I have some Taurus Judge questions

[TTv2]

First off, if you want to bash how dumb the Judge is, keep moving, this isn't the thread for you. I want to focus on what is gained or lost using s longer barrel Judge.

So, I have the Public Defender, it's fine, but the short barrel leaves something to be desired. I like shooting .45 Colt, I'd like a longer barreled double action tho and one that's affordable.

Lately I've been considering the 6.5 inch Judge, would add a lot of sight radius and some velocity. At that barrel length Taurus offers both the standard cylinder for 2.5 inch .410 or longer cylinder 3 inch .410 option.

Question 1: How much more velocity does the 6.5" barrel give and does shooting at distance improve due to the sight radius?

Question 2: is 3 inch .410 better than 2.5 from a Judge?

I would prefer adjustable sights with that barrel length, but Taurus keeps the sights the same across all Judges.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have no experience with the Judge. I considered an S&W Governor for a while, but costs have exceeded what I am willing to pay. I am interested in any feedback you will get regarding the judge.
Regarding increased velocities in the 6.5” vs a 3” barrel I would estimate you’d get about 100-150 FPS.
For me a longer barrel / sight radius improves my accuracy, but a decent trigger pull also helps regardless of barrel length.

 

[TTv2]

I have no experience with the Judge. I considered an S&W Governor for a while, but costs have exceeded what I am willing to pay. I am interested in any feedback you will get regarding the judge.
Regarding increased velocities in the 6.5” vs a 3” barrel I would estimate you’d get about 100-150 FPS.
For me a longer barrel / sight radius improves my accuracy, but a decent trigger pull also helps regardless of barrel length.

I can say that the Judge PD I have has a nice trigger. A longer grip would help tho and all the non PD Judges have that.

 

[Pat Riot]

I can say that the Judge PD I have has a nice trigger. A longer grip would help tho and all the non PD Judges have that.

I wasn’t sure what “PD” meant so I went to look at the Taurus website and realized it was Personal Defense. I thought was a model designation. EDIT: It is a model designation

Anyway, while looking at the site I discovered their new 6 shot versions of the Judge series. The 3” version would be good medicine for Copperheads while fishing or hiking. Having 6 shots was why I was looking at the Governor.

Raging Judge 513

www.taurususa.com

 

[TTv2]

I wasn’t sure what “PD” meant so I went to look at the Taurus website and realized it was Personal Defense. I thought was a model designation.

Anyway, while looking at the site I discovered their new 6 shot versions of the Judge series. The 3” version would be good medicine for Copperheads while fishing or hiking. Having 6 shots was why I was looking at the Governor.

Raging Judge 513

www.taurususa.com

PD=Public Defender

 

[Pat Riot]

PD=Public Defender

I just saw that on the website. Duh!
I was coming back to fix it when I saw that you responded. Thank you.

 

[defjon]

I know the 3 inch 410 shells are a pretty good upgrade. The only shotshell I'd consider for protection is the federal 410 handgun buckshot.

 

[film495]

you'll get a significant velocity uptick with a 6" barrel vs. 3", but in that cartrdige do you need that? the downside is they you'd have to carry the larger barrel around, but if it is a drawer gun, or something that isn't going to be carried concealed, why would you not get the longer barrel? The only reason IMHO for a shorter barrel is to make it easier to carry, up to a point. You'll see revolver barrels commonly go up to about 6" and longer than that is getting into niche target stuff from what I've seen. I've fired a friends Judge, and honestly - I would not want to shoot one much, recoil heavy and difficult to shoot quickly. More power is what people often think about, but - you have to be able to shoot the thing quickly and accurately, so - after a point more power is not really beneficial to self defense. then if you're not carrying it - and it is a drawer gun, just put a rifle in your closet if you want significant power, all pistols are kind of limited in that regard.

 

[HB]

you'll get a significant velocity uptick with a 6" barrel vs. 3"

6.5” vs a 3” barrel I would estimate you’d get about 100-150 FPS

I have never shot a Judge over a chrono but I would wager they shoot slower than something like a Blackhawk or Redhawk in the same barrel length.

If you want a 6” .45, I’d get a SAA clone or a Blackhawk or the various S&W double actions. I think the short barrel judge would be better suited to a “snake pistol” for a variety of reasons. Personally, a hoe has been my weapon of choice lol

 

[Pat Riot]

I have never shot a Judge over a chrono but I would wager they shoot slower than something like a Blackhawk or Redhawk in the same barrel length.

