any advise would help

[bobyoung10]

I have been thinking about getting another pistol and have been looking at something like the taurus judge. I heard about a revolver that can fire .410, .45 long and .45 acp that takes moon clips but forget what it was. But any advice will help

 

[DRNurse1]

I got the Judge for my dad for home defense. Not really practical for carry but a nice tool for home defense. I like the revolver aspect for easy and consistent use but it is a little heavy compared to my .38SP/.357Mag Airweight. Reloading under stress can be a problem (only 5 rounds) but as a last resort/ home defense arm I think this is not a primary deterrent to its use.I wonder if they are considering a 28 gauge shot/ .54 cal rifle cartridge combination?

 

[bobyoung10]

Id be getting it for both carry and home defense. It would mainly be a back up for if stuff happened while i was out and about

 

[ZombieSlayer]

I carry the 3" Taurus Judge. I love it. I use the PDX rounds .410 (3 copper washer w/copper BBs) and 45 Long Colt. Never head that there was moon clip for this.
I did owned a S&W that used a moon clip for 45 acp and a special casing that was thicker.
5 stars for the Judge!!

 

[blueribbonman]

I have a 3" Judge & love it but I only use it as home defense. I'm not sure what a moon clip is, but you can shoot .410 rounds or .45 long colt not .45 acp. I load mine with .410 slugs.

 

[bobyoung10]

I carry the 3" Taurus Judge. I love it. I use the PDX rounds .410 (3 copper washer w/copper BBs) and 45 Long Colt. Never head that there was moon clip for this.
I did owned a S&W that used a moon clip for 45 acp and a special casing that was thicker.
5 stars for the Judge!!

It wasnt the judge that had the moon clip it was something else. Have you had any trouble with yours when fireing in double action?

 

[ZombieSlayer]

I haven't any problems with it.
You even buy used for around $300.
If you buy one, make sure you buy the right size ammo in the .410. There are different lengths.

I see a request to be friends, no problem, I can't figure how to do it!! The site doesn't make it easy!

 

[missoak]

S&W makes the " GOVERNOR ", It is milled to take a moon clip that allows 45ACP. The Judge does not.
If you have the 3" model, it will accept any 410 shell. The 2.5" won't take a 3" shell even though it looks like it will.
It will fire, but the case is too long & you'll have a hell of a time getting it out. ( Trust me, I know !)
For the most part, 45ACP is cheaper to shoot. I wish my Judge did. But I love this gun, so I'll keep it.
I trust it for HD loaded with PDX ammo. It is a blast to shoot.

 

[DRNurse1]

@BlueRibbonMan: the moon clip or half moon clips are used to retain ACP-type cartridges in a revolver cylinder. They require a recess be milled in the back of the cylinder to allow for proper orientation of the hammer and primer. It sounds like the Governor (S&W version of the Judge) has this accommodation.
@ZombieSlayer: and others: note well the cylinder length and remember the .410 shells are longer after discharge so they should not extend to the front of the cylinder when loading prior to discharge (you can check this more safely before closing the cylinder). My dad has the 2 3/4 inch version which will chamber the 3 inch shells but cannot rotate the cylinder after discharge (yes, he tried this).
@OP (BobYoung10): Try renting a couple of revolvers to see how well they carry on your frame. I think you will find the .357 airweight type revolvers are easier to carry and conceal, and you can load snake rounds if you prefer frangible rounds for home defense. Just my $0.02

 

[bobyoung10]

@OP (BobYoung10): Try renting a couple of revolvers to see how well they carry on your frame. I think you will find the .357 airweight type revolvers are easier to carry and conceal, and you can load snake rounds if you prefer frangible rounds for home defense. Just my $0.02

I have a .38spl that i like but i want something that i can chamber multiple types and calibers of ammo and ive already looked at the airwieght revolvers but im not a big fan of them.

 

[Dekul34]

+1 on the S&W Governor, 6 rounds to the Taurus's 5, .45ACP with moon clips for cheaper shooting and faster reloads (a full moon clip is the fastest way to load a revolver, and it holds all your brass for ya nicely when you eject it, plus they're easier and more compact to carry than speedloaders). If you like carrying mixed loads the governor is great, say a rd of snakeshot, a round of buckshot, 2 rounds of .45 JHP in a 1/3 moon clip, and 2 rounds of full house .45LC, if you haven't stopped it by the sixth pull you should have brought a rifle...

That said I'd rather carry a .357 (or maybe .45ACP) revolver if I was going to carry one and I do sometimes, lighter (even all steel), more compact, easy to carry and load, you can already do so much with different loads and bullet types that I don't see the point of shotshells. Can go from .38 snakeshot and wadcutters up to magnum loads that will be more effective stoppers than a .410 in any barrel, .357/38 are cheaper and they're easier to reload anyhow.

Also with those .410 revolvers don't be silly and load it with .410 slugs... what's an undersized 98 grain projectile bouncing around your barrel leaving lead behind versus a 255 grain .45 colt going just as fast that you could have loaded instead?

 

[ZombieSlayer]

Remember, opinions are like assholes...everyone has one!!

I still live my 3" Taurus Judge!!
It has a longer grip. Easier to hold.