[Storm]

Today while looking for other things I stumbled across a 1969/70 Colt Diamondback in roughly 90% conditiion. It is missing the ejector end cap, and that issue is already handled. It has Pachmayr grips that aren't original to the gun. I see original target grips going for $150 and $250, but as this is going, to be a gun that is shot I'm not tied to the target grips, although I may invest in some down the road.

For shooting, and to a bit lesser degree aesthetics, what would your grip recommendations be beyond targets and Pachmayrs?

[TimM]

Personally I love wood grip panels with a Tyler grip adapter.

[pageophile]

Shot my buddies 22LR Diamondback at the range a few weeks back.

Had the wood target grips, what a SWEET gun!

Trigger as smooth as butter and a great overall feel. Too bad really that Colt got out of the revolver game :(

[dfariswheel]

Hogue makes nice fancy wood grips that a lot of Colt owners like.

http://www.getgrip.com/

Badger makes nice combat type laminated grips:

http://www.badgercustomgrips.com/colt_pistol_grips.php

For really nice grips, Eagle makes excellent types:

http://www.eaglegrips.com/

For the price, quality, and feel, Hogue is hard to beat.

[DBR]

I have Hogue smooth wood grips on my Diamond Back 4" 38spl and I like them a lot. I also have the original Walnut target grips "in safe storage".

[Storm]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think that the Eagle Rosewood Heritage will be the way to go. They look the most like the originals. I'll occasionally use the Pachmayrs as this will also be a training gun for my wife and daughter.

[premiumplus]

I'm still kicking myself for selling my Diamondback in .38 cal. back in the early 80s. That was a sweet gun. The stupid things we do...hope you enjoy yours more than I did mine, and that's a lot!

[Storm]

The stupid things we do...hope you enjoy yours more than I did mine, and that's a lot!

Been there, done that.

I spent some time with the Diamondback last night and it's really in primo condition. There was just a tiny bit of wear to the muzzle on the left side and a bit more to the right side, but other than that the gun is 100%. Everything I can see indicates that other than some carry this gun was a safe queen. Not bad for a 1969. The ejector end cap and a set of Colt factory grips are already on the way to me from Numrich to replace the Pachmayrs, at least for my shooting. I'll eventually get the Eagle Heritage, but they seem to be substantially the same shape as the Eagle except the Eagle being much nicer wood and better executed. Possibly my wife and daughter will like the Colt grips as much as the Pachmayrs.

But doggone, the trigger on this gun is as smooth as butter. The trigger is maybe just a bit less crisp that that of an older Smith, but the DA is unbeatable. I'll post a picture of this gun once the grips and ejector cap are installed.

Heck, at $499 I'd buy two more!

BTW, when I snagged the Diamondback there were three other guys pawing it and two more that were coming back to buy it. Of the three that were "thinking about it" the missing ejector cap was the problem. Not putting the gun down I got on the Net via my phone, got to Numrich and verified that the ejector cap was available (an $8 part), checked the pricing of the gun, and said "sold". Having Internet access in a gun shop is a godsend.

[Storm]

D'oh! Numrich is out of stock on the ejector caps for the four inch Diamondback as my order came without one. My gunsmith will make me one but I'd rather have an original. Anyone have one to sell?

So much for using the Internet in a gun store to check parts availability :fire:

At least my R8 came back from Smith today. That helps make up for what turned out to be a worthless Numrich order.

[Daizee]

Jack First will sell you one. I believe they make them themselves. I've ordered that part exactly. Numrich didn't have 'em when I looked either.

-Daizee

[Storm]

Exellent! How do I contact Jack First?

Thanks.

[RugRev]

Jack First website:

http://www.jackfirstgun.com/