The Taurus 856 Defender is a compact revolver chambered in .38 Special +P, built for personal protection. At 7.5 inches overall with a 3-inch barrel, it handles easily and conceals well. The matte stainless steel frame pairs with a matte black cylinder and black VZ G10 grips. Night front fixed rear sights give you a usable sight picture in low light. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Manufacturer: Taurus 
• Model: 856 Defender 
• Caliber: .38 Special +P 
• Barrel Length: 3 inches 
• Overall Length: 7.5 inches 
• Finish: Matte Stainless Steel  
• Cylinder Finish: Matte Black  
• Grips: Black VZ G10  
• Sights: Night Front Fixed Rear  
• Magazine Capacity: 6 rounds  
• Action Type: Double/Single Action 
   

Features 

The .38 Special +P chambering delivers decent stopping power without punishing recoil, which helps shooters of varying experience maintain control. The DA/SA action gives you options depending on the situation. Night sights are the highlight here. They're genuinely useful for a defensive revolver rather than a cosmetic add-on. The matte stainless finish handles humidity and light moisture without the upkeep a blued gun demands. 
 

Usage 

This revolver works well as a concealed carry gun or a nightstand option. The 6-round cylinder is standard for the platform. Sport shooting is possible, but the 856 Defender is really a carry/defense tool first.

Owners of the Taurus 856 Defender Night Sight Edition generally speak well of it, though with some real-world caveats.

The compact size draws consistent praise. It rides easily in a holster and doesn't print. The night sights get called out positively more than any other feature; owners find them practical rather than gimmicky. Reliability comments are generally good, with the usual revolver argument: no magazine to fumble, nothing to rack under stress. The price lands it firmly in the budget-friendly category, which attracts first-time buyers who'd rather not spend on a premium brand.

On the other side, the trigger pull gets the most complaints. Double-action weight is heavier than some competitors, and a few shooters say the break isn't as clean as they'd like. Finish quality has drawn occasional criticism. Some owners report wear showing earlier than expected for a stainless gun. The 6-round capacity is inherent to the platform, but it still comes up in comparisons against compact semi-autos. Recoil with +P loads runs snappier than you'd expect from the weight, which surprises some new shooters.