# Taurus 856 TORO .38 Special Revolver, Optics Ready - 3" Barrel

**Brand:** Taurus
**Category:** Single/Double Action Revolvers
**Caliber:** .38 Special

## Specifications

- **Caliber:** .38 Special
- **Barrel Length:** 3"
- **Capacity:** 6 rounds
- **Finish:** Blued
- **Weight:** 23.52 oz
- **Overall Length:** 7.5"
- **UPC:** 725327941446
- **SKU:** UCClj87hG

## Description

The Taurus 856 TORO is a .38 Special double/single-action revolver with a 3-inch barrel, 6-round capacity, and a milled slide cut for optics. The TORO (Taurus Optics Ready Option) designation means you can mount a red dot without gunsmithing. VZ G10 grips and a transfer bar safety round out the package.

### Key Specifications
- **Model:** 856 TORO
- **Caliber:** .38 Special
- **Action:** Double/Single Action
- **Capacity:** 6 rounds
- **Barrel Length:** 3 inches
- **Notable Features:**
  - TORO Optics Ready
  - Transfer Bar Safety
  - VZ G10 Grips

### Features

The TORO optics cut lets you mount a compatible red dot without sending the gun to a gunsmith, a practical advantage for anyone who wants modern sighting without the extra step. The transfer bar safety means the gun won't fire unless the trigger is deliberately pulled, which matters for a revolver carried without a holster covering the trigger. VZ G10 grips are grippy and durable, and the 3-inch barrel keeps the package short enough for concealed carry while giving more velocity and leverage than a snub-nose.

## What Reviewers Say

*Quoted verbatim from YouTube reviews. Each link opens the video at the moment quoted.*

> History has shown us that it is deceptively difficult to produce a revolver that is both affordable and reliable.
>
> — [Lucky Gunner Ammo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE0dcMFUkuU&t=160s)

> The trigger is just okay. It's similar to a Smith JFrame trigger. It improves a lot with dry practice and it's good enough, but it's still on the heavy side.
>
> — [Lucky Gunner Ammo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE0dcMFUkuU&t=179s)

> I would prefer it to be a little thicker from front to back. Doesn't fill my hand quite as well as I would like, but you know, I say that about most revolver grips.
>
> — [Lucky Gunner Ammo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE0dcMFUkuU&t=289s)

> This has been a much better experience than I would have expected from Atarus a couple of years ago.
>
> — [Lucky Gunner Ammo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE0dcMFUkuU&t=427s)

## What Customers Say

*AI-generated insights from customer reviews*

The 856 TORO gets steady positive feedback on a few points.

The optics-ready feature is the headline. Shooters who want to run a red dot on a carry revolver don't have many options, and the fact that this one comes cut from the factory is frequently praised. Reliability is another consistent positive. Owners generally report it runs without issue in a range of conditions. The double/single-action mechanism and manual controls are simple enough that new shooters pick it up quickly.

The 3-inch barrel gets credit for threading the needle between concealability and usability. The 6-round cylinder and .38 Special caliber come up as the main trade-offs: some users would prefer higher capacity or a larger caliber for a primary defense gun, and a few mention the gun feels heavier than they expected for daily carry.

The trigger pull is the other recurring concern. The DA pull is heavier than some users anticipated, which can affect shot placement if you're not used to a revolver trigger. Finish quality gets some criticism compared to higher-end revolvers, though most owners feel the price justifies it. Value for money is consistently mentioned as a strength.

## Pricing

**4 offers available**

| Vendor | Price |
|--------|-------|
| Classicfirearms Com | $395.42 |
| Shootingsurplus Com | $398.59 |
| Buds Gun Shop | $417.49 |
| Impactguns Com | $444.79 |

## Similar Products

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*Data from [GunsNation](https://gunsnation.com)*