Taurus 856 Executive Grade

[Boarhunter]

Although I can’t say that have been a great fan of Taurus (though my Taurus total titanium 44 special is sweet), I am enough old-school to appreciate a good revolver. Anyway, I was in my favorite LGS today and fondled Taurus’ new 856 Executive Grade DAO 38 special 6-shot snubby. I was much impressed. I think I might just find some trading material and get it tomorrow.

it won’t replace my Kimber Ultra CDP 45 for every day; but I might just carry it for special occasions.

BOARHUNTER

 

[ThomasT]

Read here.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/taurus-executive-grade-revolvers.906613/

 

[wcwhitey]

If you get it I would be interested in an evaluation.

 

[Boarhunter]

Certainly! Should give you some feedback today after lunch!

BOARHUNTER

 

[Styx]

I'm waiting and holding out for the 357 version.

 

[Boarhunter]

Well, I hit Larry's Pistol & Pawn during lunch and picked up a Taurus Executive Grade 856, and I have no regrets whatsoever. Put a handful of reloads and factory rounds downrange, and the gun will shoot. The trigger pull is smooth and light and compares favorably with the Smith PC guns I own. I own a couple of new Colt Cobras, and this gun does not take a backseat to them. The Pelican case is icing on the cake.... Exceptional.

I plan to go back to the range tomorrow and put more rounds through it. I will give an update after I do.

BOARHUNTER

 

[stonebuster]

Well, I hit Larry's Pistol & Pawn during lunch and picked up a Taurus Executive Grade 856, and I have no regrets whatsoever. Put a handful of reloads and factory rounds downrange, and the gun will shoot. The trigger pull is smooth and light and compares favorably with the Smith PC guns I own. I own a couple of new Colt Cobras, and this gun does not take a backseat to them. The Pelican case is icing on the cake.... Exceptional.

I plan to go back to the range tomorrow and put more rounds through it. I will give an update after I do.

BOARHUNTER

You've got me very interested now. Do those nice grips work with a speed loader? Thanks for doing the field testing! I can afford the gun but I don't think I can afford a new suit too.

 

[easy]

Skip the suit.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Several months ago, I picked up a 2” SS 856. Under $300.
I don’t know what else they could have done to it.
Trigger is equal to some “worked over” S&W’s I have.
Fit is superlative.
Accuracy is amazing.
With a 3.1gr of HP38 and Lee TL-DEWC, either PC or LLA @.358” shoots 1-hole POA-POI at 10yds. 3” or better at 25yds. 5.4gr of Unique under a 158gr LSWC shoots equally well, but POI is a bit high and left...fired cases fall out of the cylinder. (+P, 825fps chronographed).
I wish they’d made these 40yrs ago!!! Colt Det. Spl. speed loaders fit perfect.
I’ll buy a 3” adjustable sights .327mag when they make one...

 

[Boarhunter]

Not sure which speedloaders will work with the new gun. That is probably next week’s project
The video reviews suggest some speedloaders work and some do not, given the size of the grips.

For this week, I will be carrying a NY reload in lieu of a speedloader….


BOARHUNTER

 

[GooseGestapo]

If you are talking about the Altamont grips they’re cut to allow speed loaders.
I replaced the “Boot” style Taurus grips with Hogue mono grips. They fit my hands much better.

 

[Boarhunter]

I have had an opportunity to run the gun through the paces with both reloads and factory ammo and have drawn some conclusions:

The Taurus Executive Grade 856 is very nice...much nicer than expected for the cost of admission. The finish is good; the DAO trigger is as smooth and light as Smith PC guns I own at substantially better value. The gun is far more accurate than I am. And the Pelican Vault the gun comes in is far better than anything offered by other gun manufacturers, to my knowledge. All in all, it is a keeper for sure.

Having properly and accurately bragged on the gun, I can't say it is perfect, though, for my purposes.

The grips are attractive and hand-filling, but a smaller set would be better for carry. I am not talking changing it out to a boot-grip, but the gun would be better served for carry purposes by a smaller grip.

The front sight is plain and black. The gun needs a highly visible night sight up front to better suit my needs. The lower-priced 856 Defender comes with an AmeriGlo front sight and an interchangeable plain black sight, to my knowledge, and Taurus offers the AmeriGlo sight on its website as an aftermarket accessory at a very reasonable price. That sight would work perfectly well on the Executive Grade. But that sight is listed as currently "unavailable" on the Taurus website.... Whether that situation is temporary or permanent, I do not know.

So, in conclusion...I recommend it highly. And a great gun will be even better for me if and when I can find suitable aftermarket grips and night sights suitable for use as a carry gun.

BOARHUNTER

 

[Mark 40]

Thanks for the update. Sounds great overall and with some tweaks will be exactly what you need. Enjoy!

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

Although I can’t say that have been a great fan of Taurus (though my Taurus total titanium 44 special is sweet), I am enough old-school to appreciate a good revolver. Anyway, I was in my favorite LGS today and fondled Taurus’ new 856 Executive Grade DAO 38 special 6-shot snubby. I was much impressed. I think I might just find some trading material and get it tomorrow.

it won’t replace my Kimber Ultra CDP 45 for every day; but I might just carry it for special occasions.

BOARHUNTER

Nice. I have a 44 special titanium also, in matte blue.

 

[Boarhunter]

^^^^^^^
One of my favorites!

BOARHUNTER

 

[GooseGestapo]

[removed by poster)