The Taurus 856 Gentleman's Carry is a DA/SA revolver chambered in .38 Special +P with a 2-inch barrel and a 6-round cylinder. It has a matte black frame, a high-polish DLC cylinder, an exposed hammer, and ships with Altamont wood grips. Transfer bar safety is included in the action. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Taurus 
• Model: 856 Gentleman's Carry 
• Caliber: .38 Special +P 
• Action: Double / Single Action 
• Capacity: 6 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 2 inches 
• Color/Finish: Matte Black with DLC Cylinder 
   

Detailed Features 

• DA/SA action with exposed hammer 
• Transfer bar safety 
• High-polish DLC cylinder on matte black frame 
• Altamont wood grips 
• 2-inch barrel rated for +P loads

Owners of the Taurus 856 Gentleman's Carry point to the combination of Altamont wood grips and the DLC cylinder finish as what separates it from the standard 856. The exposed hammer and DA/SA action give experienced revolver shooters single-action capability for deliberate shots, which is a point of appeal in this class.

The 2-inch barrel keeps it compact, and most owners find it manageable for carry despite the .38 Special +P chambering. Recoil with +P loads gets described as sharp, and some shooters prefer standard-pressure rounds for extended range sessions. Trigger feel in double-action mode is the most common area of criticism; it improves with use but starts on the heavier side.

The 856 Gentleman's Carry is generally viewed as good value for a dressed-up carry revolver. A few owners note minor finish inconsistencies between the frame and cylinder, and Taurus's customer service response speed gets mixed reviews, but out-of-box reliability is widely reported as solid.