The Taurus 856 Defender is a .38 Special +P double/single action revolver with a 3-inch barrel, 6-round cylinder, and Tungsten Gray Cerakote finish on a steel frame. It weighs 1.5 lbs (24 oz) and is 7.5 inches overall. Grips are Altamont wood; sights are a night front with fixed rear. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Taurus 
• Model: 856 Defender 
• Caliber: .38 Special +P 
• Action Type: Double/Single Action (DA/SA) 
• Capacity: 6 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 3 inches 
• Overall Length: 7.5 inches 
• Weight: 1.5 lbs (24 oz) 
• Finish: Tungsten Gray Cerakote 
• Sights: Night Front / Fixed Rear 
• Grip Material: Altamont Wood 
   

Detailed Features 

The steel frame with Tungsten Gray Cerakote is durable and corrosion-resistant. Night sights are factory-installed rather than added aftermarket, which is uncommon at this price point and genuinely useful in low-light conditions. The Altamont wood grip adds a traditional look and sits better in the hand than most rubber alternatives during extended sessions. The DA/SA mechanism gives shooters the choice between a long deliberate DA pull or a shorter SA press once the hammer is cocked. The .38 Special +P rating allows more energetic loads for self-defense while keeping recoil manageable.

The 856 Defender gets positive marks for its build, with the Cerakote finish and steel frame combination drawing consistent praise for durability and corrosion resistance. The wood grip is a frequent highlight. Owners prefer the feel and control it provides compared to synthetic alternatives. Reliability is generally treated as a given for the revolver platform, and the 856 holds to that reputation.

The .38 Special +P caliber is well-received for balancing stopping power with manageable recoil. Owners who carry this gun regularly appreciate the 3-inch barrel as a middle ground between snub-nose concealability and better sight radius.

Critical comments focus on DA trigger pull weight. Some find it heavier than they would like. At 24 oz. the gun is on the heavier side for carry compared to lightweight alternatives, which is a tradeoff owners accept for better recoil absorption. A few owners have noted finish wear concerns with heavy use. The 6-round capacity relative to semi-auto alternatives comes up periodically, though most frame this as a reliability-versus-capacity tradeoff rather than a defect.