Is that a Taurus?

Published on May 29, 2023
Duration: 8:32

This video reviews the Taurus 856 revolver, highlighting its suitability for personal defense and its appeal to female shooters. The presenter discusses the effectiveness of aftermarket XS sights for improving sight acquisition on snubnose revolvers and demonstrates a technique for adjusting sight presentation to achieve a better point of aim/point of impact.

Quick Summary

The Taurus 856 is a .38 Special double-action-only revolver with a bobbed hammer, often enhanced with aftermarket XS Sights for better aiming. Proper sight presentation is key; if shots hit low, aim with the front sight dot slightly above the rear notch.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Taurus Reputation and Early Revolvers
  2. 00:18Introducing the Taurus 856
  3. 00:24Double Action Only and Bobbed Hammer
  4. 00:41Girlfriend Claims the 856
  5. 00:5638 Special Ammunition
  6. 01:08Taurus Semi-Autos Discussion
  7. 01:23XS Sights for Taurus Revolvers
  8. 01:41Improving Factory Sights
  9. 02:06Initial Sight Presentation Issues
  10. 02:16Adjusting Sight Presentation
  11. 02:32Shooting the 856
  12. 03:01Correcting Sight Picture
  13. 03:18XS Sights Holiday Sale
  14. 04:07Bobbed Hammer vs. Swooped Hammer
  15. 04:34Pleasantly Surprised by DAO Trigger
  16. 04:44Female Appeal of Wheel Guns
  17. 05:33Shooting Performance at Distance
  18. 06:00Aiming High for Accuracy
  19. 06:24Inability to Hit Steel at 50 Yards
  20. 06:31Point Shooting Practice
  21. 06:55Ammunition Status
  22. 07:1538 Special Availability
  23. 07:20Dumping Rounds into Dirt
  24. 07:34UHMWPE Plate Durability
  25. 07:51No Penetration on Plate
  26. 08:00Large Target for Confidence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Taurus 856?

The Taurus 856 is a double-action-only (DAO) revolver chambered in .38 Special. It typically features a 6-round cylinder and a bobbed hammer, making it suitable for concealed carry due to its snag-free design.

What are the benefits of XS Sights on a Taurus 856?

XS Sights offer improved sight acquisition compared to standard factory sights, especially in low light conditions due to tritium inserts. They provide a high-contrast front sight that aids in faster and more accurate aiming for snubnose revolvers.

How does the bobbed hammer affect the Taurus 856?

A bobbed hammer on the Taurus 856 eliminates the ability to manually cock the hammer for single-action shooting. This design is intended to prevent snagging on clothing or holsters during concealed carry, making it a purely double-action firearm.

What is the recommended sight presentation for the Taurus 856 with XS Sights?

Initial testing showed shots hitting low when the front sight dot was placed directly in the rear notch. The recommended adjustment is to place the top of the front sight dot slightly above the rear sight notch to achieve a better point of aim/point of impact.

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