Taurus 856 Ultra Lite Black 38 Special 2in 6rd — Superb Carry Revolver

Description

The Taurus 856 Ultra Lite Black is the matte black build of the lightweight six-shot 38, catalogued as 2-85621UL. A matte black anodized aluminium frame carries a matte black carbon steel barrel and cylinder, the barrel measures 2 inches, and the cylinder holds six rounds of 38 Special rated for +P.

Two decisions define this revolver. The aluminium frame takes weight out of the gun so it actually gets carried, and the sixth chamber gives it twenty percent more capacity than the five-shot small frames it competes against. The Taurus 856 Ultra Lite Black is the version for anyone who wants both and prefers a finish that does not reflect.

MAG5 Firearms has it in stock. Handguns ship to a licensed FFL on a signed 4473, and we coordinate the transfer with your dealer.

Light frame, six chambers

• An anodized aluminium frame keeps the Taurus 856 Ultra Lite Black light enough for pocket or ankle carry all day.
• Six rounds of 38 Special in a small-frame revolver, where five has been the standard for a century.
• The barrel and cylinder are carbon steel, so the parts that handle pressure and wear are the right material.
• Matte black throughout, with nothing that reflects and no bright metal to catch the eye.
• Rated for 38 Special +P, so a defensive load is on the table even if practice is done with something milder.

The honest trade on weight

• Light revolvers kick harder. There is no way around the physics and it is the cost of the aluminium frame.
• That makes standard-pressure practice ammunition a sensible default and worth buying in quantity.
• The finger-grooved rubber grip does a lot of work here, spreading recoil rather than concentrating it.
• Exposed hammer, so the Taurus 856 Ultra Lite Black can be thumbed back for a light single-action press.
• Fixed sights with nothing protruding to catch a pocket seam or a holster mouth.

Specifications

• Manufacturer part number: 2-85621UL
• Model: 856 Ultra-Lite, small frame
• Caliber: 38 Special, rated for +P
• Capacity: 6 rounds
• Barrel: 2 in, matte black carbon steel
• Cylinder: matte black carbon steel
• Frame: matte black anodized aluminium
• Grip: black finger-grooved rubber
• Action: single and double action, exposed hammer
• Safety: transfer bar

Ammunition matters more on a light revolver than on a heavy one. Everything in 38 Special is loaded to the dimensional and pressure standards published by SAAMI, but a 158-grain standard-pressure load and a stout +P round feel like different cartridges out of a gun this size. A heavy wadcutter is also more likely to perform as intended from two inches than a hollow point designed for a longer barrel. We stock Remington UMC 38 Special 158gr and the Buffalo Bore 150gr wadcutter.

The same Ultra Lite in stainless is here, and the steel-framed 856 Stainless is easier to shoot. For pocket carry with no snag point, see the 856 Concealed Hammer. Browse our other revolvers too.

Why this 856 earns its place

• The Taurus 856 Ultra Lite Black is light enough to be carried every day, which is the only quality that matters in a gun you hope never to use.
• Six rounds rather than five, with no increase in size.
• Matte black is the least conspicuous finish available on a small-frame revolver.
• Speedloaders, speed strips and holsters for the 856 are widely stocked.
• Taurus backs it with a limited lifetime repair policy that follows the firearm rather than the original buyer.

This suits someone who wants the simplest possible carry gun and will trade some recoil for weight saved. The Taurus 856 Ultra Lite Black is a common recommendation for a shooter who finds racking a slide difficult, and a sound backup to a semi-automatic, since a revolver fails in different ways. Practise with mild loads before deciding what to carry in it.

Ordering is simple. Choose it, tell us which FFL should receive it, and we handle the dealer side. If you have not picked a transfer dealer, call us and we will help you find one nearby.