Taurus 856

The Taurus 856 is Taurus’s six-shot .38 Special +P revolver — one additional round over the five-shot S&W J-frame competitors, at Taurus’s accessible price point backed by a transferable lifetime warranty. Available in standard steel and Ultra-Lite aluminum frame configurations, with the 856 Defender adding a Picatinny rail and night sights for a more defensive-optimized setup, and Viridian laser variants providing factory-integrated aiming for low-light use. With 58 configurations in stock, the 856 is one of the most extensively inventoried revolvers we carry.

Read our full Taurus 856 Buying Guide ↓

Six Rounds vs. Five: The Capacity Advantage

The Taurus 856’s six-shot cylinder is its primary differentiator from S&W J-frame and Ruger LCR competitors, which are five-shot designs. One additional round is a 20% capacity increase — meaningful in a defensive scenario where every round matters. The 856 achieves this without increasing the frame size significantly: it remains a compact snubnose in the same size class as J-frame alternatives. For carry buyers who want maximum revolver capacity in a compact package without moving to a larger frame, the 856’s six-round cylinder delivers it at a price that undercuts the S&W 637 and Ruger LCR by a substantial margin.

Ultra-Lite: The Aluminum Frame Variant

The 856 Ultra-Lite uses an aluminum alloy frame that reduces carry weight significantly compared to steel-frame variants. For all-day carry where revolver weight is a genuine comfort concern, the Ultra-Lite’s reduced weight makes a meaningful practical difference. The trade-off is felt recoil — the lighter frame transmits more of the .38 Special +P recoil impulse to the shooter’s hand than the heavier steel frame. For shooters who shoot infrequently and carry constantly: Ultra-Lite. For shooters who train regularly and want comfortable range sessions: steel frame. Both configurations carry the same transferable lifetime warranty.

856 Defender: The Defensive Configuration

The 856 Defender adds a front Picatinny rail for weapon light mounting, night sights front and rear, and in some configurations a ported barrel for reduced muzzle rise. The rail allows mounting a compact weapon light for target identification in low-light defensive scenarios — an accessory that most snubnose revolvers can’t accept at all. The night sights provide a usable sight picture in darkness without a weapon light. For buyers who want the most defensively optimized 856 configuration from the factory, the Defender delivers a more complete setup than the standard 856.

Viridian Laser Variants: Factory-Integrated Aiming

Select 856 configurations ship with a Viridian laser sight integrated at the factory — eliminating the separate laser purchase and installation that aftermarket options require. Viridian’s green laser provides superior daylight visibility over red laser alternatives. For home defense buyers who want the 856’s simplicity with a visible aiming point in low-light scenarios, the Viridian variant provides a factory-complete defensive package. Compare with the Taurus Judge Viridian variants as the larger-frame Taurus revolver with similar factory laser integration.

856 vs. S&W 642 and Ruger LCR: The Snubnose Market

The Taurus 856 competes directly with the S&W 642 and Ruger LCR in the compact carry revolver market. The 642 and LCR are five-shot designs from manufacturers with deeper revolver heritage; the 856 counters with six rounds, lower price, and Taurus’s transferable lifetime warranty. For buyers who prioritize brand heritage and aftermarket depth: S&W. For buyers who want maximum capacity and warranty coverage at the best price: Taurus 856. Browse our revolvers page and .38 Special revolvers page for the full comparison.