The Taurus 856 is a popular small-frame revolver, and like many firearms, its grip can significantly impact the shooter's experience. This article explores various grip options for the Taurus 856, with a focus on wood grips and aftermarket alternatives. We'll delve into personal experiences, discussing the pros and cons of different materials, designs, and manufacturers.
The Importance of a Good Grip
A proper grip is crucial for several reasons:
- Recoil Management: A well-designed grip can help absorb and distribute recoil, making the gun more comfortable to shoot, especially with stout .38 Special loads.
- Concealability: The grip's size and shape can affect how easily the revolver can be concealed.
- Ergonomics: A grip that fits the shooter's hand well can improve trigger control and overall accuracy.
- Aesthetics: Many shooters appreciate the visual appeal of different grip materials and designs.
Factory Wood Grips for the Taurus 856
Newest models have a new grip from Taurus. This grip uses a pin through the grip to secure the grip to the frame. To change the grip, the pin must be driven out. Replace with the pin included with the grip. Will fit models 85, 94, 380, 605, 650, 651, 850, 851, 905, and 941. Will NOT fit models 445, 606 or polymer frames.
The 856 wears original vintage Taurus wood grips with coarse checkering, the Taurus wood grips I posted earlier in this topic have fine checkering. These coarse checkered grips are slightly thicker and for my hands do the better job of managing recoil. These grips, notice the coarse checkering, are the thickest and that checkering gives enough bite that it stays put when firing. I feel the least amount of recoil with these, even on the ultralite. And my clothes slide over them, no grabbing or printing.
The stock grip that came on the executive grade has square edge at the top and leaves some the back strap exposed, and with a high grip like use it is very painful under recoil. Since posting that I discovered the previous vintage that look very similar but have coarser checkering.
Read also: Wood Grips for the Taurus PT92
Aftermarket Grip Options
Many aftermarket grip options are available for the Taurus 856, offering a wide range of materials, styles, and features.
Rubber Grips
My taurus (and other) 38sp revolvers all immediately get hogue or pachmayr grips.
Hogue: I'm trying a few grips and the first to come in are the hogue rubber monogrip for s&w j-frame. Hogue monogrip j-frame s&w saddle, doesn't line up but a costom saddle that catches the large hole in the grip frame is something I could make fairly easily, or I can drill a new hole for the pin. So, not great but workable.
Pachmayr: I've looked real hard at those Pachmayr Renegade. What a sweet looking stock. No mater what they come with in the end all my snubbies over the years get Pachmayr Compact. Checks all the boxes. Helps reduce felt recoil, covers the back strap, fills in behind the trigger guard, and add only a little bit of bulk over most standard wood grips, yet still easy to conceal. Fits my hand like a clove.
Uncle Mike's Boot Grips
And I remember liking the uncle mikes boot grips when I had a 642 so figured try a set made for taurus. The 22 lr revolver wears the uncle mikes boot grips. These were always my favorite when I had s&w's and I'm thrilled to have them for the Taurus. Both my 22 lr's have them and yes I was lucky enough to find two sets.
Read also: Holsters for Taurus 608
Barami Hip Grip
Barami hip grip for a model 85, around $15 on eBay.
Other Options
I already had these and for now they're going back into the spare parts box! Well the s&w hogue's didn't work out, they gone back. I'm realizing it's important to keep the rear profile of the grip.
The uncle mikes combat grip is for these taurus's and it's good except I'm doing appendix carry and the wood grip lets my cloths slide over it without printing. They'll get ebayed eventually so if someone wants them pm me.
The nylon version of this monogrip coming and now that I've seen this one I plan to modify it by removing the finger grooves. I could get these to fit pretty easily. I made a cross pin from a screw and drilled corresponding shallow holes in the grip halves, and if you look at the grip screw you can see it's thin in the middle which if the grip is adjusted/fitted right it doesn't interfere with the hammer spring strut. Anyway, this grip is big and probably better suited for the 3".
Nice. I usually get at least one derogatory or at least “disapproving”comment any time I post a picture of my 442 with my leather backstrap strip and vet wrap grip. But it fills my hand exactly and locates my trigger finger perfectly AND tames back strap bite.
Read also: Accessorizing Your Taurus 66
To answer my own question: Yes, these grips are as punishing as old school service grips. Everyones hands are different and those put my thumb behind the cylinder release and it chewed up my thumb. It wasn't as bad on the all steel Executive but on the ultralite I had enough. I also found the rubber grabbed my cloths.
Other Considerations
I think the recoil is ok and I haven’t noticed a hot spot. The most I’ve shot this at a time is around 100 rounds so not a lot. I could always add rubber bands, insert comical emoji here.
XS sights has 856 front sights in stock now, they were OOS for awhile. That these guns have pinned in front sights and use the 85 grip frame are big pluses for me.
I have a spare set of the coarse checkered wood grips for when I want to use them on one of the 22's. These are good affordable guns. Not internet 2nd hand opinion. I have 4 now, proven to be good guns.