Taurus has expanded their Judge line up with the new 28 gauge “Raging Judge”.
From their press release:
“Personal protection, home defense and sport shooting are easy work for the latest Taurus® Raging Judge that fires the larger, more powerful 28-gauge shotshell. The first Judge of its kind is ready to take on whatever comes your way. Whatever “it” happens to be.The Taurus Raging Judge in 28 gauge comes equipped with the distinctive “Raging Bull” cushioned insert grip for reduced felt recoil and its strong, ordnance grade steel frame is built to take everything the revolver dishes out. Additional features include a single-action/double-action trigger and highly visible fiber optic front sight.
Available in blued or matte stainless finish with a 6.5 inch barrel, the Raging Judge in 28 gauge has overall length 13.75 inches and weighs 67 ounces. Like all Taurus handguns, the unique onboard Taurus Security System® allows users to securely lock the gun using an inconspicuous key-lock.”
UPDATE: After inspecting the firearm at the 2011 SHOT Show, the ATF determined that the Taurus Raging Judge is in fact an NFA regulated firearm. Whether it would be classified as a Destructive Device (DD) or Short Barreled Shotgun (SBS) is not known at this time, but Taurus has withdrawn the firearm and currently has no plans to move the 28 gauge Raging Judge into full production.
I MUST HAVE ONE!!!!! One comment though , Why isn’t the retail price on this post ? I’m going to look it up right now anyway…..
Comment by Garret Jordan — January 17, 2011 @ 4:41 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by rogueplanet. rogueplanet said: RT @cheaperthandirt: New Blog Post http://bit.ly/gBA2zu New for SHOT: Taurus' 28 gauge Raging Judge Revolver http://fb.me/AHzwfvFt [...]
Pingback by Tweets that mention Taurus 28 Gauge Raging Judge « The Shooter's Log -- Topsy.com — January 17, 2011 @ 7:18 pm
What caliber is 28 gauge? Would it be capable of shooting anything else similarly like the other .454 Casual Raging Judge shoots .45LC and .410? I guess .410 wasn’t enough.
Comment by Globetrotter — January 17, 2011 @ 7:48 pm
Smoothbore? Choke tubes? just wondering!
Comment by Mark McDowell — January 17, 2011 @ 8:29 pm
So this weighs over 4 lbs empty. I have no idea what a 28Ga shell weighs, but it may need a sling .
Comment by Skip — January 17, 2011 @ 8:44 pm
Odd, the Taurus website lists the Raging Judge as a .454 Casull/.410 revolver, in two barrel lengths. Is this article correct?
Comment by PTK — January 18, 2011 @ 12:04 am
The highly respected American firm of Parker Bros. introduced the 28 gauge back in 1903 it is used for upland bird hunting and skeet shooting. around 1250 fps
Comment by Robert — January 18, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
[...] [...]
Pingback by New Guns From SHOT show - SVTPerformance — January 18, 2011 @ 9:33 pm
HYPE!! Those of you packing around a “judge” thinking things like: “It is good for home defense, especially for someone who isn’t a real good shooter!” WRONG! Tell me, what is so devastating about three or four .28-.32 cal pellets(no hollowpoints, PELLETS) flying at your attacker at 8-900 fps? For God’s sake people, SPIT OUT THE HOOK and LOOK IN TO THE BALLISTICS!!! The “Judge” is fine for snakes with the shot shells, but should ONLY be used against human attackers with a .45LC self defense round. Also, if you think a person “can’t miss” with one of these, YOU’RE WRONG! Without the proper training you’re going to be “panic mashing” the trigger and every shot will miss even at close range…and you ONLY HAVE FIVE! GET TRAINED and GET A REAL SELF DEFENSE PISTOL!
Comment by Joe Barrett — January 19, 2011 @ 12:25 am
ok but here is what i want the gun for….FUN, screw ballistics, it dosen’t matter if im shooting it at a tree or pumpkins all that matters that its fun, soooooo i don’t shoot ppl and hope i never have to, but if i did 28 gauge is better than not having a gun at all. this gun looks like a blast
Comment by doug — January 19, 2011 @ 2:27 pm
comon Guys get with the program…. How about the Price And How many rounds it holds?
Comment by Joep — January 19, 2011 @ 3:48 pm
Interesting evolution of the concept, too bad it’s a Taurus.
Comment by CBR — January 19, 2011 @ 7:26 pm
A 28ga is about a .55cal.
Looks like a five shot from the pic? How about a snub nose.
Comment by B.Young — January 20, 2011 @ 2:45 pm
Shot placement is a key factor in creating a instantly incapacitating hit. Creating three 000 buck wound channels at the pull of a trigger is an appealing thought. At in the room distance 5-15ft either the .45lc or .410 w/000 will go right through you… unless they are wearing body armor, them yes you do need the big slug kinetic hit of a 45lc. Although I doubt that you could safely up you rounds with a Taurus as one would a Ruger. Anyone know the SAAMI lb. listed?
