colt diamondback .38

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ifit

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went to my local gun shop today to pickup some ammo, and for sale was this colt diamondback with black hand grips, its stainless. i liked it so im gonna pick it up tomorrow. this is my first revolver, just wondering how i did with the purchase of $325, how much do these particular guns go for? will post pics once i get her thanks
 
A lot depends upon the condition of the revolver but almost any Colt is probably worth what you paid if it's in good working condition with a fair finish. Please do post pictures when you get it home!
 
thats one thing that caught my attention is the finish on the gun, its really nice and in good condition, and will post pics once i get her home thanks
 
If you paid $325 for a diamondback in good condition, you stole it! In my area, I've seen them at shows running around $1000 to $1200. Congrats on your new pistol.
 
FYI: If it's a Colt Diamondback, it's NOT stainless.
They (Colt) never made a stainless version.
What you most likely have have is a matt nickel or what's known as a Electroless nickel or Coltguard finish. It looks just like stainless and if it's done by the factory, it's the rarest finish on a Diamondback.
If it's a clean/unfired gun it would be worth no less than $800.
Is it a 38 or 22 ?

Congrats, Jeff (GUNKWAZY)
 
gunkwazy, your right its not stainless. did some research confirmed its a matt nickel and its a 38, and for sure i know its been fired, but damn when i saw the prices on the 22:what: but very sought after. i beleive its a 4" just by pictures cause it has the two notches on top of the barrel. thanks again guys
 
You are correct, 2 notches is the 4 incher as can be seen below with the 3 different barrel lengths.
Congrats on the E-nickel finish. It's very tough to find them in that finish.

dbacksx3.jpg

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)
 
ifit

Congratulations on one outstanding deal you have there. I think the Diamondback was one of the most superbly styled revolvers ever made.
 
well finally got her home today paper works registration and all. as promised heres some pics

diamondback38011.jpg

diamondback38012.jpg

diamondback38015.jpg

diamondback38005.jpg
 
Unless there is something you haven't found yet that's wrong with that revolver you got it for less than half of what's it's worth on today's market.

That's a very nice looking revolver you got there. Good luck with it and thanks for sharing the pictures...
 
thanks again, the only thing i dont like about the gun is its grip too small. but will be heading to the range soon to try it out, and will post results.
 
As often suggested for those who buy a used revolver, the first thing to check is the timing.
If that's good, look for excessive splitting or other blast wear on the forcing cone.

You stole that pistol, so at that price, I'd just pack it up and send it to Colt for a going over to check timing and look for any other defects.
I doubt if you'd spend more than $150 tops to do that, and it would be well worth it.
But send it to Colt, not just any gunsmith.
 
Dang it! Why can't I find any of these kind of deals? I can never find someone who is asleep at the wheel with a gun....NEVER. Hell I'd give you $500 for it! But really in all honesty, if I were you, I'd never ever sell that thing and keep handing it down. You didn't just get a bargain on that....you might have gotten the deal of the century on it! I really want to be happy for you, but I can't get over being mad that I never find those kinds of deals!
 
I've had 4 Diamondbacks and several Pythons in my lifetime. Sold or traded them all away. It's official: I'm a Coltless dummy!
 
thanksk again guys greatly appreciate all the info, and CDH i will look into that thanks. but honestly im more into rifles, but that day knowing nothing about revolvers seeing the gun was like love at first sight for me. and actually thought the gun was only a year old or somethin. i am very fortunate and will cherish my first revolver for a long time:)
 
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