Taurus and the Judge Home Defender

[chicharrones]

Taurus recently released a big ol' handgun at 19.5" long, 13" barrel, and 3.7 lbs.

Taurus Judge Home Defender - 45 Colt / 410 Bore

More than just a shotgun, the Home Defender expands on the Judge versatility with a 13" barrel, top rail for optics, & a forward rail for lights & laser sights.

www.taurususa.com

I suppose this is a better solution than the Rossi Brawler?

Just don't get your arm above the cylinder blast shields when firing.

Taurus Judge Home Defender Range Review at KYGUNCO

Introducing the Judge Home Defender! A Game-Changing Firearm Set to Redefine Industry Standards and Provide Ultimate Defense@taurusfirearms a leading innovat...

youtu.be

 

[Oninotaki]

As someone who really likes .410 buckshot in a revolver as a home defense load, I appreciate that they are putting out more options chambered in it. However I really don't like heavy "pistols" like this and would prefer a full size shotgun, or a smaller pistol. Especially since the capacity is only 5.

In this form factor I believe you would be better suited by a Henry axe with a pic. rail.

I think I will continue to stick to my Eternal Rev. 410. and S&W Governor combo for bedside/home defense

RVL .410 Revolver Shotgun - Eternal Arms

Itis an oldie but a goldie !! Although it is a classic revolver shotgun , it can still be impressive.Made in .410 cal with 5 round capacity, single/double action trigger, ability to have various of loads and sizes for higher satisfaction. Compatible with 2,5″ and 3″ chambering. Good quality...

eternalarms.com.tr

Here is mine set up for HD. If I wanted to be aggressive about it I could probably chop a tad under 6" off the barrel, and an inch or 2 of the stock and still be legal.

 

[lee n. field]

SBR that sucker.

 

[Oninotaki]

SBR that sucker.

If you are gonna sbr something, sbr a Henry axe.

 

[WestKentucky]

I would greatly prefer the brawler. A fully enclosed chamber and barrel seems more fitting for anything capable of firing shotgun ammo. Don’t care for the judge in general for that purpose, nevermind the ridiculous barrel and forended variety.

In either case, they seem generally inferior to a 357 revolver for home defense. The revolver seems abnormally wonky for hunting purposes, but the brawler seems like a purpose built turkey reaper, snake stopper, and general use firearm tool.

 

[chicharrones]

I would greatly prefer the brawler. A fully enclosed chamber and barrel seems more fitting for anything capable of firing shotgun ammo. Don’t care for the judge in general for that purpose, nevermind the ridiculous barrel and forended variety.

In either case, they seem generally inferior to a 357 revolver for home defense. The revolver seems abnormally wonky for hunting purposes, but the brawler seems like a purpose built turkey reaper, snake stopper, and general use firearm tool.

I'd bet that the new Taurus is not intended as a general use firearm tool, considering the name "Home Defender" and the design of it. The name is pretty clear cut for the intended use, as opposed to some other firearm names out there.

 

[chicharrones]

If you are gonna sbr something, sbr a Henry axe.

Indeed, because levering a lever gun without the stock planted into the shoulder is awkward in comparison.

 

[Pat Riot]

A video on this gun I saw on another

https://youtu.be/af-qyZYYyhw

 

[WestKentucky]

I'd bet that the new Taurus is not intended as a general use firearm tool, considering the name "Home Defender" and the design of it. The name is pretty clear cut for the intended use, as opposed to some other firearm names out there.

I can’t disagree with the naming portion of that. I don’t see any use for the handguard though, and truthfully all that the long barrel is gonna do as a defensive gun for a “home defender” role is to give an intruder a little bit bigger area to grab the thing and snatch it away from the intrudee. Slightly better in terms of projectile speed in no way shape or form overcomes the decrease in maneuverability or the easier means by which the gun can be taken away.

Now, add in the modern SBR it craze (even though it’s a shotgun by design but with chambering and rifling to allow a .45 colt to have poor performance just to get around NFA) and you suddenly have an even goofier critter that is longer still so even more unwieldy. At that point it approaches or even surpasses the length of a PGO pump gun which is available and recoil is manageable in much more potent and plentiful ammunition varieties. Easy to take away in a ftf fight, too long to maneuver in tight space, still can’t really hold it properly due to blast on the arm, and in that ever so powerful .410 chambering. It’s not getting any votes of confidence from me for it’s named role.

