• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Guns Holsters And Gear

honest reviews and news on firearms

  • Home
  • 2020 SHOT Show
  • Reviews
    • Ammo
    • Books
    • Flashlights
    • Guns
    • Hearing Protection
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Survival Gear
  • Resources
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Review Policy
    • Site Index
  • NRA Lifetime Membership
You are here: Home / Taurus Raging Judge 28 Gauge Revolver

Taurus Raging Judge 28 Gauge Revolver

Taurus Raging Judge XXVIII

Was it the ultimate in home defense or just a Brazil-born boondoggle?

The Taurus Raging Judge 28 gauge revolver certainly stood to be a unique big bore handgun in the US market. However, the project was eventually killed and the gun was never made available to the American public due to legal technicalities.

Let’s take a closer look at the 28 gauge Judge that promised so much, yet failed to sell a single unit.

Raging Judge XXVIII

Introduced at the 2011 SHOT Show, the Raging Judge was a surprise to all of the attendees when it was announced. At that time, the original Judge and its spin-offs were selling well. However, there had not been any hint from Taurus that a new caliber would be introduced.

28 gauge revolver

The gun was a real eye catcher at the company’s show display. At nearly 4.2 pounds, the gun was massive. It had a 6.5″ vented barrel and a huge 5-shot cylinder.

Taurus stated the Raging Judge had a frame made of “strong, ordnance grade steel.” Ordnance steel is a term that typically refers to 4140 steel. 4140 is commonly known as chrome-moly steel. Chrome-moly is a tough steel and is a carbon steel, not stainless.

Taurus 28 Gauge Revolver

The cylinder used a double lock-up with latches on the crane and behind the cylinder. The same style of locking is used on the company’s Raging Judge Magnum that is chambered for the .454 Casull.

The gun was to be available in both a matte stainless finish and a blued finish. Taurus has a remarkably good bluing process, and this gun would have looked great with it. As it was, the only gun on display at the show was in matte stainless.

Alas…It Was Not to Be

Unfortunately, the Taurus M528 never made it into production. The gun on display was a prototype designed to generate interest in buyers at the SHOT Show. While a great deal of interest suggested the XXVIII would be an excellent seller, federal laws would ultimately prevent its importation.

Under US federal law, the gun could be interpreted as either a shotgun or a handgun. Either way, the revolver would not be allowed for sale to the general public.

If the Raging Judge was determined to be a shotgun, the barrel length was well under the 18″ required by law. If the gun was determined to be a handgun, the bore was greater than 0.50″, and therefore prohibited as well.

Technically, it would be possible to have a 0.50″ barrel that would act as a full-length choke for shotshells. While this would meet the bore requirement for a handgun, it would also further illustrate that the gun is more shotgun than pistol. After all, what handgun has a choke?

Taurus Raging Judge 28 Gauge

During the SHOT Show, there were rumors that the BATFE visited Taurus and seized the 28 gauge Raging Judge. The fact that the gun was not on display for the second half of the show certainly suggested the rumors were true.

However, the American Rifleman’s Mark Keefe reported that nothing of the sort happened. Rather, Taurus had invited the BATFE to their booth for a sit down about the gun to ensure they made it in a way that would allow importation.

Regardless of the truth regarding the BATFE visit, the gun was not shown again in public.

In March of 2011, then-CEO of Taurus USA Bob Morrison told radio host Tom Gresham that the gun was still in development. Morrison stated that Taurus was working with the BATFE to make sure the gun met all legal requirements.

When the April 2011 NRA show rolled into town, however, the gun was not on display. Taurus reps began saying that the gun would not be manufactured. The gun that had graced the cover of the company’s catalog was gone, and Taurus even rushed a catalog with a new cover into production.

28 Gauge Revolver on the Taurus Catalog Cover

No statement was ever given by the company on why the gun failed to enter production. In the end, it seems the legal requirements were inflexible, and there was little Taurus could do to make the gun legal for sale in the USA. To my knowledge the gun never entered production, and none were made beyond the prototype(s).

It is not known where the prototype(s) may be now.

Raging Judge 28 Gauge Specs

model #M528
common nameRaging Judge XXVIII
caliber28 gauge
capacity5
barrel length6.5"
overall length13.75"
weight67 ounces
actionDA/SA
sightsfixed: fiber optic front, notch rear
gripsrubber with cushioned insert
finishblued, matte stainless
MSRPnever announced

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Insert name says

    May 29, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    did this guy say fishing

    Reply
  2. Kalib Hebert says

    September 10, 2015 at 10:53 am

    Damn feds. Cant they catch murderers instead?

    Reply
    • Terry Newberry says

      March 20, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      Maybe with Donald Trump in office there may be a future for it after all…8^)

      Reply
      • Jake Blanton says

        November 16, 2019 at 2:41 am

        Considering how Trump violated both the 2nd and 5th Amendments with his actions on the bump stocks, you should not hold your breath waiting for him to do anything pro-gun. Sure, he’s better than what the leftists might do, but he’s still an obnoxious NYer that wouldn’t know the Constitution if it bit him in the ass.

        Reply
  3. nectoxicdragon says

    September 21, 2015 at 3:41 am

    funny there are ads for it on gun sites on the web listing it currently for sale

    Reply
    • Richard says

      September 22, 2015 at 7:34 am

      Those ads are probably for the Taurus Raging Judge, not the 28 gauge gun that was never produced.

