Diamondback DB380 Review

[tiger1873]

I just brought a Diamondback db380. It is actually the nickel slide version (I think they just started doing the nickel).

I know a lot people are looking at this gun and thought I would post an honest review of them.

I like a lot people like the way this gun feels in my hand. When I was looking at all the 380's mouse-guns only 2 really stood out from the rest. The Karh p380 and of course the Diamondback. Since the Diamondback was cheaper I thought I would give it a try. I got the nickel version which is about $50 more so I paid $390 for it.

I was able to shoot it this weekend. Only got about 20 rounds thought it but it still is a good start will update this as I get more rounds though it. I did have an issue on the first round but that my fault.

The gun was flawless. I wasn't really trying to aim much but it seems to be right on target. I hit the target from 25 yards so not bad for a new gun.

The trigger is actually not bad. I wouldn't say it's great like a 1911 or even buttery smooth like a kahr. I will have to shoot a lot more to say if I like it or not. I hated the kahr trigger until I got a couple hundred rounds though it and now I actually like it better then most guns.




The issue I had on the first round is you have to make sure you pull the slide back far enough. The springs are tight and there isn't a locking mechanism on the gun. Thought I made a huge mistake when I pulled the trigger and it didn't go bang. I didn't chamber a round so I can not blame the gun. I have a feeling this can happen pretty easy on this gun.


The gun is very comfortable to shoot. Much better then the lcp I shot. Didn't feel much recoil at all.

So far I have to say this might be the best 380 on the market. In the world of 380's this gun seems to be a contender and Diamondback could be on to something.

 

[tiger1873]

Went to range and shot off about 70 more rounds on the db380. No problem. did have a bit of hard time racking the round. You have to be careful. I can't complain though about it.


The trigger is a little squishy not sure if I really like it. It's trigger is though much better then the lcp I shot. Also a Desantos Nemises holster fits the gun really well.

Not a range gun but much better to shoot then the lcp. comfortable for about 50 rounds at a range session.

I used pmc and magtech ammo. The magtech is really dirty stuff and it ate fine. I want to try a couple of boxes more before i will trust this gun but it looks like it going to go in my carry rotation.

 

[snooperman]

I have been considering buying one...

for a backup to my 38 special , and carry it when I am dressed up and do not want to carry the 38 special snubby. I wonder how it compares to the Kahr 380 that seems so popular? From the pictures , it seems to have the barrel very low and close to the top of the grip like the Glocks , making recoil much less . How do you like thr trigger pull?

 

[CZ223]

I handled one this weekend

and I have to say that it does look like a real winner. I won't be selling my LCP's any time soon but I might have to have one of these as well. Thanks for the report. By the way, who did you buy it through. The one I saw was blue and the dealer had it for $400. A quick tour of gunbroker didn't turn up any great deals either.

 

[tiger1873]

I brought it at a local gunshop here in the DFW area. They had it for $335 for the blue and 394 for the nickel. I originally ordered the blued version but nickel came in first so I took that one instead. If you look around the internet there is quite a few places for less then $350. I believe midwest hunters is selling them for $335 as well.

I haven't shot the kahr p380 so I can't compare. I really like the Kahr p380 but with this gun being so cheap it was hard to pass up.

The trigger is a little squishy. it's ok I may end up liking it a lot more after I shoot it a while. It's not like a Kahr trigger and not a glock either.

When I first used a kahr trigger I hated it but after a couple hundred rounds I started to like it a lot so I not really prepared to say I hate the trigger.

The recoil is much less then the lcp I shot. I also like the sites overall a fairly accurate gun for it's size. It also holds very nicely when you are shooting it.