Aside from bump in the night duty, I can see it being a fair candidate for a toolbox gun for targets of opportunity such as possum, raccoon, snake, stray chupacabra… but in that event you probably only need 1 shot, you want a cheaper beater gun, and with a sealed chamber your not going to gas cut yourself on the arm when you do take the shot. Brawler wins my vote hands down…. Or hands still attached and not bloody such as the case may be.

 

[PapaG]

One more answer to a question/problem unasked/unidentified.
So many guns better able to defend than a compromise shot pistol.

 

[eddiememphis]

Another gun that falls into the "complete garbage-I want one" category.

The tactical- self defense- gamer crowd will hate it.

Everyone that likes to shoot fun, junk, nonsense guns will absolutely enjoy shooting it and probably want one for the novelty.

Not every gun or it's shooter needs laser focused in it's intensity.

Sometimes it's fun to have fun.

 

[InTheSwamp]

58.60 Oz blow to the head comes in handy should it ever malfunction...just saying.

I stick to my 17.5

 

[Pat Riot]

What really baffles me is all these companies making .410 firing handguns and long guns but ammo is scarce. You’d think someone would say “Hey, since we are making this gun let’s get some ammo companies on board with making ammo for them.”
I bit on the .410 for Turkey hunting craze this year. Bought a Savage 301 “turkey” gun. I couldn’t find ammo for it and what I did find ran $6-$8 per round.
I have looked at the Judge and S&W’s Governor. It would be fun to buy a Governor to play with but a grand for fun gun? No thanks. At least the Taurus guns are more reasonably priced, but 5 shots vs 6? If Taurus would make the Judge a .410, .45 Colt .45 ACP firing revolver then I might consider one. It would be a fun gun to take to the range. Could also be a good extra gun to stash in a drawer somewhere in the house “Just In Case”.
Even then I don’t think I would have any interest in the “Home Defender” though…unless I was defending the home from marauding squirrels.

 

[chicharrones]

I can’t disagree with the naming portion of that. I don’t see any use for the handguard though, and truthfully all that the long barrel is gonna do as a defensive gun for a “home defender” role is to give an intruder a little bit bigger area to grab the thing and snatch it away from the intrudee. Slightly better in terms of projectile speed in no way shape or form overcomes the decrease in maneuverability or the easier means by which the gun can be taken away.

Now, add in the modern SBR it craze (even though it’s a shotgun by design but with chambering and rifling to allow a .45 colt to have poor performance just to get around NFA) and you suddenly have an even goofier critter that is longer still so even more unwieldy. At that point it approaches or even surpasses the length of a PGO pump gun which is available and recoil is manageable in much more potent and plentiful ammunition varieties. Easy to take away in a ftf fight, too long to maneuver in tight space, still can’t really hold it properly due to blast on the arm, and in that ever so powerful .410 chambering. It’s not getting any votes of confidence from me for it’s named role.

So this 19.5” Taurus handgun is shorter than a 26” pistol grip shotgun. Yep, true enough.

I can’t defend the Taurus for not having full coverage cylinder blast shields, which lazy Taurus should provide.

I think I remember another revolver carbine maker years ago that provided full coverage blast shields. Maybe Alfa Proj or something similar.

Anyway, the 19.5” length isn’t objectionable to me considering my primary home defense gun is a 29” long PCC.

 

[Tallball]

Maybe it fills a niche in Brazil? If so, they might as well also ship some over here and see if they sell.

 

[Oninotaki]

Indeed, because levering a lever gun without the stock planted into the shoulder is awkward in comparison.

Agreed, and once you have that stock on it you have a better platform where you don't have to worry about hand placement in front of the cylinder.

Honestly I kinda want to put a vertical foregrip at like a 7oclock position and a few inches in front of the cylinder on this model Taurus. Get the hand as far away from the cylinder gap as possible while still providing a good handle on the front end.

Hmmm this dumb idea might work on my rev .410 as well. Gonna have to look further into this.........

 

[GEM]

Not a realistic home defense gun except that it is a gun that shoots. The idea that it is a mini shotgun with abilities far beyond many standard guns has faded over time with the Judges and
Governors. A decent standard handgun or shotgun - why bother with this? I do support buying the just because gun but it wouldn't be the one to pick up in an emergency.

