Taurus has released yet another splash of variety to the seemingly endless sea of black polymer striker-fired pistols with the release of its new Taurus 850. At first glance, this snub-nose revolver evokes a wave of nostalgia and memories of watching classic cop films, such as Beverly Hills Cop, Die Hard, and Magnum Force. From revolvers of yesteryear to the new releases we see today, these nostalgic throwbacks see a much-welcomed refresh, with features, finishes, and more launching them into the 21st century. When the 850 was first announced, we knew we had to get our hands on it for a full review.
One of the first features you may notice when handling the new 850 is its fully shrouded hammer. Catering to the concealed carry crowd, this is key to a smooth, snag-free draw should you need to call upon its use in a self-defense situation. Not only does this design enhance drawing capabilities, but it also goes a long way in minimizing printing and keeping it as concealable as possible during everyday wear.
This revolver is chambered in .38 Special, which has a long-standing history as one of the more popular defensive rounds. Known for its soft-shooting nature and manageable recoil, this round is widely available to consumers who wish to purchase it for either defensive carry or general range use. If you happen to load your own ammunition, components are also generally widely available, letting you custom-tailor your rounds to your particular gun, ensuring tight groups during testing at your local gun range. With many bullet styles available in both factory loads and as separate components for handloaders, .38 Special proves itself as quite the versatile round.
Another popular use for this caliber is for backcountry defense, as this revolver can easily be carried on your person or even strapped to your pack for easy access. While the rounds that we used for testing the functionality and accuracy of the 850 were geared towards those utilized for CCW purposes, there are loadings specially created for defense against predators you may come across in the field. One example of a loading created for this purpose would be Buffalo Bore’s 38 Special +P Outdoorsman. Utilizing a flash-retardant powder and hard-cast bullet, this round is meant to penetrate even the densest hide to stop a threat in its tracks.
We decided to take a closer look at its features before heading out to the range. Sighting systems, as with most revolvers, were kept simple with a removable serrated blade up front and a fixed notch sight in the rear. Since this revolver is a born-and-bred defensive gun, we appreciated the simplistic nature of the sighting system. For those wanting to add a bit more visibility up front, simply remove the front sight and replace it with your preferred night sight. As mentioned before, the fully shrouded hammer keeps the 850 very clean and streamlined. When combined with the gun’s small frame, it lent itself towards optimal concealability and comfort during all-day wear.
Our test gun sported a 3" barrel, which was just as easy to conceal as others with slightly shorter barrel lengths. Unloaded, the 3" model weighed 22.75 oz., which balanced recoil control with ease of carry quite nicely. While wearing it in a holster, you certainly knew it was on your hip, but it wasn't so heavy that you actually minded it being there. The 850 has an overall length of 8.66", a width of 1.34", a height of 4.59", and is capable of fitting within many of the holsters manufactured for small-framed revolvers of this nature.
This revolver is chambered in .38 Special, which has a long-standing history as one of the more popular defensive rounds. Known for its soft-shooting nature and manageable recoil, this round is widely available to consumers for either defensive carry or general range use. If you happen to load your own ammunition, components are also generally widely available, letting you custom-tailor your rounds to your particular gun, ensuring tight groups during testing at your local gun range. With many bullet styles available in both factory loads and as separate components for handloaders, .38 Special proves itself as quite the versatile round.
Another popular use for this caliber is for backcountry defense, as this revolver can easily be carried on your person or even strapped to your pack for easy access. While the rounds that we used for testing the functionality and accuracy of the 850 were geared towards those utilized for CCW purposes, there are loadings specially created for defense against predators you may come across in the field. One example of a loading created for this purpose would be Buffalo Bore’s 38 Special +P Outdoorsman. Utilizing a flash-retardant powder and hard cast bullet, this round is meant to penetrate even the densest hide to stop a threat in its tracks.
Once on the range, we had two popular defensive rounds manufactured in this popular caliber. First up was Federal’s Personal Defense Punch 120-grain 38 Spl +P. Since most defensive encounters fall somewhere within the 7-15 yard range, we set up shop at 15 yards and went to work. At this distance, the average group size was 3.75" with an average velocity of 921 feet per second (fps). Next up was Hornady’s Critical Defense .38 Spl +P 110 grain FTX. When it was all said and done, the average group size measured 2.6" with an average velocity of 952 fps.
All rounds went off without a hitch, with average group sizes of each round falling within what we would consider acceptable for a self-defense firearm of this nature at this distance. Recoil was manageable, with a secure grip on the gun made possible and comfortable with the textured, rubberized grips. Lastly, while the double-action-only (DAO) trigger gave our trigger finger a workout, as with all things on the range I’d fully expect this to become easier over time.
By blending a timeless classic with modern-day refinements in concealability, Taurus provides its consumers with yet another trusted option in the world of wheelguns. Whether you incorporate it into your everyday carry setup, bring it along to the range for a casual plinking session, or strap it to your pack when traversing the trail, the Taurus 850 is set to be your trusted companion along the way. MSRP $499.99; taurususa.com.
Specifications
Caliber: .38 Special
Front Sight: Removable Serrated Blade
Rear Sight: Fixed
Action Type: DAO
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Frame Size: Small
Overall Length: 8.66”
Overall Width: 1.34”
Barrel Length: 3.00”
Overall Height: 4.59”
Overall Weight: 22.75 oz. (unloaded)
Frame Material: Alloy Steel
Cylinder Material: Alloy Steel
Barrel Finish: Matte Black
Frame Finish: Matte Black
Cylinder Finish: Matte Black
Barrel Material: Alloy Steel
MSRP: $499.99
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