Taurus Judge for Elderly

Departed402 · August 23, 2010, 10:31 AM

I'll first start off with the situation. My great uncle is 81 years-old, and lives by himself. He's a Korean vet and hates the idea of not being able to protect himself. Semi-auto handguns are a little too much for him to operate. He has trouble with the slide and such. So my father thought that a revolver may be easier, and of course the Judge came up.

The Judge has gotten a lot of attention lately, and it has met some criticism (mainly: it's huge and not the greatest for CC / it's the next Desert Eagle, just another a Hollywood gun / .410 loads are worthless).

I don't think the Taurus has alot of pratical uses, but home defense for old hands may be a good niche. What do you guys think?

Fiv3 · August 23, 2010, 10:42 AM

I would think he would be better served by a heavy 4" barrel .38 special. The weight of the gun would soak up a lot of the recoil, 6 shots of +p should be ample to defend his home with, and there are a lot of very good guns made for the ancient round that don't cost a great deal.

I have no beef with the Judge. If someone were to give one to me, I would be appreciative and gladly keep it. I think that it excels as a wilderness gun. At up close "Oh crap!" distances to snakes or cranky critters, various shot would be very handy.

For self defense, nah. A good .38 or .357 loaded with .38s would be my choice.

Sheikyourbootie · August 23, 2010, 10:45 AM

I don't trust the Taurus revolvers for any type of self defense work. I'll stick with Ruger or Smith and Wesson for revolvers. Since it's his tushi, it's his choice though.

totaldla · August 23, 2010, 11:08 AM

Forget the Judge - it is a horrible waste of steel. Get him something he is familiar with - like a good basic 1911. Or a shotgun. Or a M1 Garand.

I wish gang-bangers would use the Judge.

acologistics · August 23, 2010, 11:24 AM

Agree. Shy away from Taurus. I have concerns with Quality control after issues with my judge. Agree that a 38 spl should suffice. You could likely find an old S&W model 15 kicking around that would not cost an arm and a leg either.

FoxtrotRomeo · August 23, 2010, 11:30 AM

If he's gonna carry it, yeah weight may be an issue. If it's only for the house, weight isn't much of an issue unless he lives in a mansion. You don't have far to go.

Since you mentioned it's size and weight I'm gonna go with the idea that he's gonna carry it.

A friend of mine from time to time carries a Taurus Tracker. It has a 4 inch barrel like others have mentioned and it's a smaller framed revolver chambered for .44 magnum. If he loads up .44 Special, shouldn't be an issue.

I own a Desert Eagle so yeah I hear you on the weight. The good thing about heavy revolvers is if a person has Arthur in their shoulder, the mass can absorb so much recoil that the barrel barely moves.

But yeah if you're gonna carry, weight is an issue for a lot of people. Pretty much everyone.

Glenn E. Meyer · August 23, 2010, 11:34 AM

The assumption is that the gun is easy to shoot, you don't have to aim it well as it will fill the room with a killer blast and it is extremely lethal.

Please go buy the current edition of SWAT and read the review by Tom Givens, one of the best instructors in the game and known to most of us.

Then get another gun. The generic 38 SPL revolver with a manageable load is the best recommendation.

Stainz · August 23, 2010, 11:45 AM

A 4" S&W 10 (blued) or 64 (SS) as a security guard/LEO trade-in would be ideal. I prefer the 64 - and some sites - like J&G - have some decent DAO 64's at very fair prices. If he can't take a +P .38 Special load, like my favored Remington R38S12 158gr LHPSWC - aka 'The FBI load', he likely won't be able to shoot any load the Judge could carry. In that eventuality, a standard full wadcutter in 148gr, aka a 'target' round in .38 Special, would still be a great protection round in his home.

Don't worry about the DAO (double action only) capability - it simply means the cock it first function, aka 'single action', isn't available in that model. That isn't a problem for reactive defender shooting - it is natural to squeeze the trigger. Single action shooting is better for target shooting - your uncle needs protection. Do have him spend some periodic range time, no matter what he gets.

