The full size $300 dilema

[USAF_Vet]

Over the past couple years, a lot of "new" guns have hit the market in the sub $500 range, with many dropping to $300 or lower.

We've all heard of them, watched YouTube videos reviewing them, and for me at least, wondered if I were to buy one, which should it be?

Well, anyone paying attention should note that the majority of these pistols are foreign made clones. From the Philippines we have Armscor, Citadel, Rock Island (which all seem to be one interconnected arms factory). From Turkey we have Canik, Tisas and Girsan (ditto). Neither offer anything truly original aside from the .22tcm. They are, for the most parents, copies of something else.

I've eyeballed and kicked around the idea of buying one. Everything about them seems great, people apparently love them for not only their price, but their performance.

Still, I'm hesitant despite what my online forum peers and YouTube celebs say. Biggest concern for me is customer support after purchase and accessory support.

Plus, despite owning foreign guns already, I do prefer Made in USA.

So, I'm giving a second, closer look at the Diamondback DB9FS.

Made in the USA? Check.
Readily available customer support. I'll have to verify, but placing a phone call direct to Florida is probably less of a headache than dealing with a distributor/ importer as a middle man.
Full size 9mm? Yes.
Affordable? You bet. A somewhat local gun store advertises them for $265, which is the Buds cash price. Nice, considering I then save on shipping and FFL transfer fees.

So I had to ask, why are these guns so affordable, yet get such great reviews? Easy. Someone else did all the R&D. The DB9FS is basically a mishmash of the Glock 17, S&W M&P 9, with a little Springfield XD in the mix.
The rail is 1913 standard, so I'm confident any lights or lasers will mount up. Most G17 or M&P holsters will fit snug, so that covers accessories.

The one downside is it only ships with one mag.

While this is a bummer, factory mags are available from Diamondback, a four pack is available for $75. Not the cheapest, but for under $20 a piece, that isn't bad. Although there is an.alternative. Beretta 92fs mags work with a minor modification. How many gun shows have boxes of surplus Beretta mags for $10 or under?

So I am pretty confident in my choice. I know, someone will eventually say, or at least think, "if you saved up another hundred or so, you could just get a Glock or an M&P or an XD". Yes, I know. That isn't the point, though. If these are comparable to the higher end guns in performance, why spend the extra hundred or so in the first place. Personally, I'm not impressed by rollmarks, so if a gun is a quality piece of equipment at a rock bottom price, to me buying it is a no-brainer. If it performs like a Jennings, Cobra, Bryco, then I'm really not out much.

So in terms of value versus performance, is the DB9FS the next step above a Hi Point? Possibly, yes.

So wish me luck folks, there will be a new Diamondback DB9FS in my future.

 

[C0untZer0]

Good luck !

 

[bannockburn]

USAF_Vet

Give it a good workout at the range and let us know how it does.

 

[imashooter]

Plenty of information available to make a smart decision. Good luck.

 

[likesguns]

Keep in mind that I'm pretty sure that Taurus is handling their repair work.
I had a db380,never again....

 

[C0untZer0]

My recollection when looking for a truck gun:

For full-sized nines the price range started with Hi-Points at $125.00 or so, then J.A. Nine at around $130.00 to $140.00 then the Century Arms Zastava M88 / Yugo M70, which were on sale for $180.00, then there was the Taurus Millenium G2, and Diamondback DB9FS coming in at around $200.00, then there were the Sarsilmaz offerings – imported by EAA coming in at around $240.00 and then the Tanfoglio Witness priced around $255.00

I left out derringers and compacts like Taurus 709 SLIM, SCCY and Kel-Tecs

 

[grter]

I would like to point out that the Zastava is not a knock and it has enough of it's own original design to be considered a russian designed pistol.

It was not originally designed nor intended for the civilian market (Tokarov design) but for military and law enforcement. No R&D done by anyone but the Russians, no use of anyone elses "great accessorys" they are so good all the pep talk in the world (literally) against them won't stop them from selling like hot cakes world wide.

It is a rock solid reliable super steal of a bargain and more than capaple of being a good carry gun.

I get tired of top notch Russian weapons such as the tried and proven in your face forced to aknowledge whether you like it or not AK-47, AK-74 and others being belittled for no other reason than their communist origins. Vietnam is past get over it.

Unless the design is very old and no longer made by the original company I generally don't like knock offs and copy cats, especially cheap quality ones and would pay a few extra dollars for a quality orignal.

