Small, concealable revolvers maintain a sizeable share of the self-defense and concealed carry handgun market and no manufacturer offers as many different configurations of affordable and reliable small-frame revolvers as Taurus. Right on the heels of the company's launch of the concealed-hammer, .357 Magnum-chambered 650 last year, it is introducing the new-for-2025 Taurus 850, which offers the same features, but in a .38 Spl. only chambering.
The Taurus 850 is an all-steel, five-shot, double-action revolver with an internal hammer and low-profile sights for snag free concealed carry. Image courtesy of Taurus.
The Taurus 850 follows the configuration of its magnum sibling. It is a double-action-only design with its hammer “shrouded” within the frame and has a five-shot capacity in its swing-out cylinder. The barrel has a full underlug. Sights are also low-profile, with a simple rear notch in the frame’s top strap and a ramped front blade that is removable so that it can be replaced with aftermarket options. Grips are wraparound textured rubber.
Sights on the Taurus 850 are a simple fixed rear notch in the frame and a serrated ramp front that is removable. Image courtesy of Taurus.
The Taurus 850 is offered in four configurations. Carbon steel models have a matte black finish and those constructed out of stainless steel are given a matte natural finish. Either model is available with either a 2” or 3” barrel. Dimensions are 4.59” tall and 7.66” long (one inch longer for the 3”-barrel model), and with its all steel construction, the 2”-barrel 850 weighs 22.75 ozs. and the 3” models weigh 24 ozs. Taurus 850 revolvers have an MSRP of $425 for black finished models and $440 for stainless steel models. For more information, see the company’s website.
The size and features of the Taurus 850 are optimized for concealed carry. Image courtesy of Taurus.
