Heritage Roscoe, Taurus 856, Bodyguard 2.0: Budget Carry Revolvers

The short version: Travis Pike, who admits he is not a revolver guy, went shopping for an inexpensive carry wheelgun and settled on three he likes: the Heritage Roscoe, the Taurus 856 and the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 .38.

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The Roscoe is essentially a Taurus Model 85 dressed in retro snub-nose style, with a glossy black finish, an exposed hammer and no shroud around the ejector rod. Pike says its double-action pull beats what the price suggests. His gripes are the small wood grips and the full hammer, which he'd like to see bobbed for concealment.

The Taurus 856 squeezes a sixth round into a frame that normally holds five and comes in a long list of barrel, grip, finish and optics-ready versions, all priced at or near $400. Three-inch models get a full-length ejector rod, and the front sight is pinned so it can be swapped. Pike notes the cheap entry price left him money for practice ammo, though the hard rubber grips bite with +P loads.

The biggest surprise for Pike was the Bodyguard 2.0. He disliked the original Bodyguard .38, but the new version adds fuller recoil-soaking grips, a real rear sight in the topstrap and a much smoother, lighter trigger while keeping the polymer frame and the ambidextrous cylinder release. It also runs about $400. His main complaint: it won't fit every J-frame holster.

Key takeaways

• Heritage Roscoe: 5-shot .38 Special built on the Taurus Model 85, offered with 2- or 3-inch barrels and an exposed hammer
• Taurus 856: 6-shot capacity, pinned front sight, full-length ejector rod on 3-inch models, around or under $400
• S&W Bodyguard 2.0 .38: 5 shots, polymer construction, ambidextrous cylinder release, topstrap rear sight, high-visibility front sight, around $400
• Pike's view: low-cost revolvers that shoot well leave more of the budget for ammo and practice

Summary by GunWinner based on reporting by Athlon Outdoors. Deal links are affiliate links; GunWinner may earn a commission. Prices change quickly, so confirm at checkout.