Taurus Judge
A decade ago, Taurus broke barriers with the introduction of the “Judge.” Since its arrival, this merging of centerfire pistol cartridges, and .410 shotgun shells in a single, five-round revolver has revolutionized the world of self-defense handguns. Now available in a wide array of 14 different models, the Judge has lived up to its reputation as a viable, high-powered revolver, able to compete well against semi-automatic pistols.
The Judge earned its name in crime-infested Miami, Florida when the revolver became popular as a self-defense handgun for judges working in high-crime areas, where gang retribution was a commonplace occurrence after gang members were sentenced. Originally introduced as the 4410, its model number was changed to 4510 to reflect the two styles of ammunition it can chamber, 45 for the .45 Long Colt cartridge, and 10 for the .410 shotgun shell.
It was released in 2006 when Taurus executive vice-president Bob Morrison learned of its popularity with Florida judges.
Shallow rifling allows the Judge to spin .45 Long Colt cartridges, while still firing .410 shotgun shells. The lower grooves in the rifling are not affected by the shotgun shells as a result. This Taurus revolver isn’t regarded as a target piece, but instead an excellent close-range personal defense weapon that can deliver a lot of power from a small platform.
It is legal in 49 states. As you might guess, it is illegal in California since they consider it the equivalent of a sawed-off shotgun, which violates state statutes. In the other 49 states, it does not qualify as a short-barreled, or sawed-off shotgun under the National Firearms Act of 1934.
If you’re looking for something a little different in a handgun, the Judge might just fill the bill with its unique combination of high-powered performance.
The Judge, a high-powered combination revolver from a world-renowned producer
Taurus took a bold step in designing this revolver back in 2006. It has become one of the top-selling personal defense handguns in the world, combining the power of a .45 Long Colt bullet, with the blasting capability of a shotgun, all the while held in one hand. The basic configuration of the Judge is as follows:
The Judge Basic Configuration
|
|
Price:$429-$859
Available Models
|
Taurus Judge Models and Variations
Taurus Judge 3” .45/.410 Black Oxide
The original Judge, this 3” revolver opened to a wildly enthusiastic market back in 2006 when it was first introduced. The oldest, and still the highest seller in the Taurus Judge inventory this basic five-round revolver gets the job done in a variety of situations.
It is available in a Black Oxide finish as well as a stainless-steel configuration. The choice is yours aesthetically, but the stainless-steel version is more attuned to wetter, more humid usage where moisture, especially near saltwater is a concern.
Taurus Judge 3” .45/.410 Black Oxide:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Ammunition: | .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge |
| Action: | Double |
| Capacity: | 5 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 3 inches |
| Overall length: | 9.5 inches |
| Weight: | 29 ounces (empty) |
| Grip width: | 1.5 inches |
| Height: | 5.1 inches |
| Finish: | Black Oxide / Stainless steel |
| Grooves: | 6 |
| Twist: | 1:12.14 inch right hand |
Popular variations:
- Taurus Judge 45 (Long) Colt/410 3in Black Revolver - 5 Rounds
- Taurus Judge Engraved 45 (Long) Colt/410 3in Black Revolver - 5 Rounds
Taurus Judge Magnum 3” .45 / .410
In the world of firearms, whether a long gun or a revolver, added weight means lower recoil. It’s not a complex equation in terms of shock to the shooter’s hand, but it is something to weigh when considering a handgun. The Taurus Judge Magnum is a heavy revolver in the 3” version, tipping the scales at 37 ounces. If you have trouble with the heft of this revolver it may impede your ability to shoot it effectively, but if you’re more concerned with recoil, this might be the version of the judge best suited for you.
Taurus Judge Magnum 3” .45 / .410:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Ammunition: | .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge |
| Action: | Double |
| Capacity: | 5 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 3 inches |
| Overall length: | 9.5 inches |
| Weight: | 37 ounces (empty) |
| Grip width: | 1.5 inches |
| Height: | 5.1 inches |
| Finish: | Black Oxide / Stainless steel |
| Grooves: | 6 |
| Twist: | 1:12.14 inch right hand |
Popular variations:
Taurus Judge Magnum 6.5 inch .45 / .410
Tipping the scales at three pounds empty, this is a formidable handgun. The sight of this solid piece of steel firepower is enough to thwart many would-be attackers, but it comes with a caveat in terms of usage. If you’re not comfortable with a large, heavy handgun, the 6.5-inch version of the Judge Magnum might be a bit out of bounds for you.
The extra barrel length enhances accuracy, and the added 48-ounce weight reduces recoil simultaneously creating perhaps the most accurate of the Taurus line.
