Public Defender Polymer on sale at Rural King

[FortKnox]

Rural King is having a sale on the Judge Public Defender Polymer for $359.99. That's the cheapest I've seen it in forever.

Now, I've kinda been interested in this gun for awhile and the price seems good but, it's a Taurus so...yeah.

So, who's had experience with this gun? Thoughts?

Thanks. Edited February 7, 2016 by FortKnox

[Patton]

We bought my FIL one a few years back when they were on sale at Sportsmans Warehouse for that price. Honestly, with the 45lc it is a pretty good shooting gun and never misses a beat. It's just typical Taurus gripes of rough edges and uneven finish. All the .410 shells we have tested penetrate poorly and many have had weak primer strikes. Some of the premium .410 shells like the pdx will only penetrate one side of a pumpkin or melon at more than 7 yards. IMO, with shot shells it is only suitable for use as a snake gun; with .45LC I wouldn't have a concern using it for home or self defense.

[TNWNGR]

It's hit or miss on quality control and the .410 shotshells from a threaded...stubby barell are more of a cool thing then practically feasable. The PD & Govenor are essentially oversized revolvers which do well with the .45 LC and .410 SG slugs and IMHO fall short of their self defense marketing. The Thunder-Five was a better gun but even it suffered from the same shortcomings with respect to shotshells. Overall I'm thinking more of a range toy and knock around field gun.