The Taurus 856 is a steel-framed double-action .38 Special built for belt carry. It is still in production. Its cylinder holds six rounds in a revolver 6.55 inches long and 1.41 inches across, where the five-shot small frames of the same length hold one less.

The hammer is exposed, so a deliberate shot can be fired single action, and a transfer bar keeps the firing pin out of reach until the trigger is held back. The front sight is a serrated ramp and the rear is a fixed notch, so neither one moves and neither one comes off. The grip is soft rubber on a frame 4.8 inches tall, which is taller than a J-frame and takes more hand. The frame and cylinder are carbon steel in a matte black finish, which brings the gun to 22 oz, the barrel is 2 inches turning 1:16.5, and no part of it is machined for an optic.

If you're cross-shopping, the Taurus 856 Ultra-Lite has an MSRP of $431 and is the same gun on an anodized aluminum frame, which is lighter to carry and recoils more. The Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight has an MSRP of $539, holds five at 14.6 oz and fires double action only with an enclosed hammer. The steel 856 carries the most weight of the three, at 22 oz.