re: Is The Judge considered a handgun

Maybe. I’m not a dangerous game expert but if deer run off sometimes from 12 gauge buckshot I wouldnt take chances on a bear with a .410

Just me. But go pro it and post it if you do

I'd check to be sure, but I think you can purchase a handgun out of state. They just have to ship it to a ffl in your state. Similar to gunbroker I assume.

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Just dont shoot a bear with .410

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Well I wouldn’t depend on a 45 Colt out of a Judge to save me from a bear either. Not sure it would go through a large grizzly skull. Those cowboy factory loads are barely stronger than 9mm Luger and have very soft bullets.

44 mag minimum, 45 Colt “Ruger only” loads better, 454 Casull even better, 500 S&W best… and with hard to medium cast bullets.

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Is The Judge considered a handgun

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Yes

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Thinking about purchasing one

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You’ll have to get it from your home state. It might make a good snake gun with bird shot or a good armadillo gun with buckshot.

Just my opinion: if you get it, get it for its ability to shoot .410 shells. It doesn’t excel at shooting 45 Colt loads for velocity or accuracy.

I won’t take the chance on one because I have to many 45 Colt hand loads that would blow that gun up.

Governor will shoot .45 ACP too.

Earlier posters are correct: It is a handgun and you can but a handgun out of state, but it'll have to be shipped to a local FFL for you to pass the instant background check and take possession. As far as the Judge itself, I don't have one. OTOH, my brother in law bought one years ago when they first came out to shoot vermin from his tractor when working a field. Out of curiosity, I shot it at close range (I think 10 yds) at a squirrel target using the shot the gun salesman sold him. I believe it was regular #6 shot. Very few pellet hit squirrel (1 or 2?). Only a few pellets even hit the 8"x11" paper. Neither of us was very impressed. I didn't shoot any 45 Colt or ACP ammo in it, but I've read it's usually not very accurate w/ either of these. I you buy one, I'd suggest trying the shot gun ammo especially designed for it and shoot it at a target to see how it hits. Good luck. Keep us updated.