# Taurus 856 Defender .38 Special, 2" Compact Revolver with VZ Grips **Brand:** Taurus **Category:** Single/Double Action Revolvers **Caliber:** .38 Special ## Specifications - **Caliber:** .38 Special - **Barrel Length:** 2" - **Capacity:** 6 rounds - **Finish:** Matte Black - **Weight:** 22 oz - **Overall Length:** 6.55" - **UPC:** 725327939290 - **SKU:** UCClj878U ## Description The Taurus 856 is a DA/SA revolver chambered in .38 Special with a 2-inch barrel and 6-round cylinder. At 1.4 lbs (22 oz), and 6.55 inches overall, it's a compact revolver suitable for concealed carry and home defense. The frame and cylinder are carbon steel with a matte black finish, and the grips are Brown VZ Cyclone. ### Key Specifications - **Brand:** Taurus - **Model:** 856 - **Caliber:** .38 Special - **Action:** Double/Single Action (DA/SA) - **Capacity:** 6 rounds - **Barrel Length:** 2 inches - **Overall Length:** 6.55 inches - **Weight:** 1.4 lbs (22 oz) - **Frame Material:** Carbon Steel with Matte Black Finish - **Sights:** Ramp Front / Fixed Rear - **Grips:** Brown VZ Cyclone ### Features Carbon steel frame and cylinder give the 856 its durability. The 2-inch barrel keeps overall length to 6.55 inches, which makes pocket or IWB carry practical. Ramp front sight and fixed rear sight give a fast sight picture for close-range work. VZ Cyclone grips in brown provide grip texture and control, particularly during extended range sessions. A transfer bar safety prevents accidental discharge without the hammer being cocked. The DA/SA action allows either a longer DA pull for a first-shot safety margin, or a shorter SA pull for precise single shots. ### Usage The 856 fits the classic snub-nosed .38 role: a 6-round capacity, 2-inch barrel, and under-23 oz weight make it a practical carry option. The .38 Special chambering keeps recoil manageable compared to .357 Magnum, and the double-action pull is accessible for new revolver shooters. For home defense it can be stored compactly; for carry it works with most IWB holsters made for snub-nose revolvers. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What caliber is the Taurus 856?** A: The Taurus 856 is chambered in .38 Special. **Q: Who makes the 856?** A: It is made by Taurus. **Q: What type of firearm is the 856?** A: It is a DA/SA revolver in the single/double action revolver category. **Q: What is the barrel length of the 856?** A: It has a 2-inch barrel. **Q: How many rounds does the 856 hold?** A: It has a 6-round cylinder. **Q: What grips does the 856 come with?** A: It comes with Brown VZ Cyclone grips. **Q: Where can I buy the Taurus 856?** A: Compare current vendor offers on this page. ## What Reviewers Say *Quoted verbatim from YouTube reviews. Each link opens the video at the moment quoted.* > Really really cool affordable snub and nose revolver if you want to get started with revolvers somewhere. > > — [Mannix](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cklCpLO3608&t=56s) > Revolvers are very very simple tried and true pieces of Hardware they do not suffer from too many parts syndrome. > > — [Mannix](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cklCpLO3608&t=262s) > Close range accuracy is not the best at like seven or ten yards I mean it's okay it hits its Target. > > — [Mannix](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cklCpLO3608&t=365s) > I wish this was fiber optic or even just like a red plastic insert but it's not it's just a part of the barrel right there which is kind of disappointing. > > — [Mannix](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cklCpLO3608&t=463s) ## What Customers Say *AI-generated insights from customer reviews* Owners of the Taurus 856 generally rate it positively as a carry revolver. The compact 2-inch barrel, 22 oz weight, and 6-round capacity in .38 Special are the most cited strengths. The .38 Special caliber is liked for its manageable recoil, which makes it accessible to a range of shooters. VZ Cyclone grips get consistent positive mention for their texture and control. Reliability reports are mostly good, with owners noting consistent performance across carry and range use. The straightforward revolver operation is appreciated by owners who prefer a simple manual of arms. On the critical side, trigger pull weight is the most common complaint. Some owners find the double-action pull heavier than competitors. Fit and finish consistency comes up occasionally, with a few buyers noting minor quality control issues relative to higher-priced revolvers in the same class. ## Pricing **12 offers available** | Vendor | Price | |--------|-------| | Shootingsurplus Com | $352.28 | | Centerfiresystems Com | $355.99 | | Impactguns Com | $357.89 | | Grabagun Com | $359.99 | | Kygunco Com | $361.72 | | Globalordnance Com | $361.72 | | Guns Com | $361.99 | | Palmettostatearmory Com | $368.99 | | Buds Gun Shop | $371.99 | | RK Guns | $374.97 | *...and 2 more offers* ## Similar Products - [Taurus 856 Defender: Compact .38 Special +P Revolver, Stainless/Walnut](https://gunsnation.com/p/taurus-856-defender-compact-38-special-p-revolver-stainless-walnut/UCClj85lL) - [Taurus 856 Defender: .38 Special +P Compact Revolver - Matte Black/Blue Grips](https://gunsnation.com/p/taurus-856-defender-38-special-p-compact-revolver-matte-black-blue-grips/UCClj85R8) - [Taurus 856 Compact Defender: Matte Black .38 Special +P Revolver](https://gunsnation.com/p/taurus-856-compact-defender-matte-black-38-special-p-revolver/UCClj6lQ8) - [Taurus 856 Defender .38 Special +P Revolver - Walnut Grip, Matte Black](https://gunsnation.com/p/taurus-856-defender-38-special-p-revolver-walnut-grip-matte-black/UCClj85lE) - [Taurus 856 .38 Special Stainless Revolver - Compact Defender Edition](https://gunsnation.com/p/taurus-856-38-special-stainless-revolver-compact-defender-edition/UCClj86iU) - [Taurus 856 Defender .38 Special +P Revolver - Matte Stainless Finish](https://gunsnation.com/p/taurus-856-defender-38-special-p-revolver-matte-stainless-finish/UCClj87wF) --- *Data from [GunsNation](https://gunsnation.com)*