Rossi Circuit Judge...........fad or not?

[Tom_in_SoddyDaisy]

I think it is more of a fad but I dont know......what does TGO think?

[peejman]

Fad for 95% of the people who buy them. The other 5% actually live on a farm.

[R_Bert]

Me,

I just have a thing for odd or mis-fit guns.

I really like the CJ in Stainless - Rossi USA

[Handsome Rob]

No more so than owning a tacticool, pimped out AR. Actually, any AR for that matter.

[Jonnin]

I think its very attractive, and would make an interesting first shotgun/rifle for a kid. But apart from the cosmetic look of it, I have no use for it. You cannot hunt with it --- it cannot be plugged to hold 3 in any way that satisfies the game wardens. Its not exaclty skeet friendly, though one might get used to it and do well if you can operate a long DA pull. At the best, to me, its a nifty but low capacity carbine/toy. If I had an infinite budget, I would get one just because of how it looks, but I can't pay that price for something to look at, I can click on the picture once in a while for free.

[Jonnin]

They have a tatical style stock and look for it now, by the way. Which is about like hanging a flashlight on a rail, bipod, and drilling holes in the grip of your ruger single 6, its .... beyond words really.

[Handsome Rob]

Oh I don't know about that... In .44MAG or .45 Colt it would make an excellent brush-gun for deer or hog hunting. I can understand what you mean about the 28ga though, that seems a little redundant.

[Smith]

I think its very attractive, and would make an interesting first shotgun/rifle for a kid. But apart from the cosmetic look of it, I have no use for it. You cannot hunt with it --- it cannot be plugged to hold 3 in any way that satisfies the game wardens. Its not exactly skeet friendly, though one might get used to it and do well if you can operate a long DA pull. At the best, to me, its a nifty but low capacity carbine/toy. If I had an infinite budget, I would get one just because of how it looks, but I can't pay that price for something to look at, I can click on the picture once in a while for free.

Can't hunt with it? The .45LC would make an ideal brush gun around here. Add to it the fact that it's very well balanced and extremely compact it would make a great brush gun for TN. It comes with plugs for the cylinders to satisfy the migratory bird thing.

When they came out I thought they were gimmicky just like I thought the Judge to be. After handling them and hearing from folks who have them I'm come to see the utility of the platform. They are a niche gun but a niche they fill well.

[Guest pfries]

I have been eyballing one for my son (10 years old) yes I live on a farm and think it would be a great utility gun for my boy.

[shaftbass]

I think it's kinda cool. I can think of a bunch of guns I'd buy before that particular gun, but I'd have one.

[Steelharp]

would make an interesting first shotgun/rifle for a kid.

Except for the trigger. That would turn him/her off immediately. Waaaaay too heavy. I even hate it.

[mikegideon]

No more so than owning a tacticool, pimped out AR. Actually, any AR for that matter.

That just hurts my heart Robo. An AR is one of the most prctical guns out there as long as it has enough power for the job. .223 is limited, but you're not locked into that. I kinda agree with the pimped out tacticool statement.

The circuit judge isn't for me, but I can see where it would be for some. It is kinda cool.

[Jonnin]

Can't hunt with it? The .45LC would make an ideal brush gun around here. Add to it the fact that it's very well balanced and extremely compact it would make a great brush gun for TN. It comes with plugs for the cylinders to satisfy the migratory bird thing. When they came out I thought they were gimmicky just like I thought the Judge to be. After handling them and hearing from folks who have them I'm come to see the utility of the platform. They are a niche gun but a niche they fill well.

You can't hunt with it AS A SHOTGUN for birds(?)***. Im sure its fine for deer or whatever when using 45's etc, the issue was using it as a 410 bird gun. Sorry if that was unclear! (*** is there a limit on shotgun rounds for small game? I do not know!). I know it comes with plugs but have heard that some wardens do not consider that to be enough. Is the SA trigger so bad? I picked on up at a show but I cannot remember the SA pull. I know the DA is awful, but then again, most are. Edited December 7, 2011 by Jonnin

[nightrunner]

Do everybody else really feel that comfortable having the hot gases from the cylinder RIGHT IN YOUR FACE ( with hotter loads in the .45colt)

That is the only thing that turns me off about it

[JAB]

The Circuit Judge is actually the only Judge I'd be interesting in owning. I'll lump S&W's 'Governor' in there, too. My attention was first caught by revolver long guns when I saw a couple of Civil War era revolving rifles in a museum. In fact, I even made a post or two on gun boards that I wished someone would do a 'mass market' one a couple of years before the idea of a 'Circuit Judge' was even mentioned.

