The Taurus Defender 856 .38 Special +P revolver with a front night sight is a six-shot small-frame carry gun with a 3-inch barrel, a stainless steel frame and Hogue rubber grips (Taurus part no. 285639NS). Taurus fits it with a night sight up front, outlined in orange, and a fixed rear sight, so the sight picture stays usable when the light fades. The double-action/single-action trigger lets you fire it from the hammer-down carry position or cock it for a deliberate shot. At 7.5 inches long and 24 ounces unloaded, it carries easily for concealed carry, and the extra barrel length over a 2-inch snub adds sight radius. It suits shooters who want a compact home-defense and low-light carry revolver.

Key Specifications

• Chambering is .38 Special +P, which lets you run standard loads for practice and stronger defensive loads for carry.
• Barrel length is 3 inches, longer than a 2-inch snub for added sight radius.
• Capacity is 6 rounds, a full cylinder for a small-frame revolver.
• The front sight is a night sight with an orange outline, giving a visible aiming point in dim light.
• The rear sight is fixed, so there is nothing to snag or knock out of adjustment while carrying.
• The action is double action/single action, offering a long pull for carry or a short pull for precise shots.
• Frame, barrel and cylinder are stainless steel in a matte stainless finish, which resists corrosion during daily carry.
• Grips are Hogue rubber, a soft material that tames recoil and stays put in the hand.
• Overall length is 7.5 inches, a useful figure when matching a holster.
• The revolver uses a transfer bar safety, so the hammer cannot reach the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this revolver have a night sight? Yes, up front. Taurus lists a night sight with an orange outline up front and a fixed rear sight.

How many rounds does it hold and what can it fire? It holds six rounds and is chambered in .38 Special +P.

How long is the barrel? The barrel is 3 inches, and the revolver measures 7.5 inches overall.

Buy the Taurus Defender 856 Revolver, .38 Special +P, 3-Inch Barrel, Front Night Sight, Matte Stainless, 6-Shot

A front-night-sight six-shot .38 Special +P with a 3-inch barrel gives a carry revolver more reach in low light than a bare-bones snub. Browse more revolvers or order this one from our Lubbock, Texas gun shop for fast, insured shipping to your FFL.