Taurus Polymer Public Defender vs. Springfield Sub-Compact 9mm

ryanryan03 · January 12, 2013, 07:30 PM

Just curious to get the boards opinion on the two. I can only buy one at a time and wondered which should be my next purchase. I like the idea that the Public Defender can shoot 410 shells, but I like that the XD Subcompact can hold more rounds and has an extended mag option for the range.

I know I am a newb and would appreciate anyone's positive input.

MLeake · January 12, 2013, 09:19 PM

The Judge series has its fans, and the .410 defense rounds designed specifically for very short barrels seem to work fairly well. (The standard .410 that was available when the Judge first appeared was opimized for 18" or longer barrels, and was underwhelming in the Judge.)

That said, a lot of us see the Judge series more as a niche (anti-snake) or fun (skeet with a revolver?) handgun, and would recommend a more conventional pistol for your first handgun.

How you intend to use a handgun will impact your choice.

If possible, it is always a good idea to rent or borrow, first, to see how you like any given handgun.

Kreyzhorse · January 12, 2013, 09:27 PM

As your first gun, Springfield has a much better reputation for producing quality firearms. They also have some of the best customer service in the industry. Taurus, has some of the worst. Addationally a lot of people don't take the Judge as a serious self defense gun.

I'd suggest going with the XD as your first gun and after some time with it, make the Taurus your second choice if you still have the desire for one.

Cheapshooter · January 12, 2013, 10:11 PM

As a owner of both, and an often defender of the Judge I will agree that if this will be your first handgun the XD would be the best choice. You did say "next" purchase however, and what ever else you have, and your intended purpose for the new gun might alter that opinion.

jason_iowa · January 12, 2013, 10:14 PM

I would go with an xd in 45. I don't own one yet but Ill get one after I get off my revolver kick. I like the Public defender as well and its nice to have around the house and the yard.

dorc-1 · January 12, 2013, 10:25 PM

I own the Governor and SR40c. The Governor has it's advantages. I use it as my woods gun when hiking, and my SR40c is my CC. I load a couple of 410 #6 up front with follow up 255 hardcast. Both guns serve their purpose, but if you just want SD, go with the XD.

ryanryan03 · January 12, 2013, 10:44 PM

Sorry for the mislead. I own guns (listed in sig). This would be my next gun. I was thinking a HD gun that I can carry in car and conceal carry at times.

arizona98tj · January 12, 2013, 10:58 PM

A judge style revolver is rather bulky and heavy to CCW, in my opinion, unless you carry it off body (in your purse or a briefcase). On the other hand, a XD sub-compact is not a problem....I'm carrying one right now.

PT-92 · January 12, 2013, 11:17 PM

I REALLY wish that (like Smith) Taurus would chamber the Judge for .45acp already!

That said, IMO for HD I would recommend the revolver as it can fire plenty sufficient SD loads in either .45LC or shot-shells. However, if it were for both SD and CCW I would rec the semi.

ryanryan03 · January 13, 2013, 09:55 PM

Well I can't find either right now...

Do you think either will be affected by any potential gun law changes?

dorc-1 · January 13, 2013, 10:10 PM

Don't see it. The XD will always have the 10 round option if it does happen, but I wouldn't worry.

PT-92 · January 13, 2013, 10:27 PM

Quote:

ryanryan03

Well I can't find either right now...

Do you think either will be affected by any potential gun law changes?

I doubt they're "currently" available, but I would suggest that you consider placing even a "backorder" for the extended Springfield mags in anticipation of a possible potential ban on high-cap mags. Just my $.02 as even if the ban doesn't materialize (

) there's no downside absent additional costs perhaps in the current chaotic environment.

ff1911 · January 13, 2013, 10:55 PM

+1 for the xd. With the 10-16 rd capacity and not as bulky as the judge, that is what I would go with. I have an XD9 subcomp and love it; my dad has a judge and doesn't dislike it, but has commented a few times on the bulk (and he is typically just in the woods, open carry.)

Yung.gunr · January 14, 2013, 07:40 AM

No question, Springfield over Taurus any day of the week and twice on Sunday. And yes, I do and have owned a Taurus for bout two years now. I like it but still feel their QC is spotty enough to recommend almost anything over it. I also have a XD9 and love it. Another reason I would recommend the XD.

Good luck with your search.

January 12, 2013, 07:30 PM	#1
ryanryan03 Member Join Date: January 11, 2013 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 53	Taurus Polymer Public Defender vs. Springfield Sub-Compact 9mm Just curious to get the boards opinion on the two. I can only buy one at a time and wondered which should be my next purchase. I like the idea that the Public Defender can shoot 410 shells, but I like that the XD Subcompact can hold more rounds and has an extended mag option for the range. I know I am a newb and would appreciate anyone's positive input.

