Taurus Judge
| Taurus Model 4510 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Taurus 4510, aka "The Judge" | |
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| |
| Type | self-defense revolver |
| Land of Origin | Brazil |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 9.5 to 13.5" |
| Barrel length | 2.5 to 6.5" |
| Weight | 22 to 32 oz. |
| Width | 1.531" |
| Height | 5.394" |
| Cartridge | .410 2.5" shotshell and .45 Colt |
| Action | double action |
| Chambers | 5 |
| Rifling/Twist | 6 grooves, 1:12" right |
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| Sights | fixed rear, fiber front |
| Production History | |
| Manufacturer | Taurus |
| Unit Cost | US$546 to 992[1] |
| Variants | 4410 (see text) |
| Safety: Transfer Bar | |
The Taurus Judge is a five shot revolver designed and produced by Taurus International, chambered for .410 bore shot shells and the .45 Colt cartridge. Taurus promotes the gun as a self-defense tool against carjacking and for home protection. There have been two model number designations for this firearm, the 4410 (no longer produced) and the 4510 (current). Both model numbers are essentially the same revolver, and any 4410 or 4510 will yield basically the same performance. It got its name "The Judge" in 2006 when Bob Morrison, Executive Vice President, learned that judges in high-crime areas of Miami, Florida were purchasing the revolver for personal defense in their courtrooms, and after Morrison investigated further, the model designation was changed from 4410 to 4510 to more accurately reflect the revolver's versatility (.45 Colt + 410 shot -> "4510")[2]. Taurus International reports that the Judge is their top-selling firearm.[2]
Contents |
[edit] General
Though Taurus deliberately designed The Judge to fire shotshells, The Judge does not qualify as a "short-barreled shotgun" under the National Firearms Act of 1934 as its rifled barrel makes it a regular handgun.[3] The rifling is more shallow than normal, giving single-projectile loads less stabilization than they would receive in other handguns, but reducing the rapid dispersion of the shot from shotshells.[3] Taurus developed the shallow rifling after numerous experiments to find rifling that worked well with both types of ammunition.[4]
The Judge, a derivative of the Taurus Tracker, comes in several barrel lengths (2.5", 3", 4" and 6.5" - Tracker), two cylinder lengths (2.5" and 3"), and two finishes (blue and stainless steel). The 3" barrel model also comes in two weight classes, the standard steel construction (29 oz currently, 36 oz previously) and alloy-based "Ultra-Lite" (22 oz currently, 24 oz previously). Felt recoil can be a significant issue with the Ultra-Lite series, due to its light weight, especially with .45 Colt rounds. As of March 2010, spur-less hammers remain available with all short-barrel lengths of The Judge.
Crimson Trace laser grips are available for standard models of this firearm.
At the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference (website) of January 2009, Taurus introduced several new members of The Judge family. These have been labeled the "Public Defender" series and are based on the Taurus Model 85 frame. As with the original Judge, these also shoot five rounds of either .45 Colt or .410 shot. Taurus is positioning the Public Defender series as a concealed carry piece.
[edit] Effectiveness
Shot shells in .410 bore are not considered especially effective in personal defense; for instance, there are only three pellets in 000 buckshot[5], a common defense round; this compared to nine in the more common 12 gauge shell. However as of 2008 Taurus has addressed this concern with the release of the Taurus Judge Magnum Edition which can fire 3" shot shells. The 3" shot shell 000 buckshot version contains 5 pellets, which makes it more effective as a self-defense round. Additionally, birdshot loads, while unlikely to generate lethal penetration, are likely to generate disabling pain, and could easily blind a person if fired at the face.[4]
Federal offers ammo specifically designed for the Judge. The 2 1/2" 000 Buckshot contains 4 pellets. [6]
While the Judge's cylinder bore is adequate for higher-powered single-projectile loadings such as the .44 Magnum or .454 Casull, the gun is not designed for the high chamber pressures that these cartridges generate and thus could explode if they are used with it. To prevent this, the cylinder bores are choked to prevent successful chambering of rounds larger in diameter than the .410 shotshell and longer than the .45 Colt.[3]
[edit] Features and Specifications for 3" barrel Judge
- Chamber: 2.5" or 3" Magnum.
- Sights: Front Fiber Optic and fixed rear sights.
- Barrel Length: 3"
- Weight (4410 series): 36 Ounces unloaded (all-steel), 22.4 Ounces (Ultra-Lite)
- Weight (4510 series): 29 Ounces unloaded (all-steel), 22.4 Ounces (Ultra-Lite)
- Shotshell Rounds: 2.5" & 3" .410 Bore(000 Buckshot,Birdshot,Rifled and Hollow Point Slug)
- Pistol Rounds: .45 Colt FMJ and .45 Colt JHP
- Grip: Taurus Patented "Ribber" grip made from rubber.
- Safety: Taurus Patented Key Locking system that prevents the gun from being fired when locked.
- Average Felt Recoil: 7 - 10 lbs.
- Metal Finish: Blued or Stainless steel.
- Action: Single or Double Action
- Trigger Pull: 8 lbs.
[edit] Resources
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[edit] References
- ↑ MSRP from Taurus website
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Shooting Times: Taurus Big-Bore Double Feature"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Judge Rules, American Rifleman, January 2009
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Judging the Judge," www.gunsandammomag.com
- ↑ "The .410 Bore"
- ↑ "Federal's .410 Handgun Ammo"
[edit] External links
- North Carolina Sportsman Review
- Gun Blast Review
- Box of Truth Review
- Guns, Holsters, and Gear first look at Taurus Judge "Public Defender" series
- Federal's .410 Handgun ammo.
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