New .380 (Diamondback)

[Kevinf2349]

why would anyone use a .380 as a self defense round....too small, get a bigger bullet....

Way to kick off your forum membership, try to start a caliber war!

I think this topic may have been covered before.

ad nauseam.

[adam71176]

OK, Back on topic again.
So in under 48 hours I had my DB380 back in hand with an extra Magazine courtesy of Diamondback. I had the afternoon off and spent it at the range. 1st 100 rounds, I was still encountering the occasional FTE/FTF. I decided to smooth out her insides just like I had to do with Elsie Pea. I very lightly sanded and polished the feed ramp and oiled the guide rod and spring as I believe what was happening is that the low pressure of the .380 was not quite enough to fully send the slide backwards.

Now were having fun... 300+ rounds of various ammo fed flawlessly

Accuracy was on par with my LCP, however I think a little better for me as I like the trigger better, it just feels smoother to me, and I prefer the grip angle as well.
As I stated before, I don't even bother shooting these little guns past 5 yards, I believe that I would be extremely unlikely to fire this gun in self defense at anything past 15 feet. That being said at 5 yards I was able to put 5 of 7 shots within a 3" target repeatedly.

I had trigger pulls tested on both of my guns and a KT at the range, as follows: KT ~8lb., LCP ~6.5lb., DB ~5.5lb.

Now the Diamondback is where I need it to be to feel comfortable carrying her.

Not quite sure how to put this, but I won't recommend this gun per-se, just because it is new and there are only several hundred in existence, but my opinion and experience with the gun and the company is very positive, for what it's worth.

Any questions feel free to ask, but please let's keep the caliber debate to a different topic.

[havoc]

Thanks for the thoughtful and detailed update. I am still on the fence........the more proven LCP by Ruger or the DB380 by a new start up, Diamondback. The LCP does not feel bad in my hands, although I have not shot one yet. I would like better sights though. The DB380 looks good and I like the sights, but I have not had one in my hands yet. Not sure about buying the DB380 just yet, maybe after its been out a year or so. But, I do want to buy a small .380 soon. Hmmmmm................... I'll just keep pondering this and look for more reviews. Thanks again for your review Adam!

[Embalmo]

Adam 71176,

Wow, 50+50+14+200+50+150+90+100+300=1004 rounds you've put through that Diamondback since the 17th, and that with a 48 hour hiatus. Not sure many of us have seen that many .380 rounds available in a 4 day period. At the going rate that's about $400 worth of ammo in a 2 day period-maybe a mouse gun record. You must share the name of your supplier.

Embalmo

[adam71176]

You're right. Unfortunately due to initial inconsistencies I have now spent more on ammo than on the gun. Believe me, I wish I had some super secret discount ammo dealer.

[mr.72]

Thanks for the thoughtful and detailed update. I am still on the fence........the more proven LCP by Ruger or the DB380 by a new start up, Diamondback.

Well, there is always the Kel-Tec P3AT, arguably a more proven gun than Ruger's copy thereof, with a street price nearly $100 below the DB and Ruger. And the recent newcomer is Kahr's P380, at a higher price but at least available in stainless and maybe with a dubious quality edge but certainly a better trigger than the LCP and P3AT. The Kahr's polygonal rifling in a .380 might give that round a usable improvement in velocity, which could make it worth $100 more. At least the Kahr is striker-fired, if that makes a difference to you, and it has dove-tailed "real" sights unlike the K-T and Ruger. Kel-Tec, Ruger and Kahr are all known for outstanding customer service. And if I have my .380 pocket-size gun info up-to-date, I think Taurus is due to deliver a micro .380 to compete with these others, probably falling somewhere between the Ruger and Kahr in terms of features and price, maybe with bang for the buck on par with the Diamondback, and customer service not in the league of the competitors. That's the one I'd be least likely to roll the dice on.

I really like the looks of the DB. Let's see if a belt clip comes out for it, and what the holster market yields. More reports of catastrophic trigger failures will definitely not hasten replacement of my solid (so far) LCP. If I had another .380 to buy right now and money to spend, I'd be getting a Kahr. I do like the looks of the DB.

[havoc]

Thanks for the input mr.72. I have thought about the KelTec P3at, but there is something about it I just don't like. The prices I've seen on the P3at are only about $30 less than the LCP ($269 vs. $299). I had forgotten that Kahr had a .380. Unfortunately, loke its big brother the PM9, I am not sure I want to spend that much for one. The best price I was able to find on that was +-$569. It sure does seem like a nice gun though.

