Diamondback, 9MM vs .380

[d2wing]

My LGS has some me Diamondbacks on clearance for $200. Are they any good?
This would be for pocket carry.
Also please help me decide between .380 and 9 mm. The 9 MM is a little bigger and heavier. I prefer the .380 size for concealment. And due to hand surgery, not sure how much recoil I can handle. But I don't want to give up much in firepower. I do have a full size 9 MM. And I shoot it fine.
So suggest away please.

 

[Zendude]

I would go with the 380. The DB 380 has been around a while and is decent quality at that price point.

 

[C0untZer0]

You have to make sure those are the newer model nines, the old ones suffered breakage.

The older model had 2 pins and a short extractor. The new ones have 3 pins and a much longer extractor.

The newer model is supposed to be more robust and resist breakage, I don't know... In any case the 9mm models can't fire cartridges with bullet weights greater than 124gr, they're just not designed for it.

.

 

[jrdolall]

I have a gen 1 and gen 2 DB9. No problem with either. I also have the 380. It is a good gun, very similar to the KelTec P3AT. I personally would get the 380. If you want to pocket carry then either will work fine.
I personally no longer carry the pocket rockets but I did for quite a while and was happy with what I had. $200 is a good deal on either.

 

[d2wing]

Thanks for the advice. I think it is a gen 2. Both were tagged not to use +P loads. Since he only had a couple left I put money on one of each. I have a few days to decide. I may take both at that price.

 

[edmo01]

A friend of mine had a DB 380 several years ago and it was truly a POS...

It could barely get through a magazine without a malfunction. He sent it back twice for repairs and ended up dumping it.

I know there are lemons to be had in every model of gun, but based on his experience I would avoid them.

Just my thoughts...

Edmo

 

[wild cat mccane]

Owned three 9mm DB9s in the past year....

DO NOT BUY AT ANY PRICE.

Mine were all the current models with the updated slides and three pin grip. None would function correctly. It is a great sized package, the best. But it simply does not run. I could not even get HP to load without hanging. Tried 115 and 124gr. Speer Gold Dots and Federal HST. Locked up extremely tight and they have a very different design on the firing pin that can extend out. Very scary.

Go to the diamondback forum to confirm. There are no positives and many main contributors say they are not for carry.

 

[wild cat mccane]

As the picture shows, there are others:
A gen 2 with 3 pins and a gen 1 slide,
A gen 2 with the 3 pins and gen 2 slide.

The pictured gen2 is actually a gen 2.5 or 3. It just came out and only updates the grip.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

My friend has a 9mm...it is truly one of the most unpleasant pistols either of one of us have ever fired; this from a couple of guys who have, .454's, .41 Mags, 10mm's, .357's, etc.

Sam

 

[MachIVshooter]

My friend has a 9mm...it is truly one of the most unpleasant pistols either of one of us have ever fired; this from a couple of guys who have, .454's, .41 Mags, 10mm's, .357's, etc.

I have a second gen DB9 and, while it's snappy, it is much less abusive than my SRH .454, my 3" 629, or my Charter Bulldog .44 with hot loads.

 

[cmdc]

I have two DB9s. I bought the first one, a first gen, used. It initially had feeding problems, but the gunsmith at my LGS polished the feed ramp, and it now runs flawlessly. I liked it so well I bought a gen two, and it has run flawlessly out of the box. I have put several hundred rounds through both of them.

The recoil, while brisk, is not unpleasant, and I can put seven rounds into a five inch circle at seven yards one handed with either hand. It is also very accurate. Mine are keepers.

 

[Gottahaveone]

A friend of mine had a DB 380 several years ago and it was truly a POS...

I also had one several years ago that would have had to improve to reach the status of POS. And I found that the only thing worse than the pistol was their CS.
YMMV.....

 

[d2wing]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[d2wing]

Too bad I already put money on them. I should have done my research first. If I am able to get my money back, what else would you recommend?

 

[MachIVshooter]

Too bad I already put money on them. I should have done my research first. If I am able to get my money back, what else would you recommend?

Don't let the naysayers scare you off. At $200, they're a steal, and DB's CS is fine. I broke the locking block on my DB9 trying to run 135 gr. Hornady Critical Duty, and they sent me two extras plus a complete trigger assembly 2 day priority mail, no questions asked. It has been trouble free ever since, sticking to 115 and 124 gr. standard pressure ammo. I also have a DB9FS that has been fantastic, and I'd bought my ex a DB380 that had no trouble whatsoever.

A lot of folks do have reliability problems due to limp wristing the tiny, frisky 9mm. That is not a fault of the gun.

There is not a thinner or lighter 9mm semi auto extant. Unless you insist on running +P or heavy bullets, the DB9 is a fantastic little carry gun.

 

[wild cat mccane]

Those are not good 'deals.'

200 is about the standard going rate for the DB9 when using gunwatcher.com or slickguns.com for over a year now.

They started discounting them when Taurus couldn't transition them into working order. Taurus unloaded.

Like I said, take a trip over to the diamondback forum. No positives on the DB9. None.

