Compact (top), long slide (bottom)

The standard model will feature a 4.2" barrel and be available in black or two-ton finish. The .45 model will hold 10+1 round and the .40 will hold 13+1.

The compact model has a 3.2" barrel and holds 6+1 (.45) or 9+1 (.40).

The long slide model features a 5" barrel! Capacity is the same as the standard model.

No word on pricing.

Kristin Hunt and the Judge

Raging Judge Magnum (6" barrel)

The handgun will be available with either a 3" or 6" barrel and in either a stainless or blued finish. The 6" version includes a vent-rib for use with a scope mount.

3" barrel model

Like the Taurus Raging Bull line, the gun is big and it is heavy. The advantage that the Judge has over similar .454 chambered guns is its ability to chamber shot shells. A hunter or fisherman can load a shotshell in the first chamber for snakes and .454 in subsequent chambers to defend against bears. The cylinder holds six rounds.

The design is very similar to the Russian KBP MTs 225 revolver shotgun. The Circuit has a very attractive Monte Carlo stock (I guess a synthetic stock will be introduced at a later date). A cylinder guard on the left side of the gun prevents gas and flames from scorching your arm.

Specifications
Caliber	.45 Long Colt, .410 2.5" and 3" shells
Capacity	5 rounds
Action	SA/DA
Finish	Wood / Blue
Barrel	18.5"
Overall Length	38"
Weight	4.75 lbs
Front Sight	Fiber optics
Rear Sight	Fiber optic
MSRP (Price)	Not yet announced.

The Circut Judge will be avalible with either a rifled barrel or a smoothbore barrel. The smoothbore version will only be able to fire .410 rounds.

I really look forward to shooting the new Judge. It looks nice, feels nice and I am sure is a lot of fun to shoot.

Taurus USA import many of thier guns from their Brazilian parent company. Because the BATFE has rules regarding size of imported guns, the company imports the Mod 94 .22 LR revolver with 3" barrels and cuts them down to 2". This funky revolver is a fully functional factory error.

It is being sold by Ocala Armory for $500.

Hat Tip: Pistol Training via. SayUncle

I also did not realize they were now available in stainless!

Specifications
Model	1911SS-9
Caliber	9mm
Capacity	9+1
Action	SA
Construction	Steel
Finish	StainlessSteel
BarrelLength	5"
FrontSight	GenuineNovak®
TriggerType	Ventilated
Grips	CheckeredBlack
Weight	38.8oz
Frame	Large
Length	7.87"
MSRP (Price)	$780.00

The .38 Super model is very similar to the 9mm. Both types of are also available in a blued finish.

You can browse the line of 1911's at TaurusUSA.com.

The reason: Police departments and other government agencies increasingly want their guns made in the United States, Taurus CEO Bob Morrison said.

While no decision has been made, Morrison praised Georgia’s efforts to lure the company.

“Gov. [Sonny] Perdue has been particularly anxious to extend the warm hand of Georgia,” Morrison said. “It’s a very attractive offer that he’s made. He’s gone way, way out of his way to try to get us to understand that Georgia is more than willing to have a firearms company move there.”

.410 Personal Defense opened and pellets dumped. Thanks to Stephen for the photo.

The round contains 60 pellets of #4 bird shot (each pellet is .13″ in diameter). The load of pellets weight 1/2 oz (218.75 grain). Velocity is listed as 1200 fps which makes the total energy delivered at the muzzle to be 700 ft/lbs.

Federal said to Guns Holsters and Gear that:

The #4 pellets (approximately 10) penetrate to a depth of up to 6″.

(the pellet number is wrong, but the penetration depth sounds right for .410)

So with these facts in mind do you think that this round is capable of delivering a blow that warrants its name? I am not sure it does, but I welcome your opinions in the comments. I have a few issues with this round and how Federal have marketed it.

Firstly, the FBI requires penetration of at least 12″ for their ammunition, added to this is the fact that the pellets are individually, only .13″ in caliber and weigh about 3.6 grain. I would not want to be shot by one, and they could certainty kill if they traveled around the body and hit a vital organ, but I seriously doubt an attacker would be stopped in their tracks.

