Today I ordered me a Taurus Judge 3"

shoots 45 cal bullets or 4-10 shot gun shells

needing it for bear protection when out camping and hiking



http://www.taurususa.com/video-theJudge.cfm

 

Not to out your choice, but I went and looked at several gun shops in the area with full intentions of buying a Taurus "public defender" which just a more compact judge, and every dealer told me that Taurus was notorious for having issues with the alignment of the chamber and barrels of their revolvers. And it was suggested that if I wanted a handgun of that caliber to wait until S&W released their version of the judge which also is capable of shooting .45 ACP along with the other 2 calibers.

With that said, I have just been told that, never seen it in person. I still like the judge and the versatility of having those 2 rounds to shoot. I have shot them and was impressed with the few I have handled on the range.

 

I've seen a few, know a couple guys that have em, but have never shot one...Have also played with the Smith & Wesson Governor (same as the Judge) and the Governor feels better, has a better point of aim & is a S&W....have been told of problems with the Judge indexing cylinders as well as not being very accurate...not to mention the Governor can also shoot 45ACP.....and had a better fit/finish....

Check out this testing..

The Box O' Truth #41 - The Taurus Judge Vs. The Box O' Truth - Page 1

and the S&W version
The New Smith & Wesson Governor - Smith & Wesson

They are a nice little (big) toy, but not a serious self defense weapon, let along something I'd carry in bear country.....

 

I've been wondering, and looking online, about rifling. I haven't found an answer online yet, but maybe you guys know whether it has it or not? If it does, I am curious as to what the shot shells will do to it.

 

I've shot this one a few times, my buddy just picked one up. There is no way to describe the feeling of shooting the 460 rounds. 45 rounds make it feel like a .22. 460 rounds are just incredible. I can't believe the difference.

 

For bear you need a 44 mag or better yet a 454 casull

 

They make a Raging Judge now that shoots 45LC 410 and 454 Casull and has a 6 shot wheel in it. That would be a worthy bear country gun. As for rifling getting fubared by shot shells, the shot sits in a cup and falls away when it leaves the muzzle.

I have 2 friends with Judges. One is a public defender2" and the other is a 4" they have nothing but praise for them......

 

My buddy is looking at 44s for a backcountry/bear protection gun. We go up in the mountains quite a bit to go wheelin' and theres been lots of bear activity this year with 1 attack already just a couple weeks ago.

He really wants a S&W 500 but can't afford one right now. He's looking at the Taurus Raging Bull and Tracker models.

 

If you're riding an ATV, I don't think bears are going to get near you

 

I've shot many of brand of shotgun shells, and have seen few that that a "cup". The plastic wad is very common, but not so much on the cup. I guess if one only bought shotgun shells that have said cup, all would be good.