If you want a 6” .45, I’d get a SAA clone or a Blackhawk or the various S&W double actions. I think the short barrel judge would be better suited to a “snake pistol” for a variety of reasons. Personally, a hoe has been my weapon of choice lol

What type of holster do you use for your hoe?

 

[TTv2]

I have never shot a Judge over a chrono but I would wager they shoot slower than something like a Blackhawk or Redhawk in the same barrel length.

If you want a 6” .45, I’d get a SAA clone or a Blackhawk or the various S&W double actions. I think the short barrel judge would be better suited to a “snake pistol” for a variety of reasons. Personally, a hoe has been my weapon of choice lol

S&W DA .45's are $$$$$. Like, double what the Judge is and also heavy.

 

[HB]

What type of holster do you use for your hoe?

For what it’s worth, if they aren't around the house I don’t bother. It is hard to ID them unless they are dead.

I guess this might be out of my wheelhouse. A fix sight 12 1/2” long 2# .45 colt does not appeal to me.

 

[eddiememphis]

It seems like the 1 inch jump from a .45 colt case to the forcing cone would lead to inaccuracy.

I appreciate the novelty of it but like everything in life, it is a compromise.

I bought a used Blackhawk for $450 and it is a tack driver. If you are looking for accuracy above versatility, there are better options.

 

[TTv2]

It seems like the 1 inch jump from a .45 colt case to the forcing cone would lead to inaccuracy.

I appreciate the novelty of it but like everything in life, it is a compromise.

I bought a used Blackhawk for $450 and it is a tack driver. If you are looking for accuracy above versatility, there are better options.

I'm not asking about accuracy between the Judge and other revolvers, I'm asking about accuracy and performance between a long barrel Judge and a short barrel, one with an extra half inch of jump in the chamber.

I do agree with others that the shorter barrel makes more sense as it's easier to carry and at short distances the accuracy is irrelevant. That said, I've gotten pretty good at 15 to 20 yards with the short barrel Judge, but past that it's not capable and I have to belive that the short barrel, sight radius, and shallow rifling all combine to create that issue.

As to why a 6 inch Judge interests me and not a S&W or Ruger is cost.

 

[Shodan]

Consider the Judge TORO to eliminate the sight radius concern.

 

[TTv2]

Consider the Judge TORO to eliminate the sight radius concern.

I have thought about that, but I gain nothing from the inch longer barrel while the 6.5 inch barrel I believe overcomes some of the issues with the shallow rifling as it gives the bullet and gases more time.

Inconsistent unburned powder is a recipe for inconsistent performance.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Understand why you're asking, but I have to point out the donut hole shot pattern from a Judge; tried out a Governor, and found the rifling swirled the shot charge. It really didn't give me any range advantage over a 2" Centennial with snakeshot.
More sight radius is bound to help, and it should help velocity.
Moon

 

[Quanah]

Some chrono data, patterns and load development etc for the Public Defender.

Taurus Public Defender 45 Colt/410 Snubnose Revolver, with 45 ACP Modification and Specialty Load Development | The Sixgun Journal

 

[TTv2]

Understand why you're asking, but I have to point out the donut hole shot pattern from a Judge; tried out a Governor, and found the rifling swirled the shot charge. It really didn't give me any range advantage over a 2" Centennial with snakeshot.
More sight radius is bound to help, and it should help velocity.
Moon

Years ago when I was thinking about which Judge to get I considered what the 3 inch .410 offered and it's more shot and one more pellet of 000 Buck. IDK what more shot can do when it's being spun like it is, but the extra pellet of 000 would not be a waste, however going from 4 to 5 pellets didn't impress me enough to say it was better than the Public Defender.

That was when I was trying to choose between all the Judge revolvers, this time I'm trying to choose between only the 6 inch Judge and I have the choice between 2.5 and 3 inch. The pros and cons are the 3 inch will weigh more and reduce recoil, good for use as a farm and home gun or a range toy, but not for carrying.

 

[drobs]

At the longer Judge Barrel Lengths, I would be tempted to try a 410 Mossberg Shockwave. Figure it will pattern better not being rifled.