The Taurus 856 .38 Special 250th Anniversary Edition is a six-shot, small-frame revolver with a 3-inch barrel and a stainless-and-black finish (Taurus part no. 2-85635-US3). It is the commemorative version of a revolver built for concealed carry and home defense, so the anniversary theme sits on a gun that is meant to be carried. The 3-inch barrel adds sight radius over the 2-inch 856 while the frame stays in the compact class. A transfer bar and a fixed rear sight keep operation simple, and Taurus chambers it for .38 Special +P. It suits a buyer who wants a double/single-action snub-nose-class revolver with a little more barrel.

Key Specifications

• Chambering is .38 Special +P, the Taurus rating for the 856 line, so it handles both standard and +P loads.
• Capacity is 6 rounds in a single cylinder, a full load for a compact carry revolver.
• Barrel length is 3 inches, which gives a longer sight radius than the 2-inch 856 models.
• The action is double/single action, so the hammer can be cocked for a lighter, more precise first shot or fired double action.
• Safety is a transfer bar, which keeps the hammer from reaching the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled.
• Sights are fixed, a rear sight set into the frame that cannot knock out of adjustment.
• The finish is stainless and black, a two-tone look that sets this edition apart from the standard 856.
• The frame is a small frame design, sized to conceal under a cover garment.
• The barrel is rifled with six grooves and a 1:16.5-inch right-hand twist, the standard 856 rifling.
• The 250th Anniversary designation marks this as a commemorative edition of the 856, with the same mechanics as the standard 3-inch model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Taurus 856 250th Anniversary a six-shot revolver? Yes. It holds six rounds of .38 Special +P and has a 3-inch barrel.

Does it have a thumb safety? No. The 856 is a revolver and relies on a transfer bar rather than a manual safety.

Is it single action or double action? It is a double/single-action revolver, so you can cock the hammer for a single-action shot or press the trigger straight through.

Buy the Taurus 856 .38 Special 250th Anniversary Edition, 3-Inch

A commemorative revolver is only worth owning if it works as well as the standard one, and the 856 does. Order it from our Lubbock, Texas gun shop for fast, insured shipping to your FFL, and browse more revolvers while you are here.