000.00 because I bought a S&W 460 XVR, and could not be happier...Even though I usually get stared at, at the range, it is no longer because of my strange looks or odd behavior, it is because of my S&W 460 XVR...EVERYONE REMEMBER TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE! If this series didn't prove to you that Paul Harrel, is a dedicated profession that truly cares about thoroughness, and his Subscribers nothing will..I feel very privileged, that he made three(collectively LONG) videos in bad weather, just so I wouldn't waste my money..Thank You Paul Harrell, if there is ever anything I can do for you, just let me know..I know, quit filling up the comment section of your videos..Okay, I got it..I just thought I should take at least half the time you did making the videos to write a proper comment..Paul Harrell, Two Thumbs Way Up! LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE PEOPLE! Okay, the real reason he did a three part series on this firearm isn't because he wanted to save me money, he just believes the firearm is a waste of hard earned money, when a lesser amount could be spent, and better results..
as a former florida resident i have considered the judge for snakes using bird shot or as a coyote stopper , but i have never really considered much good for anything else.
I will have to contest and say that the 410 slug is better than 45colt in defensive situations, simply because of penitration. I also use the Hornady critical defense 410 in mine. I have shot meat targets and they are simply devastating. I would say that the Hornady critical defense 410 rounds are the best carry ammo for the judge. I would like to see you use them against your meat target and give your legendary opinion/review vs the others please. Thank you for all of your very informative videos.
i have got to say that since i have been watching your videos i have completely changed my ideas of carry guns, useful guns, home protection and the list goes on. i used to be of the thought process that the bigger the gun the bigger the bullet the better the protection. i have since altered my thoughts. my current carry gun is the gsg 1911 .22lr. more than enough i feel for home protection and my shot grouping and time to recover on target is extremely better than it was before. yes more target time with the 45 acp, or the taurus 9mm even the 10mm 1911 would improve this but the .22 anyone in the house could fire, doesnt appear to over penetrate and god forbid i ever actually have to shoot someone the .22lr doesnt make me out to be someone with "something to proove"
Loved the series. This last panic buy I had to really think what didn't I have? I didn't have the new ak/ar hybrid variant and I didn't have a judge. I knew it's wasn't ALL THAT (2016 was already proven not to be) and I certainly wasn't a fanboy. Carry gun, nope! Home defense, could easily work but not my personal home defense choice. I see it more along the lines of the desert eagle. A big boys toy. Fun to shoot regardless of ammo choice. Yeah I've ruined rattlers with it but to be honest my go to snake gun has always been a .22lr revolver. Fanboys will be fanboys. I love all firearms. Give me a hi point I'll have fun till it dies I don't care!
When I lived out in the country, I would load my judge half and half (more or less). Birdshot, .45, birdshot, .45, 410 slug. I figured that would be the best combo between fighting off raccoons and intruders.
In regard to Old West loads from the 1870s, actually they were fairly powerful for handguns. Nowadays, so-called "cowboy loads" used in cowboy action shooting are controversially loaded light for several reasons, such as less recoil for greater speed and less splatter and splashback of lead from shooting close steel targets for greater safety, but the original black powder loads were often charged with 35-40 grains of powder, and often matched or exceeded modern .45 ACP performance. Typical factory standard-pressure .45 Colt loads today fall somewhere between light "cowboy loads" and more powerful black powder Old West loads, and I believe the reason is that with modern smokeless powders it is difficult if not impossible to match the power of a full compressed black powder load while staying under the maximum pressure (and modern "cowboy loads" are, as already mentioned, intentionally loaded extra-light).
The Judge actually does make some sense in Brazil with the recent changes in legislation; anything more powerful than .380 ACP that comes out of a rifled barrel is restricted nowadays, however the same does not apply to smoothbore guns, as long as they're not semiautomatic
My only thought is how does the 410 slug stand against a 45 colt hollow point. Being that you were using jacket bullets out of the 45 colt? I am not trying to argue, I am just looking at it analytically. Did the 45 colt penetrate better? Yes, because what jacketed bullet doesn't? My point being is for defense you would usually use a Hollow point projectile. Looking at the Slug in your hand looks like a hollow point. I know its been over a year, that slug as I look at it about an inch in diameter would you say? Not many other handguns do that. That being said I do agree the accuracy is not as reliable as needed for defensive use and for the record I have not owned a Judge or the Smith and Wesson Governor. I feel they are handguns made as the solution to a problem that doesn't exist.
I would say there are 2 reasons to use 410 instead of 45 colt.: IF you already have a 410 shotgun, or own some slugs already, then you can use them in your Judge. IF you are worried about overpenetration, the slugs delivered the energy much more efficiently to the water jugs by only going through the thickness of a person without flying out the back side. They also didn't penetrate the bricks as well which means your neighbors are slightly safer compared to the 45. However either one will cause massive damage if it hits bones, arteries or nerves. That said, a more traditional 38 or 44 with quality defensive ammo will be nicer to shoot, cheaper, cheaper to shoot and repair, more accurate, and easier to conceal than a Judge.
But Paaaaaaauuullll.....you didn't shoot it while standing on one foot while wearing a tutu and listening to Bjork....and not to mention that it was raining.....you are the best ... love from Canada.
If the Tuarus judge could 🔫⬅shoot 3"inch magnum slugs by Brenneke,this would make the .410 a bit more powerful(1/4 ounce slug propelled even faster)but more costly to shoot Paul.
I’ve shot 3” magnum 1/4 ounce slugs out of mine. Gotta trim the end of the plastic and melt the end down to the slug. Not something I regularly do, but at double the energy of a 45 colt, it’s how I load it for bear country.
Since the governor has the capability to shoot 45 ACP do you feel the same way about it? Or is this simply your perception of the judge and it's a bit of a shoot two calibres?
