Diamondback .380 Range Test

[troglodyte]

Academy had these on sale a good while back so I bought one even after reading some of the negative reviews. This is the low-profile sights MS model with a ZC serial number. The sights are not much more than bumps on the slide. DB had some problems early but it seems DB had gotten their act together with the ZC SNs. It was said if you used the Critical Defense ammo things would work fine. It didn't really bother me that the gun was supposed to be so ammo specific as long as it would function realiably.

Finally had a chance to take it out today and ran 100 rounds of Win white box through it to break it in. Fresh out of the box with only the obligatory checking it out and wiping down. Zero malfunctions. Slow fire, rapid fire, double taps, even gangsta style. No problems.

Ran a magazine of Speer Gold Dots. I didn't drop the slide hard enough so the first round did not load properly. Cleared it and tried again. Zero malfuntions

Ran a magazine of Hornady Critical Defense. Zero malfunctions.

While shooting the WWB I stepped back to the 15 yd line (and even farther back) and shot at a B-27 target. I didn't count it up but I could have qualified for my CHL with this little gun...not that I would want to. I only had one outside the 7 ring and most were inside the 8 ring. Not a tack-driving, one-ragged-hole type of pistol but it would get the job done. I'd have to say that surprised me with no more sights than it has and the very short sight radius. In reality this is more of a bad-breath distance gun that can be stretched to 15+ yards.

The trigger takes a little getting used to as it is long and spongy but smooth. I figured out pretty fast how much take up it had and where it was going to break. Just something learn and get used to, no big deal.

It is a small gun. I don't have large hands and I found the grip a little small as would be expected. Again, no big deal but something you have to get used to. With a little adjusting I could get a very comfortable two handed grip.

Recoil wasn't as bad as I thought it would be for such a small, light gun. The premium rounds had a bit more punch to them but the recoil was still very tolerable. Certainly no more than my 9mm XDSC.

Out of 112 rounds I had one user error that would not be a defensive problem since the first round would have already been chambered in a carry situation. As finicky as this little gun was supposed to be with ammo I figured I'd be jamming all the time with the WWB. Thankfully that was not the case.

I hope DB has gotten the kinks worked out. I really like this little gun and it will be a great addition to the stable. I'm not a big fan of the .380 caliber but it certainly fills a roll. I hope to get out and try some redneck bullet performance test sometime soon. If this little gun works out I may have a viable option for my wife to carry on her person.

I am very pleased with what I've seen so far.

Edit: I'm a science teacher and not a grammer/spelling teacher for good reason.

[RPB]

Thanks for the review ... Sometime later in the year, I probably will be getting a DB9, ported barrel in Stainless, probably in some awful color plastic, though I don't "need" one.

I really like the feel of the Diamondbacks

[txcshooter]

Good review, thanks.

I remember when they were on sell at Academy. I wanted one at that time also but hesitated due to the negative reviews. Gotta save up for the next sale.

[shipwreck]

Yes, good review. Most of the ones I've seen on DBs have all been negative. Interesting to see a positive one for once

[Texas10X]

Good review. Thanks for the candid feedback!