I know I know

Status
Not open for further replies.
Blkhrt13

Blkhrt13

Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Messages
2,305
Location
The armpit of Satan (south Louisiana)
It’s a Taurus and so it gets hate right off. But this 856 defender looks mighty fine. Tritium front sight. 3 inch barrel. Full size ejector. The 6 rounds seems like a draw back because the wheel will be thicker. But look at this. The stainless with black tenifer finish sounds nice!
 

Attachments

  • C69FC0D0-E71C-4FD3-8AAC-A34A1170CA66.png
    C69FC0D0-E71C-4FD3-8AAC-A34A1170CA66.png
    273.8 KB · Views: 115
I saw this pop across my google feed yesterday. I think it's a nice looking gun, and Taurus seems to be upping their CS game.

I am on the fence about 3" barrels. They seem to print just a tad more than 2.5" and aren't much easier to hide than a 4". Still, since this is a 6 shot over 5, it makes a bit more sense to me. Being a 6 shooter means that it's going to be a bit bigger and the usage for such a bit more geared toward OWB belt carry.

I'd like to see how this one pans out. I'm becoming a bit of a snub nose wheel gun lush. I usually dont count the 3" as a snub, but if the gun is good, I'll make an exception;)
 
Fiv3r said:
I saw this pop across my google feed yesterday. I think it's a nice looking gun, and Taurus seems to be upping their CS game.

I am on the fence about 3" barrels. They seem to print just a tad more than 2.5" and aren't much easier to hide than a 4". Still, since this is a 6 shot over 5, it makes a bit more sense to me. Being a 6 shooter means that it's going to be a bit bigger and the usage for such a bit more geared toward OWB belt carry.

I'd like to see how this one pans out. I'm becoming a bit of a snub nose wheel gun lush. I usually dont count the 3" as a snub, but if the gun is good, I'll make an exception;)
Click to expand...
I was a revolver guy before I got caught up into autos. My first gun purchase was an 85ti. My second was 686 4”. I regret releasing both as Taurus stopped making the ti. I don’t even want to tell you how bad I messed up selling the 686 for what I had in it. But I couldn’t hit consistently at the long end of self defense with the snubbie. I realize now the problem is me. At the time I blamed the gun. But three inches seems to be the perfect still long enough to hit at 25 foot and still short enough you aren’t trying to hide a canoe paddle. You may be right about the carry style though.
 
Blkhrt13

I also saw an email pop-up for the Defender Model 856 and I thought it looked pretty decent. Liked the 3" barrel, 6 shot cylinder, and the different finish options.
 
Blkhrt13 said:
I was a revolver guy before I got caught up into autos. My first gun purchase was an 85ti. My second was 686 4”. I regret releasing both as Taurus stopped making the ti. I don’t even want to tell you how bad I messed up selling the 686 for what I had in it. But I couldn’t hit consistently at the long end of self defense with the snubbie. I realize now the problem is me. At the time I blamed the gun. But three inches seems to be the perfect still long enough to hit at 25 foot and still short enough you aren’t trying to hide a canoe paddle. You may be right about the carry style though.
Click to expand...

My biggest regret was letting go of a pre lock 686 4" a decade ago. I just remedied that by buying a 2.5" 686+. I'll actually carry this one as that is why I sold the 4". I think this Taurus looks just fine:)
 
I think Taurus might have a real winner in this one. I hope so.


Although I don't "need" one, I will be keeping an eye on this with guarded optimism.
 
It looks very good.i like that they didn't port it, and out doesn't have a big billboard on the side like they've tended to do in the past. The grip looks much more functional for a carry gun than the ribbed ones of the past. Roll pinned front sight is nice too, easy to change to a tritium unit if one can be sourced.

I'd prefer adjustable sights, but it's hard to argue the dependability of the trench style sights on a carry gun.

I like the looks of it. The only reason I'll pass on it, is I'm already set with plenty of 357's. If I needed another, I'd for sure consider it.

I an considering the new 454 Raging Hunter. Don't need it, but dang it, I want it!
 
