Diamondback 380

lauraslookout · September-25-10 17:09

My wife dropped me off at a favorite store of mine while she shopped. Saw and handled a Diamondback 380, was impressed. Anyone with experience with one out there? Also handled the new Sig 380, liked but way too pricey to get spousal approval. LOL, the "just one more sweetie, it's the last one I'll ever want" line isn't working like it used to and I don't understand why. Jim

cedarview kid · September-25-10 17:09

I checked out the Sig .380 at a gun show today. Wow, sweet gun! But, wow, not sweet price.



   I have a DB380. I've been carrying it for a few months now. I like the fit and finish and lightweightness of the gun. I'm impressed, too. Haven't gotten it reliable with hollowpoints, tho, but roundball has been great. Gonna try some different hollowpoints.



   Some people don't like the blockiness (or is that Glockiness?) of the gun, but that's what I DO like about it. It fits a pocket better than some of the curvish guns out there, like the Kel-Tec or Ruger.



   Dar

heyjoe · September-25-10 17:09

Darvell from what i read the diamondback operates better with hotter ammo, like cobon and golden saber.

lauraslookout · September-25-10 17:09

one of the things I liked about it was that the magazine retention was great, no accidental /lightweight pressure released it. I carry my backup in left front pocket and most all the pocket autos I have carried in the past suffered from frequent magazine release into the pocket rendering the pistol undrawable and inoperable. One article I read after I got home made this point. It's why I have gone back to my S&W J frame and Black Widow for pocket carry but an auto is so much smaller print in the pocket if you can find one you feel secure with. Jim

lauraslookout · September-25-10 17:09

Dar, what's the accuracy like? Jim

lauraslookout · September-25-10 17:09

Dar, also, what type of holster are you using? And which type of finish does your pistol have? Jim

cedarview kid · September-25-10 18:09

Accuracy wasn't as good as I hoped, but I need to test it more. I wasn't hitting at POA, but close.



   I got a suede leather pocket holster that I like. I think it's Galco and made for the Kel-Tec or Ruger. I also bought a matching IWB, but haven't used it as much.



   I saw a stainless or nickel slide or whatever they are at the gun show today. It looks very nice. Kind of made me wish I had that one, but I think the one I have was #30 from the factory, so I'm keeping it. Mine is blued.



   Guess I should get some pics of it.



   Dar

cedarview kid · September-25-10 18:09

Guess I should try some different ammo. I got a bunch of them, I think Gold Dots, but need to get to the range with 'em.

lauraslookout · September-25-10 19:09

I saw at their website that they have a nickel model but no stainless. Articles I read gave the gun glowing marks, no FTFs with any ammo .. accuracy to 25yds .... but I have always been leary of reviews written in gun magazines ... no good review equals no advertising dollars or else they hand pick and fine tune the gun they send to be tested. I found a forum about the DB 380 and it had mixed opinions ,,, one person did send his back to the factory due to problems and they replied it was not up to standards and they sent him a totally new gun with which he has had no problems of any type. Jim

stripey · September-26-10 13:09

There's a salesman at my LGS that is real high on them. He used to live down in FL near there factory. He went back home on vacation and stopped by for a visit. He says they are a good outfit (based on his conversations with there people).



   I think it was very favorable that they let a visitor tour their factory and were open and honest, but I'm still a little skeptical. Nothing against them, but they are a start-up outfit.



   Just from watching the progression of polymer guns, it seems that it takes at least to the second generation to work all the kinks. And thats for all the manufacturers. It took Glock a lot of testing, S&W a lot of time with their Sigma's. Same for Kel-Tec, Ruger, Taurus, etc.



   IMHO you are better off waiting for the 3rd revision of any new polymer handgun. This probably will be a good reliable gun at some point but most folks are having some problems with them. Here is a review from On Point Firearms http://www.onpointsupply.com/cart.php?page=diamondback_db380_for_sale_and_review">http://www.onpointsupply.com/cart.php?page=diamondback_db380_for_sale_and_review

lauraslookout · September-26-10 16:09

The salesperson who showed me the DiamondBack 380 made 2 comments I found of interest. The 1st was that the manufacturer of it was formerly one of the original members of the company who produced the Glock line of pistols which would inspire confidence. The 2nd comment was that the DB 380 would not be in production much longer due to legal issues with the Glock manufacturerers and the DB 380's basically being a scaled down Glock. Whether this true or not it makes you wonder if they will be around for warranty work and on their website I could find no mention of what the warranty was like except a comment saying they would repair or replace the pistol within 30 days for problems. Jim

cedarview kid · September-26-10 17:09

Here's my DB380 with Galco pocket holster I use with it. I like the wire sewn into the top, which you can

   form around the gun for a good fit. The box said this holster was designed for the Kel-Tec P3AT and

   Ruger LCP.

franco22 · September-26-10 20:09

I have had one for about 2 months. It is currently back at the factory. Trigger reset and failure to go into battery. Mine would not eat hollow points either. Mine is a first generatioon gun. I want it to work because it is a neat little piece but I have lost faith for now. Just bought a Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry. Larger but very reliable so far.

ksblazer · September-26-10 22:09

I was interested in these. But after doing some re-search I'm going to pass on purchasing them until they become more reliable.

lauraslookout · September-27-10 06:09

I had sent an e-mail to the factory and have received a reply. The DB 380 has a limited lifetime warranty and ships with only one magazine. I think the 1 magazine ploy is just a roundabout ploy to actually raise the price, i know most manufacturers used to send 2 mags but now only send one.



   I personally think all automatics should come with 2 magazines, I was taught to change mine out monthly for longevity. And the warranty sounds okay as long as they remain in business.



   Franco, could you give me an update when you get your's back from the factory? I I like the weight/size of the little thing, find it comfortable in the hand but as one writer said ... a pocket gun must be 100% reliable, it's what you go to when the s@#t has come to do or die. Jim

franco22 · September-30-10 12:09

Not back yet Lauraslookout. I will check with my FFl tomorrow (10-01-10). I shipped it through the FFl to save on shipping costs.

lauraslookout · October-12-10 19:10

Franco ... any luck yet? Jim

mrmadhat · October-12-10 21:10

its been my understanding that the warrenty work is fast or at least it was in early production, the springs are very tight and it has FTE/FTL problems until they are broken in.. to get them broken in and function without a hitch I have read they need hot loads the first 400-500 rounds.. the company will still be around to fix existing guns but not as DB if in fact they do get the doors shut on them.. the owners of the company have a shop that builds custom air boats, so i doubt both of the business ventures will close the doors.the legal problems are news to me, and I hope they are around for a long time, I do like what I have seen. I have been waiting for funds to buy one myself, I have a much larger want list then I do cash flow though, I have even debated on trading one of my rifles for one..