Gun debate/ traffic bait: The Judge? (UPDATED)

Here's an interesting product demonstration video of a new-ish revolver from Taurus they call "The Judge" that holds five .410 shotgun shells. It stars Dick Metcalf, which is a name I remember from when I used to read gun magazines. I'd embed the video but I don't think they've enabled that--so call me Mister Screencap:

It certainly looks impressive as Metcalf shreds the fluorescent paper targets. And without a doubt, if that were a real carjacker in that video, he would require a change of drawers. But is a .410 shotshell in a three-inch barrel going to be an effective anti-carjacking tool? Wouldn't the birdshot that patterns so nicely on paper be deflected by heavy clothing and--not to get too anatomical, but let's be honest--skin and ribs? Would it be as effective at fifty or sixty feet as it would across a passenger seat?

I've never even considered a .410 adequate for quail hunting, so without some evidence to the contrary, my inclination would be to use the interchangeable .45 Long Colt cartridges for self defense instead. And that kind of obviates the need for the weird-lookin' long cylinder and the whole gizmo--a more compact revolver in .45 or .44 (or .41 Mag) would seem to do the trick.

Which brings up another question--among the shooting types I know, Taurus products had the reputation of being the Chrysler K-Car of handguns. Back in the nineties they made unreliable knockoffs of Smiths and Berettas, often with gaudy pearl handles, pimpy-bright nickel finishes, and gold gewgaws. Are Tauri any better today? Or would you steer a blogger in the market for a cheapo compact, bigmouth revolver toward what I've dubbed the GuyPod instead?

P.S.:

I'll teach you to pat my head, Benny Hill!

UPDATE: I saw somewhere that these aren't even legal in California. Don't know whether that's true or not. Comments are running in favor of it but I'm not convinced. I also think if they make the thing this big they should have gone whole-hog and chambered it for 3" long .410 magnum shells, which hold two extra balls of buckshot. On the other hand, here's a thumbs-up from a tough critic, which contains this delightful aside on the propriety of shooting poisonous snakes:

...if I find a poisonous snake around my house, I will do all that I can to kill it. I have two young grandchildren that play around here, and a snakebite could easily kill one of them, or even kill their dear old Grandpa, and I just will not risk it. Now, if some short-haired, Volvo-driving, apartment-dwelling, cappuccino-drinking, Nancy Pelosi fan club chick wants to send hateful email, let the games begin.