 

[chicharrones]

I'd like someone to fund me for some experimentation and practice.

Those funds would allow the purchase of a Judge Home Defender, creation and installation of better blast shields, a quality green laser to mount to the bottom of the forend, and an ample supply of ammo. Plus, make it DAO by cutting the hammer spur and removing the single action notch on the hammer.

I'd want to see if that combo would make for a reasonable "below line of sight" gun for close ranges like an apartment dweller would have. Not that I live in an apartment anymore, but it sure would be interesting to try out the scenario.

 

[TTv2]

I was disappointed, baffled actually when Taurus released this on Friday. A dumb idea that looks like a modern version of the Cobray Ladies Home Companion.

Then I thought about the Serbu Super Shorty and realized that this Judge HD is better than that, much more simple to operate for a person under stress.

This is obviously not a gun meant to be aimed or carried, it's a bedside gun you point from 15 feet away, maybe you use a laser, and you just pull the trigger.

I would rather have the Rossi Circuit Judge. Maybe some people don't want a stock on that and want this. Different strokes, but I'm not spending money on this.

 

[WestKentucky]

I'd like someone to fund me for some experimentation and practice.

Those funds would allow the purchase of a Judge Home Defender, creation and installation of better blast shields, a quality green laser to mount to the bottom of the forend, and an ample supply of ammo. Plus, make it DAO by cutting the hammer spur and removing the single action notch on the hammer.

I'd want to see if that combo would make for a reasonable "below line of sight" gun for close ranges like an apartment dweller would have. Not that I live in an apartment anymore, but it sure would be interesting to try out the scenario.

The hitch in that giddyup is the ammo. Nobody around here has .410 for less than $1 a shell, and that’s just squirrel loads.

 

[jstert]

if taurus were to offer the plain-jane judge in cheaper 45acp i could be in.

a taurus judge 410/45lc was my rural n.e. cousin’s first firearm. his choice wasn’t based on my advice but he was happy and it was his ccw for awhile (he is a large fellow). at least it became his “gateway firearm” to an fn 45acp pistol and now others, so the judge ultimately served a very essential purpose.

 

[mcb]

if taurus were to offer the plain-jane judge in cheaper 45acp i would be in.

In theory if you had a Judge machined for moonclips you could use 455 Tracker 45 ACP moonclips to shoot 45 ACP, 45 Colt and 410 in a Judge I believe the 455 uses the same chamber spacing as the Judge but you would want to confirm that before doing it. A email to TK Custom would probably answer that question.

 

[defjon]

So this 19.5” Taurus handgun is shorter than a 26” pistol grip shotgun. Yep, true enough.

I can’t defend the Taurus for not having full coverage cylinder blast shields, which lazy Taurus should provide.

I think I remember another revolver carbine maker years ago that provided full coverage blast shields. Maybe Alfa Proj or something similar.

Anyway, the 19.5” length isn’t objectionable to me considering my primary home defense gun is a 29” long PCC.

I'm reading an article about it and found this:

The Home Defender differs from other Judge models in its incorporation of a 13" barrel and a fore-end assembly. The fore-end is designed to be used by the support hand. To this end, the Home Defender has a “blast shield,” a steel extension that surrounds the lower edge of the front of the cylinder to contain the gases that escape from the cylinder gap when the revolver is fired, a feature borrowed from the Rossi Circuit Judge

 

[defjon]

I would definitely like a stock. Thr circuit judge seems like a better concept.

That said, 13 inch barrel will do a lot for some loads. I bet the Hornady 410 will really open up that 41 cal slug ..and you get two spare buck shot rounds per trigger pull.

Many folk like a 45 colt carbine, this would get that round more velocity. Taurus says 60% more.

It doesn't come with sights? It's heavy with a wrist breaker weight distribution so they put a fore end on it and I guess you could hang a light or a Lazer and a red dot...but somehow I don't see that crowd going for a 5 shot long barrel 410 revolver.

 

[defjon]

I guess bottom line, like the thunder struck, its cool to see risk taken and innovative ideas.

They won't all be winners. But, everything needn't be a polymer striker fire.

If I could wrangle one for 2 or 3 hundred, maybe I wouldn't kick it outta bed. Looks like a fun space cowboy weapon.

Shiny!