I own the stainless magnum model with the 3" cylinder.
The pros:
- The first time I fired it at the range, I fired at a target at 25 yards with single 3" .410 5-pellet buckshot load. I though, "Huh. That's it?" Then I fired the other four rounds. "Ah, now I understand - 35 holes." Similar ah-ha's at 15 yards.
- It CAN be concealed. When I carry the Judge it goes in a Mernickle SOB holster custom made for the 3" cylinder Judge. I am 5'8" and weigh 155 lbs, and the Judge disappears under a baggy golf shirt.
- Like anything that fires shot shells, the Judge can rightly be described as a "shooting system." The versitility is unparalled. My preferred load is a single .410 #4 shot round, followed by two .410 000 buckshot rounds, followed by two .45 Colt JHP rounds. On the trail I load differently, and differently again for a long car ride. That's the point - versitility. I don't bother with .410 slug loads, though. Since it's chambered for .45 Colt there's no reason to.
- Someone mentioned "short sight radius" and must have never compared a Judge with any other handgun. The sight radius of the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan (which also fires .45 Colt) is 4 3/16". The sight radius of the Glock subcompacts (models 26 & 27) is 5 3/8". The sight radius of the 3" Judge is 5 7/8".
- Someone descriped the Judge as a "situational gun," and that's probably a fair description if you don't make the mistake of thinking that the weapon is good for only one kind of situation. At close range, and let's face it most gunfights are close range affairs, the Judge is a very effective weapon indeed. Some might consider it idea for anti-carjacking and home defense scenarios. At longer ranges it's the only sidearm street sweeper on the market. (Comment on "situational": All handguns are situational. If you want to avoid that you need a long gun.)
The cons:
- The groove in the top strap of my Judge angles to the right and is not on the centerline of the weapon. The front and reas sights are aligned, the grove is not. I've written to Taurus three times and got absolutely nothing by way of response. If you buy one, do not assume that fit and finish is equal to an American made weapon. Look it over carefully. Factory support is demonstrably nonexistent.
- No one makes a speedloader for .410 shot shells. If you are going to carry a Judge, only speedloaders for .45 Colt are available.
- It's a rather long weapon but not particularly heavy for a big revolver. Still, some may not be able to carry it comfortably. If OCing a Judge, a good stiff horsehide belt slide holster or a thigh rig might be excelent options.
All seriousness aside, wouldn't it be handy to own a judge?