Diamondback date of manufacture?

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Standing Wolf

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I've just received my .22 caliber Colt Diamondback with six-inch barrel and almost flawless blue finish. There's play in the stocks, of course—Colt never could seem to make decent stocks—but the gun locks up like the oft-cited bank vault.

The serial number is P561NN. Does anyone know when it was made?

I'd post pictures, but wasn't able to pick up the gun until late this afternoon, when the light was failing.
 
I don't find any "P" prefix serial numbers for the Diamondback. I think that "P" is probably a "D." If so, number D561xx was made in 1975.

There isn't much I would replace on that revolver, but the grips are an exception. Get something that matches the high quality of the rest of the gun.
 
Old Fluff:

Thank you. It's definitely a "P" rather than a "D," and the box likewise.

I'm thinking about http://www.herrettstocks.com/tgtrvllg.htm for stocks. I was glad to see the front sight doesn't have a red insert, but it's still a ramp that's too wide, so I'll have my friendly local gunsmith make a Patridge sight for it and give the muzzle a dished crown. The double action trigger doesn't stack much at all; the single action trigger, however, breaks at over three pounds, which is two heavier than I'd like.
 
This is pure speculation:

The Diamondback serial number range during 1977 was N 01801 to N 15674 to R 01001 into R 13901 in 1978 Maybe sometime during 1977 or 1978 they ran some "P" numbers, but you'll have to confirm that through Colt. The Diamondback was discontinued in 1986. Colt didn't seem to use any logical system when it came to serial numbers during this period.

You have excellent taste in replacement stocks.

Adjusting the single action pull is easy when you know how.
 
Adjusting the single action pull is easy when you know how.

Truth to tell, I don't know how. Would that be something you could explain?

I haven't done more than clean the innards of Colt revolvers in quite awhile: fifteen years at least, and maybe longer. Smith & Wessons are much easier to work on, in my opinion, since there are more springs.

I've sent Colts to http://www.cylinder-slide.com, but the company won't reduce a single action pull below three pounds. It does everything else to perfection, but I like lighter triggers. My friendly local gunsmith does reasonably well, but he's keener on model 1911s than revolvers. He makes excellent Patridge sights.

Why am I not surprised, by the way, that Colt serial numbers are a little mixed up?
 
Three pounds is “factory standard†on Colt Diamondbacks.

Understand there are two aspects to a trigger pull: (1) true trigger pull, as measured with a gage, and (2) felt trigger pull, how it “feels†to the shooter, regardless of the true weight.

In many cases the trigger pull may feel lighter then it really is, or the other way around. I will try to explain more, but I’ll have to write a longer post then I have time to do right now.
 
A P561XX serial would be 1982. The year started off with P36850 and 1983 started at P61991.

Attempting to go much below 3 pounds on a Colt risks "push off". This is where the hammer either won't stay cocked, or can be easily pushed from full cock.
In either case, it's an unsafe condition.
No reputable pistol smith will go much lower.

No pistolsmith in his right mind will attempt a 1 pound trigger on anything except an Olympic grade target pistol.
 
Here's the new baby! It was shipped dirty, and there's a small spot of rust on the extractor, and I've had no time to take it to the range yes, still less clean it, but you get the general idea.

I have several revolvers with single action trigger pulls under two pounds. Not a single one of their hammers can be pushed off with thumb pressure.

I first became acquainted with light triggers in the late 1970s, when an acquaintance let me shoot his Brno .22 K Hornet rifle with a set trigger. It was love at first trigger pull—or at least, second trigger pull: the first took me rather by surprise.
 
Thank you, thank you, thank you one and all for chasing down the dates! I'm surprised Colt was still recessing cylinders and extractors that late.

Here's the new baby and her big sister, who's already sporting Herrett's stocks, a crowned muzzle, Patridge front sight, and an action job.
 
Those are both really nice Diamondback, I wish I could find one that nice at the local shows, but they always want too much for those old Diamondbacks. I always see a few at $800 but that's too much for me to part with for a 22 revolver. I finally found a Colt Woodsman Match Target for $450 on day and grabbed it quick, but I have never found a Diamondback at a reasonable price. Oh well it gives me something to go to the shows for.
 
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