The Judge

[nailer]

I've heard it's fun to shoot, but is it a good self defense gun for trail and woods carry?

[mrnyman]

With the right ammo it is.
Also there are several variations of the JUdge now, stick with the original ones for best woods results.

And test with the ammo that you will use for best patterning.

Mine makes a 10 inch pattern at 12 ft. away with Remington #8 shotshells , perfect for Snakes and other naSTIES

[rwb1500]

I've heard it's fun to shoot, but is it a good self defense gun for trail and woods carry?

I guess I depends on what you worry about in the woods. If small rodents worry you it's a great gun. For 2 legged predators I'd stick with .45 colt rounds and not mess with shot shells.

[ChamberedRound]

Take a look at the Box 'O Truth review of the Taurus Judge. The conclusion there is basically that .410 00-buck out of a pistol/revolver barrel is not a great self-defense weapon.

A Judge with a progressive or alternating loading of 00-buck and a 6 or 8 shot would make a great brush gun, and a really good anti-carjacking gun, as it's great at extremely short distances (around 2-3 yards). But for self-defense, there are better alternatives.

[PisnNapalm]

I enjoy shooting mine. Its just plain fun.

[shortthrow50]

use .410 slugs and itll be good defense gun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ORlYmHtx78

[Yoder]

.410 slugs are over rated, especially in such a short barrel. Look up the ballistics. This gun is more for entertainment value than anything. It's freakin huge. You might as well buy a .44 mag, that is definitely a good self defense round.

I think it would be good for snakes, squirrels and rabbits. Probably fun to shoot clays with but other than that I wouldn't waste my money.

[rwb1500]

A Judge with a progressive or alternating loading of 00-buck and a 6 or 8 shot would make a great brush gun, and a really good anti-carjacking gun, as it's great at extremely short distances (around 2-3 yards). But for self-defense, there are better alternatives.

I do like the car jacking angle, but it's hardly a versatile gun.

I have to agree with Pissinnapalm though, I've thought about buying one for fun, slinging shot shells out of a little revolver has to be fun.

But for practical self defense it's a HUGE .45 colt revolver as far as I'm concerned.

[JoeyBones]

.410 slugs are over rated, especially in such a short barrel. Look up the ballistics. This gun is more for entertainment value than anything. It's freakin huge. You might as well buy a .44 mag, that is definitely a good self defense round.

I think it would be good for snakes, squirrels and rabbits. Probably fun to shoot clays with but other than that I wouldn't waste my money.

I agree with this assessment.

IMO, the Judge (and all its variants) are gimmick guns, for the most part.

There are literally dozens of other designs/calibers/brand combinations I would choose before I opted for a Judge for a SD weapon.

Regards,

Bones

[39flathead]

I think the Judge would have fit in nicely on the set of Dusk Til Dawn, right along with all of the other comical weapons.

Seriously, like the others have said, what reason is there for that weapon other than what some consider the cool factor of it?
I see no real world advantage to owning one of them that cannot be acheived with another weapon.