@gat Im no expert in handguns.. I have owned an AR-15 for a few years and shot some friends guns, but really dont know much...

What is your hesitation regarding a Judge; I'm curious.

@freemo @gat I would be skeptical of its efficacy as a handheld self defense shotgun, which it is kind of marketed as. Those shotshells have really limited effective range. It seems fine as a 45 though.

@mandlebro

Yea, the range is very short, but thats the point. It isnt a replacement for a shotgun, its intended for protection close quarters, like a bedroom and for that purpose I think its perfect.

My plan is to have The Judge loaded with the first chamber having a shotgun shell then the others with bullets. First short incapacitates, second shot kills. I would not use it as an everyday simply because the shotgun shells wont help you in the open, and its just too heavy and bulky.

@gat

@freemo I do not claim an expertise, but I do not see an application for which Judge works better than alternatives. The desire to shoot .410 makes it quite large. Meanwhile, shot from the rifled barrel scatters so much that it's basically useless beyond a snake. But one can achieve the same result against snakes with the snake shot. This leaves slugs, but the energy of a .410 slug about corresponds to a defensive 10mm (it exceeds a 9mm, of course). I see that I placed myself into a position where I have to pee on your parade if I am to justify my off-hand remark, which wasn't my original intention, but oh well. If you enjoy shooting that gun, it's all that matters.

@gat I do not consider my parade pee'ed on, let the golden showers continue :)

For me there is a very legitimate function for a judge, which is exactly what I bought it for... close range protection at home, specifically in the bedroom. If someone breaks into your home and you are cornered in your bedroom you have no more than a few feet distance to your target, so its perfect. You load the first round with a shotgun shell, which will incapacitate, then the next round is a bullet to finish it off.

Now I do agree as a daily carry or really any other scenario it isnt the best choice. But for your bedroom its perfect IMO.

inb4: A shotgun itself is larger and bulkier, so should someone kicks down your door it will be a longer reaction time till its in hand and ready to go.

@gat @freemo I think they take a special load of 410 in the Judge. I've always wanted one because it is mostly a snake gun. If the wadding material is used correctly it should help to prevent contact with the rifling.

Assuming that this is the case, it's still firing a shotgun shell without a 22in barrel. Snake shot is really weird. I've got some 38spl and 22mag rounds of snake shot. It reminds me of Dexedrine but a projectile.

Assuming that one decides to use the self defense 410 rounds made for it along with the 45 Colt rounds, that could be rather effective. The soft recoil of the 45 is rather deceptive in that it can be as effective as a 44 magnum.

The revolver is rather robust so instead of reloading it can be used to bash skulls in.

@AmpBenzScientist @freemo Because CCI discontinued snake loads in .45 ACP, a friend of mine developed his own. It works quite nicely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0hsbhhF7mA

@gat @freemo I remember shooting a rattlesnake with a 22lr Luger and yes it was a Luger. Like one would expect from a Luger, it jammed so I had to figure out how to unjam it and finish the snake off.

I've never used Snake Shot rounds. 22lr was what I was taught to use on snakes. There's nothing to it except for not screwing it up.

@AmpBenzScientist @gat @freemo with 000 buck it is quite effective across a bedroom or hallway. I have a Judge revolver and the carbine. I like them both for inside / home defense