The Taurus 856 Ultra Lite is a .38 Special revolver with a 6-round capacity, built on an aluminum frame to cut weight down to 15.7 oz. At 2 inches of barrel and 6.55 inches overall, it's sized for concealed carry. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: 856 Ultra Lite 
• Caliber: .38 Special 
• Action: Single/Double Action (SA/DA) 
• Capacity: 6 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 2 inches 
• Overall Length: 6.55 inches 
• Weight: 15.7 ounces (1 lbs) 
• Sights: Serrated Ramp Front & Fixed Rear 
• Grip Material: Finger Grooved Black Rubber 
• Finish: Matte Black with Gold Accents 
   

Detailed Features 

The aluminum frame is the defining feature here. It keeps the weight at 15.7 oz without noticeably sacrificing durability. The SA/DA action gives the shooter a choice between a shorter single-action pull and a longer double-action pull depending on the situation. 
 
The 2-inch barrel makes it easy to conceal, though accuracy drops off at distance as you'd expect from any snub-nose. The serrated ramp front sight and fixed rear are basic but adequate for defensive ranges. The finger-grooved rubber grip absorbs some recoil and helps with retention during firing. 
 
The transfer bar safety prevents the firing pin from contacting the primer unless the trigger is fully pulled, a standard and practical safety mechanism for a carry revolver. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

1. Concealed Carry: The 15.7 oz weight and 6.55-inch overall length are practical for all-day carry. 
2. Home Defense: Six rounds of .38 Special and a simple DA pull are well-suited to a bedside or home defense role. 
3. Range Shooting: Works fine for informal target practice, though the short barrel limits long-range precision.

The Taurus 856 Ultra Lite in black and gold gets noticed for a few consistent reasons. The weight is the first thing people mention. 15.7 oz is genuinely light for a 6-shot .38, and buyers who need all-day carry notice the difference. The compact dimensions get similar praise for fitting easily in holsters and bags.

The black and gold finish is polarizing. Some buyers specifically seek it out; others would prefer something more understated. Shooting feedback is generally positive on reliability and .38 Special recoil management, though newer shooters sometimes find snub-nose accuracy harder to dial in. The trigger pull gets divided opinions. Some find it smooth, others compare it unfavorably to higher-end revolvers.

Taurus's price point comes up frequently as a factor. Most buyers feel they're getting solid value at this price, even when acknowledging that trigger feel or fit-and-finish may fall short of more expensive alternatives.

Holster fitment occasionally gets flagged as something buyers should verify before purchasing, given the specific dimensions and the gold accents. Customer service experiences with Taurus vary, and that reputation is a recurring thread in discussions about the brand generally.