Taurus Judge Review: The Verdict Is In!

In the year of our lord 2010, the gun industry was seemingly taken over by the idea of a .410 Revolver. Of all companies, it was Taurus to lead the charge with the Judge. Today in our Taurus Judge review, we are testing this titanic-sized revolver to see what all the hype was about. 

Taurus Judge Background

Taurus isn’t afraid to experiment with firearm designs. Some hit, some miss, but they’re always pushing boundaries. I like companies that push boundaries and do weird stuff. In the early 2000s, they really struck a chord with an interesting line of big-bore, snub-nose revolvers. These weren’t just any handguns; they were chambered in serious calibers like .45 Colt, .44 Special, and .41 Magnum. I owned the .45 Colt and .41 Magnum variants and wish Taurus would bring them back. These guns carried typical Taurus model numbers, and from that initial lineup emerged a gun simply called the 4410.

The 4410 quickly evolved into the 4510, though the core design remained consistent. Both were five-shot revolvers capable of firing either .45 Colt ammunition or .410 shotshells, all packed into a compact frame with a 3-inch barrel. The crucial turning point, and a fantastic marketing move, happened when a Taurus executive learned that judges in high-crime areas of Miami were actually carrying the 4510 for personal defense. This inspired an ingenious rebranding: the 4510 became “The Judge.”

Let’s be honest, “The Judge” is a much more impactful and memorable name than a simple number, and it clearly resonated with the public. I can speak from personal experience: back in 2010, even with limited gun knowledge, I’d heard of The Judge and wanted one. Its popularity wasn’t just anecdotal; by 2009, Taurus reported that The Judge was their top-selling firearm, a testament to the public’s want for a gun that seems incredibly powerful and perfect for self-defense.

A key aspect of The Judge’s design is its rifled barrel. This allows it to fire .45 Colt loads accurately, while also sidestepping regulations that would classify it as an Any Other Weapon (AOW) or a short-barreled shotgun under federal law (though it is considered a short-barreled shotgun in California). Taurus used shallow rifling to help with shotshell patterns, but still provide enough stabilization for the .45 Colt rounds.

The success of the Judge led to an entire lineup of firearms. This includes smaller and bigger version, up into full sized rifles. Today we are sticking to the original handgun model.

Taurus Judge Features

1 Rubber Grips

2 Sing Action/Double Action design

3 2.5 to 3-inch Cylinder

4 High Visibility Front Sight

Models and Variations of the Taurus Judge

The Judge comes in several configurations. There are some with longer barrels and some that are black oxide finishes. They also have a polymer framed version.

Taurus Judge –  Our Take

The Taurus Judge is a big gun, but it’s almost entirely chamber. Its downright obnoxious, but what do you expect from a revolver designed to fire shotgun rounds? The 2.5 to 3-inch chambers are the length of the barrel.

It’s important to clarify that this is not a handgun designed for concealed carry. While it boasts a “compact frame” in comparison to some other revolvers, that’s where any notion of compactness ends.

Its sheer bulk and prominent cylinder make discreet carry impractical. Taking the Judge to the range with a mix of .45 Colt and .410 shotshells quickly leads to the most common question: “What about the recoil?” The answer is nuanced, largely depending on the specific shotshell load used. There’s a noticeable difference between firing birdshot and more potent buckshot.

Heavy loads, such as Federal Handgun Buckshot, certainly deliver a stout kick. The recoil sensation is comparable to firing a powerful .357 Magnum, a firm but manageable push rather than a sharp sting. On the other end of the spectrum, birdshot loads feel significantly milder, akin to the gentle recoil of a .38 Special from a lightweight revolver – present, but not uncomfortable.

If you want a bit more punch, rounds like the Winchester .410 PDX1 Defender, with their disc-shaped projectiles moving at higher velocities, impart a more pronounced recoil impulse upon firing.

When shooting .45 Colt, the gun has some buck to it, but honestly, the .45 Colt is no magnum, and the 29 ounces of Taurus Judge absorbs that recoil nicely. The rubber grips from Taurus help absorb some of the recoil and keep things soft and easy to handle. 

