Taurus "The Judge" poly
10-24-2015, 04:52 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Wilmington,NC
Posts: 1
Taurus "The Judge" poly
Just got the Judge. Anyone got any reviews on it. I haven't shot it yet. I'm planning on heading to the range in a few days. Got a box of 410's and .45's. Any input on this model or good mods would be great!!
10-24-2015, 05:06 AM
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: south eastern PA
Posts: 14,714
I think they are a novelty, not a gun to hunt with and too big to carry for self defense and uglier than a mud fence. I know a couple of guys who bought one, they didn't keep them long.
Last edited by Oldtimr; 10-24-2015 at 05:09 AM.
10-24-2015, 07:29 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,872
You'll have to buy the right ammo for the Judge. Standard .410 shells aren't charged properly for such a short barrel, so power at the business end is pathetic. With the right loads, it's a reasonable choice for a nightstand gun or snake smoker, as the spreads at 20ft are just right for what a guy needs - big enough to hit the target in a hurry without precision aiming, but small enough to effectively kill what you hit.
I have one in magnum, and my MIL has a standard. If a buyer has the right expectations, it's a reasonable purchase. The .45colt and .454c aren't the most accurate, but at normal ranges where any short barreled revolver would be effective, it's plenty accurate. But I didn't buy mine to shoot 454 or 45. They're not completely useless for accuracy - 4" at 50yrds is pretty typical for mine, but I don't try for precision very often. They aren't in the same class as a standard length cylinder model.
If it's a nightstand gun or otherwise defensive gun, then a proper action job, lengthened throat, and night sights and it'll do what it needs to do. It won't be concealable, but for a nightstand guns, I can think of worse choices.
I have one in magnum, and my MIL has a standard. If a buyer has the right expectations, it's a reasonable purchase. The .45colt and .454c aren't the most accurate, but at normal ranges where any short barreled revolver would be effective, it's plenty accurate. But I didn't buy mine to shoot 454 or 45. They're not completely useless for accuracy - 4" at 50yrds is pretty typical for mine, but I don't try for precision very often. They aren't in the same class as a standard length cylinder model.
If it's a nightstand gun or otherwise defensive gun, then a proper action job, lengthened throat, and night sights and it'll do what it needs to do. It won't be concealable, but for a nightstand guns, I can think of worse choices.
Last edited by Nomercy448; 10-24-2015 at 09:08 AM.
10-24-2015, 09:13 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,872
Just noticed that this is about the poly version....
Why make a revolver out of poly? Only real reason is to lighten it for carry. The Judge isn't a concealable piece, except for in the depths of winter under a coat, it's just plain too big and bulky. So as a belt carry piece, sure, it's lighter than a steel version. I don't know that the poly version appeals to me at all - and I DO have poly pistols and revolvers - but the poly judge is trying to be something it's not.
The upside is that it doesn't have the short sight radius that cripples most snubby revolvers. But on the other hand, it's a really long piece for a snubby - my Judge isn't much shorter than my 5.5" Toklat, but it doesn't have nearly as much barrel.
Why make a revolver out of poly? Only real reason is to lighten it for carry. The Judge isn't a concealable piece, except for in the depths of winter under a coat, it's just plain too big and bulky. So as a belt carry piece, sure, it's lighter than a steel version. I don't know that the poly version appeals to me at all - and I DO have poly pistols and revolvers - but the poly judge is trying to be something it's not.
The upside is that it doesn't have the short sight radius that cripples most snubby revolvers. But on the other hand, it's a really long piece for a snubby - my Judge isn't much shorter than my 5.5" Toklat, but it doesn't have nearly as much barrel.
10-24-2015, 03:38 PM
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Indiana county, Pa
Posts: 638
I won a stainless one at a gun bash about a year ago. didn't like the looks of it and used it as a trade in for a ruger Blackhawk in 41 mag. cant understand why this gun is even made. too small for the caliber of 45 colt or the 410 shotgun shell. never shot it and didn't want to.
10-24-2015, 04:59 PM
#6
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,713
Originally Posted by Mr. Slim
I won a stainless one at a gun bash about a year ago. didn't like the looks of it and used it as a trade in for a ruger Blackhawk in 41 mag. cant understand why this gun is even made. too small for the caliber of 45 colt or the 410 shotgun shell. never shot it and didn't want to.
Last edited by bronko22000; 10-24-2015 at 05:02 PM.
10-24-2015, 07:55 PM
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: West TN
Posts: 847
I wonder how many that badmouth them, actually own one? I've had one for over 5yrs. (2.5"chamber, blued) It's more than accurate enough to kill deer at "bow ranges" with proper 45 loads. Full of buckshot & I would bet I can stop ANY threat from night prowlers at "living room distances". I found thru extensive testing on my west TN swamp/River bottom farm, that #6 loads are THE BEST for snakes! Logically 9s & 7s should do better with higher pellet counts but testing found that NOT to be the case. 9s scatter everywhere & wide. 7s were high & off to one side. The 6s are spot on & have rolled up THOUSANDS of cottonheaded-rattlecondas in my swamps. It's standard gear on my place from April-Oct!
Sure they aren't THE best in any one particular segment but I dare anyone to come up with a more "widely adaptable" handgun!
Sure they aren't THE best in any one particular segment but I dare anyone to come up with a more "widely adaptable" handgun!
