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”
Does anyone know what the correct barrel length is for the blue/titanium revolver, the box flap in the pictures above says 3″ and that does not look like a 3″barrel to me. Is it a 1 -1/2″. and what is the barrel rifling twist rate?? One more question, does anyone know when the will be available for purchase??
The Taurus website has not even posted info/pictures of this new Public Defender” model. The April issue of AMERICAN RIFLEMAN says it has “a ported barrel and an underlug Picatinny accessory rail” …along with a picture on page 63.
I own an older stainless Judge with the chrome finish, the 3″ barrel and a 2 1/2″ chamber. I’m absolutely pleased with it for trail carry and secondary home defense. Michael (Feb 18) is spot on with his recommendation of a short 12-ga. for home defense. Absolutely!
Personally and IMHO, I think Taurus is trying too hard to make the Judge a gun “for all purposes.”
If you want concealed carry, there are so many better choices in revolvers than this Judge with what indeed looks like a 1 1/2″ barrel (Ron Mar 28). Rifling that short, no matter what the twist, will spray .410 shot far and wide except at very close range. You’ll be limited to .410 slugs for any decent accuracy. I’d prefer the 6″ barrel if my life depended on any .410 ammo.
If you want to chase a hard-to-find new model for concealed carry, I’d rather go searching for a new Ruger LCR and fill it with easy-to-find .38+P. If you love chasing elusive butterflies, try to track down the sweet Hornady .38 Critical Defense ammo. Good luck with that!
I’m a little saddened to see Taurus trying to turn the beautiful Judge into a product that not only shoots, but is also a “tomato slicer, garlic chopper, cheese grater, windshield ice scraper, and golf ball cleaner.”
The barrel extends into the frams so it is 3″. I have a 2 1/2 Ultra-lite and a 3″ and they are absolutely awesome to shoot. I’m sure the problems have been due to firing 3″ shells in a 2.5″ chamber mistakenly thinking about the 3″ barrel. I carry a S&W 340PD but consider the Judge series to the best close support personal defense gun out there. I use both the Winchester 000 buck 36 mm 3 and 5 shot .410 shells as well as the 3″ Silver Bear sabot slugs. I might pick up the Ultra-lite Public Defender as my car weapon but I don’t understand why it weights 4 ounces MORE than the Ulta-lite which is 22.4 oz.
Some cool looking guns.
http://www.taurususa.com/pdf/2009_Taurus_NewProducts.pdf
I own a Taurus Night Court Judge and I love it.
I carry it with a lot as a farmer and as my backup gun while hunting.
It is also now my primary home defense gun.
I bought the Judge Night Court because of the verstility of the ammo selection, shorter barrel compared to a standard Judge and its a revolver. I have shot over 200 rds ea of .410 & 45 LC and have yet to have a problem. Have even let others shot it and it is amazing how well they decide they like its feel. Most the end up buying a Judge will get the 5 1/2 or 7 1/2 barrel. They don’t like the wide spread of shot with the 3in barrel.
The only issue, and this is not a complaint, is that shooting so much shot thru the gun it does scar a bit of the cylinder end of the barrel.
I have noticed that some of the 45 LC rd will now tumble a bit. (about 1 in 7-8rds)
But with a 3inch barrel, I was not looking to do long range shooting with it. Even the tumbled round still hit a Q target at 15yd firing them single handed.
Plus the Night Court Judge has made many individuals stop and wonder what you have in your hand. And hesistation can be a benefit if you are attempting to defend your self.
If you are looking for a firearm/handgun that is very good at one thing, the Taurus Judge is probably should not be your weapon of choice. But if you are wanting versitility and choice of ammo types, the Taurus Judge series is worth considering.
I also use the Night Court as one of my CCH weapons.