Comment by Ace20604 — January 20, 2011 @ 6:47 pm
The Federal Premium .410 load (the 4 pellet buckshot not to be confused with the number 4 shot, bird shot) has some very appealing ballistics. 4 .36 caliber pellets, at 1200 fps (from a 4 inch barrel) with ballistic penetration meeting the FBI standard of 12 feet of ballistic gel penetration. Yeah, thats just for snakes.
Everyone points to the box of truth study, which did so with older ammo. Look online, there are videos proving the newer .410 ammo is viable for self defense.
Comment by Tony — January 20, 2011 @ 11:50 pm
Why keep teasing us.,,, Lets get on with the 20gauge model soon. Then the 12 gauge. AT least this model has a lil longer barrel to give it some pep after 20 feet. It will be hard to find…
Comment by TwistedKarma — January 21, 2011 @ 5:33 pm
I love it, this would probably be a wonderful (home) defense and small game hunting firearm, not exactly what I want hanging from my hip at the grocery store but that’s what the .45 is for.
Comment by Tyler Rice — January 21, 2011 @ 8:24 pm
Ive read some of the previous comments and have to laugh at some of the narrow minded comments, (1)- ballistics 4x.36cal 160gr balls @ 1200fps which is a little more punch than a single 230gr .45 @ a average of 950fps, (2)- (Raging) judge, built on raging bull frame design which was introduced to the standard judge so it could handle a .454 which is hotter by far than a 45LC. (3)- And yes its a Taurus, if that disappoints you buy a S&W governor which is an overgrown bodygaurd .38 that comes in .410/.45LC and pay a couple hundred extra for the name, your call.
Comment by Tyler — January 21, 2011 @ 8:41 pm
I don’t think “T” will be able to sell it in the USA. It is an illegal “short barreled shotgun”. To be legal as a pistol it must have a rifled barrel and be capable of shooting single projectile ammunition.
Comment by Mule — January 22, 2011 @ 7:26 am
Fucking ATF!!! Damn you to hell…..
Comment by Garret Jordan — January 24, 2011 @ 7:59 pm
ILL TAKE ONE OF THOSE I USED TO HAVE A TURUAS 357 MAG HANDGUN IT WAS NICE BUT THIS LOOKS MORE FLASHY AND CONCELABLE HAHAHA WATS THE PRICE
Comment by DUANE QUALLS — January 24, 2011 @ 8:06 pm
Just once! Just once I would like to wake up and not have to hear how one Government department or another has found a new way of bending over the American Citizens. Listen people, this next election, and every following one, do your homework. Research each and every vote you make. And together we will put those gun-grabbing bums out on the streets where they can see just how buggered up they have made them. Then lets see if those ‘fortunet sons’ still sing the same song then.
Comment by Gunner Scott — January 24, 2011 @ 8:26 pm
This new version in 28 gauge will be banned by the ATF…they figure it is a sawed off shotgun…don’t think they will be for sale once ATF looks it over…
Comment by Hans Aubuchon — January 24, 2011 @ 9:06 pm
Gunner Scott, You make some valid points.
Comment by Hans Aubuchon — January 24, 2011 @ 9:18 pm
I’m still waiting for the ‘Raging Judge Magnum’ (.45LC/.410/.454 Casull)
To hell with a 28 Gauge version, especially when it can’t chamber anything but
Comment by Harvey Henkelmann — January 25, 2011 @ 7:28 am
This revolver looks amazing. still waiting on the raging judge magnum to hit the market, other than the one 3″ barrel listed on gunbroker. As for everybody knocking taurus. I love them, very dependable. for the ATF they are morons, yes it must shoot a single projectile, DUH its called a damn slug!!
Comment by Justin — January 26, 2011 @ 5:56 am
This was a stupid idea on Taurus’s part. 28 Gauge? You have GOT to be kidding! Don’t they have any idea of what the laws are? As stupid and un-Constitutional as the laws are, they are still the laws. Unless we are willing to stand up and do something about it, we must obey them and Taurus is nothing special.
Comment by Cope — January 26, 2011 @ 11:41 am
As I previously pointed out, the Federal Premium does have good ballistics. I laugh that the ballistic information I provided was seen as being a little better than a .45 LC. And thats a bad thing??? .45 LC is a proven man stopper. The argument was never whether or not the .410 was the baddest thing on the block, because it’s not. But you get 4 pellets causing 4 different wound tracks, with more chance to strike a vital area, with the energy as someone pointed out, better than a .45 LC? That sounds like a decent defensive round.
Off topic, I saw the Rossi Trail Judge which is the Mare’s Leg pistol chambered in .410. I would love to see this chambered in the 28 gauge. That would be a nice night stand gun to have, assuming you can find some buckshot.
