the Taurus Judge

Question
I am a big fan of the .45 long colt and have always entertained the idea of firing a shotshell through a revolver,but,I have concerns that I hope you may be able to help me with.
The 3" chamber is a full 1.25" (or so) longer than a standard .45 LC chamber. The 2.5" is a full .75" longer.
Won't this effect the accuracy when firing .45's throught this gun?(Keep in mind that my interest is for personal self-defense so I'm only talking 6-10 yards,But,because of this it is something I'd like addressed.)
Also,Have you handled one of these guns?Half of me says "Wow,cool!" Half of me says "Gimmick!"
I'm curious as to what you think,Also the ideas of anyone you know that has had some experience with this gun...
Thanks in advance...Icon
Oh p.s. I live in the U.S. the state of Louisiana.

Answer
On thanksgiving mornings before family comes, I frequently get together with a bunch of retired leathernecks to shoot clay birds, eat fresh game that's been cooking all night, and have the padre offer thanks before we go home to our families.

For the past three years one of those fellows has had a Taurus Judge. This is the only opportunity I've had to shoot one (with bird shot), and while an interesting experience, no one to date at those gatherings has ever hit any clay birds with it.

The name of the gun was originally the 4410, but was changed to "The Judge" when Taurus' VP discovered that judges in Miami were carrying these in their courtrooms for self-defense.

The gun does not qualify as a "short barreled shot gun" under NFA rules because it has rifling, albeit extremely shallow rifling, so as not to interfere with or be damaged by shot shells.

What this means is that the gun will not produce the gas seal = pressure = velocity of an ordinary gun chambered in .45 Colt. When it comes to shot shells, in the large configuration (3") you are talking about being able to fire a mere 5 pellets of 00 Buck from an extremely short barrel.

This all to say that in my opinion, the gun is a gimmick. It will not be as effective as either a .410 shotgun, OR a regular revolver chambered in .45 Colt. In order to get the versatility of handling both types of ammunition, it handles neither one of them well.

I would much rather trust my life and safety to a well-make 9mm than to this gun.