 

[MachIVshooter]

200 is about the standard going rate for the DB9 when using gunwatcher.com or slickguns.com for over a year now.

You need to click on the headings for current pricing; the very first one that says "true price: $215.13" is actually $273.92 when you visit Tombstone Tactical.

I have occasionally seen them down around $200-$230 on PSA or Buds, but not lately. The average is closer to $250-$300 online and $280-$350 in brick and mortar stores. Buds, PSA, ableammo are out of stock. Impacts guns is $293.29 on the standard black model right now. $250 from CTD. $240 at slick guns. $265 & up on GA. $280 & up on GB.

Like I said, take a trip over to the diamondback forum. No positives on the DB9. None.

You put the same kind of effort into that research as you did in advising on prices? On page one:

First DB9, Excellent
Started by rickyblaze
10 Replies
355 Views Last post January 06, 2016, 06:56:06 PM
by mr380acp

And a little further down, an OP with "I bought a used DB9 2 weeks ago. Picked it up for $180 which I thought wasn't bad. I needed something super small to carry while I'm at work. The gun is for 2010 and I'm not sure of the round count. I brought it to the range right after I bought it. I ran a 150 rounds through it of federal brass and aluminum case and we'll as 2 boxes of Hornady critical defence 115ga. It functioned flawlessly".

And that was Followed by a report on a 2000 round range session.

Again, just page one. Yea, no positives at all there......

 

[wild cat mccane]

A bit exaggerated, okay. But when I purchased my three DB9's, more than one company had them at $199 for about a year straight. Two months ago the stainless/EXO models were even down to $200.

I really wanted them to work. Hence three purchases. Hitting up the diamondback forum convinced me my experiences were the norm. New posters post great experiences. However, the regulars do not. Watch for that. Taurus unloaded this project. Diamondback claims changes were made, but there is zero evidence to support this.

Remember, my issue is the gun doesn't last and doesn't work. But I've got other problems such as the front sight isn't robust.

I would also point to a lesser stated problem with the return spring. Way under weight. When you fire, the trigger has very little weight pulling it back to action. Most under sprung return spring you will find.

Another issue is the finish. Defiantly spring for the stainless/EXO model. Here is my FDE brand new. I've owned LCPs and P3ATs, so I know about light finishes. This was by far worse.

 

[cmdc]

I paid $150 for the first one, used, and $250 for the second one, new.

It is unfortunate that some have had bad experiences with these pistols. I understand how that can sour one on a brand. Maybe I just got lucky, twice, but to me, for a pistol that I carry a lot and shoot a little, they can't be beat.

Are there better CC pistols out there? Certainly, and I have a bunch of them; i.e., Shield, PPS, Sig 938, Kahr PM9, Ruger LC9s, but they are all larger than the DB9.

Not trying to come off as a fanboy at all, I'm just saying that for $200 I would give it a go.

 

[MedWheeler]

I carry a Kel-Tec PF9, and it's a handful at the range due to its small, thin construction. The Diamondback is even smaller (it gives up a round in capacity to achieve that.)

I can't imagine shooting often with anything smaller than the PF9 without stepping down in caliber somewhat, especially if I had just had hand surgery.

My pocket-carry gun is also a Kel-Tec, but in .32ACP (I wanted the lower recoil for faster follow-up shots, the extra round in capacity, and the last shot slide-lock, none of which the .380 version offered.)

I'd go with the .380 between the two Diamondbacks.

 

[wild cat mccane]

DB facility tour:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMXBjlJdtvg

Be a bit critical with your thinking when they start discussing recalls...

 

[MachIVshooter]

I carry a Kel-Tec PF9, and it's a handful at the range due to its small, thin construction. The Diamondback is even smaller (it gives up a round in capacity to achieve that.)

I can't imagine shooting often with anything smaller than the PF9 without stepping down in caliber somewhat, especially if I had just had hand surgery.

I actually don't find the DB9 any more unpleasant than my PF9, despite it being smaller and lighter. I figured it would be worse, but it's about the same perceived recoil to me.

DB facility tour:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMXBjlJdtvg

Be a bit critical with your thinking when they start discussing recalls...

What specifically are you referring to? That they're not dedicated to guns only? Are you implying that a facility being multi purpose somehow makes it less capable of each task? I run a small machine shop at the back of my automotive repair shop, so if that is your answer, I will take it as a personal insult.

 

[wild cat mccane]

?

I said notice what they say about recalls, which I actually meant to say repairs. It mentions repairs have sped up, but fumbles on details to why there are so many previous repairs.

 

[burk]

I would STAY AWAY! When I worked at Gander years ago we seemed to get five back for every four we sold. The firearm forum feed back was so bad on the nines they absolutely quit selling. But it was the one gun that when introduced that got universally bad reports. Usually with a bad gun you'll see three or four bad reports followed by a couple saying they had great success. My feeling is when a gun company introduces a product that bad, there is no apology, no redesign, no amount of PR that should earn back the trust of firearms buyers. Remember these are tools we use protect our lives.

For that money I'd look for a used Ruger LC9. They aren't perfect, but they're dependable and they do what you ask them to do. I've seen plenty used between $225 and $250.