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. However, there are a number of significant internal differences between the Taurus 85 and similar Smith & Wesson revolvers.^[2 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