Stainz

PS I found a LNIB 4" 64 - current production - for $309 OTD at a local gunstore - check local stores first.

roaddog28 · August 23, 2010, 11:47 AM

I would agree with others a revolver with a 4 inch barrel would be the best. Also, a stainless steel would be easier to clean and maintain. Nothing wrong with blued other than the rust problem. I don't see a use for a Taurus Judge. And Taurus quality and customer service is very poor. Go with a Smith or Ruger.

Here is some pictures of my revolvers. All good quality options. On the used market a person can find these for $350 to $400. A Taurus Judge will cost more.

roaddog28

S&W Model 66 4inch 357 magnum
and Model 10 4 inch 38 special

S&W Model 13 4 inch 357 magnum

Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch 357 magum

GeauxTide · August 23, 2010, 12:05 PM

If he has trouble with the slide of a 1911, then he'll really have trouble with the recoil of the Judge. I'm with the others - a Ruger or Smith 38 in 4" with Pachmayer grips and a Speed Loader.

kraigwy · August 23, 2010, 12:26 PM

OK I'm gonna go against the tide here:

My wife broke her back and has three rods between her shoulder blades. She has no upper body strength. She can't work the slide on any of my semi's. I even bought her a PPK, same thing, sure better then my other autos but she still has difficulty.

She spotted a judge and though it would be the cat's meow for horse back riding in rattler country (turned out she was right, she's gotten three since she got her judge).

2 1/2 410 recoil is not that bad (and she doesn't like recoil). I had to load some light 45 LCs for her but the 410s don't recoil that much).

At 15 yards the 410 with #4 (I believe #2s would be better) tear a nasty hole in the 3/8s Plywood I use for target backing. At the same range, try shooting the head area of a target, I'm convinced a face shot up to 15 yards with #4 shot out of a 410 would discourage bad behavior.

My advice would be to find one to barrow, have your play with it, and see what he says. My wife is plenty happy with hers, (I wouldn't carry it though its fun trying to shoot clay pigeons with it).

With all do respect to Mr. Givens, he doesn't have to live with my wife. I like to eat and if wife's happy, I get to eat.

Glenn E. Meyer · August 23, 2010, 12:57 PM

Given's wife didn't like it. She is a pretty good shooter.

Of course, SWMBO is the determinant of many gun collections.

I know guys who had to buy the pink Judge because ...

Hopefully, the wife won't have to make a hostage rescue shot when you are taken captive by the evil doers.

RWK · August 23, 2010, 02:17 PM

A four-inch Ruger KGP-141 or Smith 686 make tremendous sense to me for your great uncle’s situation. The debate regarding which is better is eternal and unsolvable, but the essential point is you simply cannot go wrong with either alternative.

**Tom Servo** · August 23, 2010, 02:23 PM

Another concern with the Judge is ammunition availability. That gun has single-handedly eaten up most of the already-meager supply of .45 Colt ammunition at retail in most areas.

When it can be found, .45 Colt is expensive. A wealth of .38 Special loads can be found easily, and are far cheaper.

kraigwy · August 23, 2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

That gun has single-handedly eaten up most of the already-meager supply of .45 Colt ammunition at retail in most areas

I think you can blame that more on the Cowboy Action shooters then the Judge.

More reason to take up reloading.

ET. · August 23, 2010, 04:06 PM

I too would not recommend the Judge for an 81 year old man. It is just too much recoil for someone of that age.

But for Totaldla to call the Judge a total waste of steel is just ignorance. A good many of the guns that are owned by posters on these boards are not carried for PD. They see the light of day at the range. Are they a total waste also? Just because a gun is purchased to have fun at the range does not make it a waste. Nor does it make it non lethal. I don't think anyone here would allow themselves to be shot with a Judge from 20 yards loaded with Hornady 45LC jhp or shot from 5 yards with Federal 000 buckshot. Just saying...

totaldla · August 23, 2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ET.

I don't think anyone here would allow themselves to be shot with a Judge from 20 yards loaded with Hornady 45LC jhp or shot from 5 yards with Federal 000 buckshot. Just saying...

Dumb.

Glenn E. Meyer · August 23, 2010, 04:57 PM

Lights out. Too many repetitive Judge threads already on forums.

I wouldn't want to be shot with a matchlook either.