Looks like somebody at Taurus was watching the posts about people paying lots of money to saw an inch off of police tradein revolvers.


ETA. There is a lightweight version, too. 16 oz, shades of USAF M13, Gen 1 Model 12.
 
Last edited:
I like two tone revolvers. Not very traditional I suppose, but catches the eye for sure.
 
Not trying to hijack this thread, but the Raging Hunter .454 I just finished testing for publication was d$&@ accurate. It had some issues, but the accuracy was definitely there. Maybe we are seeing a turning point in Taurus. They are clearly capable of producing a quality product...
 
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

Some half dozen Taurus...es, Tauri, Tarurusei...... Whatever, a bunch of them and not one single glitch - EVER in any form whatsoever.

I don't seek them out but they come my way and I use 'em a bunch and then hang them on a hook until someone near&dear needs a reliable pistol at a rate or just plinkin' extras for tossing in a bag.

The one shown looks fine enough and I dig the grip contour but the COLORING!

Good lawdy, Miss Claudie! That looks like a drunk's fever-dream interpretation of a TV signal pattern from the nuclear age. If I look at it long enough, it starts wavering.:D

I guess as a less-than-lethal alternative, you could wave the grip in a miscreant's face and hypnotize him.:rofl:

In any case - I'd be interested. After all, some of my favorite S&Ws have been Taurusesiseees.:evil:

Todd.
 
I have always been happy with the Taurus products I have had with exception of their early polymer framed autos. I have had several Taurus revolvers and have had zero issues with them. 689 was my first and best. A couple 85s that were ok but ended up being traded or sold. A 405 which was probably the best snub I have ever owned, but it was heavy and not great as a hunting gun so when offered a trade for a stainless m44 6” I jumped on that deal. I traded the m44 and a gen 2 Glock 17 in on a delta elite and it was the worst gun deal I have ever made.
 
I think it is a wise move by Taurus. As States like California ban semi-auto pistols the demand (and prices) for revolvers is going to increase.
Click to expand...

If you look at the ca roster you won't see too many revolvers on it either. I bought a Taurus 605 a few months back. While I was waiting my 10 day waiting period to pick it up I was really second guessing my judgement and didn't tell anyone I had just bought a Taurus. After the first time out with it I was actually really impressed with it. If I could buy a tracker or a raging bull Taurus here (not on the roster) I would snatch it up right quick and in a hurry.
 
I really like that this model isn't ported.

For what it's worth, I got one of the new Taurus Raging Hunters for Christmas. 44 mag, 8 3/8 ported barrel in an aluminum shroud. It handles very nice and has been reliable and accurate through the first few hundred rounds.
 
I just got a Taurus 692 and it's not a bad gun at all from what I've seen on it's one range trip so far. The 856 looks like a great little gun and .38Spl is my happy place so I'll probably be a buyer soon.
 
Ribbed grips for your pleasure....

Certainly different,I like the two tone . Also like the idea of the ameriglo front sight and a fixed rear for a carry gun, durable and very easy to see in all light. But don't think I'd want those ribbed g10 grips. Rather have wood if it is going to sit against my skin all day.
 
Hits a lot of right notes for me. I open the hood of all of my new firearms and tinker anyway, so ensuring flawless reliability in a Taurus is pretty simple. I love G10, have that black and grey pattern on my skinning/dressing knives and my EDC knife (all Benchmade), as well as a grip for my LCR, so this would make a very nice pairing. Nice they included the tritium front sight out of the gate as well.
 
The grips are a bit of a turn off visually, but I am curious to see how it feels in the hand.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
Considering the Taurus 856 Defender Executive Grade
Replies
17
Views
1K
Hooda Thunkit
Hooda Thunkit
G
New Taurus question
Replies
12
Views
828
LeftyRed
LeftyRed
C
Two very different 3" (ish) carry revolvers
Replies
17
Views
810
DWFan
D
W
  • Locked
Thinking about re-revolvering
2 3
Replies
53
Views
3K
UncleEd
U
D
  • Locked
Taurus 856?
2
Replies
44
Views
3K
Don Van Winkle
Don Van Winkle
Back
Top