Need some input on Judge/Governor for home defense

SW_shooter

SW_shooter

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OK, I need some opinions and I figured why not ask the group whose opinions I actual value?

Some years ago I bought a Judge (before I became a true S&W believer) as a home defense weapon because of the media stories. I liked the idea of the 410 shot or assorted other new loads coming out. (like the Winchester PDX1 410)

I'm considering selling the Judge to finance another purchase of a S&W. It's just sitting in the safe as I don't even take it to the range much anymore. Right now I have my M&P40 next to the bed. I have assorted other choices available. But the Mrs is trying to convince me to keep it because she likes the idea of a shotgun as defense.

What are your thoughts? Keep it, sell it?
 
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Keep it. I believe very firmly in shotguns for home defense. I keep a stainless 12 ga ready with pistol grip.
 
My wife also has a judge next to our bed on her side. She likes the ideal of it and its her go to weapon.

I would say this HAPPY WIFE HAPPY LIFE!
 
I think the Judge loaded with .45 hollow points will do a heck of alot more damage and stopping power than a .410 shotgun shell. When people hear shotgun, they generally think of something like a 12 gauge blast as seen on tv! The .410 is a small smattering of tiny buckshot compared to the knock down power of a freight train of lead the .45 hollowpoint is.

JMHO

Chuck
 
Real World Tests Found:

Bird shot is useless.

Slugs are woefully inaccurate out of it.

.45LC is effective in it.

000 buckshot is excellent in it to 15 feet, after that is spreads out and rapidly loses velocity, at 30' it ineffective.

Maybe that data will help you, you know the range you bought it for. My strongest input would be, stay away from slugs and bird shot.

***Tests done using 3" Judge.

There's some good info here:

Check out the link to the SGT's comments/tests in particular.
 
The first question is, will your wife use another weapon? You should consider what she will use for her defensive weapon...the best weapon for her is the one she can and will use. A gun that she can't or wont use is of no use.

Having said that, I like the Governor (I've owned several Taurus handguns, including a Judge, and I don't care for them) much better than the Judge, but I think both have limited utility. I've owned a Governor, but sold it.

If your wife likes a shotgun, it really isn't one...it does shoot shot shells, but it is still a handgun. There are pros and cons to an actual shotgun too...the longer barrel gives the shot better velocity, pattern, and reach, and there are more effective gauges available for home defense, such as a 12 gauge. The downside to an actual shotgun is that it is less maneuverable and may have limited capacity (double barrel) or be slower for subsequent shots (pump) as opposed to the Governor.

At close ranges, the .410 defense loads for the Governor can be devastating, but those are very close ranges. Of course, one could argue that as the range increases, the need to fire the gun in self defense may decrease. Nevertheless, I can't imagine any bad guy getting a face full of even bird shot at 15 feet away would be too interested in continuing the fight. If you (or your wife) completely understand the limits of your loads, then it can be a good defensive weapon. Also, the Governor does allow for loading mixed rounds: a couple of .410 followed by 4 rounds of .45 ACP, for example. If you are only going to use .45 ACP rounds, there are other, better choices for that.

The other downside to the Governor is finding a range that will let you fire the shotgun rounds. My range will allow it, if no one else is there. Of course, there are ranges that are set up for shot gun shoots.

Another consideration is that with the anti-gun frenzy, we may only be allowed to own revolvers. I don't think that is at all likely, but it might not be a bad thing for everyone to own a revolver as part of their collection.
 
SW_shooter said:
OK, I need some opinions and I figured why not ask the group whose opinions I actual value?

Some years ago I bought a Judge (before I became a true S&W believer) as a home defense weapon because of the media stories. I liked the idea of the 410 shot or assorted other new loads coming out. (like the Winchester PDX1 410)

I'm considering selling the Judge to finance another purchase of a S&W. It's just sitting in the safe as I don't even take it to the range much anymore. Right now I have my M&P40 next to the bed. I have assorted other choices available. But the Mrs is trying to convince me to keep it because she likes the idea of a shotgun as defense.

What are your thoughts? Keep it, sell it?
Click to expand...

