the new "best concealed carry gun" ???? anyone FIRED one yet?

[Squib]

it's like a glock inside and sort of out, very small, even in my sort of small hands.  good trigger, good texture and gripping surface even WITHOUT the finger extension magazine pad...

http://www.diamondbackfirearms.com/

[mrussel]

it's like a glock inside and sort of out, very small, even in my sort of small hands.  good trigger, good texture and gripping surface even WITHOUT the finger extension magazine pad...

http://www.diamondbackfirearms.com/

 The two questions that come to mind are,what is the quality and how much is it. Ive seen several similar guns at local gun stores. Some are from the cheap manufacturers and some are from more reputable ones. Ruger makes one that have thought about getting. There is a cheap one everyone has around here (dont recall the brand) but its only 20 or 30 less than the Ruger and I expect Ruger to make a decent gun. I think they go for around 3-350

[Squib]

I have handled and disassembled a db380, I have not fired one though.  I just got to play with it a bit at a gun shop.  can't buy anymore until after my wedding... but I think this will be an immediate purchase the day after if it's reasonably controllable one-handed.  from visual inspection alone it seemed to be good quality through and through.

[williamlayton]

My LW Colt Commander in .38super.
Blessings

[coyotejoe]

As a general practice it is best not to jump on the first new thing you see from a new company. I try to swallow my excitement and wait a few years, giving them time to work out the bugs, get past the usual recalls and see what other folks think of the product and see if the company will still be in business. Of course I do have plenty of guns to shoot in the mean time.

[jhm]

     I am a firm beliver of letting ME the customer decide the ( BEST ) not the seller.   Jim

[Brett]

The specs sound good and it is not too bad looking.  Like the metal trigger, chrome lined barrel and serrations at the muzzle end of the slide.  No mention of warranty on their site.   Wonder what the real world pricing will be? 

[southernutah]

LEO son packs one off duty in front pocket of short pants. Put 75 rounds thru it with no problem

[Squib]

is he a glock armorer?  if so what's he think specs to specs between a db380 and a "baby" glock?

[southernutah]

nope, he carries XDs and Sigs 45acp on duty.  He was looking at the ruger but  liked the BD better for concealment

[Squib]

the only sig I've ever wanted is the 232 but I'm not gonna pay up to $900 for a pocket pistol of all things... that db ain't too costly though.  I'm sort of thinking I should drop two guns to pick that one up in exchange.  I'm thinking that if I do I'll hate myself later on but I really want it.

[buck460XVR]

 Wonder what the real world pricing will be?  

My LGS has 'em for $330. If I was in the market for a pocket .380(no CWC in Wisconsin yet), this would probably be one I would seriously consider. Most reviews I have read on it have been positive and it fit my hands well. Is it the "best concealed carry gun''? Not in my opinion, but it is a fine .380 pocketgun.

[mrussel]

 Wonder what the real world pricing will be?  

My LGS has 'em for $330. If I was in the market for a pocket .380(no CWC in Wisconsin yet), this would probably be one I would seriously consider. Most reviews I have read on it have been positive and it fit my hands well. Is it the "best concealed carry gun''? Not in my opinion, but it is a fine .380 pocketgun.

 The "Best concealed carry gun" all depends on how big of a gun you can conceal. If you can conceal a 12ga shotgun,then it might just be the best concealed gun for you. Ill tell you this,a potential armed robber is going to reconsider if he sees you whip a 12ga out of nowhere. Of course,that's not practical most of the time so you have to make due. For me most of the time,I can conceal a full sized 1911. When its not possible to conceal it or just more comfortable or practical not to,I often just wear it openly.

[Squib]

if you do blue collar work and it's 90% humidity, in the 100's, and you're dressed light- a 2 lb snub gets uncomfortably hard to conceal.  I don't wear baggy clothes and the sweat makes the clothing stick to me and prone to printing (I usually wear a-shirts or t-shirts so they bleed through rather quick).  I would have to wear multiple layers for a 1911 (used to do it with a cz-75 even, and it sucked!!!).  I got the db380 today, will test fire it tomorrow or saturday.

