Judge first and second (firing) impressions

[CJB]

Well folks, its been about 15 years or so since I handled a new Taurus.... which happens to be the last time I sold a new Taurus over the counter at the range.

Gotta say... I was not expecting a whole lot of quality, but was impressed when I went over to the FFL to sign for the Judge I'd ordered.

Finish is excellent. Crane is tight. Cylinder play is nill. Cylinder gap is tight. Sideplate fit is faultless. There is no wiggle in the trigger or hammer. The cylinder spins without tight spots. The forcing cone is cut evenly without chatter. The crown is equally clean looking - no chatter or tool marks. The sight channel is centered beyond anything my eyes can detect. Trigger and hammer parts are smoothed where they ought to be smoothed, and checkering is sharp on the hammer.

The even better news is the double action pull is pleasant, glass smooth and steady. Except for the click of the cylinder locking ... its damn near as nice as a Kahr's trigger. Even the single action letoff is light and crisp with no creep.

I'm a nitpicky crank, and the worst I can say - so far - is that the Taurus logo on the sideplate is a little unevenly stamped. Big deal, my Kahr slides aint perfect either.

I'll snap some pics and post 'em later tontie.

[kerby9mm]

Good to hear you are pleased with your Judge. Last weekend I bought a NIB S&W 329 Nightguard and my description of fit finish,action would be like yours. Not exactly the same guns but your judge is big bore in a shorter barrel like mine. I still like my mk9 & mk40 but it seems in the last year I came down with revolveritis. You know how it when one likes guns.

[certified106]

Glad to hear you like your Judge. I have always wanted to shoot one just to see what it was like. Looking forward to reading the range report and seeing the pictures.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[CJB]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/bandersnatchreverb/Firearms/The%20Judge/CAM00170_zpsa58e4b65.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bandersnatchreverb/media/Firearms/The%20Judge/CAM00170_zpsa58e4b65.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/bandersnatchreverb/Firearms/The%20Judge/CAM00169_zps903f0951.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bandersnatchreverb/media/Firearms/The%20Judge/CAM00169_zps903f0951.jpg.html)

[CJB]

There's a few quick snaps.

Things FN huge, but its not FN, its Taurus. ;)

Very impressed with the action, very impressed with the overall build. The parts that matter are absolutely how they ought to be. I did find some very very insignificant little blemishes. First was the front sight, where it must have rubbed on the VPI paper that was in there and it has a little bright spot right where you can see it as you're sighting. Cold blue and or Sharpie fix... its so minor. Next I found one little spot at the front of the barrel where the bead blast is shiny - I think my own fault as the keys for the revolver were jangling loose in that end of the box after I unpacked it at the FFL. Had to keep it in the box all day while out and about... so it rode 9 plus hours on the floor of my truck... probably my own doing, and I'll hit it with my own blast media... no biggie. And finally, I did see one spot - just one -where the sideplate is not quite a perfect fit.. inside the trigger guard there's a little sharp edge if you feel for it wiith your finger nail... and.... one screw on the sideplate, under the grip itself, shows signs of tightening on its slot.

In other words, I'm using the ol' currycomb here ... and am struggling to come up with stuff.

The crane locks in front on a spring detent, and on the back in the usual spring/pin-in-the-hole way. Seems solid enough for its intended use.

Folks, this revolver is nice enought that I'd want a shorty on the same frame in .44 special, aka Son'o-Sam type.

Still tryin to find those full moon clips so I can shoot 45ACP in it. There's a few thousandths difference, but the 45ACP won't go bust in that little bit of wiggle (something like .006 difference on paper.... not a big deal).

So far, very very happy....even happier IF I could find some ammo!

[gb6491]

Nice report CJB! Congrats on the new revolver.:)
I've had an older Taurus M85 snubbie for a number of years and it's been a solid performer during that time.
Regards,
Greg

[getsome]

Thats a nice Horse Pistol there CJB, definitely get your attention looking down the business end of one of those!!!...I have always had that pistol on my personal "want one" list since they came on the market for no other reason than if the SHTF you could use different types of ammo in it....Congrats and hope you enjoy your new Hog Leg....:D

[jocko]

There's a few quick snaps.

Things FN huge, but its not FN, its Taurus. ;)

Very impressed with the action, very impressed with the overall build. The parts that matter are absolutely how they ought to be. I did find some very very insignificant little blemishes. First was the front sight, where it must have rubbed on the VPI paper that was in there and it has a little bright spot right where you can see it as you're sighting. Cold blue and or Sharpie fix... its so minor. Next I found one little spot at the front of the barrel where the bead blast is shiny - I think my own fault as the keys for the revolver were jangling loose in that end of the box after I unpacked it at the FFL. Had to keep it in the box all day while out and about... so it rode 9 plus hours on the floor of my truck... probably my own doing, and I'll hit it with my own blast media... no biggie. And finally, I did see one spot - just one -where the sideplate is not quite a perfect fit.. inside the trigger guard there's a little sharp edge if you feel for it wiith your finger nail... and.... one screw on the sideplate, under the grip itself, shows signs of tightening on its slot.

In other words, I'm using the ol' currycomb here ... and am struggling to come up with stuff.

The crane locks in front on a spring detent, and on the back in the usual spring/pin-in-the-hole way. Seems solid enough for its intended use.

Folks, this revolver is nice enought that I'd want a shorty on the same frame in .44 special, aka Son'o-Sam type.

Still tryin to find those full moon clips so I can shoot 45ACP in it. There's a few thousandths difference, but the 45ACP won't go bust in that little bit of wiggle (something like .006 difference on paper.... not a big deal).

So far, very very happy....even happier IF I could find some ammo!

loved closer I would set u up with my two boxes of sellior and bellit 440 3" 00 bucks

[CJB]

I got to er... "test fire" a few rounds tonight. Set up a piece of 3/4 plywood in a recycle bin. Here's the result of the first shot - 3" #4 Remington. Distance was about 4 feet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/bandersnatchreverb/Firearms/The%20Judge/CAM00174_zpsad9b54c8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bandersnatchreverb/media/Firearms/The%20Judge/CAM00174_zpsad9b54c8.jpg.html)

Crappy cell phone picture, sorry. As you can see, about a 7 inch pattern, and none of the pellets went more than about 5/32 inch into the wood. I got those and some Winchester premium ammo today. The Winchester has three lead disks and 11 BB's. Didn't try any of those.

One cylinder full... all double action, and I didn't have any light hits whatsoever. Recoil on the 15/16 oz load #4's was not bad... pussycat. Less than a .357. Felt like a push, not sharp recoil. Maybe just a little more than a PM45, and less sharp.

I think I'd like something bigger than #4 and less than 000 buck for inside the house. At room distance... I think BB shot would be a good compromise.

More as it comes!

[deputy tom]

Great report CJB. Congrats on your new pistol. tom. :D