In a day when people are always saying, “Aw, you’re not supposed to judge,” Taurus was obviously not consulted…...because with this gun, you can.
Originally introduced in 2006, the original Judge was a derivative of the Taurus Tracker series. It’s initial design was to accomplish a handgun that would be the ultimate in close quarter protection against home invasion and carjackings. Now the original .45 Long Colt is not a magnum earth shattering round, but the overall “bull strength” of any .45 caliber big bore lumbering downrange, is simply devastating to human tissue. When you add in the ability to fire up to 3 inch .410 bore shotshells, it removes the need to be overly accurate in a desperate situation. There are not a whole lot of specialty ammunition for the .45LC (Long Colt), but there is plenty available for the .410. If you are shot at close range with a .410, and you do live, I can absolutely guarantee you of two things. First, you won’t need a second round to dissuade you from wanting to continue on with your foolishness…….and two, you will be picking out shot until Jesus comes back.
Of course Taurus didn’t stop, once it realized that it had a serious appeal to many. In 2009, the Judge Public Defender was introduced. A 2-½ inch cylinder on a snub nose barrel, set on the Taurus 85 frame, gave the gun real purse and waistband appeal for the professionals. The Raging Judge, in 2010, targeted the backpacker in hostile bear territory, with its powerful .454 Casull and 3 inch .410 bore. I’ve owned two Raging Bull’s in this caliber, and the unique rubberized Taurus handgrip sure does tame the .454 Casull round down. I owned one of the original Freedom Arms .454 Casull in a 7-½ inch field model that was not too forgiving in the recoil department. I actually bought it at a gun show from a man with his hand in a cast, that he had broken while shooting it. Of course I was a lot younger back then, and all that meant was that I had to own it !! (You gotta love the tenacity of being young)
There are lots of barrel lengths and a couple of cylinder sizes. Frames are from robust steel to titanium, depending on your model and application.
One last thing that I can guarantee you, IF YOU EVER GET TRIED AND CONVICTED BY THIS JUDGE……..HE WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD, and probably that word will be the last that you’ll ever hear !
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