      Reply
  4. Terry Newberry says

    March 20, 2017 at 1:09 pm

    Maybe with Donald Trump in office there may be a future for it after all…8^)

    Reply
    • me says

      December 22, 2018 at 5:02 pm

      bump stocks

      Reply
      • Mike Hunt says

        November 3, 2019 at 5:37 pm

        Bump stocks are gone now ….. I feel so damn safe now !!

        Reply
  5. Stephen Meloche says

    March 15, 2018 at 11:10 pm

    I want this so badly is there a way to get this project up and running again even if the gun is sold as a destrutive device people will buy it

    Reply
  6. Stephen Meloche says

    March 15, 2018 at 11:14 pm

    what if they maid it in 32GA and started making there own shells for it

    Reply
  7. Travis Ryno says

    January 26, 2019 at 2:14 am

    I thought a shotgun with no stock /pistolgrip could be any length.

    And what’s wrong with pistols that big? Any criminal who would lug that thing around would just as quickly saw off a shotgun or whatever else they wanted to do because, well by definition, one doesn’t care about the law anyway.

    Kind of like how the police ticket someone for not slowing or moving over when passing them when they’re on a stop…..anyone with the absence of mind required to run the cop over will not have had the presence of mind to slowdown.
    ….as if a slight impact reduction in rare, perfectly timed freak events outweigh the increased dangers of people suddenly braking and/or jumping lanes under immediate pressure to do so…. I could make similar arguments for red light cameras…I guess dumb rules are a know-it-all government thing aimed at a know it all slice of the public…

    Reply
    • Richard Johnson says

      January 26, 2019 at 1:17 pm

      Shotguns have a very specific legal definition and requirement. Weapons like the 12 gauge Mossberg Shockwave are not shotguns – just firearms.

      -Richard

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Join or Die Flag NRA

NRA Life Membership – Best Deal [Limited Time]

Gun owners need to sign up immediately for a lifetime membership to the NRA. Why? Let me tell you. As of January 7, the anti-gun team of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have officially won the White House. The US Congress is also in anti-gun hands. The bottom line: more gun control legislation is coming […]

Most Read Articles

  • What is the best optic for my Glock 43x MOS
    What is the best optic for my Glock 43x MOS
  • Springfield Hellcat Apex Trigger Review: An Upgrade Worth Considering
    Springfield Hellcat Apex Trigger Review: An Upgrade Worth Considering
  • What Optics Will Fit the Springfield Armory Hellcat?
    What Optics Will Fit the Springfield Armory Hellcat?
  • Wilson Combat WCP320 Carry Review
    Wilson Combat WCP320 Carry Review
  • Girsan MC1911 CT Review
    Girsan MC1911 CT Review
  • Springfield Armory XD 9mm Subcompact Pistol Review
    Springfield Armory XD 9mm Subcompact Pistol Review
  • Cheap Riot Guns
    Cheap Riot Guns
  • Wowtac A1S Flashlight Review - The Budget Torch that Couldn't
    Wowtac A1S Flashlight Review - The Budget Torch that Couldn't
  • Fenix LD15R Review - Handy Flashlight for Utility Use
    Fenix LD15R Review - Handy Flashlight for Utility Use
  • Wowtac A4 V2 Review - Bright Light at a Price
    Wowtac A4 V2 Review - Bright Light at a Price
Installation of Apex Trigger

Springfield Hellcat Apex Trigger Review: An Upgrade Worth Considering

Got a Springfield Hellcat you want to squeeze every bit of performance possible out of? I recommend taking a look at the Action Enhancement Trigger from Apex Tactical Specialties. This user-installable kit promises to retain all of the safety of the stock trigger while improving the break, pull and reset. In this Apex trigger review, […]

Springfield Armory Red Dot Optics

What Optics Will Fit the Springfield Armory Hellcat?

So, you recently purchased a Springfield Armory Hellcat and now you want to add a red dot sight (RDS). The question is “what optics are compatible for a Springfield Hellcat OSP?” Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.

Best Price on the Wilson Combat WCP320

Wilson Combat WCP320 Carry Review

The Wilson Combat WCP320 Carry is one of the best 9mm pistols I’ve reviewed. From its announcement as the new standard sidearm for the United States military, the popularity of the SIG SAUER P320 pistol seemingly exploded. Original SIG pistols are in high demand and aftermarket accessories are plentiful. You can even build your own […]

profile shot of the Girsan 1911 pistol

Girsan MC1911 CT Review

In today’s review of the Girsan MC1911 CT, I take a look at a classically designed .45 ACP pistol with modern updates including a red dot sight. What might draw a lot of people in is the low price tag: only $661 at full retail. With the standard features, the gun seems like a great […]

Testing the SA XD SC

Springfield Armory XD 9mm Subcompact Pistol Review

While single-stack 9mm pistols seem to be all the rage in modern concealed carry, subcompact pistols that hold a bit more ammunition shouldn’t be dismissed by anyone interested in personal protection. In this Springfield Armory XD Subcompact pistol review, I take a look at the smallest gun in the company’s Defend Your Legacy Series of […]

Atlanta Police Red Dog Deployed to Protest

Cheap Riot Guns

Riots are raging across the United States – and have been for days. Consequently, I’ve had a number of emails come in from readers who are looking for the best self-defense pistol on a budget. Let’s not forget that the government lockdowns from the health crisis have left many people in a tough financial situation. […]

Copyright © 2021 GunsHolstersAndGear.com
GunsHolstersAndGear.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com