I have to agree with robtattoo that, for me, a Circuit Judge would honestly be a more 'practical' thing to own than an AR15. Personally, I think I'd have more fun with a Circuit Judge than an AR, as well. As far as actually buying one, a Circuit Judge is on my 'want' list but not at the top - it is certainly lower down on the list than a .38/.357 lever gun.

[Mike.357]

I don't think the gases vent back at you. There is some sort of seal on the cylinder.

There have been revolving rifles for over 150 years, not a new fad.

[jgradyc]

I've heard second-hand that the noise is uncomfortably loud with your face so close to the cylinder. I came close to buying one, but bought a 20 ga pump youth model instead... a Winchester Model 120, I think.

[vontar]

You can't hunt with it AS A SHOTGUN for birds(?)***. Im sure its fine for deer or whatever when using 45's etc, the issue was using it as a 410 bird gun. Sorry if that was unclear! (*** is there a limit on shotgun rounds for small game? I do not know!). I know it comes with plugs but have heard that some wardens do not consider that to be enough. Is the SA trigger so bad? I picked on up at a show but I cannot remember the SA pull. I know the DA is awful, but then again, most are.

Only migratory birds. Turkey falls in that catagory.

Turkey is under the big game on page 18.

Migratory birds per TWRA hunting guide 2011 on page 20

Coots

Crow

Gallinules/Rails

Mourning Dove

Waterfowl: Ducks & Geese

Wilson Snipe

Woodcock

Everything else pretty much good to go with the right ammo I believe.

Edited December 9, 2011 by vontar

[Guest Aces&8s]

I don't think the gases vent back at you. There is some sort of seal on the cylinder.

There have been revolving rifles for over 150 years, not a new fad.

Mike.357 is right. There are gas shields or deflectors on both sides of the cylinder that redirect any gas and powder residue away from the face, and keep it from burning your support arm. I really enjoyed shooting the one I had a chance to try out, and if I weren't hip-deep in some AR builds, I would probably buy a CJ. Still might sometime down the road...

[Guest odfanatic]

I like the style and look of it, but never had a hankering to have one.

[vontar]

I want to add to my last post.Having to correct from my phone. I would not use a 410 myself on a turkey. However it would be alright for small game.I still want one of these Circuit Judges.

[nightrunner]

What if you had a major malfunction like a double charge of powder? Do you really want the cylinder mere inchs from your face when it grenades?

This wasnt an issue with older revolvong rifles as they were chambered for blackpowder cartridges and couldnt be double charged and didnt operate at the pressures that modern. 45colt does. .410shotgun shells do not concern me in this instance

[Handsome Rob]

You could say the same thing for pretty much any rifle. Would you want a double load in any firearm, close to your face or not?

[Sidewinder]

Well, good or bad...I now own one of them, so I'll find out first hand. I have done some research, and supposedly the gun is pretty accurate with the .45LC, but not the .410 slugs. Something about that difference in dimension of a .45 & .410, allowing smaller .410 slug to slop around on it's way down the barrel...and then go any which way on exit. There are some you-tube vids of people using it for the bunnies with dogs. Some have indicated it might work as a tree rat harvester.

 

To me, it's a fun gun to plink around with. I have all of the hunting and target shooting bases covered with other guns, so the utility of this little jewel is yet to be determined. It has a 4X32 scope that I may take off and use the fluorescent tube sights, green on the rear sight & red/orange on the front. Look out tin cans...here I come!

[Moped]

I'd like to see Rossi come out with this rifle chambered in .357/.38.  I would definitely look at buying one!!!