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The barrels typically screw into the frame on most modern revolvers. Sometimes the threads are cut so that things don't quite line up, and when that happens there are two options. Torque it a little further until it does (acceptable if it's not too much) or change to a different barrel. If you take a revolver that lacks adjustable sights to a gun smith because it is shooting to the left or right he will put the gun in a vice block, clamp it down, and then turn the barrel to where it lines up correctly.

When the barrel gets over torqued, its like over torquing a bolt or screw. When there is enough stress (via use or continued application of torque) the head head of the bolt or screw will come off. Look at your photos and you will notice that the barrel is doing a pretty nice impersonation of a bolt head that turned a little too much.

Jumping Frog wrote:

TxCommish wrote:For all we know, the Judge in question could have been dropped from a second story window onto concrete, or run over with a car, or used as a hammer, or?? before the OP "loaded her up."

I've never seen a pictures of a Ruger with a failure like that.

I have. I've seen pictures of Rugers, Smith & Wessons, even a Dan Wesson with their barrels in that condition. I have seen several pictures of Taurus revolvers in that condition too. This is commonly caused by over torquing the barrel into the frame. I find it interesting that it failed with shot shells though.