Another problem is shot dispersion. Dick wrote this comment on the blog about he groupings he achieved.

NOT SUITABLE FOR PERSONAL DEFENSE AGAINST MUCH OF ANYTHING LARGE ENOUGH TO WARRENT “SELF DEFENSE” EXCEPT PERHAPS SMALL SNAKES! A large one shot with this round at 21′ will likely kill you before it bleeds to death! With 2 rounds it put 18-20 pellets inside a 12″ circle so the snake better be curled up and there were plenty enough large gaps to miss a head shot.

Another issue I have is the published velocity. When firearm manufacturers publish velocity they usually base it on their test barrels, which are usually longer than what you would buy. For example shotgun velocities would be recorded from 28″ or 30″ barrel. The 1200 fps this round achieves is very similar to other standard shotgun loads, the difference being it is intended for the Judge. Most of the Judge models have a 2.5″ chamber and 3.5″ barrel. Revolvers measure barrel length forward of the chamber, so compared to a normal shotgun this works about to be 6″ of barrel. I believe shotguns are loaded with fast burning powder (reloaders please correct me if I am wrong), but this seems pretty amazing if it can achieve maximum velocity in only 6″ of barrel.

Finally, if Federal believe this is an adequate round for self-defense, why have they not published their own internal studies? Telling me it has 6″ of penetration, presumably in ballistic gelatin, is just not enough information.

So far Federal have not delivered a .410 buckshot model of the Personal Defense Round, but likely will later this year.

I am interested in your opinions. I don’t consider myself very knowledgeable in this area.

UPDATE:

Other blogger have weighed in on the issue. Go read what they have to say (if you have blogged about it and I don’t know, tell me and I will add your blog to the list):

Michael Bane @ The Michael Bane Blog

Caleb @ Gun Nuts

It can only take 2.5″ .410 shells unlike some of the newer Judge models which can chamber 3″ shells. It also features a reduced profile hammer.

Photo from casa-z

Two models are available. A lighter model with a titanium frame (see photo) and a standard model with a blued steel frame.

Specs:

Capacity: 5 rounds
Cartridge: .45 Colt and .410 2.5″ shells.
Sights: fiber optic front sight and fixed rear sights.
Action: SA / DA.
Grip: Taurus Ribber
Cylinder: Steel or Titanium.

The new PT-22 (Photo from G&A).

The old model PT-22

The old line has a wide range of models featuring every grip you could imagine. It is not known if they will update the old models or standardize on the the “classic” polymer-type models (two tone and black)

The new model weights in at 10.8 ounces and as you can see in the top photo feature a larger trigger guard.

Hat Tip: Guns and Ammo

The pistol is DOA (Double Action only) and has a 6+1 capacity with a standard magazine and a 8+1 capacity with an extended magazine.

Full sized photo can be seen at Guns Holsters and Gear

Three models will be available: an ultra light titanium side version weighting only 8.5 ounces, a blued steel slide model and a stainless model. Both steel models weigh 10.2 ounces.

The pistol features:

* Ambidextrous magazine release.
* Fish scale slide pattern.
* Large trigger guard.
* Low profile sights.

It is quite a sexy looking pistol. Most .380 ultra-compact carry pistol look “functional” at best … and I say this as a Glock fanboy!

GHG says it will retail for around $300 for the standard version and an extra $100 for the titanium slide.

“SLIM” is the name of this suave new entry into the Taurus line. Elegant in Blue and Stainless this small, single-action-only could be found under a cummerbund or a pair of bibs. It’s what you have been asking for! No revealing lumps or lines makes concealed carry easier than that larger capacity gun you already have. Cool, neat and ready to go-the Taurus Slim will be your companion for a long time to come.

709SS model. Click to expand. Photo by Critter210.

Specs:

Caliber: 9 mm
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 3″
Weight: 19 oz
Length: 6″

Two models will be available. A Two Tone stainless steel slide model (709SS) and a blued slide version (709B).

The MSRP is $452 and I believe it will be shipping shortly.

