Taurus 605
The Taurus 605 is a compact 5-shot double-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum and .38 Special, built on a steel frame with a 2” barrel for concealed carry use. Where the Taurus 856 uses a slightly larger frame for 6-shot .38 Special, the 605 accepts full-power .357 Magnum loads in a carry-sized package—delivering significantly more stopping power than .38 Special in a similar dimensional envelope. The exposed hammer allows both double-action and single-action use. Available in matte stainless and blued finish, the 605 is Taurus’s primary .357 Magnum compact carry revolver.
Read our full Taurus 605 Buying Guide ↓
605 vs. 856: .357 Magnum vs. .38 Special — Which Should You Choose?
The Taurus 605 and 856 are closely related compact revolvers built for similar carry purposes but at different power levels. The 856 is a 6-shot .38 Special +P that accepts .38 Special loads only — lighter recoil, one more round, and lighter overall weight. The 605 is a 5-shot .357 Magnum that also accepts .38 Special, offering the option to carry .357 Magnum defensive loads with significantly more energy while practicing with .38 Special. For buyers who want maximum revolver stopping power in a compact frame and can manage .357 Magnum recoil, the 605 is the correct choice. For buyers who prefer lower recoil and an extra round, the 856 is the answer.
.357 Magnum from a 2” Barrel: Ballistics and Reality
Full-power .357 Magnum loads lose approximately 150–200 fps of velocity from a 2” barrel compared to a 4” barrel, and produce significant muzzle blast and recoil in a compact revolver. Despite this, .357 Magnum from a 2” barrel still generates more muzzle energy than .38 Special +P and expands reliably with premium hollow point ammunition. Hornady Critical Defense .357 Magnum and Federal Personal Defense .357 Magnum are specifically engineered for short-barrel performance. The practical recommendation: carry .357 Magnum loads and practice with .38 Special to manage recoil and cost.
Steel Frame and Durability
The Taurus 605 uses a steel frame rather than the aluminum or polymer frames of lighter carry revolvers. The additional weight — approximately 24 oz — absorbs more recoil per shot than lighter alternatives, making the 605 more comfortable to shoot with .357 Magnum loads than ultralight titanium or aluminum-frame revolvers. The steel construction also provides long-term durability for sustained use with full-power loads. For buyers who will regularly practice with .357 Magnum rather than reserving it only for carry, the steel frame is a meaningful practical advantage.
Taurus 605 TORO: Optics-Ready Variant
Taurus offers the 605 in a TORO (Taurus Optic Ready Option) configuration with a slide cut for direct red dot mounting. For carry shooters who want a micro red dot on a compact .357 Magnum revolver, the 605 TORO is one of the few factory optics-ready compact revolvers available from any manufacturer. The sight cut accepts the Shield RMSc and similar micro red dot footprints.
Related Pages
Compare the 6-shot .38 Special option on the Taurus 856 page, browse the full Taurus lineup, or see all snub-nose revolvers.