First Look: Taurus 856 & 605 T.O.R.O. Optics-Ready Revolvers

Taurus broke new ground at SHOT Show 2023 with the announcement of the Taurus 856 & 605 T.O.R.O. optics-ready revolvers, the first of their kind.

Optics-ready handguns are the most recent craze in the CCW world, and virtually every major current-production pistol can have a red dot mounted to it one way or another. While this has been true for semi-auto handguns, no manufacturer has applied to concept to revolvers until now. Released as part of the company’s T.O.R.O. (Taurus Optic Ready Option) series, the Taurus 856 and 605 are now available from the factory ready to accept red dot sights.

The base model revolvers have been on the market for a while, but for those who aren’t familiar with them, the Taurus 856 is a 6-shot .38 Special +P and the Taurus 605 is a 5-shot .357 Magnum. Both models in the T.O.R.O. series feature 3-inch barrels, rubber grips and either a matte black or matte stainless finish.

As for the red dot-mounting capabilities, the Taurus 856 and 605 T.O.R.O. revolvers come with a plate designed to accept any optic that features the very common Holosun K footprint. Taurus highlights some advantages of mounting a red dot on a revolver, including the ability to zero the optic to a specific load of ammo, something that was impossible with the standard fixed-sight 856 and 605 models. One potential downside of the T.O.R.O. design is that the red dots are mounted so high that co-witnessing appears to be impossible. Because the front sight is also replaceable, however, it may not be a bad idea to just remove it entirely for a smoother overall profile.

All four Taurus 856 and 605 T.O.R.O. models are available now. MSRPs range from $445.99 to $470.99 depending on the model and finish.

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For more information, please visit taurususa.com.

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