I have shot the Judge several times but will not own any Taurus products. I've several break right out of the box and after only a few hundred rounds. No thanks.

Most of the Judges that I've fired or handled had horrible triggers that required quite a bit of hand strength.

And the idea of a shotgun the size of a handgun is purely a novelty without much usefulness. It is not a shotgun. It is not accurate enough to use buckshot even at close range. And 45LC can be a handful because the gun is so light.

If yours works then that's a good thing. Get rid of it. Buy a good used K frame or Ruger Sp 101 and load it with 38 +p.

The above is merely my opinion based on limited experience with the Judge. But my limited experience with them is by choice.

I would not leave such a gun for my wife knowing it's limitations. And the ammo made for it is also a novelty that was only produced to meet demand. The ammo has yet to be proven.

I have a old Smith model 19 that I leave in a pistol box for my wife. She knows that all she has to do is pull the trigger. She knows that recoil isn't an issue. And she knows the 38 will get the job done.

If there is any doubt in your mind about the Judge, get rid of it. If you have no doubts about the gun in your WIFES hands then keep it. Maybe.
 
I would prefer my wife shoot the 410 in the home and not 45 LC. Because I know the 410 is not going thru the walls.
 
Hey guys and dolls, thanks so far for the input. It has helped me to consider a couple issues. I didnt mean for it to become a comparison to a shotgun, that was my error in how I phrased my post.

I was originally curious about what you thought about the 410 loads that are available as home defense. I have shot the various loads like the Winchester PDX1 and they have some merrit at close proximity but I believe they are not as effective at distance past 10 feet. (based on my trips to the range and the holes in the paper)

The Mrs does have a 38 at bedside that I keep loaded with 38 +P for her, it has a really smooooooth trigger and she is confident with it. (and surprisingly very accurate) She just likes the IDEA of the Judge but not handling it. The trigger on the Judge is too much for her to pull and keep aim. So she'll be keepping the 38 nearby.

I'll probably keep the Judge (for now) because I get a kick to load with 45LC Cowboy loads and see all the black smoke after each pull of the trigger. Its a pain to clean and my hands get really dirty shooting but its fun. Guess I'll find a different member of the safe to sell.
 
StatesRightist said:
000 buckshot is excellent in it to 15 feet, after that is spreads out and rapidly loses velocity, at 30' it ineffective.
Click to expand...



Ineffective in what test parameters/medium...'gelatin'? Live tissue? real shootings?
 
I like the governor, i have one and it is more than adequate for a home defense gun.....but I feel there are better choices for a "night stand weapon" I might get blasted for this but to me the governor/judge is a novelty....
 
I just read all the posts on these.{ and going to get one this week}The nine shot model 85 Taurus will get replaced.She always said the 22cal would do it.Wait till i show her this bad boy.. the 460 bear kit i did have just scared her..{ about three years ago}I should have kept it just for the 'Cool Factor"

but like a fool sold it.It won't happen with the gov man.

RON K.
 
These shotgun pistols make excellent snake guns.

For home defense? Meh... There are just too many better choices. Personally I'd rather have six rounds of .38 special. Shot placement is king and follow up accuracy is queen. Plus, I won't be deaf afterwards. .38 isn't very stout, but I can put it where I want. What if I wake up and someone has my wife or kid and all I have is a firearm that sprays? No thanks. I like the shotgun-pistol concept for a one-shot problem (snakes, car jacker in your window). I wouldn't want to try and fire off five in a row inside in a HD scenario.
 
Flame me if you wish but in my opinion the .410 revolvers are gimmicks that prey on people's misconceptions about shotguns.

I could see a use on varmints around the house though. A shell full of number 12 would be handy.
 
inFALable said:
...in my opinion the .410 revolvers are gimmicks that prey on people's misconceptions about shotguns...
Click to expand...

I would agree with you if all these .410 revolvers did was shoot .410 shells. But the Governor also shoots .45 LC and .45 ACP, and to me that represents versatility, not gimmicks. It's not a solution for every problem, but it is a useful tool that suits some people well, and it's fun to shoot.
 
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