NRA Gun of the Week: Taurus Judge Pistol

by
posted on June 25, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
The DA/SA Taurus Judge revolver—celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016— was described best by Wiley Clapp in a 2009 American Rifleman evaluationA conventional revolver in all other respects, the Judge comes with fixed sights and double-action single-action lockwork. It is deliberately contrived to shoot shotgun shells, but its short (usually) 3" barrel is rifled to keep the gun from falling under the provisions of the National Firearms Act as a short-barreled shotgun. With .45 Colt ammunition, the Judge is a good short-range conventional revolver. With .410 shotshells, it becomes a host of different things. It can be a varmint gun for use on dangerous pests, a sporting gun with clay pigeons or other thrown targets, a small-game gun in survival situations and—probably most significantly—a defensive revolver with decisive terminal ballistics. ... It’s a load to carry and a handful to shoot, but the Judge is a powerful solution to the defense gun needs of many shooters..  

The Judge has stood the test of time so much so that it has earned its place as an NRA Gun of the Week. Learn more in this video hosted by American Rifleman's Kelly Young.  

For more information on Taurus and its line of pistols like this one here, visit taurususa.com.  

Manufacturer: Taurus International Mfg, Inc.  
Model: Judge
Action: DA/SA revolver
Caliber: .45 Colt/.410 bore (2.5” chamber)
Barrel: 3”, six-groove
Trigger: hammer-fired; double action, 10 lbs., 4.5 ozs.; single action, 5 lbs., 15 ozs.
Frame: stainless
Finish: matte
Sights: fiber-optic post front, rear frame notch
Capacity: five
Weight: 29 ozs.
MSRP: $600

For more on the Taurus Judge, please enjoy the following articles:

The Judge Rules 
Taurus Judge Video Review

Latest

Remington Model 1888
Remington Model 1888

I Have This Old Gun: Remington Model 1888

Following Remington's bankruptcy in 1888, a number of the company's unsold Model 1875s were discovered, and it was decided that something could be made from them.

Rifleman Review: Ruger RXM

In 2025, Ruger teamed up with Magpul to create the RXM pistol, a design that uses a chassis-style receiver anchored inside of a polymer grip frame.

New for 2026: Franklin Armory Prevail Rifle

Franklin Armory introduces the company's first bolt-action rifle, the Prevail.

Thinking Of Tinkering? Be Honest About Your Reasons.

There are often benefits to resurrecting an old gun, but cost savings isn’t usually one of them.

New For 2026: Woox High Grade Stocks and Fore-ends

Dress up your lever-action, shotgun or bolt-action rifle while adding functionality.

NRA Partners with ‘We the Free’ Streaming Network

The NRA partners with online streaming service We the Free to bring 2A content.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.