Taurus 856 Owners

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SDE30

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After my experience with several lemon Taurus revolvers in the 90’s I swore them off. I have been a dedicated S&W user since then. But, the other day at the LGS I saw the revolver configuration I’ve wanted S&W to build for years—which is the same as the 3” 856 Defender. I really want to like/have confidence in this revolver but based on past experiences with Taurus I am uneasy to trust one for serious defensive use.

I wanted to get the opinion of those of you that have had a 856 for some time and have put many rounds down range. Is this a gun to take seriously for serious use? Any of you have this as your EDC ? Any problems? The LGS owner told me that Taurus has improved by leaps and bounds since I last owned one in the 90’s, but then again he is trying to sell me a gun. I know I will eventually need to get one and run it through the paces before I can answer this for myself, but getting the opinion of other owners may make the difference on wether or not I wish to even spend the money to try the experiment.

thanks
 
I have a 20 year old 3" Model 85 and a new 2" 856. Both have been very reliable. I also have a 2" 942 22LR. All three use the same frame and all have been good to go for me.
 
Got the 856UL 2". Like it quite a bit. Not many rounds through it yet, ammo ya know. But seems to be solid and made well. Bit snappier with 158gn than I expected but easy handle. For the short trips or in cargo shorts, drops right into front pocket and is no-see-um.

I recommend.
 
I have one that rides in my old man bibs every morning when going out to do the barn and kennels. Don’t want to get my “good” guns dirty and scratched up. LOL

I have had it for about two years and it’s a workhorse. Had an older 650 CIA 357 that is wish I never let get away. At least it shot POA, unlike a couple of SW640s I had. I have no problem suggesting one for carry.
 
I’ll give you the same advice I would for any new revolver purchase of any brand when that guns only purpose is self-defense: have the best gunsmith you know, someone you truly trust, go over it post-purchase and clean up the factory build. When your life is on the line, you don’t take chances.
If you don’t know a good gunsmith, or you do all of your own gunsmithing, then you are pretty much reliant on the factory build and third party parts. That’s not a bad thing and I have personally never had to send any of my Taurus revolvers back for a problem so I think it’s a good deal. But I really think having any new revolver smoothed and cleaned up inside before carrying is a good idea. Doesn’t matter who made it; matters who is depending on it.
 
The 856 basically replaced the Model 85. It 8s just ever so slightly larger to accommodate 6 rounds instead of the 5 rounds that the 85 holds. I carried my Taurus M85 for several years for self defense, and never had an issue. It's now a backup truck gun. I am thinking about selling off my M85 and upgrading to a 3" M856 defender though. I perfer 3" snubbies over 2" +/- long barrels, and the extra round is a plus.

Other than being 6 rounds of 38 spc, how exactly is the Taurus 856 different than the S&W Model 60 with 3" barrel?
 
Styx said:
The 856 basically replaced the Model 85. It 8s just ever so slightly larger to accommodate 6 rounds instead of the 5 rounds that the 85 holds. I carried my Taurus M85 for several years for self defense, and never had an issue. It's now a backup truck gun. I am thinking about selling off my M85 and upgrading to a 3" M856 defender though. I perfer 3" snubbies over 2" +/- long barrels, and the extra round is a plus.

Other than being 6 rounds of 38 spc, how exactly is the Taurus 856 different than the S&W Model 60 with 3" barrel?
Click to expand...


The S&W Model 60 is a J frame and the 856 is similar to a Colt D frame or a Charter Bulldog frame
 
Styx said:
The 856 basically replaced the Model 85. It 8s just ever so slightly larger to accommodate 6 rounds instead of the 5 rounds that the 85 holds. I carried my Taurus M85 for several years for self defense, and never had an issue. It's now a backup truck gun. I am thinking about selling off my M85 and upgrading to a 3" M856 defender though. I perfer 3" snubbies over 2" +/- long barrels, and the extra round is a plus.

Other than being 6 rounds of 38 spc, how exactly is the Taurus 856 different than the S&W Model 60 with 3" barrel?
Click to expand...


The difference I am trying to determine is the difference in the quality between the two and if that difference is significant in the areas that really matter concerning self defense.