Comment by Tony — January 27, 2011 @ 11:51 am
The last news i got from GunsAmerica is that Taurus got the go ahead from ATF to sell the raging judge.Initially it was seized by two ATF agents at the gunshow and Taurus said they would not market this pistol.So,for those of you who want one of these,I hope you saved up quite a bit of cash because I don’t they will be cheap!!!
Comment by MAX — January 29, 2011 @ 5:23 am
I heard the same report, about the .410 Mare’s Leg by Rossi, however, it’s no longer shown in their catalog on their website.
Comment by Tony — January 29, 2011 @ 11:02 am
It’s back up on the website, maybe there was a problem with the website when I looked it up.
Comment by Tony — January 29, 2011 @ 5:30 pm
Rifle the barrel and have Taurus recommend “rifled slugs only.” Then the owner can do whatever the hell they want.
Comment by John — January 29, 2011 @ 9:54 pm
[...] Re: I'm tempted to buy a shotgun….. As long as it's loaded in http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=5980 [...]
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Pingback by TV-spelsvapen på riktigt | Kuongoza — January 30, 2011 @ 5:12 am
@ John, that won’t work. Anything that is above a .50 cal is a DD (excluding shotguns), and with that is a $200 stamp above the gun price. T is better off offering it a a SBS and that is, if I’m not mistaken, an “any other weapon” with a $5 stamp and a background check.
Comment by Isaac — January 30, 2011 @ 6:39 pm
To the best of my research, no ammunition company has ever produced a 28 ga. slug. Anybody out there that can prove different, I am all ears. I think Taurus may be able to get around the ATF by hiring an ammunition company to load a saboted slug .500 or smaller and call it 28 ga. handgun ammunition. Then it would be in accordance with the law, IMHO
Comment by SLINGER — January 31, 2011 @ 10:37 am
I had heard a rumor somewhere on the web, but I can’t find the page, that supposedly Federal Premium is in the works for some 28 gauge ammo specifically for this pistol.
Comment by Tony — January 31, 2011 @ 4:23 pm
There is much misinformation regarding all of this. Please click on this link to get the real skinny…
http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/quashing-raging-judge-rumors/
Comment by chuck — January 31, 2011 @ 5:33 pm
More information on the topic …..
http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/judge-goes-bigger-bore/
Comment by chuck — January 31, 2011 @ 5:54 pm
CTD did not do their homework on this.
http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/judge-goes-bigger-bore/
Comment by Vic — January 31, 2011 @ 9:15 pm
[...] [...]
Pingback by Recommend to me a semi auto... - The Vette Barn Forum - A Community for Corvette Lovers — February 4, 2011 @ 12:44 am
You didn’t read all the info:
At the 2011 SHOT Show, the BATF&E determined that the Taurus Raging Judge is in fact an NFA regulated firearm. But Taurus has withdrawn the firearm and currently has no plans to move the 28 gauge Raging Judge into full production.
Don’t getr too excited about this, the prez. is looking to put a bad guy in charge of the BATF&E.
Looks real yummie to me too…
Comment by Jason — February 11, 2011 @ 2:30 pm
QUOTE: “….Don’t they have any idea of what the laws are? As stupid and un-Constitutional as the laws are, they are still the laws. Unless we are willing to stand up and do something about it, we must obey them ….”
No, we most certainly do not have to obey such laws. Nor does Torus. They can certainly try to force you to obey them, but they will be as effective in doing that as they will in stopping people from smoking marijuana. And you sure as hell owe no allegiance to such laws. If you feel compelled to obey such laws, have at it. Your decision to have your liberty abridged ends with you and your property. Keep your decisions out of other peoples homes, out of their property, and out of their lives.
The idea that you have some inherent right to – as you implicitly and passive-aggressively chose to cowardly put it – “do something about it,” but yet we don’t have the right disobey the law is incoherent jibberish, unless you are planning to backtrack on your comment by pretending that what you meant by “do something about it” was merely change the laws…. But I think we can all read between the lines and known damn well what you meant.
So in backwards logic la-la land, its somehow a greater transgression to engage in perfectly peaceful behavior which at worst is disobeying a malum prohibitum, but yet overthrowing government or taking other extreme measures as per your implicit comment….. that has your potential stamp of approval??? No, you didn’t really mean to imply that was your intent? So then why try to slyly throw that in their as a comment? Why not equally condemn and rule out “doing something about it” every bit the same as you rule out peacefully disobeying the law?
Yeah… okay… makes perfect sense to anyone who understands backwards logic. It’s worse to do the qualitatively lesser offense (perfectly peaceful civil disobedience), but somehow it is better, more appropriate from the standpoint of the eyes of the law to engage in a qualitatively much greater offense (“do something about it” – as you cryptically put it – daring readers to read between the lines). So yeah, instead of Rosa Parks getting her black ass to the back of the bus where she belonged, we should have instead had a revolution. I mean, why bother trying to solve matters through peaceful means first, which involve relatively trivial violations of law…. and instead launch a revolution which I am sure singlehandedly violates a hundred federal and state statutes per person.
