Taurus 856 Small .38 Special Revolver Oxide - 2" Barrel, Model 2-856021MVZ16

The Taurus 856 is a compact .38 Special revolver built for everyday carry and personal defense. With a 2-inch barrel and small frame, it's designed to ride low and print minimal under typical clothing—the kind of gun you actually want to carry every day. The matte oxide finish and blue Cyclone VZ Operator II grips give it a no-nonsense working aesthetic that suits both the range and the street. This is a purpose-built defensive revolver for shooters who value simplicity, reliability, and a gun small enough to forget you're wearing.

The 856 chambers .38 Special +P ammunition and holds six rounds in a cylinder you can reload quickly under stress. The double-action/single-action trigger system is familiar to anyone who's spent time with revolvers, and the serrated ramp front sight and fixed rear sight are set up for practical accuracy at defensive distances. Taurus backs this gun with a transfer bar safety—a modern feature that prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger is fully pressed. Weighing just 22 ounces and measuring under 6.6 inches overall, it's as compact as defensive revolvers come without sacrificing shootability.

Whether this is your first handgun or your backup to a larger carry piece, the 856 delivers no-frills reliability at a price point that won't strain the budget. The carbon steel construction is proven in thousands of guns in the field, and the matte finish resists glare and cosmetic showing. If you're looking for a small-frame .38 revolver that handles like it was made for a duty belt but conceals like it was made for a pocket, the Taurus 856 is worth a serious look.

Key Features

• Small-frame design for easy concealment and everyday carry
• Six-round capacity in .38 Special +P
• 2-inch barrel for quick presentation and minimal printing
• Double-action/single-action trigger system
• Serrated ramp front sight and fixed rear sight for practical aiming
• Transfer bar safety prevents unintended discharge
• Blue Cyclone VZ Operator II grips for positive control
• Matte black oxide finish on carbon steel frame, barrel, and cylinder
• Lightweight at 22 ounces for all-day carry comfort

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a small-frame .38 revolver good for concealed carry?

Small revolvers like the 856 have minimal profile—measuring just 6.55 inches long and 1.41 inches wide—so they sit flat under a shirt or jacket without obvious printing. At 22 ounces, they're light enough for all-day wear in a waistband, pocket, or ankle holster. The trade-off is capacity and sight radius, but for personal defense distances (typically under 25 feet), the 856's fixed sights and double-action trigger are more than adequate.

Can I shoot .38 Special ammunition in the Taurus 856, or do I need +P rounds?

The 856 is rated for .38 Special +P, which means it can safely fire standard .38 Special ammunition as well. Many shooters carry standard .38 Special for reduced recoil and faster follow-up shots, then practice occasionally with +P to understand how the gun handles the hotter load. Both are safe in this gun; choice is yours.

What's included with the revolver?

The Taurus 856 comes with one cylinder and the blue Cyclone VZ Operator II grips already installed. No holster, ammunition, or additional grips are included; those are available separately.

Is the transfer bar safety a modern addition to revolvers?

Yes. The transfer bar prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger is fully pressed, adding a layer of drop-safety that older revolver designs don't have. It's a feature you'll find on most modern defensive revolvers, including this Taurus.