Taurus introduced the first polymer Judge at the 2010 SHOT Show. Called the “Public Defender Polymer,” this Taurus Judge features a frame entirely made of polymer with a stainless steel cylinder and barrel insert.  This follows the trend started by Ruger last year with the polymer LCR revolver.
Holding the polymer Judge, I was impressed by how light it felt. Weighing 27 ounces, the Public Defender Polymer is clearly much lighter than the other models of Judge revolvers. The handgun was well balanced, and a red fiber optic front sight was very easy to acquire.
Like other Judge revolvers, the polymer Judge chambers five 2.5″ .410 shotshells and .45 Colt cartridges.
Features of the Public Defender Polymer include:
- streamlined frame,
- target style trigger,
- adjustable rear sight,
- fiber optic front sight, and
- rubber grips.
The polymer Judge will be available with either blued steel or stainless steel finishes.
Notice the fiber optic sight and the slick lines of the gun – both features desired by many people who carry a Judge revolver for personal protection.
The Taurus Ribber grips will help with recoil, which I suspect will be significantly harsher than the metal framed versions of the Judge.
Update – October 2013
The Taurus Public Defender Polymer is still being sold by the company. Â The production guns are very similar to the models shown at the SHOT Show. Â Sometimes the guns shown will vary significantly from the guns that are actually manufactured. Â With these, the guns are extremely similar.
The MSRP on the guns is $459.00. Â Street prices tend to run lower than that.
If you like the Taurus Judge line of handguns for self-defense (or just plain old fun shooting), you will probably like this variation. Â It is not likely to be as much fun to shoot as the larger framed guns (due to the much lighter weight and shorter barrels), but it is probably a lot easier to carry and to conceal on one’s person.
How much lighter is that than the current public defender? Unless I’m mistaken, the Taurus site shows the current public defender to be 28 ounces, and the new one is 27 ounces? Doesn’t seem to be much of a weight difference. 🙁
The small frame judge model is 28.2 ounces. The full size is 29 ounces. The poly however is just 23 ounces man.
I can only think of one thing, gas gap frame cutting. With this and the plus P .38 version.
Ahhh… But the old (current) defender is not 28 ounces, but 28.2!! 😛
But, yes, there doesn’t seem to be much difference in weight. Seems like there certainly should be!
Are these revolvers (THE JUDGE) now legal in California??
Would give my right (—) to own one.
@ Ed
no they are not legal in cali and they will never be legal because of the 410 shot shell. cali has laws making any revolver that can take a shot shell into a “sawed off shot gun” so by their standards the Judge and the “The Mil” 410 revolver are both 6 years in federal prison illegal… sorry, i would say move away from cali so you can own guns bigger then airsoft rifles.
I Love My new Poly it looks and sounds BEEFY. I just can’t find a holster that will fit for everyday carry.
I have the new Poly Public Defender. It is the most fun gun I own and I’ve got a bunch. Good accuracy with 45 colt. Fun to shoot 410 personal defense rounds. Fun shooting bird shot. Light weight and a lot of different ammo options. Fits in the Blackhawk size 7 nylon holster pretty well. It’s just a cool all around gun with pretty decent sights. Rear sight is adjustable. Really good hand grip. Taurus did good with this one.
I would have to say it is an all around amazing gun for all uses but I can’t seem to find a holster I like
I FOUND SEVERAL HOLSTERS, HARD PLASTIC AND LEATHER, MADE FOR THIS WEAPON;. JUST GOOGLE THE GUN AND ADD THE WORD HOLSTER AND YOU WILL FIND ONE YOU LIKE.
i got one for Christmas. i was ready for a kick the first time i fired it. the kick never came. a 9mm kicks harder than the .45lc or the 00 buck .410. light easy to handle. good trigger pull when using Double action. i would love it even if my sons had not bought it for me.