DiamondBack DB9, in 2014, still...crud?

I would keep on movin on, if I were you....

And take a look at the Shield!

In the past they were a hit and miss but they have improved. My Nephew brought one out to my place about 2 months ago and shot it with 115gr UMC and 115gr Hornady critical defense and there were no malfunctions out of 3 boxes of ammo. I shot it and the recoil for such a light gun wasn't bad to me. I would prefer the Kahr but the Diamondback is more pocketable for him and that is what he wanted. There is about 4 oz difference in weight and I agree the difference is there for pocket carry. This gun likes good quality consistent ammo in the 115gr weight to function properly.

My research shows that the 2nd generation DB9 that has the serial number beginning with "YD" has the new features and changes or improvemments.

Hopefully the gen2 are better than the self destructing DB9 G1's all over YouTube. The only highlight of this that I can think of is its pocket size frame. I think it's one of, if not the smallest, 9mm semiautomatic out there. If you are not planning to pocket carry and want something small to conceal holster have you looked at Sccy CPX gen 2 or an SW Shield?

Diamond Back 9x19mm DB9 pistols....

There have been a few recent posts on the forum about the DB9 9x19mm.
I looked into the cool safety orange version but a review of the Diamond Back website, , gave me pause.
The firm advises not using 9mm rounds of certain weights & types.
If you shoot any +P or +P+ your DB9 may crack or choke.

That's not a good feeling for a CCW/back up gun. Id get a CM9, Bersa Compact Carry 9mm, P290RS, Nano, Shield(no safety), or Glock 27 generation 04 .40(with a 9mm conversion barrel).

There are a few better picks than a DB9 in my opine.

Rusty

Pass on the Diamonback and just get the CM9. IMHO it's a better-made pistol all-around.

Mine's fine.

IMO, the fact that it isn't designed to handle +P shouldn't dissuade you. If you are happy with 115gr SD ammo then I think the DB9 is fine.

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Stated Length: 5.42 in

My measurements have the Kahr CM9 at 5.625” long - OAL measured from the right side, in a box with the top of the gun flush with the top of the box and the gun pushed all the way to the right, like the IDPA measures.


Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 14 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: 0.80 in
Weight: 11 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds


Hornady's 115gr Critical Defense does OK out of a 3" barrel, limited expansion (the FTX bullet design limits expansion) of .537" and an average 13" of penetration through 4 layers of denim.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKE4VKPRFTQ&list=PLgNSGOEQko_M90AMdRCDMgd-w4Yozc27i&index=2

Here is a thread where the DB9 is discussed:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9578444#post9578444

The DB9 fully loaded is just over 14.5 oz on my digital scale. Other than the Rohrbaugh R9 there is nothing in 9mm that is that small and light for pocket carry in a 9mm. With Hornady CD 115gr you should be fine with the DB9.. Snoop

I have an older version of the DB9 as well as the DB380 and both have been excellent. I actually have visited the plant in FL and talked to the owner and he admitted to sloppy QC early on. For those that don't know, the DB plant is less than a mile from the Kel Tec plant in Cocoa. From the front of the DB plant you think it is just an airboat shop (because that is what they do) but the gun plant is in the back with assembly in another shop across the lot (this is a couple of years old so it could have changed). At one time DB had turned over their marketing to Taurus but I don't know if that is still the case.
This is a brand new DB9 that I purchased about a month ago. $269 I think, NIB. I have 200 rounds of Fiocchi and WWB FMJ through it with zero issues. The slide is still extremely tight so racking the gun for a smaller person may be an issue at first. With my other pocket guns the slide "loosened up" after some use and maybe this one will in time.
I also have a CM9 and a KT PF-9 and 11. The DB9 is noticeably smaller and lighter than all three for pocket carry. It is no more "snappy" than the others. For what I want the DB9 is an excellent choice for SD. This one is a few hundred rounds and some experimenting with HP ammo away from getting into my pocket but, as of now, I am very happy with it.

PS. Serial number is YD3---

I defiantly recognize the CM9 is beefier. However, the micro guns are all about carry, so the DB9 weight would allow for pocket carry. I am just not sure I am committed to iwb carry...

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When I carry my CM9, it's almost always in my pocket in a Desantis Nemesis holster. Not difficult at all, unless you wear tight jeans.

Shipwreck said:

I would keep on movin on, if I were you....

And take a look at the Shield!

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Agreed. They keep getting listed cheaper and cheaper. I've seen them just under 400 even at gun shows.

Russellc

What is the warranty on the DB9 ?

The DB9 is the gun I want....on paper. I would have a lot of trouble staking my life to the function of one. Not sure I trust Kahr much more but they are up the list from the DB9.

I went through looking at the DB9 years ago and quickly came to the same conclusion, except I got the CW9 in the end.
Zero malfunction of any kind. Lost count but I imagine it has 1500ish rounds through it so far. It's nice that Kahr is "giving"
out another magazine but $40 is so overpriced for them, they should all come with two anyway.

I didn't read every post on their forum, but I looked around and read some posts, what indicates that Diamondback is completely crumbling and on its way to "folding" ?

Probably a bit late to the party but my Wife and I and several friends shot *every* commonly available (and some not very available) hand guns last Summer looking for our preferred "Soul Mate" concealed carry guns in advance of Illinois' new CCL laws. We all intended to start training seriously and knew we'd stand the best chance by finding guns that were inherently comfortable and accurate in our hands from the get go.

We rented and borrowed several Diamondback guns....a DB9 and a .380 that I do not remember the model # of. Horrible, horrible beasts. My Wife rather liked the DB9 ergonomics but could not get it to run more than 5 rounds in a row with some of the most bizarre (she could get some strange failures even out of my Glock 26) failures to feed and extraction issues.

It wasn't just my Wife...all 5 shooters passed on the Diamondback guns and bought something else. One of them was a 9mm Kahr that went back to the factory 3X and then got sold. The test example (rental) Kahr 9mm we all shot was *very* nice....small, inherently accurate, extremely reliable. Unfortunately if had been "worked over" extensively by the "Range Doctor" gun smith at some time in it's life. The new kahr our group acquaintance purchased was a dismal failure and a disappointment.

Some of the teeny tiny 9mm's are plain finicky. The Diamondback offerings back in late 2013 were junk....current opinion at the LGS/Range is that the new ones are as bad being hit and miss. Some better than others but in all very disappointing.

VooDoo

I bought a DB9 a couple months ago, and I really like it. Surprisingly accurate for a pocket gun, and it hasn't missed a beat. My only complaint is the lack of spare magazines.

A lot of folks seem to be dissuaded by the inability to use >124 gr ammo or +P stuff, but honestly, who really wants to be using a hot round in an 11 ounce gun? 115 gr. standard pressure is still significantly more potent than any .380 ACP load, and the DB9 is just barely larger than the smallest of the pocket .380s.

One might do well to think of the DB9 as a super hot .380 that uses cheaper practice ammo, because that's basically what it is. You give up some ammo selection to go this small, but there really isn't a more pocketable 9mm. The R9 is a touch shorter, but also thicker and heavier. The CM9/PM9 are the same height and length, but notably wider and heavier. From there, the dimensions go up considerably; the PF9, LC9, Shield, Nano, etc all are quite a bit bigger, and definitely not in the pocket gun category unless you wear cargo pants all the time.

In the middle of a crisis, this doesn't make one feel great...

http://www.diamondbackfirearms.com/employment.aspx

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You do realize that they are looking to ADD employees, right? Companies that are about to fold typically don't do that.......