Which is best for self defense in an apartment? Taurus Judge revolver or Mossberg 18.5" Tactical shotgun?
June 30th, 2010 by eranio
I’m torn between the two. I like the compactness and versatility of the Judge, but I heard it’s hard to find a 410 shell with a configuration good for takedown power. The Mossberg shotty takes up more room but you have takedown power and that click-clack shotgun sound that should soil some underwear.
Posted in mossberg shotguns
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Normally I would say shotgun but, in a Apartment with thin walls or other family members in adjacent rooms protected only with paper walls the Judge may not be a bad gun. Having said that……I would go with a shotgun with skeet shot low brass in the Mossberg 500 if you can shoot what you aim at and be careful of your background.
The shotty will be cheaper and serve other purposes as well.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
the shotgun rack um ,,,up
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
I’d prefer the Mossberg. If you are only using the .410 in the Judge, you would need to use buckshot, and you aren’t getting much shot in those shells. I’d rather have the diversity in ammo that I’d get in a 20 or 12 gauge, plus the takedown power you mentioned. You would also have better aim with that.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
hallway clearer choose the shotgun OO buck.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
They would both be good you just have to ask your self this. The shotgun takes up a lot more room, and good ‘bump’ something per say. But the Judge is a pistol, so you would need to perfect your aim a little more.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
the Judge is a good revolver.
The Mossberg Tactical is a great longarm.
As Clint Smith says, a handgun is great to have when you need to fight your way back to your rifle. Meaning? You are best served if you have a longarm available in virtually any situation.
Add to it that a 12 gauge is pretty much the premiere "One Shot Stop" ever devised, and you should have your answer. I own a Judge "Personal Defender" and have alternating 45 LC and Winchesters new Defense Discs… but I like the other handguns around my house, or for carry, they are for if I can’t get to my shotgun.
so you are definitely best served with the Shotgun. Also, you have two other advantages. The Mossberg is cheaper to buy, and a whole lot easier to learn to use well.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Check out some of the .410 personal defense rounds Winchester PDX1-410 for one.. In an apartment type environment your biggest worry will be over penetration with the Mossberg & buckshot. See if you can find someone locally that is holding an NRA Personal Protection In The Home course, while geared to the pistol owner it will answer most of your questions.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
"Apartment" interior walls of studs and sheet rock. Imagine your neighbor holding a rifle, handgun loaded with high speed bullets or a shotgun with slugs or 00 buck shot.
First thing to think of is safety, if you fire anything and bullet goes through the wall you might be hitting loved ones or the person you do not know next door.
Best home defense is a shotgun and 20 or 12 ga is much more useful than a 410. Use standard # 7 1/2 shot and you do not need magnums or steel shot. Lead shot is the ticket.
Soft lead shot with in the room will enter the person and shock will stop him. Chances of surviving a 00 buck shot is the same as a single bullet. unless you hit the right place, your attacker is still attacking.
Lead shot will not exit the body and this makes safe for such. This is facts from trauma test.
I am a former police officer and now gunsmith. I have hours of research on this topic, and years in the field.
Best of luck
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Given the two options you list, I would prefer a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun.
The Taurus Judge revolver is a gimmick and a waste of money in my opinion.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Taurus Judge–a novelty, but arguably not a bad car gun.
12 gauge shotgun, any brand name–best thing since a Rottweiller for home defense.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
mossberg shotgun with a folding stock, allowing the option of a pistol grip only in very tight spaces(hallways) but gives the control of a shoulder stock in open areas(rooms).
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
This may muddle the water for you even more, but either will be fine if you are only concerned with self defense. The Judge, though, is a single purpose(self defense) weapon if you discount being fun to shoot. Nearly all shot shell makers are now making self defense rounds for the .410. If you want a gun for other purposes(hunting, for example)get a regular Mossberg 500, and an extra barrel.
Heed Bill’s advice on the proper loads for self defense.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
The Moosberg 18.5 Tactical Shotgun might be your best Self Defence Shotgun, use OO Buck shot, but it good to have a nice handgun to as long as it has great knock down power with hollow points.