Taurus Police 85

Guns Magazine, Oct, 2000 by J. I. Galan

This low-profile, ultralight revolver can handle the hottest P ammo and is a perfect choice for back-up or home defense.

Last year, when I tested Taurus' superb titanium .38 Special snubbies (GUNS, Dec. '99) there was one model absent: the Police Model 85 Concealed Hammer. Although the latter model had been widely portrayed in Taurus factory catalogs in 1999, it took the better part of that year for production models to finally reach the market. I had no choice but to wait patiently.

As its model name indicates, this .38 Special wheelgun is the latest version of successful Taurus series 85 compact five-shot snubbies featuring a concealed hammer that fits flush with the frame. Taurus decision-makers chose to launch this particular model with an aluminum frame, while the cylinder and stainless-lined, ported barrel are made of titanium. The latter components sport the Stealth Gray finish, a Taurus trademark, while the frame has a matte gray finish.

One significant difference between the standard exposed-hammer Model 85 Multi-Alloy and the Concealed Hammer Police Model 85 is weight. While the standard Multi-Alloy weighs 13 1/2 ounces, the Concealed Hammer version shaves off one-half ounce, making it an incredibly light sidearm for dedicated concealed carry.

All of the other niceties found in the Multi-Alloy snubby are there, such as Santoprene boot-style grips and Taurus' unique hammer-mounted Security system that renders the gun inoperable by means of a special key.

Of course, the Taurus 85 Concealed Hammer snubby is a double-action-only revolver, something that makes it even more attractive for law-enforcement use, as well as for many civilians, in these gun-safety-obsessed times when short and light trigger pulls are not politically correct.

Fire-Breathing Snubby

Having recently test fired the exposed-hammer version of this model, I put the Concealed Hammer snubby through its paces, firing a variety of potent .38 Special P fodder out of the little gun.

Knowing that recoil and muzzle flip are entirely manageable despite the extreme light weight, thanks to the combination of barrel porting and superb soft rubber grips, 1 was able to do a good bit of fast-paced DAO shooting at distances of seven to 15 yards.

In most instances I was able to put all five shots well within the center-mass area of a standard "smurf" combat silhouette. Best results were obtained with Remington P 125 gr. Semi-jacketed hollow points and Winchester 110 gr. Silvertips. Federal P 125 gr. JSP also performed extremely well, by the way.

The trigger action was quick and smooth, with an average pull weight of just over 10 1/2 lbs. Emptying the cylinder once all five shots are fired is fast and reliable, given the extended ejector rod that's now standard throughout the entire Taurus revolver line.

Despite the muzzle flash and upward blast of the barrel ports, this Taurus revolver is eminently suited to personal defense. Its concealed hammer makes it ideal for discreet carry in a pants pocket or jacket coat in a suitable holster, such as Uncle Mike's "Sidekick" or Desantis' "Pocket Pal." So ensconced, the little Police 85 CH snubby is not only well hidden from prying eyes, but hardly noticeable even to the person carrying it.

Police & Politics

The inclusion of the word "police" in this revolver's model designation is obviously intended to attract the law-enforcement market. I think this was a clever move on the part of Taurus, particularly in light of recent political events that have soured the market for Taurus' traditional competitor in the realm of personal-defense wheel-guns, Smith & Wesson, I do not doubt for one second that Taurus' market share in this area is going to increase dramatically as a result of S&W's unexpected -- and unwarranted -- pact with the Clinton administration.

Politics aside, the Taurus Police 85 Concealed Hammer Ultra-Lite snubby certainly stands on its own when it comes to quality and practicality. Clearly, this handy yet potent new revolver adds another star in the already crowded Taurus lineup of outstanding handguns.

SPEC SHEET

Taurus Police Model 85 Concealed Hammer

Caliber: .38 Special, P-rated

Action: DA only

Capacity: 5 shots

Length Overall: 6 1/2"

Weight: 13 ounces

Sights: Fixed

Grip: Santoprene, boot-style

Barrel: 2", factory ported

Safety: Firing pin transfer bar, Taurus Security System

Finish: Matte aluminum frame, Stealth Gray cylinder and barrel

Suggested Retail: $515