I carry one mostly as a trail gun while hunting. I bought it primarily as a snake gun to keep loaded with #8 for close range critter control. However, if you use 45lc in it be aware most loads available are cowboy loads and lack power. Recently this has changed, Hornady leverevolution ammo and Winchester silvertip hollow points are definetely hurt bombs capable of dropping a threat cold. Federal has also developed a .410 load in 00 buck specifically designed for handguns. The ballistics are pretty good with this load ( 1200fps) and 4 holes for one squeeze of the trigger. It patterns pretty good inside of 15 yds. The other good thing is at close range you don't have to be terribly accurate with these loads. I find my averahe spread at 15yds is about 4-6 inches around point of aim. Accuracy with the 45's is also decent, and it's better to shoot it single action if possible. As far as size goes, weight is good if you're recoil sensitive. Better holsters have also recently become available, I recently bought a Blackhawk level 2 for mine. There's also the "Badguy just crapped himself at the sight and sound of this hand cannon" factor. As with any firearm it was designed to do certain things well, meaning other things not so well. As far as a close range defense gun, I like it for certain circumstances. Mostly woods, snakes etc. As a man stopper, I carry a G19. However my Judge is also close at hand.
I haven't tried the PDX1 rounds, however I do hear good things. Also steer clear of Remington .410 loads, the hulls swell and it's a b!#ch to get them out of the cylinder.
