I bought a Taurus Judge 3X3 in stainless a couple of years ago, and posted an extensive report on "another site".
Tested it with all of the standard .410 shotshells, and slugs. It was really anemic, as those rounds are designed to be shot through longer barrels.
Now the manufactures are seeing this is a popular gun and are coming out with rounds designed for a short barreled pistol.
The new buckshot, and slug rounds from Federal and Win. are pretty impressive.
At 1200fps, I would put them into the self defense catagory.
I've shot the #4 shotshell rounds from them, and they suck.
Way to many holes in the pattern, at 3 yds to take out any small critters.
Just to add some more info, I got a question from the "other forum" about taking out the eyes of a perp with a cloud of shot.
I put some of the safety glasses we issue to the employees on a log and shot them with the Judge, and from a full length .410 shotgun.
None penetrated the safety glasses.