[Dee]

I will stay with my Smith Model 60. I have racked the slide on an 870 pump a couple of times on bad guys, and the event did not back them down. The fact that when the pistol comes out, there is a good chance I may have to shoot him (or her), I want it to count, so the Model 60 with 357 magnum ammo will most certainly do the job. It is easily concealed, and I know first hand that in a fight the 357 magnum will do the job. The little DB is a neat lookin little gun, and I suppose it has a nich, but at my age I'm gonna stay where I'm at. A 38 special is still better than a 380 in a fight.

[MGMorden]

Seems everybody has a tiny pocket .380 out these days.  Kel-tec makes the original and cheapest ones (though I've heard nothing too bad about their quality - just have the lowest price), but Ruger, S&W, Taurus, Kahr, SIG and I'm sure several others have em out too.  

FWIW, I own the Ruger LCP pocket .380.  I've got mixed feelings about it.  It feels well built for a polymer gun (naturally it's got that plasticky feel, but the attention to detail is good).  I've only put 100 rounds through mine, but function was great.  

Problem for me with the Ruger is I can't hit anything with it.  It's small size (which is necessary for the level of concealability they're going for) is just bad for me.  I can't get as good a grip on it as I'd like.  Trying to do so resulted in the first slide cut I've ever gotten shooting semi-autos.  

Who knows.  Maybe a different one would feel better in my hands.  Just for me, even when shooting with an extended grip floor plate, the Ruger doesn't feel right to me.  

I'm personally looking at the Kahr CW9 as a possible carry replacement.  It's still pretty small, but has a little more grip to hold on to.  I'll probably keep the Ruger either way though.  With a Desantis Nemesis holster I can drop it into my back pocket and it's no more uncomfortable than a wallet back there. 

[Squib]

I had a cw9 once, great gun.  some guy sold it after a mag or two through it because he ".. didn't like it.." or something like that (so I was told by the guy at the pawn shop).  (I believe the guy was an idiot and didn't even try to break it in, just put a mag through it and gave up) it screwed up non-stop till I got 50rds through it, the next box of ammo had it feeding and shooting perfectly though (they break in quickly but are horribly unreliably till then).  if I was really careful and slowwww on the trigger I could get cans at 25yds with winchester whitebox so it was more than accuate enough- though double taps were a guessing game on the second shot.  I traded it for a snub, which was an even better shooter, but I got tired of a two pound gun and went back to polymer for primary/tiny carry... which is the db380

not totally broke in yet.  unreliable BUT the contact points lock up really tight and the recoil spring system is rediculously stiff, not to mention a sharp ejector that is snagging on the brass just a bit.  after another fifty rds it'll get touched up on a few points with some polishing gear by a machinist buddy at work.  I saw a huge improvement after forty rounds so I think it'll be okay in a week or two.  here's a couple links I found to diagnose and correct break-in related issues (seemed to work for me, and I didn't even "polish" the parts yet, just broke the gun down and rubbed the contact points together to speed up the break-in).  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkGcYcYaPcM&playnext=1&videos=lcncpocZTR4  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFbOozblLQQ&playnext=1&videos=PigSyTPm4_g 

[demented]

  I've yet to see any small semiauto I like well enough to cause my giving up my J frame Smith 38.  So far all I've tried were either too large for deep concealment or just lacking the reliability I insist on.  I last tried a Glock 26, while it does work well, its as hard to conceal for me as the more "shootable" model 19.  Time will tell on this one, I suppose.

[Squib]

I did that polishing work myself, looks good and feels better.  no burrs or dragging on the internals now.  I will shoot tomorrow if the storm front is gone.  after breaking the gun in more I will cold blue the contact points (for finish but also to use kind of like lay-out fluid- I'll know if the polish job got ALL the burrs if the finish stays on).  the trigger is slicker now from polishing the internals but if it's not "just-right" after another 100 I'll change the triggerbar springs and that should do it.  I'll update on sunday.  later.