709B model

Two 2.5″ buckshot loads will be available. The first load is 0.5 oz ( 218 grain) #4 buckshot which I think works out to be about 10 pellets (according to wikipedia, correct me if I am wrong). The other load has four 000 pellets (9mm). The muzzle velocity is 1200 fps.

The Judge from Taurus® has emerged as a very popular handgun for Personal Defense®. This specialized gun has been without a specialized load-until now. Federal introduces two 2-1/2″ loads designed especially for The Judge. A special hull design and optimal payloads make these loads perfect for this gun. Choose between a 1/2-oz #4 or 4 pellet 000 buck option-either way the performance will be there.

Taurus Judge photo that I recently uploaded to Wikipedia. Taken by Dennis Chen

Forjas Taurus S.A. announces its acquisition of the manufacturing and distribution rights of all Rossi products, including the famous Model 92 lever-action rifle from Rossi Firearms S.A.

I have mentioned many times how much I like Rossi products. I hope this does not affect quality (relative to their low price) or supply.

Full press release after the jump:

H/T Outdoor Wire
The full press release:

Forjas Taurus S.A. announces its acquisition of the manufacturing and distribution rights of all Rossi products, including the famous Model 92 lever-action rifle from Rossi Firearms S.A.

Rossi Firearms S.A. is the industry-leading manufacturer of single-shot, matched pair rifles and shotguns. In addition, they produce Rossi black powder muzzle loading rifles and youth size mini loaders. Forjas Taurus will continue to manufacture the current line of Rossi revolvers.

Taurus will expand its manufacturing capabilities and dedicate additional funding for research and development for new Rossi products. Distribution of all Rossi products in the U.S. will continue through BrazTech International in Miami.

Taurus International, a U.S. leader in quality affordable firearms is a division of Forjas Taurus S.A. We have enjoyed our association with Rossi USA for the past 10 years and have helped with its dramatic growth in U.S. sales over the past several years. I look forward to the continuation of current product production and rapid development of new and innovative models to be introduced in the near future, said Bob Morrison, President & CEO of Taurus International.

This acquisition integrates perfectly with the high quality firearms currently produced by Taurus International and offered worldwide through its global distribution network. Taurus International and BrazTech International will continue to operate as two separate divisions adds Morrison, while shipping, sales and operations will be performed out of the company U.S. headquarters in Miami. Production of Rossi Firearms will continue, uninterrupted at Forjas Taurus’ facilities in São Leopoldo, Brazil. All current Rossi staff will be retained.

Taurus 5mm Rem. Mag. Tracker Revolver

Arsenal Milled AK

TDI KRISS

SIG 556 SWAT

5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum

Wilson Combat CQB Elite 1911

GunBlast.com

The Taurus delivered. It was one hundred percent reliable with every type of factory ammunition that I had available. It also functioned flawlessly with my favorite .45 ACP handload.

B.B. Pelletier:

I wanted so much to love this pistol, but poor reliability is the worst sin a defense gun can commit. I’m not sure I can forgive it

While I do love my PT-111 Pro (that’s 2nd series, stainless, full “Millennium Pro” scroll!), it does appear to me as if Taurus might be utilizing its unique position in the market to continually test and improve their design, effectively using their customers to beta-test and otherwise improve their product line. At least, I hope so: otherwise it’s just neurotic!

An interesting read even if you do not have a Taurus Millennium pistol.

More here.

How about penetration? Well, at all distances the shot pellets went through the board. However, logic tells us that they used up a lot of their force getting through the dense material. And, in home construction, there would be another piece of the same wall-board beyond. With the possible exception of the 1-yard shot, the pellets would likely not exit that one.

Getting back to serious business, would the Taurus 44-Ten Tracker be a good “house-gun?” Absolutely! It could be handled well by anyone, and shotshell loads would afford a little “margin of error” in aiming. For the more proficient, you could load it so the first three rounds were shot, then have two .45LC rounds, if necessary. And, we haven’t even considered the camping and hunting applications. The last word: High quality, reasonable price.

Read more here.