I, like you, like the looks of the DB380. I guess with a little more testing, and more reviews from adam71176 , I might be tempted by the Diamondback if they seem to get the problems ironed out. I am curious now that adam71176 polished his up as to what and how exactly he did to the gun and curious as to how it will hold up to another 500 rounds. Here that adam.....time to go the range!

[conceal-carry]

Hi all,

I just saw one of these today at a show. I was looking for a summer concealed carry piece for when I am just wearing jeans and a t-shirt, something that will fit in a pocket holster or ankle holster. I tried the Kel-Tec and Ruger LCP, but didn't like the fit or trigger pull of either one. Then someone directed me to the only vendor selling a DB-380. The first thing I said was, "Hey, it looks like a little Glock." He replied, "yes, it is very Glocky." It fit very well in my moderately large hand, and while the trigger pull is a little long for my taste, it is not as bad as the other two. It looks fairly well made overall. I usually stick with proven brand names, but I'm going to be watching the reviews and commentaries on this one. If this still looks good in 6 months to a year, I'll probably get it as a backup concealment piece.

I did a web search on the DB-380 after I got home, and found these comments on the forum. I hope my observations help.

[adam71176]

Took DB back to the range on Sunday to make sure things were still OK. Cleaned her up real good and oiled her very well. 200 more flawless rounds, I really love this little piece now. So much so that elsie pea is now gone (traded for ammo).
I have to say I really am still surprised with how good the trigger on this gun is and how good the accuracy is as well.
Here are a few pics of her so you can get a good idea of some of the detail.

[Embalmo]

adam11776,

Well you've had an even amount of good days and really bad days in the 6 days and 1204 rounds you've shared with it. It just sounds to me like an on again, off again relationship that you really want to work out; you've certainly maxed out your credit card just to spend time with her, probably over $600 in ammo and range fees in just 6 days.

I'm guessing that you really did trade your LCP for ammo, which would push your financial burden close to the $1400 range when you include the price of the your Diamondback; that's a lot of money for that little heart breaker in only 6 days. $600 for ammo and range fees, $300 for your LCP, $400 for your diamondback.

Reliability isn't just about the amount of rounds you've put through it, it's also about length of trustworthy time that you've owned it. My suggestion to you is to give it a lot less rounds, a lot more time, and carry a back-up for a couple of months before you officially trust your life to it.

Embalmo

[adam71176]

Embalmo,
I certainly have no interest in arguing with you, but 1st and foremost I do not see how my finances concern you at all. Secondly, my intention here has been nothing more than to try to accurately inform the group of my experience with this pistol. I have provided nothing but honest evaluation and my own humble opinions regarding the Diamondback. I have come to the conclusion that for myself this is quality and reliable firearm and leave it to anyone else in the group to make their own decisions regarding it. If you have a disagreement as to how I have represented myself or the Diamondback please post that, but please keep any personal thoughts regarding me out of the forum.

Adam

[havoc]

Adam, I for one appreciate you posting your experiences, both good and bad, with this new gun. I do not care how much money you have or have not spent on it or any other firearm or anythinge else.... Your review has helped those of us who have seen this gun, and may or may not be interested it obtaining one, make a better informed decision for ourselves. So, thank you again for your review and I still look forward to any additional reviews, thoughts, and feelings you have about the Diamondback be they pro or con. Please keep us informed.

[adam71176]

Thank you Havoc!

[Lumberjack98]

Adam, I for one appreciate you posting your experiences, both good and bad, with this new gun. I do not care how much money you have or have not spent on it or any other firearm or anythinge else.... Your review has helped those of us who have seen this gun, and may or may not be interested it obtaining one, make a better informed decision for ourselves. So, thank you again for your review and I still look forward to any additional reviews, thoughts, and feelings you have about the Diamondback be they pro or con. Please keep us informed.

[JRG]

Adam,

I am looking for a smaller piece to carry. My main gun is a 9mm XDM. It is just a bit too big for regular carry. So............I really appreciate your reviews and honest evaluations, both good and bad, about the Diamondback .380. I would never have considered this gun, but now, because of your mentioning it on this forum, I am going to check it out at the next gun show.

Thanks again,

Joe