So what. The pros and cons have been discussed into the dirt and we have reviews from experts who are in the business.

Closed.

August 23, 2010, 10:31 AM	#1
Departed402 Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 884	Taurus Judge for Elderly I'll first start off with the situation. My great uncle is 81 years-old, and lives by himself. He's a Korean vet and hates the idea of not being able to protect himself. Semi-auto handguns are a little too much for him to operate. He has trouble with the slide and such. So my father thought that a revolver may be easier, and of course the Judge came up. The Judge has gotten a lot of attention lately, and it has met some criticism (mainly: it's huge and not the greatest for CC / it's the next Desert Eagle, just another a Hollywood gun / .410 loads are worthless). I don't think the Taurus has alot of pratical uses, but home defense for old hands may be a good niche. What do you guys think? __________________ Slow is Smooth. Smooth is Fast.

August 23, 2010, 11:34 AM	#7
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,061	The assumption is that the gun is easy to shoot, you don't have to aim it well as it will fill the room with a killer blast and it is extremely lethal. Please go buy the current edition of SWAT and read the review by Tom Givens, one of the best instructors in the game and known to most of us. Then get another gun. The generic 38 SPL revolver with a manageable load is the best recommendation. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

August 23, 2010, 12:57 PM	#12
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,061	Given's wife didn't like it. She is a pretty good shooter. Of course, SWMBO is the determinant of many gun collections. I know guys who had to buy the pink Judge because ... Hopefully, the wife won't have to make a hostage rescue shot when you are taken captive by the evil doers. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

August 23, 2010, 02:23 PM	#14
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,093	Another concern with the Judge is ammunition availability. That gun has single-handedly eaten up most of the already-meager supply of .45 Colt ammunition at retail in most areas. When it can be found, .45 Colt is expensive. A wealth of .38 Special loads can be found easily, and are far cheaper. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

August 23, 2010, 04:57 PM	#18
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,061	Lights out. Too many repetitive Judge threads already on forums. I wouldn't want to be shot with a matchlook either. So what. The pros and cons have been discussed into the dirt and we have reviews from experts who are in the business. Closed. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

August 23, 2010, 10:42 AM	#2
Fiv3 Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2010 Posts: 273	I would think he would be better served by a heavy 4" barrel .38 special. The weight of the gun would soak up a lot of the recoil, 6 shots of +p should be ample to defend his home with, and there are a lot of very good guns made for the ancient round that don't cost a great deal. I have no beef with the Judge. If someone were to give one to me, I would be appreciative and gladly keep it. I think that it excels as a wilderness gun. At up close "Oh crap!" distances to snakes or cranky critters, various shot would be very handy. For self defense, nah. A good .38 or .357 loaded with .38s would be my choice.

August 23, 2010, 10:45 AM	#3
Sheikyourbootie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2010 Posts: 379	I don't trust the Taurus revolvers for any type of self defense work. I'll stick with Ruger or Smith and Wesson for revolvers. Since it's his tushi, it's his choice though.

August 23, 2010, 11:08 AM	#4
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,497	Forget the Judge - it is a horrible waste of steel. Get him something he is familiar with - like a good basic 1911. Or a shotgun. Or a M1 Garand. I wish gang-bangers would use the Judge. __________________ Keltec P15 at 1200 rounds

August 23, 2010, 11:24 AM	#5
acologistics Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Posts: 16	Agree. Shy away from Taurus. I have concerns with Quality control after issues with my judge. Agree that a 38 spl should suffice. You could likely find an old S&W model 15 kicking around that would not cost an arm and a leg either.

August 23, 2010, 11:30 AM	#6
FoxtrotRomeo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2010 Posts: 487	If he's gonna carry it, yeah weight may be an issue. If it's only for the house, weight isn't much of an issue unless he lives in a mansion. You don't have far to go. Since you mentioned it's size and weight I'm gonna go with the idea that he's gonna carry it. A friend of mine from time to time carries a Taurus Tracker. It has a 4 inch barrel like others have mentioned and it's a smaller framed revolver chambered for .44 magnum. If he loads up .44 Special, shouldn't be an issue. I own a Desert Eagle so yeah I hear you on the weight. The good thing about heavy revolvers is if a person has Arthur in their shoulder, the mass can absorb so much recoil that the barrel barely moves. But yeah if you're gonna carry, weight is an issue for a lot of people. Pretty much everyone.