Thanks
 
Go to a store and examine an 856. If it locks up tight, the barrel isn't canted, the rifling looks good, the action is decently smooth, the trigger is decent, etc, it should be fine. I have owned about a dozen Taurus revolvers. One was a factory lemon. The rest have been fine. They go bang. Randomly, some have nicer triggers than others. Get one with a decent trigger and you should be good. I have yet to wear one out.

My nice Smiths are so much nicer that it's not any kind of contest. Finish is better, triggers smooth out with use, pleases the eye better, etc. The older ones are things of beauty. I handle my aged Smiths with the reverence they deserve (while I'm shooting the snot out of them).

But a SD handgun just needs to go bang every time and have reasonable combat accuracy. All of my current Taurus and S&W revolvers do that. The S&W are just prettier and more likely to have a really good trigger... IMHO. YMMV.
 
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I’ve owned and sold four or five Taurus handguns over the last 15. When the 856 came out it made me curious about owning and keeping a Taurus. I now have three 856’s, three Tauri in 32 long, two in 32 magnum, two in 22LR, one in 327, and one in 32acp. Had a cylinder free spin issue with one and light strikes with another. Spring changes, cleaning, lube, and a little burr removal have taken care of all the issues. It may be the luck of the draw but I’m pleased with them. And yes, I own Smiths, Colts, Rugers, and even a Kimber revolver.
 
I don’t know about your specific model but I recently shot my Taurus Tracker, the 6.5” barrel right alongside my buddy’s S&W 686 with the 6” barrel. Shot them both in 38 and 357. The Smith felt slightly heavier, slightly more solid. But only slightly and the shooting experience was very similar for both. The Taurus costs about $300 less. But unless you really will put thousands of rounds through it you’ll probably never notice the difference. But long term yeah I’d definitely expect the Smith to hold up better.
 
SDE30 said:
After my experience with several lemon Taurus revolvers in the 90’s I swore them off. I have been a dedicated S&W user since then. But, the other day at the LGS I saw the revolver configuration I’ve wanted S&W to build for years—which is the same as the 3” 856 Defender. I really want to like/have confidence in this revolver but based on past experiences with Taurus I am uneasy to trust one for serious defensive use.

I wanted to get the opinion of those of you that have had a 856 for some time and have put many rounds down range. Is this a gun to take seriously for serious use? Any of you have this as your EDC ? Any problems? The LGS owner told me that Taurus has improved by leaps and bounds since I last owned one in the 90’s, but then again he is trying to sell me a gun. I know I will eventually need to get one and run it through the paces before I can answer this for myself, but getting the opinion of other owners may make the difference on wether or not I wish to even spend the money to try the experiment.

thanks
Click to expand...

Owned the 3" "Defender" version about a year. A few hundred rounds down range. No problems.

Before I bought it, I inspected the one I purchased pretty closely, for timing, barrel clocking, endshake, pushoff. All that good stuff. No problems found. "Check yer sideplate screws."
 
SDE30 said:
Thanks for your input. About how many rounds have you put through it ( Standard & +P)?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Not as much as would wanted to .. but 38Spl ammo is expensive and scarce at this time
Probably 125 + rounds … not much +P
Being that the 130gr HST is not like most +P .. mild actually…
Im used to shooting snubbies so learning curve here
 
Styx said:
I carried my Taurus M85 for several years for self defense, and never had an issue. It's now a backup truck gun. I am thinking about selling off my M85 and upgrading to a 3" M856 defender though. I perfer 3" snubbies over 2" +/- long barrels, and the extra round is a plus.
Click to expand...

i have two taurus m85, one older, one newer, both came to me gently used and both are fine pieces, especially the older one. i would be reluctant to sell off a trusted, reliable handgun. my engineer/pilot older son asks me when i want to replace something that works with something “new and improved,” “dad, what specific problem are you trying to solve?”
 
SDE30 said:
After my experience with several lemon Taurus revolvers in the 90’s I swore them off. I have been a dedicated S&W user since then. But, the other day at the LGS I saw the revolver configuration I’ve wanted S&W to build for years—which is the same as the 3” 856 Defender. I really want to like/have confidence in this revolver but based on past experiences with Taurus I am uneasy to trust one for serious defensive use.