I for one do not like cheap quality American poorly made crappy knock off AKs that US citizens are forced to pay more money for because of stupid import restrictions.

 

[C0untZer0]

Oh OK, then you'll love the Remington 1911.

 

[USAF_Vet]

My recollection when looking for a truck gun:

For full-sized nines the price range started with Hi-Points at $125.00 or so, then J.A. Nine at around $130.00 to $140.00 then the Century Arms Zastava M88 / Yugo M70, which were on sale for $180.00, then there was the Taurus Millenium G2, and Diamondback DB9FS coming in at around $200.00, then there were the Sarsilmaz offerings – imported by EAA coming in at around $240.00 and then the Tanfoglio Witness priced around $255.00

I left out derringers and compacts like Taurus 709 SLIM, SCCY and Kel-Tecs

I'm looking at the DB9FS mostly as a range blaster. If it proves to be as reliable as YouTubers claim, it may be a nice entry into local competition stuff or 3gun.

Funny you mention the Taurus 709 slim and the Kel Tec. The 709S is my EDC and I just picked up a Kel Tec P11.

I'm not knocking foreign guns, I just don't feel comfortable with customer support. I actually really like some of the Turkish guns. I was stationed at Incirlik for a couple years, and really wish I had picked up some of the guns that were available. I spent some time in the PI, too. My focus was less on guns and more on booze and women, but that's beside the point.

 

[USAF_Vet]

The thread is about handguns, one handgun in particular. How did it go off the rails as a rant about AKs in half a dozen posts?

 

[C0untZer0]

The SAR B6P has a sticker in the manual that tells you to include $20.00 for return shipping, and you also have to pay to have it shipped to EAA in the first place, but I read a comment on YouTube where someone claimed EAA fixed their SAR "for free" - I don't know what their definition of free is. EAA has built a reputation for crummy customer service - it's not their bag, they just want to sell cheap guns and be done with it.

 

[Gtscotty]

Hmm, good luck, I had three friends that bought DB380's, and all three had problems. I keep seeing Ruger SR9e's on sale for $299, I reckon if I was going to buy a cheaper handgun that would be it. You'd never have to worry about whether you'd get decent customer service.

 

[Redcoat3340]

When I went looking for a $300 full-size range gun I got a Beretta 92s for a bit over that through Southern Ohio Gun. It was in excellent condition, shoots like a charm (and with an $8.00 new D spring has a more than decent trigger even in double action) and the only drawback is the mag release is at the heel, just like my P38/P1 and Beretta 1951. Plus I've now got the whole "series:" P38/P1, M1951, 92s ,and 92fs...plus a Taurus 917 (which is a more compact 92) and a Beretta 8000 Cougar (via Stoeger, made in Turkey.)

I'm not hung up on buying used pistols....and for $300 you can find some good bargains if you're patient and know what you want. (I'm personally hooked on S&W 39 and 59 series....and especially keep on the lookout for them...not only are they classics, but they shoot real nice.)

 

[Mike J]

USAF Vet let us know how the DB9FS shoots. I'm looking for a full sized 9 right now but it is nice to have options especially if the price is right.

 

[joem1945]

If taurus is doing the repair work, that's strike 3 for me.

 

[Bama Drifter]

Hmm, good luck, I had three friends that bought DB380's, and all three had problems. I keep seeing Ruger SR9e's on sale for $299, I reckon if I was going to buy a cheaper handgun that would be it. You'd never have to worry about whether you'd get decent customer service.

^ +1 on choosing SR9 instead. American made in Prescott, AZ and backed by ironclad customer service that is second to none.

From handling a few at local gun shop the Diamond Back products seem very cheaply made and in the case of pistolas, you do get what you pay for. The best value seems to be Ruger's SR series of polymer guns. Just my $0.02, ymmv.

 

[USAF_Vet]

The small pocket 9's and .380's tend to have issues, that's true. Smaller guns always seem to compromise something, somewhere. Again, the reviews claim that these compromises seems to have been eliminated by scaling up to a full size gun where you have more room to work.

As far as the SR9, looks bring a lot to the table for me, and it just doesn't have the look. It reminds me of the S&W SD9VE, which is a decent gun, also around $300, but it's just boring. They don't do anything for me.

Yes, Taurus does handle their repairs, as DB is one of Taurus' holdings. Not a big deal. My current Taurus has been flawless, functionally.

