Taurus Judge T.O.R.O. Double-Action Revolver Review

The Red-Dot-Ready Taurus Judge T.O.R.O. Revolver Is Just Plain Fun to Shoot

Taurus released the Judge .410/.45 revolver in 2006. There were some who laughed at the notion of a .410 wheelgun, but I doubt Taurus noticed because they were so busy building enough of these revolvers to keep up with demand. Since then, Smith & Wesson has offered a .45/.410 revolver, as has Magnum Research. Yet this market niche still largely belongs to Taurus.

Over the years, Taurus has expanded on the Judge platform, and they’ve done so once again by adding an optics-ready model to the lineup. Known as the Judge T.O.R.O., it’s an old-school wheelgun ready for high-tech optics. 

Taurus Judge T.O.R.O. Double-Action Revolver Review

Seeing Red Is Also For Revolvers

Red dot (or green dot) optics were popularized by competition shooters. Today, though, there are few new concealed carry pistols that don’t come with a slide cut for optics. The trend has been slower to arrive on the revolver market, but Taurus launched the 856 T.O.R.O. revolver last year and, no shock, followed up with the Judge T.O.R.O.

T.O.R.O. stands for “Taurus Optics Ready Option.” For the new Judge model, the top strap is drilled and tapped, with an optics mounting plate included. The plate is designed to fit micro red dot sights made with the very popular RMSc footprint.

But Why Use an Optic at Aall?

Well, one of the Judge’s great selling points is simplicity. As a home defense gun, part of the Judge’s appeal is certainly its ease of use. Loading and unloading are simple. The controls are anything but complex. You aren’t limited to one cartridge, either.

The addition of a red dot only enhances that ethos of simplicity. Now, you no longer need to align sights. Simply place the dot where you’d like the projectile or center of the pattern to land and press the trigger (with or without cocking the hammer first).

Of course, this assumes that you’ve zeroed the optic. This brings me to my next point: you can make fast, easy adjustments with a red dot and shift the gun’s point of impact, something not possible with traditional fixed-sight revolvers. A red dot is also easier to see for those with aging eyes. 

A Closer Look at the Taurus Judge T.O.R.O. Double-Action Revolver

The Taurus Judge T.O.R.O. revolver is available in a .45 Colt/2.5-inch .410 version and a Mag model that is also capable of firing three-inch .410 shells. Matte black oxide or matte stainless versions of either are available, and all come with five-round cylinders and steel construction. Every model features a polymer finger groove grip, a fixed-notch rear sight, and a fiber optic red front sight. Three-inch, 1:12 right-hand twist barrels with six grooves also come standard.

The overall length for both models is 9.5 inches, and the height is 5.1 inches. The unloaded weight for the Mag versions is 37 ounces, while the 2.5-inch chambered guns weigh 29 ounces. The width for all models is 1.5 inches. The black oxide versions (both the 2.5- and 3-inch Mag versions) carry an MSRP of $615.99, while the stainless finish guns are priced at $679.99. 

Fun at the Range

The Taurus produces suitable groups at defensive ranges. From seven yards offhand, it’s easy to keep the .45 Colt rounds in the vital zone of a torso target. Of course, the double action/single action design makes it possible to simply hold the dot on the target and squeeze the trigger without first cocking the hammer. In double-action mode, the trigger’s break weight was right around 11 pounds when tested on a Wheeler gauge compared to around seven pounds when fired single action.

I happened to be testing the Taurus at the same time my neighbor was depositing some non-saleable pumpkins in a nearby fencerow. From 25 feet, I had great fun hitting the half-rotted orange orbs—nature’s own reactive target—with both the shotshell loads and the .45 Colt ammo. It doesn’t take long to dissect a past-its-prime pumpkin with a Judge, which is part of the reason this gun has been so popular.

The new Judge T.O.R.O is practical for personal defense and for duties like dispatching snakes. But it’s also just plain fun to shoot. And a red dot only adds to the fun. 

Specifications: Taurus Judge T.O.R.O. Double-Action Revolver

• ACTION: Double-Action Revolver
• CHAMBERING: .45 Colt/.410 Shotshell (3″)
• FRAME: Steel, Matte Black Oxide Finish
• BARREL: Steel, Black Oxide Finish, 1:12 RH Twist, 6 Grooves
• BARREL LENGTH: 3″
• SIGHTS: Red Fiber Optic Fixed Front, Fixed Notch Rear, T.O.R.O. Optics Plate Included
• TRIGGER: 11 Pounds, 1 Ounce Average Pull (Double Action), 6 Pounds, 14 Ounces (Single Action)  
• HEIGHT: 5.10″
• WIDTH: 1.5″
• LENGTH: 9.5″
• WEIGHT: 37 Oz.
• ACCESSORIES: T.O.R.O. RMSc Mounting Plate, Mounting Screws (4), Gun Lock
• MSRP: Under $650