January 12, 2013, 09:27 PM	#3
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	As your first gun, Springfield has a much better reputation for producing quality firearms. They also have some of the best customer service in the industry. Taurus, has some of the worst. Addationally a lot of people don't take the Judge as a serious self defense gun. I'd suggest going with the XD as your first gun and after some time with it, make the Taurus your second choice if you still have the desire for one. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 12, 2013, 10:11 PM	#4
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	As a owner of both, and an often defender of the Judge I will agree that if this will be your first handgun the XD would be the best choice. You did say "next" purchase however, and what ever else you have, and your intended purpose for the new gun might alter that opinion. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

January 12, 2013, 10:44 PM	#7
ryanryan03 Member Join Date: January 11, 2013 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 53	Sorry for the mislead. I own guns (listed in sig). This would be my next gun. I was thinking a HD gun that I can carry in car and conceal carry at times. __________________ Maverick 88 / Mossberg 715T / Ruger LCR / Ruger LCP / Sig Mosquito / Sig P250C / Sears & Roebuck .22 / S&W 3 Screw .38 / Remington Woodsmaster "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." - Abraham Lincoln

January 12, 2013, 10:58 PM	#8
arizona98tj Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 980	A judge style revolver is rather bulky and heavy to CCW, in my opinion, unless you carry it off body (in your purse or a briefcase). On the other hand, a XD sub-compact is not a problem....I'm carrying one right now. __________________ stu-offroad.com Largest Jeep TJ project site on the web! (now with guns)

January 12, 2013, 09:19 PM	#2
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	The Judge series has its fans, and the .410 defense rounds designed specifically for very short barrels seem to work fairly well. (The standard .410 that was available when the Judge first appeared was opimized for 18" or longer barrels, and was underwhelming in the Judge.) That said, a lot of us see the Judge series more as a niche (anti-snake) or fun (skeet with a revolver?) handgun, and would recommend a more conventional pistol for your first handgun. How you intend to use a handgun will impact your choice. If possible, it is always a good idea to rent or borrow, first, to see how you like any given handgun.

January 12, 2013, 10:14 PM	#5
jason_iowa Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 686	I would go with an xd in 45. I don't own one yet but Ill get one after I get off my revolver kick. I like the Public defender as well and its nice to have around the house and the yard.

January 12, 2013, 10:25 PM	#6
dorc-1 Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2012 Posts: 106	I own the Governor and SR40c. The Governor has it's advantages. I use it as my woods gun when hiking, and my SR40c is my CC. I load a couple of 410 #6 up front with follow up 255 hardcast. Both guns serve their purpose, but if you just want SD, go with the XD.

January 12, 2013, 11:17 PM	#9
PT-92 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2007 Location: "Undisclosed Bunker" Posts: 1,464	I REALLY wish that (like Smith) Taurus would chamber the Judge for .45acp already! That said, IMO for HD I would recommend the revolver as it can fire plenty sufficient SD loads in either .45LC or shot-shells. However, if it were for both SD and CCW I would rec the semi. __________________ NRA Life Member “A free people ought...to be armed..." ―George Washington

January 13, 2013, 09:55 PM	#10
ryanryan03 Member Join Date: January 11, 2013 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 53	Well I can't find either right now... Do you think either will be affected by any potential gun law changes? __________________ Maverick 88 / Mossberg 715T / Ruger LCR / Ruger LCP / Sig Mosquito / Sig P250C / Sears & Roebuck .22 / S&W 3 Screw .38 / Remington Woodsmaster "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." - Abraham Lincoln

January 13, 2013, 10:10 PM	#11
dorc-1 Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2012 Posts: 106	Don't see it. The XD will always have the 10 round option if it does happen, but I wouldn't worry.

January 13, 2013, 10:55 PM	#13
ff1911 Junior Member Join Date: January 12, 2013 Posts: 7	+1 for the xd. With the 10-16 rd capacity and not as bulky as the judge, that is what I would go with. I have an XD9 subcomp and love it; my dad has a judge and doesn't dislike it, but has commented a few times on the bulk (and he is typically just in the woods, open carry.)

January 14, 2013, 07:40 AM	#14
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,442	No question, Springfield over Taurus any day of the week and twice on Sunday. And yes, I do and have owned a Taurus for bout two years now. I like it but still feel their QC is spotty enough to recommend almost anything over it. I also have a XD9 and love it. Another reason I would recommend the XD. Good luck with your search.

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