I wanted to get the opinion of those of you that have had a 856 for some time and have put many rounds down range. Is this a gun to take seriously for serious use? Any of you have this as your EDC ? Any problems? The LGS owner told me that Taurus has improved by leaps and bounds since I last owned one in the 90’s, but then again he is trying to sell me a gun. I know I will eventually need to get one and run it through the paces before I can answer this for myself, but getting the opinion of other owners may make the difference on wether or not I wish to even spend the money to try the experiment.

thanks
Click to expand...


I've had mine since February. I bought it sight unseen by ordering on Smoky mountain gun works. It is the stainless three inch barrel with night sight front.

I've put probably around 500 rounds now mostly range reloads. It handles plus p controllably and a long range day with standard pressure or wadcutters is a pleasure.

I actually found a nice pocket holster and it rides well enough like that on occasion.

Fit and finish I can't find any flaws. It's build quality is superior to my old model 85 with gorgeous blueing. Also better than the el juez judge I used to have.

I get the feeling they really want to establish the 856 as a bread and butter good to go working revolver. It's size and handling characteristics make it suitable for many roles. It's a "little big gun".

Nightstand, road trips, carry, it does it all pretty well.

Heavy trigger pull, stacks differently than a Smith and breaks differently. I'm used to the smiths so it took a couple boxes to get comfortable.

Point of aim is weird with the night site. I think it's designed for point shooting minute of bad guy when shtf, not precisely putting a wadcutter through that squirrels left eye.

I hate the actual finish, the gritty drab gray..but it doesn't affect function. I've seen pics on here that mother's mag shines it up very nicely. Maybe a good winter project.

Under 400 otd I'd highly recommend.
 
defjon said:
Point of aim is weird with the night site. I think it's designed for point shooting minute of bad guy when shtf, not precisely putting a wadcutter through that squirrels left eye.
.
Click to expand...

Could you elaborate a little more on this? Have you found a way to align the sight to get good hits out to 25 yards?
Thanks
 
Yes, as regular sights they work just fine like any revolver. Mine shoots to point of aim if you can just peep the bright orange of the front sight in the rear trench. (Basically put the top of the front sight in the middle of your rear sights).

Now the night sight is a very bright green dot, position towards the middle of the front site.

If you put this dot squarely in the trench of the rear sight you're shooting a little high. I hope that makes sense, it's difficult to explain.

In your house at seven yards I don't think it matters and the front night sight is a good one..it's brighter than my brand new hellcat and Sw governor etc
 
defjon said:
Yes, as regular sights they work just fine like any revolver. Mine shoots to point of aim if you can just peep the bright orange of the front sight in the rear trench. (Basically put the top of the front sight in the middle of your rear sights).

Now the night sight is a very bright green dot, position towards the middle of the front site.

If you put this dot squarely in the trench of the rear sight you're shooting a little high. I hope that makes sense, it's difficult to explain.

In your house at seven yards I don't think it matters and the front night sight is a good one..it's brighter than my brand new hellcat and Sw governor etc
Click to expand...
Do you have access to a range where you can try shooting in twilight? The place I go to in Micanopy (N.Florida) holds special classes and will let some of us old-timers who they've known forever come before the place officially opens for special things like night shooting and holster draw. That might go away when they change insurers and I've been told that's REAL rare for an indoor range to allow.
 
856 HyLite here, which has the magnesium frame. No +P allowed. Superlight little snub. Easy shooter, pocket carry-able. No problems with either of the 2 around here. Holster and speed loader for Colt works great. Unsure of round count but over 15 years of carry/use.
 
DesertFox said:
856 HyLite here, which has the magnesium frame. No +P allowed. Superlight little snub. Easy shooter, pocket carry-able. No problems with either of the 2 around here. Holster and speed loader for Colt works great. Unsure of round count but over 15 years of carry/use.
Click to expand...

Is the Hylite .. a smaller frame than than the newer production 856’s ???
 
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