[Squib]

slicker and more reliable.  the trigger reset issue didn't kick in until the gun got dirty this time, though 3-4 mags is not much.  I broke it down and polished the stuff up even slicker this time (zero texture).  I'll have dies to load up some custom ammo this next time (which will bump me up to about 100rds through the gun).  I'll develope the load to have a good clean burn to avoid excessive fouling first, control/recoil factors second priority.  if it ain't good by 150rds break-in PLUS me smoothing the contact points with fine grit diamond and carbide, then it's getting sent back to the factory.  at this point I can still love the gun if it continues to get better.  let's hope it needs no more coddling other than a proper "diet".

[mrussel]

Seems everybody has a tiny pocket .380 out these days.  Kel-tec makes the original and cheapest ones (though I've heard nothing too bad about their quality - just have the lowest price), but Ruger, S&W, Taurus, Kahr, SIG and I'm sure several others have em out too.  

FWIW, I own the Ruger LCP pocket .380.  I've got mixed feelings about it.  It feels well built for a polymer gun (naturally it's got that plasticky feel, but the attention to detail is good).  I've only put 100 rounds through mine, but function was great.  

Problem for me with the Ruger is I can't hit anything with it.  It's small size (which is necessary for the level of concealability they're going for) is just bad for me.  I can't get as good a grip on it as I'd like.  Trying to do so resulted in the first slide cut I've ever gotten shooting semi-autos.  

Who knows.  Maybe a different one would feel better in my hands.  Just for me, even when shooting with an extended grip floor plate, the Ruger doesn't feel right to me.  

I'm personally looking at the Kahr CW9 as a possible carry replacement.  It's still pretty small, but has a little more grip to hold on to.  I'll probably keep the Ruger either way though.  With a Desantis Nemesis holster I can drop it into my back pocket and it's no more uncomfortable than a wallet back there.  

 Ive been considering a LCP. It would be great to carry in those cases where I just cant reasonably carry a full sized 1911. I guess I COULD go to the beach with it carried open,its legal here (and the cops have never harassed me about it either. Maybe there is some sort of state law in Utah that you cant harass someone for carrying something designed by JMB.  


 Officer "You cant be carrying that here. Its against the law!"
 Citizen "What are you talking about,open carry is legal in Utah,I have a permit and everything!"
Officer "No,open carry is fine. Im talking about that plastic nerf gun thing on your hip. Would you let your grand-dad see you carrying that thing."
Citizen "Uhh errr Im sorry,I didnt know I uh errr will errrr carry something else I guess"
Officer "See that you do. Im going to let you off with a warning,but damn it son,get a mans gun like a 1911 or a Browning Hi Power. Heck,even a FN Browning 1910 would be fine."
Citizen "Uhhh I got an A5 I could sling over my shoulder"
Officer "Now your talking!"

[Squib]

I took it out today and have officially given up on it now.  every burr and inconsistency is gone in the trigger mechanism, yet it still fails to reset at times.  I believe it is a severe mechanical/design deficiency with the trigger bar and springs powering it.  I am going to sell it off cheap and honest, and bag on db from now on.  I'm sorry for not just taking it back to my dealer after 100rds.  This design is garbage, do not buy one.

[mrussel]

I took it out today and have officially given up on it now.  every burr and inconsistency is gone in the trigger mechanism, yet it still fails to reset at times.  I believe it is a severe mechanical/design deficiency with the trigger bar and springs powering it.  I am going to sell it off cheap and honest, and bag on db from now on.  I'm sorry for not just taking it back to my dealer after 100rds.  This design is garbage, do not buy one.

Is it new? If so have you called the company to have them fix it?