Comment by Jeff Christianson — February 12, 2011 @ 12:26 am
I want one, where can I buy it
Comment by sam — February 13, 2011 @ 8:50 pm
i would love to have this gun to rabbit hunt with.
Comment by eddie kendrick — February 19, 2011 @ 9:51 pm
Be vewy vewy quiet, I’m huntin wabbits.
Comment by Tony — February 21, 2011 @ 7:05 am
Please let me know when I can order one, be perfect for Grouse hunting.
Comment by Phil — February 28, 2011 @ 9:12 pm
I can’t wait to ” roll my own ” smack down rounds!!!
Been mack’en .410 for my Judge that rivels any
ammo maker!!
Comment by FORKLIFT352 — March 21, 2011 @ 2:22 am
I just got the April 2011 American Rifleman and the 28 gauge judge holds 5 rounds.
Comment by wantoneor2 — March 22, 2011 @ 3:28 pm
Oh em gee.
This is flippin sweet. Rather large and heavy and hardly any real use but still the sheer sight of it is enough to make any man, woman, or child stop and stare.
Comment by Justin — March 25, 2011 @ 9:56 pm
I’d love one too, but the page in the What’s New for 2011 catalog now appears to be “locked” – it’s grayed out and the photos and content won’t click and enlarge…
http://www.taurususa.com/2011newcatalog/?catalog_page=6
…not sure what this means, but it doesn’t look too promising.
Comment by Rick — April 9, 2011 @ 2:46 pm
Folks,
I am a hunter and gun collector who will stand-up for my rights to own a gun. However, it’s these type hand guns that gives all gun owers a bad name. What in the world do we need a “shotgun pistol” for home defense! I was taught that you should never shoot a gun with the intent to kill someone. When you fire a weapon at someone (lets say a home intruder) you want to stop him/her even if they dies in the process. It’s only a matter of time before someone kills by mistake using the .410 home defence revolver and the courts rule the weapon illegial because of it’s destructive power at close range.
Comment by ashborough — July 27, 2011 @ 12:25 am
[...] raging judge Taurus 28 Gauge Raging Judge | The Shooter's Log [...]
Pingback by raging judge - INGunOwners — August 17, 2011 @ 6:55 pm
You have to be kidding about not trying to kill someone in defense of your family, yourself, or your property. I can assure you with that mentality you are putting your family and yourself at risk in the event you ever find yourself in a position of self defense.
Talk to your local law enforcement and ask them what they are taught. You will learn that in the event they have to use their sidearm it is shoot kill and not the Hollywood crap where you wound the bad guy so the cops can arrest the bad guy.
Comment by wtxbadger — September 1, 2011 @ 5:44 am
i want one now!!!! have a night court now and love it, it is a blast to shoot and play w/. I must have a 28 !!!!!!!!
Comment by Ross Prosen — September 12, 2011 @ 2:04 pm
i have the judge and the circuit judge that i rabbit hunt with. i want the 28ga. i am the first one on the list at my gun shop.
should be a great bunny gun.
Comment by dave — September 23, 2011 @ 5:49 pm
I want one, i hope Taurus would reconsider & produce this bad boy.
Comment by Eddieriv — November 21, 2011 @ 10:19 pm
The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live. – Mortimer Adler
Comment by Lawanda Turner — January 26, 2012 @ 12:56 pm
[...] just turns into vaporware that we never see. Although I’m still pissed about not getting my 28gauge Taurus judge from last year but at least that one I can blame the ATF for it now showing [...]
Pingback by If one idea from SHOT makes it into production I want it to be this one. « TacticalTupperware — February 2, 2012 @ 7:18 am
I just purchased a Taurus Raging Judge and am having trouble locating a good holster (not nylon). I think it is important to have a holster which carries your gun comfortably without sliding out of the holster or poking you when you assume certain positions! A good composite or a nice stiff leather holster which is pleasing to the eyes as well!
This is the first I have seen of the Model 28. It is beautiful and resembles the Raging Judge.
Comment by Don Jinright — February 9, 2012 @ 6:08 am
I still wish they came out with a 28 gauge Mare’s Leg, now that would be something for self defense.
Comment by Tony — May 13, 2012 @ 11:29 pm
Good article, I have a blog too, I have been wondering – Is there anything you can do to stop people copying my articles? When you have a lot of content on a website like you do, sometimes you see it appearing somewhere else on the netinternet. Its so annoying and I don’t know how to stop it. Any tips?
Comment by russel — June 28, 2012 @ 1:26 pm