the judge

[Snazuolu]

anyone have one of these guns, and if so, do you like it? is it a practical gun? i looked on gunbroker and someone had a judge with a 6" bbl. now that winter will be here shortly, it means coat time. and that means i can now have more than just a lil 380 on me. would the 3" version be a good BUG?

[chfaunce]

I'd go hold one first. I looked at those in the case once, and they just look bigger and bulkier than anything I'd ever consider carrying. I mean, I'm sure they're probably fun to play with at the range, and it might make for a decent backpacking piece, but I'd pass on it for carry. Just my 2¢.

[gunderwood]

I'd go hold one first. I looked at those in the case once, and they just look bigger and bulkier than anything I'd ever consider carrying. I mean, I'm sure they're probably fun to play with at the range, and it might make for a decent backpacking piece, but I'd pass on it for carry. Just my 2¢.

More of less what I thought of them. Very neat though.

[CowboyT]

Yup, got one. Mine is the "Ultra-Lite" variety with the factory bobbed hammer, which means that, fully loaded up, it's actually light enough for CC. It's not a precision champ, and those who expect it to be are forgetting that it's a CQB piece, not a slow-fire Bullseye Competition piece. For its intended purpose, it would work pretty well.

The Ultra-Lite version, being, well, pretty light, has a snap to it when firing factory .45 LC rounds. The "Ribber" stocks on it do a good job of keeping your fingers from getting bitten. However, I wish they wrapped around the back of the trigger guard like some of the Pachmayr stocks do. This is because the trigger guard will smack into the bottom joint of your middle finger, so for range practice, shooting gloves are helpful. The all-steel one is somewhat better about this, due to its heavier weight. Of course, that makes it a bit less CC-friendly, too. The fiber-optic sights work reasonably well.

If you're going to CC one of these, I'd recommend the Ultra-Lite version with the 3" bbl. For HD, I'd recommend the all-steel one with the 3" bbl. It would be helpful to you to fire one if at all possible, so you can see how it feels in recoil.

[Vahunter]

I think I'd just carry my Super Blackhawk.

[Jim]

I have one of the older 4 inch blued models. It shoots .45 Colt ammo to point of aim very well, even with the fixed sights and the pattern of #4s in .410 X 2.5 opens up to about a foot at 6 feet.
The long cylinder does make the revolver a bit longer than it would be with a standard revolver, but I bought this gun to be able to deal with Mr. Crawly in the summer. I also carry it when I'm deer hunting. If I wound one(I should not), I can use the Judge for a dispatch shot. The .45 Colt round is very effective for that.
One thing I would like to mention: If you carry a Judge with .410s for self defense, understand that, unless you hold the barrel to an assailant's head, the shot will only wound and disable. All the teaching I've received over the years has taught me that I should not resort to my sidearm unless a life threatening attack is imminent/occurring. If that be the case, I want to be justified in firing a lethal round.

[gunderwood]

One thing I would like to mention: If you carry a Judge with .410s for self defense, understand that, unless you hold the barrel to an assailant's head, the shot will only wound and disable. All the teaching I've received over the years has taught me that I should not resort to my sidearm unless a life threatening attack is imminent/occurring. If that be the case, I want to be justified in firing a lethal round.

+1

I would clarify that though. I think what you mean is wound and possibly not disable/stop the attack. Any round that makes an attacker incapable of continuing the attack, regardless if death occurs or not, has done its job. .410 out of a handgun is not likely to do anything besides wound/tick the attacker off.

[Jim]

One thing I would like to mention: If you carry a Judge with .410s for self defense, understand that, unless you hold the barrel to an assailant's head, the shot will only wound and disable. All the teaching I've received over the years has taught me that I should not resort to my sidearm unless a life threatening attack is imminent/occurring. If that be the case, I want to be justified in firing a lethal round.

+1

I would clarify that though. I think what you mean is wound and possibly not disable/stop the attack. Any round that makes an attacker incapable of continuing the attack, regardless if death occurs or not, has done its job. .410 out of a handgun is not likely to do anything besides wound/tick the attacker off.

EXACTLY!!

[jrswanson1]

One thing I would like to mention: If you carry a Judge with .410s for self defense, understand that, unless you hold the barrel to an assailant's head, the shot will only wound and disable. All the teaching I've received over the years has taught me that I should not resort to my sidearm unless a life threatening attack is imminent/occurring. If that be the case, I want to be justified in firing a lethal round.

+1

I would clarify that though. I think what you mean is wound and possibly not disable/stop the attack. Any round that makes an attacker incapable of continuing the attack, regardless if death occurs or not, has done its job. .410 out of a handgun is not likely to do anything besides wound/tick the attacker off.

EXACTLY!!

That depends on where you hit him/her. A head shot with 00 Buck will do a number on anyone.

Jim

[ksanftleben]

That depends on where you hit him/her. A head shot with 00 Buck will do a number on anyone.

R/Kurt

[Jim]

With all due respect, the human head is not a watermelon. Round nose 9mms have been known to glance off a skull from a tangential hit. Personally, I find a torso to be a much bigger and easier target to acquire.
I thank my God daily that I did not have to draw my sidearm that day when I put my head down at night, but, if I do, I'm going for the 5X with a 230 gr. JHP in .45 Colt.
If an assailant intends to kill me, I'll do my very best to stop the threat with as much horsepower as I can generate. And, with a Judge, I can generate a lot more horse power with a .45 Colt round than I can with a .410 X 2.5 loaded with three buckshot pellets.
I ain't tryin' to start any trouble here, I'm just sayin' I'm gonna get all the effectiveness I can out of my pistol and a .410 shell with buckshot is NOT the top end.

[gunderwood]

I think Jim is right on this one. People shoot fruit because it looks impressive, but it is a poor indication of performance. 00 Buck out of a 410 handgun does not have very good penetration capabilities. It definitely isn't your worst choice, but 45LC is more effective IMHO.

[CowboyT]

That's what The Box O' Truth concluded as well. As a trail-gun round, birdshot out of a Judge would ruin a snake's day. But the .45 Colt round has been a proven manstopper for what, 137 years now?

[zephyp]

Holding a HG to a BG's head, regardless of caliber/load, and pulling the trigger - IMHO no matter the circumstance - could serve an overzealous prosecutor well...I recommend considering carrying something else before even thinking through a life threatening scenario where you feel that might be required to stop the threat...

[Jim]

Holding a HG to a BG's head, regardless of caliber/load, and pulling the trigger - IMHO no matter the circumstance - could serve an overzealous prosecutor well...I recommend considering carrying something else before even thinking through a life threatening scenario where you feel that might be required to stop the threat...

Exactly my point. Carry a sidearm with REAL ammunition in it and use it only when your life is eminently in danger.