Taurus introduced the “Public Defender” revolver, another in the line of the Judge revolvers, at the 2009 SHOT Show.
Chambering the same .45 Colt and .410 shotshells as the other handguns in the Judge line, the Public Defender is built on a smaller frame (the 85 series frame), and is clearly designed for concealed carry. The Public Defender still chambers five rounds, yet is smaller and lighter, weighing only 28.2 ounces for the stainless or blued versions, and 26 ounces for the blued steel/titanium cylinder model.
The Public Defender has a three-inch barrel topped with a red fiber optic sight. The rear sight is a fixed notch. The hammer has been reduced, meaning it is less likely to catch on clothing during a draw, but it can still be cocked for a single action, precision shot. The Public Defender wears a set of the Taurus Ribber grips.
The Public Defender felt a touch front-heavy, but that is probably a good thing for helping to manage recoil. While this gun is nowhere near the size of a J-frame snubbie, it is noticeably smaller than the previous Judge models. If you want to carry a .410/.45 Colt, this is the best package to do it concealed.
I spoke with a sales rep on day one of SHOT who said the pricing on the Public Defender would be around $500 for the blued and stainless models. The titanium model will be about $600. A Taurus rep on day two of SHOT also quoted me the same general numbers.
Update
Since its introduction at the 2009 SHOT Show, the Taurus Public Defender has become one of the more popular handguns in this series of Brazilian revolvers. Â The Public Defender is a more compact version of the Judge and is therefore much easier to carry concealed. Â This gun matched up with some .410 loads specifically designed for these revolvers could be a devastating close-defense firearm.
72 replies on “Taurus Judge Public Defender”
Well I sent my Public Defender back after the first 50 rounds, it malfunctioned about 10 times. The “reset the timing” and it was supposedly fine. Well today, I shot 5 cylinders full and it malfunctioned 1 to 2 times EVERY 5 shots. I give up!! Im gonna make a boat anchor out of it…..Well maybe send it back one more time, then sink it!!!!
And yes I DO know the difference in Federal Premimum handgun ammo made specifically for the Judge and the other 410 “3 pellet” buckshot and rifled slugs out there..
I purchased the awesome Taurus Public Defender back in December 2010. Took it out about a week later to qualify for adding on to my NV CCW. Fired about 4 cylinders and only could get off about 2 rounds per cylinder. Imediately took it to a well known certified gunsmith. Was advised that 3 of the 5 chambers were “out of time”.
Sent it back to Taurus – still waiting for a response.
I have confidence in Taurus in correcting the problem as they standby thier products. Has anyone elese had trouble with the timing on the Taurus Judge revolver.
Thank You
Dave in Las Vegas
i got the public defender it is a finiky gun fed ammo only strickly double action after 10 rds make sure ammo is all the way in gets foul quickly