Shooting Straight

When firing .45 Colt rounds, the shallow rifling doesn’t effectively engage the projectile, leading to poor stabilization. Compounding this, the bullet must “jump” a considerable distance through the elongated 2.5-inch cylinder before even reaching the rifling. The result is consistently large and unpredictable groups. While it might be possible to hit a 10-inch gong at 25 yards, achieving any kind of precision beyond that becomes a significant challenge. This means that for dedicated accuracy with .45 Colt, a revolver with traditional rifling and a cylinder optimized for the cartridge would be far superior.

The situation with .410 shotshells is equally problematic. The rifling, instead of promoting a tight pattern, often causes the shot to disperse in unpredictable and inconsistent ways. My patterns were low and right and often formed a donut-like structure. Birdshot, in particular, becomes largely ineffective beyond a mere three feet from the barrel, scattering too widely to be useful. While some specialized loads, like the Federal handgun buckshot, show more predictable patterns and slightly better range, they still fall short of what one would expect from a true shotgun.

However, there’s a notable exception for self-defense purposes: the Winchester PDX1 Defender loads, which feature unique circular plates in addition to shot. These loads tend to pattern much more consistently and tightly, maintaining accuracy to the point of aim within 10 yards. For defensive use, this particular shotshell stands out as the most viable option.

The Judge’s versatility is appealing on paper, its rifling compromises accuracy for both .45 Colt and .410 shotshells. It’s not designed for precision marksmanship by modern standards. It falls short in my opinion of being a useful defensive firearm. 

Handling Things

The Judge has some fairly sensible ergonomics. The ribber grips provide a nice cushion and a good grip texture. However, the fundamental problem I have is that the grips are a little too short for my hands. It’s a compact frame revolver, so I get it, but the Judge is not a compact revolver, so go bigger with the grips. 

The gun is quite heavy, and the weight is all forward of the gun. It’s off balance, but not exactly a bad thing by any means. The Judge is fairly plain as a revolver, and you won’t have any issues handling the little gun. 

On the price front, the Judge is fairly affordable. Different models have different cost points, but I can find the base model Judge for less than 500 dollars. 

What About Reliability?

What about reliability? That matters a lot., right? Well, I got bad news. I shot 50 rounds of .45 Colt and about 150 rounds of various .410. Birdshot was what I shot mostly, but also a box of slugs, the Federal Handgun buckshot loads, and ten rounds of the Winchester PDX loads. I had about two hundred rounds through the gun when the cylinder just popped open and wouldn’t lock back into place. 

The cylinder lock on the Judge was broken. You can see the clear chip in the lock. The gun is now unusable. Back to Taurus, it goes. 

Taurus Judge Pros and Cons 

Taurus Judge Starter Pack

These three items are must haves for all firearms owners.

• Hearing Protection: Good hearing protection is a necessity.
• Eye Protection: Click here for our top picks for shooting glasses.
• Gun Cleaning Kit: Here are our favorite gun cleaning kits.  

Upgrades and Accessories for the Taurus Judge

For handguns we always recommend a good holster. The leather holster fits the wheel gun aesthetic.

We also have two different replacement grips. One comes with a laser!

Upgrades and Accessories for the Taurus Judge

Holster DeSantis Speed Scabbard Leather OWB Belt Holster		Leather Belt slots are 1.75in wide Level I Retention	Check Amazon Price
Lasergrip Crimson Trace Lasergrip for Taurus Judge		Rubber Overmold Grip Front Activation Pressure Switch Master On/Off Switch Precise Windage and Elevation Adjustments	Check Price
Replacement Grips Hogue 73000 Tracker and Judge Rubber Monogrip		Cobblestone texture provides an efficient non-slip, non-irritating stippling pattern	Check Amazon Price

Best Ammo for Your Taurus Judge

The neat thing about the Judge is that it shoots both 410 and 45 ACP. I am not sure it shoots either very well, but it does shoot them.

Other Revolvers of its Class to Check Out

Well, the Judge did not get the highest scores here at Gun University. If you want to see our favorite revolvers, read this article on our favorites. Spoiler alert, here is our favorite beginner wheel gun.

How to Care for Your Taurus Judge

Cleaning your judge is like any other revolver. Here is a short video showing you how to clean a Judge.

Important Links and Manuals for Your Taurus Judge

Check out the links below for the manufacturer’s website and operator’s manual along with a video review from Military Arms Channel.

• Judge by Taurus
• Taurus Judge User’s Manual