Taurus 856 Defender for sale
(10)
Taurus 856 Defender .38 Special Revolver With Night Sights, Black - 2-85631NS
Brand:
Taurus
Action:
Double Action/Single Action
Barrel Length:
3 inches
Caliber:
.38 S&W Special
Capacity:
6
Finish Per Color:
Black
(16)
Taurus M856 Defender .38 Special Revolver With VZ Grips, Stainless - 2-85635NSVZ
Brand:
Taurus
Action:
Double Action/Single Action
Barrel Length:
3 inches
Caliber:
.38 S&W Special
Capacity:
6
Finish Per Color:
Stainless / Black
(20)
Taurus M856 Defender 3" .38 Special Revolver, Tungsten - 2-8563CNS
Brand:
Taurus
Action:
Double Action/Single Action
Barrel Length:
3 inches
Caliber:
.38 S&W Special
Capacity:
6
Finish Per Color:
Stainless
(6)
Taurus 856 Ultra-Lite Defender Stainless .38 Special +P 3" Barrel 6-Rounds
Brand:
Taurus
Action:
Double Action/Single Action
Barrel Length:
3 inches
Caliber:
.38 S&W Special +P
Capacity:
6
Finish Per Color:
Stainless
(0)
Taurus 856 Defender 38 Special 3in Matte Black Stainless Steel Revolver - 6 Rounds
Brand:
Taurus
Action:
Revolver
Barrel Length:
3in
Caliber:
.38 S&W Special +P
Capacity:
6
Finish Per Color:
Stainless
Marketplace Insights
★ 4.7/5
based on 52 customer reviews across 5 variants from 26 retailers
Highly-rated compact .38 Special revolver praised for accuracy, ergonomic design, and excellent value, with minor concerns about trigger quality in some units.
What customers like
Accuracy & Sights35%
The sights were dead on and it's super accurate out to 25 yards
Ergonomic Grip29%
Very ergonomic grip, fits my hand perfectly
Lightweight & Concealable27%
Pistol is light weight.....easy to conceal and carry
Value for Money23%
Really good gun for the money and worth it
Reliability & Build Quality19%
Solid construction and balance and it is reliable
Common concerns
Heavy Trigger Pull6%
The trigger pull (double/single) was heavy
Recoil Management6%
tons of recoil, not the painful kind just the really hard to manage kind
Gritty Trigger Issue4%
I got one with an extremely gritty and hard to pull trigger
Frequently Asked Questions
Taurus 856 Defender for sale
Is the Taurus Defender 856 a good gun?
"Good" depends on your priorities. It's a lightweight, affordable .38 Special +P revolver designed for self-defense with comfortable ergonomics. Reviewers note it requires practice for accuracy and has minor fit inconsistencies, but most consider it strong value for concealed carry. Typically around $389.
What are Taurus 856 common issues?
Cylinder binding and sticking cylinder latches are the most commonly reported issues. Some owners experience the cylinder release binding during operation, while others describe the latch failing to lock the cylinder properly in single action. Results from Taurus customer service vary by unit.
What is the capacity of a Taurus 856 Ultra Lite?
The Taurus 856 Ultra Lite holds 6 rounds of .38 Special +P ammunition in its cylinder.
Can you shoot 357 out of a Taurus 856?
No. The Taurus 856 is chambered in .38 Special +P only. Its frame is not rated for .357 Magnum's higher pressure levels. Attempting to fire .357 rounds could cause dangerous pressure spikes and damage the firearm. Use only .38 Special or .38 Special +P ammunition.
Is the Taurus 856 rated for +P?
Yes, the Taurus 856 is rated for .38 Special +P ammunition. Standard steel-frame models handle +P loads safely. The only exception was an older magnesium-frame variant, which Taurus no longer produces. Current production 856 revolvers are all +P rated.