[Squib]

it's going back to my dealer.  if my dealer(s) receive another one to give me, or the same one repaired, is irrelevant.  I simply do not want this thing anymore, and find it disgusting.  either way it will be returned, sold, traded or something. 

now I have to strap up for a full size gi 1911 to walk the dog, which sucks in a t-shirt and basketball shorts (I forgot what it was like to move and breathe with a belt and holster snugged into my ribs, though I have no other good options till I get another snub).

s/w snubs: aluminum or s/s frames, internal or shrouded hammer?  I really cannot decide which, but it'll be a j-frame from now one.

[mrussel]

it's going back to my dealer.  if my dealer(s) receive another one to give me, or the same one repaired, is irrelevant.  I simply do not want this thing anymore, and find it disgusting.  either way it will be returned, sold, traded or something. 

now I have to strap up for a full size gi 1911 to walk the dog, which sucks in a t-shirt and basketball shorts (I forgot what it was like to move and breathe with a belt and holster snugged into my ribs, though I have no other good options till I get another snub).

s/w snubs: aluminum or s/s frames, internal or shrouded hammer?  I really cannot decide which, but it'll be a j-frame from now one.

So this thing costs about the same as the Ruger LCP?  I dont know how good or bad the LCPs are but I EXPECT (and would be very disappointed if it wasn't the case) to get a decent gun from Ruger.

[Squib]

honestly this whole experience has soured me on tiny autos in a general sense.  although I'm not "super" like a legitimate competitor I AM able to hit cans and such at 25yds with snubs (s/s ones that weigh over a pound anyways, don't know about the airweights though).  I am honestly lucky to hit a metal plate that is about 8" high and 5" wide at 25yds with that db380 once in a 6-round mag.  even with handloads I couldn't shoot that thing any better.  I NEVER had that problem with my snub, and it had slightly rough trigger (light but rough).  I'm done with pocket autos for the rest of my life.

[mrussel]

honestly this whole experience has soured me on tiny autos in a general sense.  although I'm not "super" like a legitimate competitor I AM able to hit cans and such at 25yds with snubs (s/s ones that weigh over a pound anyways, don't know about the airweights though).  I am honestly lucky to hit a metal plate that is about 8" high and 5" wide at 25yds with that db380 once in a 6-round mag.  even with handloads I couldn't shoot that thing any better.  I NEVER had that problem with my snub, and it had slightly rough trigger (light but rough).  I'm done with pocket autos for the rest of my life.

 I cant argue with that. If you can hit with the snub but not with an auto,then its gotta be the snubbie.

[thompsonjoedeals]

This is my 3rd Kel-Tec. The P3AT is home with the wife, sold one and just picked up my 1st PF-9.  Fluffed & buffed, Polished Ramp and other areas. Factory sights are ace ! Added my old P3-AT belt clip. Works well.

Purchased a De Santis/ Nemesis, removed the stiching and it's awsome in my ( loose pant's ) front pocket. In the belt is good with the right pant's too! May not be a Kahr or a glock, but for the $$$ its a great weapon. JMO.

Purchased 2 Kahr pinky extensions and worked them to a perfect fit. now the grip is the best.

Then added a Crimson Trace and a Limbsaver pull over and it's kick A__ !

Approx 100 rounds with no issues and the Limbsaver grip cover almost eliminates any wounds. LOL....

[Basicguy]

What ever you choose make sure it 101% reliable. I am carrying a walther 38o at present, I am working up to something lighter but for now It has to be 100 percent, I have a 45 Bond and it goes every time and has lots of firepower for each shot.

[Squib]

looks like you got YOUR rig figured out at least.  for now I'm wearing a gi 1911 and wearing it in a full sized OWB on a regular belt strapped against my waist UNDER MY PANTS to keep it from printing.  missouri sucks in the summer, it's cooling off now but it's still in the 80's and 90's with high humidity, and I'm not all that big so I gotta keep it dug in real tight to not print through a t-shirt.  painfully tight.  if i'd have just kept the snub!  I almost got it paid off to get it back though.