Taurus 85 replaced by new 856?

[FergusonTO35]

I saw that Taurus has brought back the 856 six shot snubby, so I called up the fun store to order one. He said they haven't showed up at his distributor yet but he will get me one as soon as they do. He also told me that the 85 five shot has been discontinued for a month now. Anybody else heard about this? I always thought the 85 was rather bulky for a five shooter but I am looking forward to the 856.

[hollywood63]

Still on the site. But I've heard the same that they discontinued the 85

https://www.taurususa.com/gun-selector-results.cfm?series=M85&toggle=tr

[leadhead]

I don't understand why they would discontinue the M85...
Wasn't that supposed to be there best seller?
Denny

[FergusonTO35]

All I can think of is that the tooling for the 85 was worn out and they figure there are so many of them out there at very low prices it would make more sense to go with a new 856. I am planning to get a new 856, my S&W 637 has me covered quite well when it comes to really little .38's.

[WebMonkey]

my wife like's her 85 ultralite.
she'd better get a couple more while she can.
;)

[Low Budget Shooter]

If they really are discontinuing the 85 to replace it with the 856, I think that's a great move for the customer, as long as the gun works!

[Earlwb]

Well the old method of "new and improved" works to sell more. So I can see them changing it. Marketing 101.

[FergusonTO35]

If the new 856 is as good as the 85 was, then it is in fact new and improved. I've been begging for Ruger to add a sixth round to the SP-101 for years as this would create the ultimate carry size .38/.357. They didn't, so Taurus will get my money on this one.

[PeashooterJoe]

If they have retooled will great for the customer..PeashooterJoe

[rking22]

Hum,, I prefer the proven track record rather than new and improved. An 85 has been in the family for near 15 years with no problems. Hope the new one is as good.

[FergusonTO35]

Well, the new 856 was officially announced in January and my local guy still can't get them, in fact I haven't even seen them available from the online giants like Bud's and Kentucky Gun Co. I hope this means Taurus wants to work out any potential problems and make sure the guns are truly ready before they are sold at retail. I'm not holding my breath given their track record, but I will say that Taurus .38 and .357 revolvers have always been their best products and they sell like crazy around here. I like the concept so much that I am willing to buy one whenever they come available.

[Beagle333]

They are available in a lot of places now. Some for as low as $256.

I'm gonna do it. :D:Fire:

[FergusonTO35]

Finally saw an 856 in person and was impressed. Workmanship looked really good, barrel/cylinder gap looked to be .005 or so to my eyes. The revolver is just slightly bigger than the five shot J frames next to it, I don't think the 856 would be any more difficult to carry than those. This shop used to sell tons of 85's and had few complaints about them, in fact they were the only Taurus products they consistently kept in stock. If the new 856 is just as good then it will be a winner indeed.

[birch]

The 85 is an excellent gun. It is the only Taurus product I would buy twice.

[FergusonTO35]

I compared the 856 to the new Colt Cobra also in the safe. The Cobra is noticeably larger. It would be a good choice for OWB, but the 856 would work alot better for pocket or ankle carry.

[Petrol & Powder]

I hope they didn't discontinue the Model 85. It was the ONE gun Taurus got right.

[FergusonTO35]

The Taurus 82 is another one that they did right.

[FergusonTO35]

Well, the fun store had the 856 stainless for $240.00. So that pushed me over the edge and I layawayed it. Will report how it does when I pick it up.

[FergusonTO35]

Well, the fun store had the 856 stainless for $240.00. So that pushed me over the edge and I layawayed it. Will report how it does when I pick it up.

[mac60]

I was in a local gun store to get some powder and there was one on consignment. The guy wanted $250. The factory hang tags were still on it and it looked NIB. I asked if he could call him and see if he'd take $200. He said he wouldn't take $200, but he would take $225. It wound up $243 out the door. Finish is a little rough, but it shot really well. I was cleaning the plate rack at 25 yds. with it.

253358

An HKS 10A speedloader works perfectly. I've owned 2 model 85's in the past, but traded them off for something or other. I think I prefer the 856 over the 85 - just for the 1 extra round.

[Tracy]

I looked at one in a lgs awhile back. Initially I was disappointed that they had discontinued the 85, but in reality I think all they did was take the 85 and figure out how to fit a slightly larger, 6 round cylinder in it. The fact that it accepts the same speedloaders I use for K frames, Ruger 6 series and GP100s is icing on the cake.

[eveready]

I hope you all have better luck with an 856 than I have. The second cylinder full I tried to shoot the cylinder stopped advancing with every pull of the trigger.I sent it back on their dime. They quoted a twelve week turnaround. I sure hope its right when it comes back.

[FergusonTO35]

If the 856 is as good as the late model 82 I used to have, then I will probably buy a second one!

[nikonuser]

how do you users feel about the new plastic grips from Taurus?

[Petrol & Powder]

The 85 is an excellent gun. It is the only Taurus product I would buy twice.


/\/\/\/\/\ I'm with you !!!! /\/\/\/\

I'm not a Taurus fan but I've seen model 85 revolvers solider on for decades. It is the one gun Taurus got right.

[redhawk0]

I don't see the 85 on Taurus's site any more....looks like they went with the new 856 as their base model revolver now.

I have the 85 and love mine. (1997)... It shoots fine, easy to carry, and conceals pretty well. For me though...I didn't get a "lite" model. I have all steel so it is just a tad heavier.

I'd buy another Taurus if it's built as well as my 20+ year old 85. I might just have to check one of the 856s out the next time I stop in my LGS.

redhawk

[mac60]

how do you users feel about the new plastic grips from Taurus?

I like 'em. I don't feel compelled to change them at all.

[FergusonTO35]

I have now put a couple of boxes of rounds through my 856 with no problems. The trigger pull is kind of rough, but for the low price I can certainly live with it. Seems to be as accurate as any other snub I have ever tried and the steel frame really tames the muzzle jump.

[FergusonTO35]

I'm still shooting my 856, and found a set of round to square butt checkered 85 grips for it. Accuracy is still not where I want it, minute of bad guy and nothing better. The heavy trigger pull is the biggest problem, even in single action I would guess its around 10 pounds. Do the usual trigger pull tricks for S&W work with Taurus? I see Wolff now offers a spring kit for them so that would be a good start.