Taurus Model 85

{{Infobox weapon

|name=Model 85

|image=File:Taurus Model 85 Ultra-Lite (32616896880).jpg

|image_size=300

|caption= A Model 85 Ultra-Lite, which features an alloy frame.

|origin=Brazil

| production_date = 1980–2017 (85){{cite book |author= |editor-last1= Warner|editor-first1= Ken |date=July 1984 |title=Gun Digest, 1985|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Gun_Digest_1985/JervBoS_tyAC|quote= Taurus Model 85 Revolver. [...] Introduced 1980. Imported from Brazil by Taurus International.|publisher=DBI |page=297 |isbn=9780910676755 |access-date= May 14, 2025}}
2018-present (856)

|service=

|used_by=See Users

|wars=

|is_ranged=yes

|cartridge=.38 Special +P

|action=Double action/single action

|part_length=50.8 mm or 76.2 mm

|width=34.2 mm

|height=109 mm

|rate=

|feed=5 shot cylinder

|sights=fixed front sight

|range=

}}

The Taurus Model 85 is a small-frame revolver manufactured by Taurus International.

Overview

In the United States, the guns are marketed for concealed carry and personal protection.{{cite web|url=http://www.taurususa.com/pdf/2014_taurus_catalog.pdf|title=2014 Taurus USA Product Catalog, p. 7|access-date=2014-03-18|archive-date=2017-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829000321/http://www.taurususa.com/pdf/2014_taurus_catalog.pdf|url-status=dead}}

There are a number of significant internal differences between the Taurus 85 and similar Smith & Wesson revolvers.{{cite web |date=21 June 2011 |title=Taurus Model 85 |url=http://www.snubnose.info/docs/M85.htm |website=www.snubnose.info}}

Because of these differences, Taurus has been able to keep costs relatively low.

However, those same differences can make customization of the Model 85 more expensive.{{cite web|url=http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/no_taurus_work.html|title=Why I don't work on Taurus revolvers. - www.GrantCunningham.com|date=3 July 2006|publisher=|access-date=28 December 2014|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228080618/http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/no_taurus_work.html|url-status=dead}}

Design

The Model 85 is available with either 2" or 3" barrels, is capable of firing +P rated .38 Special rounds, and utilizes a transfer bar safety.

Models manufactured after 1997 feature the Taurus Security System, which consists of a keyed, quarter-turn style socket-head screw which can be set to prevent the hammer from pivoting back into the frame, thus rendering the weapon inoperative.

The Model 85 is available in several configurations. These include blued steel, stainless steel, polymer frame, and "Ultralite" variants constructed of aluminum and titanium, with steel lockwork components.

Much like Smith & Wesson revolvers, Model 85s can come equipped with exposed, "bobbed" (850), or shrouded (851) hammers.

There are numerous cosmetic options, including gold-plated hardware and grips of wood or pearl.

Variants

= Taurus 856 =

The Model 85 line has been enlarged to include the Model 856. This model is similar to the Model 85, but adds an additional round in the cylinder to bring the Model 856's capacity to 6 rounds.{{cite web|url=http://www.gunreports.com/news/handguns/Taurus-Revolver_449-1.html|title=Taurus' 856 Revolver - News Article|website=Gun Tests}}

= Taurus 85VTA =

The View, also known as the model 85VTA, was introduced in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.taurususa.com/taurus-press-releases-detail.cfm?newsID=59|title=Taurus International Manufacturing Inc - Press Releases|website=www.taurususa.com}} It has a 1.41 inch barrel, an aluminum frame and titanium cylinder, and a clear polycarbonate side plate for an unloaded weight of 9.5 ounces.{{cite web|url=http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=897&category=Revolver&breadcrumbseries=&search=85|title=Taurus 85VTA Revolver - .38 Special 5 Rounds Silver Finish|website=www.taurususa.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.taurususa.com/pdf/2014_taurus_catalog.pdf|title=Taurus USA Product Catalog, p. 9|access-date=2014-03-18|archive-date=2017-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829000321/http://www.taurususa.com/pdf/2014_taurus_catalog.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxJzWCE5XJ4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/bxJzWCE5XJ4 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Taurus 85 View SHOT Show 2014 Preview|last=Kentucky Gun Co|date=11 January 2014|publisher=|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

Unlike other models, the View is only rated for standard pressure .38 Special ammunition.

Ultimately, the View was not a commercial success and was pulled from production in December 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2014/12/26/end-road-taurus-view/|title=End of the Road for Taurus View|date=26 December 2014|publisher=}}

A revised model, the "No View" with an aluminum side plate replacing the clear one, was introduced in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/taurus-85-no-view-snubnose-revolver-38-special-2850019nv-725327611950-titanium-1-barrel?a=1820075|title=Taurus 85 "No View" Snubnose, Revolver, .38 Special+P, 1" Barrel, 5 Rounds - 644753, Revolver at Sportsman's Guide|website=www.sportsmansguide.com}}

== Reception ==

Reviews on the 85VTA were mixed. Author Massad Ayoob found the View he shot had accuracy problems and lead bullets tended to "prairie dog" (protrude forward from the recoil) and bind the cylinder.{{cite web|url=http://americanhandgunner.com/one-view-of-the-taurus-view/|title=One View Of The Taurus ViewAmerican Handgunner - American Handgunner|website=americanhandgunner.com}}

Another reviewer did not have those problems when testing the gun.{{cite web|url=http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2014/08/taurus-model-85-view-review-clearly.html|title=Pocket Guns and Gear: Taurus Model 85 View Review - A Clearly Different Revolver|first=Bruce|last=F|date=7 August 2014|publisher=}}

Users

{{flag|Singapore}}
Singapore Police Force
Remain in use by auxiliary units
Issued to frontline officers in 2002,{{Cite web|url=https://www.police.gov.sg/media-room/features/from-spears-and-whistles-to-pistols-and-tasers|title = From Spears and Whistles to Pistols and Tasers}} replaced by the Glock 19{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/04/02/glock-asia-pacific-to-supply-pistols-to-the-singapore-police-force/|title=BREAKING: GLOCK to Supply 6,000 Glock 19 Gen 5 Pistols to the Singapore Police Force -|date=April 2, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/frontline-police-to-be-armed-with-pistols|title=Frontline police to be armed with pistols instead of revolvers|date=February 24, 2017|website=The Straits Times}}
Singapore Prison Service
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority

Criminal activities

Yolanda Saldívar, the murderer of Selena Quintanilla Pérez, used the Taurus on March 31, 1995{{Citation |title=Murder of Selena |date=2024-10-26 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Selena&oldid=1253565944 |access-date=2024-11-08 |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Yolanda Saldívar |date=2024-11-01 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yolanda_Sald%C3%ADvar&oldid=1254775197 |access-date=2024-11-08 |language=en}}