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For decades, small-frame snubbies meant settling for five rounds. Taurus rethought that with the 856, stretching the proven Model 85 platform just enough to fit a sixth charge hole without turning it into a bigger gun. The result is a 2-inch .38 Special that still tucks away like a classic snub but gives you 20 percent more capacity in the cylinder. At 22 ounces with an overall length of 6.55 inches, it rides comfortably in a belt holster or a coat pocket, and the extra hole in the cylinder only adds a sliver of width you will never notice on your hip.
That all-steel construction is more than a durability play. The added heft over airweight snubs takes real bite out of recoil, which means longer, more productive range sessions and quicker follow-up shots when it counts. The soft rubber grips help too, filling the hand without adding printable bulk. Rated for .38 Special +P, this revolver happily digests everything from mild wadcutters at the range to stout defensive hollow points in the carry rotation. The matte stainless finish shrugs off sweat and holster wear, a genuine advantage for a gun that lives close to the body.
The double/single action gives you options: a smooth, deliberate double-action pull for defensive work, or cock the exposed hammer for precise single-action shots. A transfer bar safety means the hammer cannot reach the firing pin unless the trigger is fully pulled, so carrying all six chambers loaded is exactly how this gun was designed to work. Up top you get a serrated ramp front sight that is pinned in place rather than machined into the barrel, so swapping in a tritium or high-visibility upgrade down the road is a simple job. The fixed rear notch keeps the sight picture snag-free and rugged.
Between the six-round cylinder, the recoil-friendly weight, and stainless construction that holds up to daily carry, the 856 delivers a lot of revolver in a compact package. It is a smart pick for nightstand duty, everyday carry, or anyone who just appreciates a wheelgun that runs every single time.
Yes, the steel-frame 856 is rated for .38 Special +P loads, so you can carry modern defensive ammo with confidence. That said, the 22-ounce steel frame makes standard pressure loads very pleasant for practice. A common approach is training with standard .38 and loading +P hollow points for carry.
Not reliably. The six-shot cylinder is slightly larger in diameter than a five-shot J-frame or Model 85, so speedloaders made for those guns will not line up with the 856's charge holes. Look for speedloaders and holsters made specifically for the Taurus 856 or six-shot small-frame revolvers to get a proper fit.
Yes on both counts. The 856 shares its grip frame with the rest of the Taurus small-frame revolver family, so options from Hogue, Pachmayr, VZ, and Taurus themselves all bolt right on. The front sight is held by a roll pin rather than machined into the barrel, which makes upgrading to a tritium or high-visibility sight a quick job.
This is the all-steel version, weighing 22 ounces compared to roughly 16 ounces for the aluminum-frame Ultra-Lite. The extra weight noticeably softens recoil, making it the better shooter for range practice and follow-up shots. If you plan to shoot regularly rather than just carry, most folks find the steel frame is the one to get.
| UPC | 725327943044 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 2-85625 |
| Barrel Length | 2" |
| Caliber/Gauge | .38 Special |
| Capacity | 6 |
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