Looking to purchase the taurus judge what's your two cents on the gun for home defense and deer lease. Purposes

I've never had one, but I've shot a couple. It's been my experience that most people who buy them for a defensive weapon end up going with something else. And the guys who don't have one, think they are the greatest man stopper in the world.

For snake duty, it's probably a really good choice. For home defense I want more rounds. And I have every bit as much faith in a defensive round in .40 or .45acp as I do defensive .410.

I've shot one before. Like mentioned, good for a ranch gun on your hip for snakes, skunk, whatever. The .410 slugs are useless since you can shoot long colts. There's another version that you can also shoot .45 ACP with. Too big for concealed carry, other options with more bullets for home defense. Fine for in the truck or on the ranch.

It definitely has the cool factor.

I'm not sure if it has any real world use factor though. I do think it'd be a good glove box gun for anti car theft use. It'd be easier to just avoid "those" neighborhoods though.

It's one of those guns that I know I'll pick up eventually, for the right price. It'll probably be a good few years before I get around to it though. I've got more pressing needs... Like engraved colt custom 1911's, sheds, and flowerbeds

I bought mine for a snake gun while working at a ranch. Paid for itself the first time out by taking 4 rattlers that were a little too close for comfort. Ended that year with taking nearly 20 rattlers with it.

As a home defense handgun, the one advantage over semi-autos is that it has a 'seemingly' easier interface for a beginner to use. Point, 'click' and you've defended yourself. Though many semi's have the same thing, the perception of some beginners is that they can have too many levers and buttons where the revolver is rather simple.

If you or someone at your house is in that category it may make sense. If you and all in the house are familiar with multiple types of firearms, some semi-auto may be a better choice.

Bottom line, if you're wanting something to strap on your hip as you work around the lease, get one.

I sold mine. I think they're too heavy to carry.

Yep

I bought my dad one a few years ago and it has served it's intended purpose well as a snake killer and home/rv defense gun.

Plenty of action with snakes but thankfully it has not been used for it's other purpose. I would not not feel under-gunned though with 5 rounds of 45 colt or buckshot.

For the casual handgunner like my dad I would recommend a revolver over semi-auto for self-defense.

I don't buy into that as much as some. A glock is even more point and click that some revolvers, holds a whole lot more rounds and is just as reliable. I would feel undergunned with 5 shots of any kinda handgun for home defense. But I'm a worst case scenario kinda guy. Like 4 guys kick your door in at 2am kinda worse case scenario.

4 guys break in, you have 5 bullets. Practice with the gun before then and you can have 1 bullet left.

The governor! Its better and you can shoot .45 acp instead of .45LC. I held a Gov. and the trigger was far better than the judge.

I agree...I would rather have a governor because of the 45 acp and because it is a "Smith."

AIM surplus has factory refurbs pretty cheap

If you drop one or two then I don't think the others will be sticking around.

The judge is next on my list of handgun purchases. Would be great for when I go fishing down at the pond. Some of those snakes need to be cleared out. I've been taking my dad's old bolt action .410 that he gave me a few years ago, but the judge would be superior in nearly every respect.

Would make a good truck gun too I think.

Id just like to have one cause of the cool factor alone!

Try running a gun when you fear for your or a family member's life while your adrenal glands are dumping adrenaline into your system. Do you practice in that kind of situation? Range shooting or operating a firearm in the field when you're relaxed is much different. I'm not saying range time doesn't help, but you loose motor skills when in that situation.

Which is precisely why I want lots of bullets.

Going in a different direction here.

I think I'd just rather have a .44mag with a 5 or 5 1/2 inch bbl. One can shoot full house .44 mags in a variety of bullet configurations, .44 snake shot for the lease, or .44 special for a lightweight target load.

This!

I bought a Judge because it seemed like such a great compromise/crossover. After a short while, I realized that it was just too much of a compromise for my use. It wasn't small like my other carry guns. It didn't have the punch of my other revolvers, pistols, shotguns or short carbines that I already owned.

Gave it to a family member and never missed it. Yes, I know some folks love theirs - I'm not detracting from that at all - that type of handgun seems to sell well. Just relaying my personal experience. You might really like one!

Marc

I wish they would just make a version of the gun in 45lc. I'm not interested in the shotshell feature but would like a midsized DA in 45lc with a shortish barrel. Like others mentioned, closest match is in 44mag but sourcing reloading components for another caliber has kept me from it. Recently picked up a set of dies in a trade though. Reviews of the judge and governer have kept me from going there either. 45 colt SW are usually expensive.

I had one and got more comments on it than any gun I've ever owned. Other than that, it's too heavy to carry and doesn't pattern well with bird shot at all. For snakes, a .38 or .357 airweight/LCR is much more comfortable option and just as effective. I also agree that for home defense there are much better options.

So if you want a conversation piece and a campfire gun, get it. If you want function, you can do better on all counts.

Buy! Have several 22, 38, 9mm, 40mm, 44, 45acp, pistolies and even a Bushmaster 5.56 pistol and the one I strap on if I out a working in my yard (100 acres) is the Judge. Loaded with (3) 4.10's and (2) 45's and they do good work close up on the Copperhead's and those Water Moccasin's down by the creek. CC carry some of the other smaller pistolies when going to town.

For home defense I use my full size Glock in .40 caliber with a high capacity 22 round magazine. Don't have to worry about reloading under stress. After 22 rounds there shouldn't be nothing but mop up duty and the reg. backup mags can handle that.