August 23, 2010, 11:45 AM	#8
Stainz Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 749	A 4" S&W 10 (blued) or 64 (SS) as a security guard/LEO trade-in would be ideal. I prefer the 64 - and some sites - like J&G - have some decent DAO 64's at very fair prices. If he can't take a +P .38 Special load, like my favored Remington R38S12 158gr LHPSWC - aka 'The FBI load', he likely won't be able to shoot any load the Judge could carry. In that eventuality, a standard full wadcutter in 148gr, aka a 'target' round in .38 Special, would still be a great protection round in his home. Don't worry about the DAO (double action only) capability - it simply means the cock it first function, aka 'single action', isn't available in that model. That isn't a problem for reactive defender shooting - it is natural to squeeze the trigger. Single action shooting is better for target shooting - your uncle needs protection. Do have him spend some periodic range time, no matter what he gets. Stainz PS I found a LNIB 4" 64 - current production - for $309 OTD at a local gunstore - check local stores first.

August 23, 2010, 11:47 AM	#9
roaddog28 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 961	I would agree with others a revolver with a 4 inch barrel would be the best. Also, a stainless steel would be easier to clean and maintain. Nothing wrong with blued other than the rust problem. I don't see a use for a Taurus Judge. And Taurus quality and customer service is very poor. Go with a Smith or Ruger. Here is some pictures of my revolvers. All good quality options. On the used market a person can find these for $350 to $400. A Taurus Judge will cost more. roaddog28 S&W Model 66 4inch 357 magnum and Model 10 4 inch 38 special S&W Model 13 4 inch 357 magnum Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch 357 magum

August 23, 2010, 12:05 PM	#10
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,514	If he has trouble with the slide of a 1911, then he'll really have trouble with the recoil of the Judge. I'm with the others - a Ruger or Smith 38 in 4" with Pachmayer grips and a Speed Loader.

August 23, 2010, 12:26 PM	#11
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	OK I'm gonna go against the tide here: My wife broke her back and has three rods between her shoulder blades. She has no upper body strength. She can't work the slide on any of my semi's. I even bought her a PPK, same thing, sure better then my other autos but she still has difficulty. She spotted a judge and though it would be the cat's meow for horse back riding in rattler country (turned out she was right, she's gotten three since she got her judge). 2 1/2 410 recoil is not that bad (and she doesn't like recoil). I had to load some light 45 LCs for her but the 410s don't recoil that much). At 15 yards the 410 with #4 (I believe #2s would be better) tear a nasty hole in the 3/8s Plywood I use for target backing. At the same range, try shooting the head area of a target, I'm convinced a face shot up to 15 yards with #4 shot out of a 410 would discourage bad behavior. My advice would be to find one to barrow, have your play with it, and see what he says. My wife is plenty happy with hers, (I wouldn't carry it though its fun trying to shoot clay pigeons with it). With all do respect to Mr. Givens, he doesn't have to live with my wife. I like to eat and if wife's happy, I get to eat.

August 23, 2010, 02:17 PM	#13
RWK Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 1999 Location: Occupied Virginia Posts: 2,777	A four-inch Ruger KGP-141 or Smith 686 make tremendous sense to me for your great uncle’s situation. The debate regarding which is better is eternal and unsolvable, but the essential point is you simply cannot go wrong with either alternative.

August 23, 2010, 04:06 PM	#16
ET. Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2010 Location: Savannah, Ga. Posts: 638	I too would not recommend the Judge for an 81 year old man. It is just too much recoil for someone of that age. But for Totaldla to call the Judge a total waste of steel is just ignorance. A good many of the guns that are owned by posters on these boards are not carried for PD. They see the light of day at the range. Are they a total waste also? Just because a gun is purchased to have fun at the range does not make it a waste. Nor does it make it non lethal. I don't think anyone here would allow themselves to be shot with a Judge from 20 yards loaded with Hornady 45LC jhp or shot from 5 yards with Federal 000 buckshot. Just saying...