Diamondback DB9

[jmayton]

Just got home with my new Diamondback DB9.  I had heard good things about these little guns and found one at a gun show for $380 NIB.  I had the opportunity to handle it next to a Kahr PM9 and though the Kahr felt very well made and solid, after handling the DB it felt big and heavy.  The DB is .80" wide and has a higher grip than the Kahr (which have one of the highest grips of all the subcompacts).  The trigger is lighter and a bit shorter than the Kahr but is just as smooth.  I grabbed a box of cheap S&B 115gr 9mm and stopped at the range on the way home.  It's quite snappy, but in a 9mm this size that is to be expected.  It had 6 FTC's but this was straight from the box and I hadn't stripped it or cleaned it.  The last mag of the 25rds I fired ran fine.  When I got home, I stripped it, polished the feed ramp, and cleaned and lubed it.  Owning a couple of Glocks it was quite familiar internally, though the trigger is like a Kahr.  I weighed it empty with no mag and though the Diamondback website claims 11oz, this one came in at 11 and 5/8oz.  Not enought to squabble over.  I loaded a full mag, dropped one in the pipe and weighed it like I'd carry it and it was only 15 3/4oz!  That's 7 rounds of 9mm under a pound!  Anyway, we'll see how well it functions as it breaks in.  Should prove to be a great little carry gun that I have no excuse not to carry.


Here it is compared to a Glock 22.





Width comparison with the Glock.





Compared to a S&W J frame.

[Savage]

Haven't seen the Diamondback in my area. The reviews I've read have been favorable. I'm not really in the market for a pistol in that class as I already own a couple of P-11s and a PF9 that keeps me pretty well covered in the light small 9mm category. I also own a P32 and a couple of P3ATs. I consider the .32s and .380s to be about max for pocket carry. Anything larger goes on my belt, so the DB9 would be a belt gun for me. The PF9 fills that bill well, as I'm sure the DB9 will for you. I was a little surprised at the price, almost $400! About a $100 more than the Kel Tec.  Maybe it's that much better, time will tell!
Savage

[jmayton]

Well, the DB is breaking in nicely.  Shot some 90gr frangible in it and it did just fine.  No malfunctions. . .but you can't be gentle with it - rack the slide hard and push to the target.  I got a box of 115gr Hornady Critical Defense and so far they have done ok.  I had couple of FTC's with them, but I hadn't even put 50rnds through it at that time.  Now that the round count is up over 100 we'll see how they do.

[jmayton]

Well, after several more range sessions with various types of ammo, I sent it back the manufacturer because it wouldn't run 100%.  Got it back and still had the same problem and then the trigger bar broke.  Sent it in again.  When I got it back, I decided to cut my losses and traded it for a slightly used Kahr CW40 that a local shop had. 


Bottom line, I think the DB is just too small for 9mm.  There's not enough material there to allow it to handle a variety of ammo.  I think its a good concept, but for a carry gun, I want reliability.

[williamlayton]

Good read---and---good choice, IMO.
Blessings