Taurus Decoder Ring: A Cute Start

Every gun manufacturer has their own naming-convention gobbledygook. They have names based on years, calibers, sizes, capacity, extremeness. Yes, I wrote that: EXTREMENESS. 

Smith & Wesson is infamous for it; at least the gobbledygook part. I don't know if it was Handgun Radio that came up with the innovative concept of a Smith & Wesson Model Number Decoder Ring, but that's where I heard about it.

Well, Taurus is modestly confusing the hell out of me. I get tripped up constantly by the GX series. And I am feebly coming to grips with the numbering of its revolvers. But I still don't know what to call my 22 Poly, uh, PT-22 PLY ... yah!

Where to start? I could start chronologically, but that could be boring. I think I'll start with the easy route, because then I probably won't screw it up. Also, the first gun is sort of cartoonish, so it's like we are starting at an elementary (school) level. REMEMBER: Guns are not toys!

The Judge Series (2006-present)

The Taurus Judge was originally named the 4410. The "Judge" name came about, because judges were carrying the 4410 in Miami.

Credit: TaurusUSA.com

Judge (Models 2-441031T, 2-441039T, 2-441061T, 2-441069T)

barrel lengths: 3" or 6.5"
weight: 29 oz or 32 oz
material: steel alloy or stainless steel
finish: black oxide or stainless steel
The original Judge.  

Credit: TaurusUSA.com

Judge Public Defender (Models 2-441031TC, 2-441039TC, 2-441029TCPLY, 2-441021PFS)

barrel length: 2.5"
capacity: 5 rounds
weight: 28 oz or 27 oz
material: steel alloy or stainless steel or polymer
finish: black oxide or stainless steel or black plastic

It sounds funny that this version of the Judge is called the Judge Public Defender, but it is seen over and over again that line extensions can get a little goofy. Maybe they could have changed the name of the series to: the Courthouse.

The difference in weight between metal and polymer Public Defenders seems ridiculous.

Credit: TaurusUSA.com

Judge Magnum (Models 2-441031MAG, 2-441039MAG, 2-441061MAG, 2-441069MAG)
barrel length: 3" or 6.5"
capacity: 5 rounds
weight: 37 oz or 48 oz
material: steel alloy or stainless steel
finish: black oxide or stainless steel
The magnums have 3" chambers.

Raging Judge (Models 2-51039, 2-51069)
barrel length: 3" or 6.5"
capacity: 6 rounds
weight: 61 oz or 73 oz
material: stainless steel
finish: stainless steel
The Raging Judges add a .454 Casull capable chamber, but the chamber is not .410 magnum capable. 

NEXT: Taurus Decoder Ring: GXeses

Revolvers Are Great (Part 1)

Well, we are in a holding pattern for my wife's pistol-purchase permit. And my wife doesn't want to hear a thing about guns - for her - until she can get her hands on some and buy one that day.

In the meantime, I had been convinced that she would end up with a single-stack 9mm or .380. Now I'm not so sure. She shoots revolvers well, and she likes how easy it is to see that they are loaded. Also, I'm getting intrigued by revolvers again. I haven't had one for a long time, and I might even consider getting one - or two - for myself.

Besides my wife's attraction, why the change of heart? I'm concerned about capacity, but single-stack guns don't have much anyway. So then I was considering a Ruger Security-9 Compact, which is pretty thin for a double-stack gun and doesn't weigh too much. But more weight is more weight. 

Also, on a totally frivolous note. I like the idea of a derringer back up to a .38 revolver.

Back to what my wife wants.

She really liked the .357 Magnum Ruger LCR. But it's a little pricey. She shot the J frame lightweight S&W and thought it was okay. I was not all that impressed with the Taurus revolvers. They all seemed to weigh too much, but I kept seeing ads for this thing:

The Taurus 856 Ultra-Lite. 

And I was at a gun store and handled the polymer Taurus Public Defender. And the trigger was - good!

And my wife wants a gun with some color - if possible. So more wheels started turning. Though some semiautos have a pallette of colors. 

credit: GunsWeek.com, Taurus Spectrum

 

Some revolvers are even gaudy.

Credit: Charter Arms, Undercover Lite

And some revolvers are in colors that might be acceptable to my wife.

Credit: TaurusUSA.com, 856 Ultra-Lite

NEXT in series: Revolvers Are Great: Interlude (Part 2)

A Little (Gun) Color

Today, I went and checked out the brand-new gun range that I watched being built a few miles from my home. I wanted to see if it was an appropriate place to take my nine-year-old-son, and if they had a handgun that my wife might be interested in.

They had the obligatory wall of rental guns, so I looked to see what my son could shoot and my wife might like to try. Standing there, I actually found it difficult to distinguish among those autoloaders, because - save one - they were all totally matte black. Now poor lighting might have contributed to my difficulty, but the situation got my wheels a turnin', especially since color choice is a major part of what my wife wants.

I've always liked guns with a little character, but I like original finishes and modern guns, so I generally end up with the oh so exciting black polymer frame and stainless steel slide - or something damn well similar to that.

So what colors do I want to see? 1911 nickel with pearl grips.

credit: ArmsBid.com

Wood furniture on something

(Even on a fancy AR).
Parkerizing.
Case hardening.
Blueing.
Damascus steel.
Those are all out there, but not popular - or cheap.



And my wife wants to see a little feminine color from an Italian manufacture (Talk about narrowing down the choices.).

credits: TinCanBandit.blogspot.com, EAACorp.com, EAACorp.com, GunsAndAmmo.com

Maybe Cerakote is in my future. Maybe home blueing.