Tractor gun, what do you guys think?

[Skyco]

I don't know what to tell you other than my experience with two different ones that apparently was echoed by an independent magazine. As I mentioned, I've been collecting for over 30 years and have more firearms than some small gun stores (wife not happy with that), and the Judge is the biggest joke I've run across in 30+ years. It's nothing more than a gimmick that, unfortunately, leave some people thinking they are well protected when, in fact, they'd be better off with a .22 pistol.

I have several Taurus firearms in my collection. Many are what I'd consider good bargains for what they are with surprisingly good workmanship. The Taurus Judge with it's hokey produce shoot ad is an embarrassment for their company. If you have one and are so attached to it that you won't consider a better personal protection piece, I'd strongly recommend .45 LC rounds in each chamber unless your target is snakes or mice. I wouldn't be so critical of it if it were advertised as a snake or rodent gun, but that's not how it's advertised. Otherwise, both Judges I owned had especially poor workmanship in their build with sharper edges with rough feeling actions as compared to other Taurus pieces. It felt like it had the build quality of a Jennings or Raven pistol. My guess is that Taurus is running them out as fast as possible before the gig is up on that particular firearm.

I'd be interested in knowing what ammo you chrony'ed that fared so poorly and also what "independent magazine" had those poor results.
Just saying your chrony results appear way off base and I'm curious as to why. As MF Red posted, your results aren't "typical".

I did have a heck of a time getting my chrony positioned to read the Judge..if one gets the chrony far enough away to not read muzzle blast and the wad, then it has spread out so wide it is a real possibility of shooting the chrony
I really wonder if you were reading the wad as it slows down real quick.

I am not fond of the Judge except for one thing, hard to beat it as an on the hip/shoot a snake at your feet gun.
If I had a "do over" I probably wouldn't buy it. As a former die hard Sig fan if I had "do overs" I wouldn't buy my POS Sig P238 either. I also own a Taurus PT1911ALR, been flawless...imagine that -a SIG POS and a wonderful Taurus, the sun may rise in the west tomorrow

 

[Dargo]

I'd be interested in knowing what ammo you chrony'ed that fared so poorly and also what "independent magazine" had those poor results.
Just saying your chrony results appear way off base and I'm curious as to why. As MF Red posted, your results aren't "typical".

I did have a heck of a time getting my chrony positioned to read the Judge..if one gets the chrony far enough away to not read muzzle blast and the wad, then it has spread out so wide it is a real possibility of shooting the chrony
I really wonder if you were reading the wad as it slows down real quick.

I am not fond of the Judge except for one thing, hard to beat it as an on the hip/shoot a snake at your feet gun.
If I had a "do over" I probably wouldn't buy it. As a former die hard Sig fan if I had "do overs" I wouldn't buy my POS Sig P238 either. I also own a Taurus PT1911ALR, been flawless...imagine that -a SIG POS and a wonderful Taurus, the sun may rise in the west tomorrow

I mean, no big deal, it's not like I designed the Judge or have a personal stake in it's success or anything or against it. I bought 2 of them and both exhibited very poor fit, finish and I had to use a 1/4" steel rod to eject the spent shells from the cylinder after firing. No way the ejector was going to push the empties out. I didn't care for that either. I think the it's a fad gun that Taurus is making a killing on and hit a bullseye, not with the pistol, but with advertising. Gun Tests magazine is like Consumer Reports and does not accept advertising and gives their independent review on a firearm sans any input from the manufacturer.

My only good experience was that the pistols were still 'hot items' when I unloaded the standard version and then the magnum version I'd purchased. I lost more in my time and ammo than money. Still, I'd have to rate them as the worst pistols I've ever purchased from Taurus. I even let Taurus customer service, yes, they did answer the phone, know what I thought about the pistol when I had to reorder the "fiber optic" (actually cheap plastic) front sight when mine cracked while firing the pistol. They charged me $19 plus shipping for that little piece of plastic and claimed their warranty didn't cover that part. Hmm, tells me that must be a problem with them. Anyway, if you like yours, great. However, I will advise as strongly as possible to not ever carry one as a personal defense sidearm and feel secure. I'm not trying to slam anyone who purchased one from Taurus; I was foolish enough to not only purchase one, but I bought another thinking a 'magnum' would be the ticket. It wasn't.

