I bought the Taurus 856 Revolver

[@jec1ny]

Nobody buys a Taurus to stick in their safe because it's a future collectible. They are solid, functional, reliable and reasonably priced working guns. If (God forbid) you ever find yourself with your back to the wall in a "them or you" situation, the 856 will do the job. You don't need super hot rounds. If you can put your rounds where you want, standard .38 spl rounds will work. Hell, even wadcutters are an underrated defensive cartridge. Revolvers are also easier to use in high stress situations. No safety, no slide that needs racking, and there is always one in the chamber. The heavier trigger pull makes the gun a lot more forgiving of occasional stupidity. People who carry revolvers are not usually the sort looking for trouble. They understand that if trouble comes knocking, that they have 5/6 rounds to get them the bleep out of wherever they are. Snubnosed revolvers also travel well. They are easier to carry which means you are more likely to have it on your person than that big 17 round Glock. And if you have to cross a state line, they are legal in pretty much any jurisdiction that hasn't completely outlawed guns. They are comparatively low maintenance and you can leave it loaded almost indefinitely, and it will still work. A good snubbie is damn near the ideal defensive firearm.

[@davidstevens6117]

I have the black steel version of this revolver. I bought a set of Altamont boot grips for it, and after carrying it for a few days with the Altamonts, I went back to the factory rubber grips. They just seem to fit my hand better, and it will still disappear into my hip pocket. I have owned a ton of Smith and Wessons over the years from the Model 36 to the Model 29, and I love them, but Taurus gives you more for your $$, IMO anyway.

[@williameastman9498]

In the old days that hammer style was called "bobbed" because the hammer spur is bobbed off. The 642 and LCR are shrouded hammers. Really the only hammerless guns are striker fired LOL

[@rbm6184]

@williameastman9498 Correct. Its called a bobbed hammer. For pocket carry the shrouded are better because they retain the ability to cock the hammer to single action and the shroud protects the hammer from clothing snags even when in the pocket. Then there are enclosed DAO double action only hammers like the Smith 442. True. The only hammerless guns are striker fired pistols and bolt action rifles. There are lots of guns with internal hammers or enclosed hammers.

[@sheepdog-kp9hb]

Appreciate the info

[@rbm6184]

Capacity does not matter in a gunfight that only lasts five seconds. You won't get through the entire cylinder or mag let alone have time to reload. But carry a reload anyway just in case of that less than one percent chance of multiple threats and slightly longer gunfight. And practice reloads to be proficient so you don't fumble around. Under stress it will be even harder to get a reload done proficiently. There are speedloaders and speed strips. Practice, practice, practice both shooting and reloads. I have an 856 +P Defender three inch matte black stainless I really like a lot. I use speed strips because they lay flat in the pocket and conceal better than speedloaders. Thanks for the wheel love.

[@Gieszkanne]

Watch the video about the 85y old lady on Colin Noirs channel. She defend herself against an intruder with a 357 revolver. She shot and hit him twice. He had a 9mm Beretta. Emty his whole mag on her but unly hit 4 times. She survived he died. If you watch real gun fight videos a lot of these guys with high capacity pistols just magdump and sometimes even dont hit at all.

[@rbm6184]

@@Gieszkanne Accuracy is more important than capacity or speed or anything and the quotes of James Butler Hickok and Wyatt Earp vouch for that. So carry the gun you are the most accurate with. All the capacity in the world won't change poor marksmanship. A guy shot another guy something like 14 times with a .45ACP and did not stop the threat so obviously he did not hit a vital area.

[@michaelgibbs3011]

I was a trooper 34 years. I never heard of a gunfight between 2 citizens where either shooter ha to reload during said encounter. I'm not saying such an incident never happened.

[@Gieszkanne]

If you had one before do you also had the ultra lite version?

[@jamesfrazier4650]

So excuse my ignorance; can the hammer be cocked?

[@woundedsqrl]

That model is double action only, so no you cannot cock the hammer.

[@davidtaylor195]

Double action firing can be almost perfect each time. No snag on pocket draw.

[@mauriceclark4870]

I would. Call. That. Semmi. Hammerless. !! ?

[@hdrvman]

Back in the day we would call it a "bobed hammer" !!?

[@BeldarTheBrave42]

Bobbitt Hammer