At this year's SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Taurus introduced new variations of the Judge revolver. The Judge is the whimsical name that the Brazilian-based American gunmaker gave to their revolver that fires both .45 Colt cartridges and .410 shotgun shells.

This is a different idea if there ever was one, as well as a product I've watched closely from its inception. It is, quite simply, taking the handgun world by storm. Before the Judge came along, we had a couple of .410 slug loads on the market, as well as a few buckshot rounds. Naturally, there were also many kinds of regular shotshells loaded with different shot sizes that would work in a handgun. For a variety of reasons, 000 buckshot was arguably the most effective defensive load in a .410 revolver—remember that the reason for using any shotgun in a defensive role is increased terminal effect, not increased spread in the hopes of getting a hit. Judges have already been used effectively in several real world encounters, so the real acceptance of their place in the armory would have to be the development of ever better ammo to use in them.

It's a pleasure to report that ammunition makers have taken these factors into consideration and Judge-specific ammo is now being loaded. Winchester just introduced a load featuring two sizes and types of projectiles, which matches up well with several existing buckshot and slug loads in their line. Remington just announced a new .410 handgun load that features four 000 buckshot pellets. Federal also has a similar load, as well as one with No. 4 shot. Even the Europeans (who doubtless talk to U.S. importers) have come up with Judge loads. There's one from Russia, as well as a really interesting Italian load for the 3-inch-cylindered Judges that uses four .40-caliber balls. At one point in early shotgun history, there was a buckshot pellet described as No. 0000; it measured .39-inch. This is essentially the same thing.

I am in the process of preparing a detailed article on the range of Judge ammo and you should see it in the pages of American Rifleman before the year is out. Taurus has come up with their most salable product yet and the Yankee handgunner is well armed because of it. I have to wonder how long it will be before some other handgun maker starts imitating the Judge.