 

[wvpolekat]

My 1911 is my default "kick around" gun.

 

[FritzII]

Looks like a very cool gun I want one. About no trigger guard this gun has to be cocked to shoot, do not go running around half cocked and you should be ok. 9n owner soon to have tym t350

If you have this gun loaded, you must partial cock it to put the safety on. If you don't the hammer rests on the shell and it will fire if you drop it and it lands on the hammer.

 

[FritzII]

Good post, TripleR...
I'm one who carries a firearm the great majority of the time. I don't ever expect to use it in a self defense situation...and hope that never comes about...but I'll never be a defenseless victim.

If you carry for self defense, you need to expect to use it for that reason. If you pull it, you better be prepaired to use it. I saw first hand what happens if you don't. Yep, 5 feet away from me in a bar. I saw the whole thing go down. The guy that pulled sure regretted doing it.

 

[EarPlug]

Oh, yes. As long as you're pointing it in the right direction, you could hardly go wrong with that one :thumbsup:

Although it would never become available, I would definitely have that on my wish list!

This one is AVAILABLE - the Sagia 12 gauge shotgun.

YouTube - Saiga 12 Shotgun, MD-20 Drum: Pallet Destruction

 

[RavensRoost]

AK-47 if you are down near the border in AZ.

 

[MF RED in MT]

I mean, no big deal, it's not like I designed the Judge or have a personal stake in it's success or anything or against it. I bought 2 of them and both exhibited very poor fit, finish and I had to use a 1/4" steel rod to eject the spent shells from the cylinder after firing. No way the ejector was going to push the empties out. I didn't care for that either. I think the it's a fad gun that Taurus is making a killing on and hit a bullseye, not with the pistol, but with advertising. Gun Tests magazine is like Consumer Reports and does not accept advertising and gives their independent review on a firearm sans any input from the manufacturer.

My only good experience was that the pistols were still 'hot items' when I unloaded the standard version and then the magnum version I'd purchased. I lost more in my time and ammo than money. Still, I'd have to rate them as the worst pistols I've ever purchased from Taurus. I even let Taurus customer service, yes, they did answer the phone, know what I thought about the pistol when I had to reorder the "fiber optic" (actually cheap plastic) front sight when mine cracked while firing the pistol. They charged me $19 plus shipping for that little piece of plastic and claimed their warranty didn't cover that part. Hmm, tells me that must be a problem with them. Anyway, if you like yours, great. However, I will advise as strongly as possible to not ever carry one as a personal defense sidearm and feel secure. I'm not trying to slam anyone who purchased one from Taurus; I was foolish enough to not only purchase one, but I bought another thinking a 'magnum' would be the ticket. It wasn't.

I think it stinks that Taurus did not send you that front fiber optic to you FREE. I know the Judge is not near the top as self defense firearms, but if you still have any of your Judge's, I would urge you to try out the new Winchester PDX1 ammunition. They even have a 3 inch shell that has 4 of those Defense Discs. Proper ammunition selection can be the difference of life and death.

Maybe three times is the charm, I hear the new Raging Judge Magnum is coming out that will also shoot 6 rounds of the .454 Cascull. The question will be if it will hold up and if most poeple can hold onto it? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Just kidding.

If you still have your Judge's and choose not to use them, then I am sure they will make a great paper weight and also a good conversation subject for a long time. KC

 

[RoyJackson]

Taurus makes some nice guns...I have three of them currently and have owned 6-8 over the last 15 years.
As far as the Judge...for a close quarters firearm, I'd say the .410 would stop an attack (which, in PA, is all you really want to do). The .45 Colt would do better, of course.
I don't own a Judge and can't say I have any interest in one, but as long as you realize what it is for...well, should be decent. But there are, IMHO, better choices.
Although I prefer revolvers for carrying around the property, if you want a good "kickaround" semi-auto handgun, go for a GLOCK. They're simple, extremely tough (you could run over it with your tractor and it would still shoot) and, if you do screw it up, it's not like they're collector's items.

 

[wolc123]

I think one of them old German 88's from WW II would be good. Them things really packed a wollup and could reduce almost any machine to a flaming hulk (especially gasoline fueled, lightly armored) with just a single shot.