I've been looking for a decent range blaster for most of the year, and keep coming back to the DB. There are probably better guns out there, no doubt about that. But I'm drawn to the DB9FS for some reason. A lot of it is cosmetic. I really dig the appearance.

Granted, I'll have to get a better feel for the gun prior to dropping down the cash, and it may lose it's appeal once it's in my hand, and the search will continue.

 

[Bama Drifter]

A lot of it is cosmetic. I really dig the appearance.
Granted, I'll have to get a better feel for the gun prior to dropping down the cash, and it may lose it's appeal once it's in my hand

Odd way of prioritizing your choice. Nonetheless, after handling the DB and Ruger side by side I think you'll see the quality and value difference. YMMV.

 

[TruthTellers]

Hit the nail on the head about these guns only coming with one magazine. I'd love to get a Zastava in 7.62x25, but they only come with one mag and I don't know where spare mags are sold.

As for this "dilema" you speak of, I can't say I've ever shared the experience because extra $100 can get a used Glock 19. I can part with that.

 

[USAF_Vet]

As for this "dilema" you speak of, I can't say I've ever shared the experience because extra $100 can get a used Glock 19. I can part with that.

I know, someone will eventually say, or at least think, "if you saved up another hundred or so, you could just get a Glock or an M&P or an XD". Yes, I know. That isn't the point, though. If these are comparable to the higher end guns in performance, why spend the extra hundred or so in the first place. Personally, I'm not impressed by rollmarks, so if a gun is a quality piece of equipment at a rock bottom price, to me buying it is a no-brainer.

Can I prognosticate or what?

Why would I want a Glock? I hate how they look. I hate how they feel. Why on earth would I spend MORE money on a gun I DO NOT LIKE?

 

[Tallball]

"It reminds me of the S&W SD9VE..." I got the 40 caliber version for right at $200 LNIB. It is an unexciting pistol, but it goes bang every time.

That Yugoslavian Tok comes in 9mm for around $200. My Chinese 9mm Tok has been reliable and is quite accurate.

You could probably get a Turkish or Filipino 1911 9mm for around $300. My Turkish one has been excellent.

Surplus FEG High Power clones and CZ75 clones can be gotten for around $300 in decent shape. I have one of each and they have been excellent.

My FiL got one of the surplus Berettas for $299 and has been pleased with it. I'm not sure if there are any left around.

After my FiL saw my surplus Star Super B 9mm, he had to get one of his own. Mine looked to have been barely fired. His was LNIB. We each paid around $250 total OTD.

My apologies to the OP in that he seems more interested in brand-new USA guns. I was just mentioning these for whomever else might be interested in the same price range.

I probably own a dozen very functional handguns that cost around $200 apiece. For a reliable well-made handgun that is inexpensive, my best deals have mostly been military surplus.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I have fired 7.62x25 Toks, they don't excite me. Ergonomically, they grip on the opposite end of the scale to Glock. The grip angle is not steep enough, where the Glock is too steep. I find myself needing to adjust my grip with every shot and still wander all over the target.

I don't mind Berettas, qualified and carried an M9. I'll probably own one again at some point, just don't have the bug for one. I don't know why I've been bitten by the Diamondback so hard.

I've considered a 9mm 1911 so many times as well. I just can't find one that pulls me in. Like the Beretta, I'll own a 9mm 1911 eventually, just not as excited about them as I used to be.

I have my carry guns. I'm wanting a full size range gun that I look forward to taking to the range. Every time I start looking, I always come back to this DB9FS. Can't explain it, because I know there are better guns for not a lot more. I know there are tried and true battle proven weapons in the same price range or even cheaper.

Of course, with my luck, I'll get the thing and end up bored with it anyway.

 

[C0untZer0]

I can't get excited about 1911s chambered in 9mm either. It doesn't make sense to me, why not get a Hi-Power or a CZ or a CZ clone(which is what I did). I'm sure it makes sense to other people and that's fine - who am I to say what makes sense? I purchase 9mm revolvers for crying out loud. But I think half of what makes guns like the DB9FS, and Taurus Millenium Pro exciting is that you can get them for $199.99

 

[Kiln]

Could try the TP9SA from Century. I've never gotten the "only buy American" argument. Importers' jobs don't count? Buying guns imported through companies in the US still keeps people employed here.

 

[Gtscotty]

Well if it's a range toy, and your priority is how it looks, the you might as well go for the DB9fs, or any other pistol that looks snazzy for that matter. Be sure to report back and tell us whether it works or not.