MAGNUM MAGNUM - Jeffersonian

The #8 birdshot target,
shot at three yards. The
blotch from the wad is
at 8:00. Near contact
distance might
prove significant.
The “Ribber” grips, although
shorter than on a full-sized
Judge, still offer a
good grip.
Taurus
Public
Defender
The original 3"
and 2.5" Judge
and the Public
Defender —
a major size
reduction.
J.B. Wood
By now, almost everyone
knows about the big revolver
from Taurus chambering both
the .45 Colt and .410 shotshells.
They named it “The
Judge” because, according to Taurus,
several people who preside in that position
adopted it as a last resort in case the
defendant or his friends chose to become
violent in the courtroom. We’re not sure
if that’s the case, but it does make a good
story at least!
The first edition of the Judge was
chambered for the 2.5" .410. More
recently, Taurus offered a version with
a longer cylinder accepting the 3" version.
Both are magnificent beasts,
but they are big. Perhaps concealable
beneath judicial robes but a bit large for
ordinary attire. As a house or car gun,
they are still outstanding.
Now we have a more concealable
version in the Public Defender. Both the
barrel and the grip have been shortened
and the extended hammer spur has been
eliminated. There are still good serrations
on the snub hammer and you can
still cock for single action if you like.
To keep it compact, Taurus wisely went
back to the 2.5" chambering.
Features Galore
The Public Defender still offers
the fiber-optic front sight and integral
square-notch rear. The rubber grip is
the “Ribber” type, with flexible extensions
at the front offering substantial
recoil control and comfort. Even with
the shortened grip it “holds” well.
In the rear curve of the hammer is
the familiar Taurus key-lock. Turned
clockwise until it pops out, it stops
everything. I’ll never use it, but it would
be good for situations where there
might be kids around or other people
you don’t want messing with the gun.
Internally, a transfer bar firing
system allows safe carrying with all the
chambers loaded. Speaking of which,
A .410/.45 Colt
Pocket Tool
52 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • MARCH/APRIL 2011