The Taurus 856 carries 6 rounds where the S&W Airweights and Ruger LCR stop at 5. In the snubnose revolver category, that single extra round is the 856's entire value proposition — and it's a real one. The 6-shot cylinder fits in the same 1.41" wide, 6.55" long package, and the 2" barrel is barely longer than the J-frame's 1.88". What you give up is weight: the all-steel carbon steel frame and cylinder puts the 856 at 22 oz, which is about 7.5 oz heavier than the lightest Airweight. At 22 oz, it's no longer a pocket gun in most pants.

The DA/SA action means you can shoot double-action or cock the hammer for SA precision shots, similar to the S&W 637 but with a 6th round in the cylinder. The trigger pull is not published, but community consensus puts it in the 10-12 lb DA range — typical for a budget steel-frame revolver. Owners note the trigger smooths up meaningfully after 200-300 rounds of break-in, more so than the S&W J-frames. The heavier steel frame absorbs +P recoil better than any Airweight — the 22 oz mass makes longer practice sessions more manageable than on lighter alternatives.

The 856 sits in the budget end of the .357/.38 revolver market — Taurus's volume manufacturing keeps the price well below S&W and Ruger competitors with similar specs. If you plan to practice regularly with +P loads and want 6 rounds, the 856 is the practical budget choice. For dedicated pocket carry where weight matters more than capacity, look at the 14.6 oz 642 instead — and keep a spare Speed Strip for reloads.