Taurus 856 .38 Special 2" 6-Round Revolver

The Taurus 856 .38 Special 2" 6-Round Revolver is a compact, reliable sidearm purpose-built for concealed carry, backup duty, and personal defense. Taurus engineered this snub-nose platform for law enforcement officers, security professionals, and armed civilians who prioritize portability without sacrificing stopping power. The 2-inch barrel and lightweight aluminum frame make the 856 an ideal deep-cover option for plainclothes work, vehicle carry, or ankle holster deployment where accessibility and discretion are paramount.

Built on a solid-steel cylinder and reinforced frame, the 856 chambers six rounds of .38 Special ammunition—a proven cartridge with decades of law enforcement service history. The short 2-inch barrel reduces velocity compared to duty-length revolvers, but .38 Special +P loads deliver adequate barrier penetration and energy transfer within defensive ranges (7–15 yards), which encompasses the majority of real-world armed encounters. Taurus's double-action trigger mechanism provides consistent pull weight across all six trigger strokes, enabling rapid follow-up shots. Weighing 1.95 pounds unloaded, the 856 minimizes fatigue during extended carry, critical for officers working 8–12 hour shifts or extended off-duty wear.

Revolver-format firearms attract operators who demand absolute mechanical reliability in high-stress scenarios—no magazines to lose, no feed failures, and no external safeties to disengage under pressure. The 856 integrates seamlessly with inside-the-waistband, ankle, and pocket holsters designed for snub-nose .38 specials. Users should practice regularly with quality .38 Special ammunition to develop muscle memory and target accuracy; the short sight radius and pronounced recoil impulse demand proper grip technique and deliberate sight picture. This platform remains a trusted choice for backup duty weapons, plainclothes investigations, and civilian self-defense where concealability and unfailing function outweigh magazine capacity.