Taurus 856 Initial Thoughts/Review

AmeriGlo Front Sight on. Some of the orange fill is flaked out. It'll need a touch up I suppose. Check before install so you can return if needed. I'll just hit it with testors orange enamel and move on.

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The narrow rear, hard to pick up the front sight unless you hold high since it's so narrow.

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A few minutes with a round file converts it to a trough then smoothed with 180g paper. I didn't go all the way to the bottom so a portion of the old square corners still show but it picks up quickly now and should be lots easier to get on center. A touch of Matt black paint in the trough is optional if you get any glare.

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The very first thing I did to mine right after it came out of the box was to paint the serrated part of the front sight bright/international orange. Made it much easier to see. I might get a tritium front for it one day.
 
Back in the 90s Taurus made a snub nose, spur-less hammer, small frame revolver for concealed carry in caliber 17 HMR. Not the Tracker, which is a medium frame but on the small frame. I believe the model is long defunct but I located a like new spur-less hammer from one for $12. So, time for a DAO conversion of this Model 856, which is also built on the Taurus Small Frame.

Not exactly the same visually, but very close dimensionally and easy enough to fit into place rather than grind away on the original spurred hammer.

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Hammer axle in the frame is .140" dia. Hole in the spur-less hammer is .120". Shown here with the hole reamed and polished to a free running fit on the axle, edges of the new axle hole chamfered, bluing buffed off and the arc at the top of the hammer stoned a few thousands to eliminate one spot where the top of the hammer rubbed the inside of the frame. Took longer to set up the press for drilling and reaming than to actually do the work.

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Test fitting the new spur-less hammer in the action. Function is just fine. Out for a final polish, cleaning and lubrication of all the points of contact.

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All done but removal of the hammer blocking screw, and for that, I'll have to round up a Taurus Key, just don't want to pay $15 shipped to get one..... (The spur-less hammer is 37 grains lighter, as shown here, than the original spurred hammer.)

Had it out to the backyard range and function is perfect. Ready for Spring, and pocket carry.

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