Taurus Judge's Barrel...

[TxCommish]

Box of Truth Tested the Judge and the results are poor. I wouldnt waste my money on one.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot53.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I did, and I love it. Has been flawless with hundred of rounds fired thru it. 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."

[Jumping Frog]

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.

[G.A. Heath]

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.

[erick619]

Thanks for everyone's responses. I told my coworker to contact Taurus so they can make it right (whether it be by fixing it or sending her a voucher for a new one). She doesn't want another one (for obvious reasons) so I recommended that she tells Taurus that she has lost all faith in their product and would rather have a check cut. The good news is her father will be buying her a new pistol tomorrow so she will have a means to protect herself.

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."

hehehe. you caught me! Just kidding.

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.

Hmm.. can you please elaborate more on how over torquing could possibly cause this to happen?
-Do you mean that when they installed the barrel, they applied too much pressure on the moment arm, therefore creating too much stress on the barrel itself and caused shearing? Which ultimately failed after shooting it several times?
-Or when you say 'into the frame' for some reason if the barrel is too close (not enough headspace) it would cause problems?
-Or something else?

Thanks!

[G.A. Heath]

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.

[mr surveyor]

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.

Yep, if I remember the history, some of the early RedHawks suffered a similar barrel failure which lead to the introduction of the Super RedHawk. Turned out the previous RedHawk failures were not design or material related, but use of the wrong type lube when the barrels were installed/torqued on a few of them.

[Jim Beaux]

Box of Truth Tested the Judge and the results are poor. I wouldnt waste my money on one.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot53.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I did, and I love it. Has been flawless with hundred of rounds fired thru it. 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."

You should read the article. The test conducted in the Box of Truth was in regard to the weapon's effectiveness, not it's quality. Though better than nothing, the gun is over hyped and is not a good choice for defensive purposes.

[erick619]

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.

Thank you for the information! I learn something new every day

[wheelgun1958]

Hickok45 has a video on the Judge and gives it a somewhat positive review.

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[The Annoyed Man]

What happened was you just convinced me never to buy one.

One small barrel blows off and you are poised to trash the whole concept!

Heh heh.

Anygunanywhere

Not at all. I might still buy the S&W version of it......if I were interested in that type of gun. But if I were interested in that type of gun, I'd have probably bought one a long time ago. After all, they've been around for a while now.

[i8godzilla]

I'd like to know that Taurus has to say about this gun. I have had a Judge for a few years. Mine--like most tools I own--has a specific purpose. Snake elimination. For this purpose it has served us well. I would not consider it a good tool for self/home protection nor would I consider using it as my EDC. I have better tools for that.

[HenryAKirk]

I am constantly unimpressed with the TV ads for the Judge; just carry a 9mm and learn to shoot.