Taurus Judge Magnum 6.5 inch .45 / .410:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Ammunition: | .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge |
| Action: | Double |
| Capacity: | 5 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 6.5 inches |
| Overall length: | 12.5 inches |
| Weight: | 48 ounces (empty) |
| Grip width: | 1.5 inches |
| Height: | 5.1 inches |
| Finish: | Black Oxide / Stainless steel |
| Grooves: | 6 |
| Twist: | 1:12.14 inch right hand |
Popular variations:
Taurus Judge Public Defender 2 inch .45 / .410
The snub-nosed version of the popular Judge, this model is a concealed carry nightmare for a potential attacker. The smallest barrel length in a judge, it still delivers the same .45 Long Colt and .410 gauge shotgun power of the other models, albeit in a much smaller package.
Purely a self-defense weapon, you won’t win any long-distance shooting contests with this version, but it is easy to use at close range and deadly effective.
Taurus Judge Public Defender 2 inch .45 / .410:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Ammunition: | .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge |
| Action: | Double |
| Capacity: | 5 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 2 inches |
| Overall length: | 7.75 inches |
| Weight: | 28 ounces (empty) |
| Grip width: | 1.5 inches |
| Height: | 4.3 inches |
| Finish: | Black Oxide / Stainless steel |
| Grooves: | 6 |
| Twist: | 1:12.14 inch right hand |
Browse: Taurus Judge Public Defender revolvers
Taurus Judge Public Defender Poly 2.5” .45/.410 Black Polymer
The Black Polymer finish is the obvious difference between this model and the other versions of the Judge, but the 2.5-inch barrel length is a change as well. A lightweight, high-powered revolver this is a great personal defense weapon with a durable coating making it suitable for all climates.
At 27 ounces it is a small revolver that will deliver a strong recoil, especially when firing .410 gauge shotgun shells.
Taurus Judge Public Defender Poly 2.5” .45/.410 Black Polymer:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Ammunition: | .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge |
| Action: | Double |
| Capacity: | 5 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 2.5 inches |
| Overall length: | 7.65 inches |
| Weight: | 27 ounces (empty) |
| Grip width: | 1.5 inches |
| Height: | 4.8 inches |
| Finish: | Black Oxide / Stainless steel |
| Grooves: | 6 |
| Twist: | 1:12.14 inch right hand |
Raging Judge 513 3” .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge / .454 Casull
The .454 Casull cartridge is one of the most powerful handgun rounds you can find. The .454 Casull delivers a whopping 2000 foot-pounds of energy, almost five times the power generated by the .45 Long Colt it can share a chamber with in this model.
The Judge 513 chambers six rounds and weighs a substantial 61 ounces, making it heavier than an ordinary handgun, and a means of compensating for the high recoil of the .454 Casull cartridge.
Raging Judge 513 3” .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge / .454 Casull:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Ammunition: | .45 Long Colt / .454 Casull / .410 gauge |
| Action: | Double |
| Capacity: | 6 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 3 inches |
| Overall length: | 10.2 inches |
| Weight: | 61 ounces (empty) |
| Grip width: | 1.9 inches |
| Height: | 6.5 inches |
| Finish: | Black Oxide / Stainless steel |
| Grooves: | 6 |
| Twist: | 1:12.14 inch right hand |
Browse: Taurus Raging Judge Revolvers
Raging Judge 513 6.5” .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge / .454 Casull
In the old west, they had handguns referred to as “heavy revolvers” that fired the same .45 Long Colt round of the Taurus Judge. Taurus has added new meaning to that phrase with a revolver tipping the scales at 73 ounces, a heavy handgun by any standard.
The 6.5” version of the Raging Judge offers the tremendous power of the .454 Casull cartridge with the traditional .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge shotgun configuration of the other models of the Judge. The extra barrel length lends itself to longer-range shooting and is a favorite for protection from not only human attackers but as a defense against bear attacks in Canada, Alaska, and the Rocky Mountains.
Raging Judge 513 6.5” .45 Long Colt / .410 gauge / .454 Casull:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Ammunition: | .45 Long Colt / .454 Casull / .410 gauge |
| Action: | Double |
| Capacity: | 6 rounds |
| Barrel length: | 6.5 inches |
| Overall length: | 14.1 inches |
| Weight: | 73 ounces (empty) |
| Grip width: | 1.9 inches |
| Height: | 6.5 inches |
| Finish: | Black Oxide / Stainless steel |
| Grooves: | 6 |
| Twist: | 1:12.14 inch right hand |