I want a Colt Diamondback,anything I should know about them? Opinions?

[megatronrules]

Saw one of these today and it got to thinking that I want one.
It was $400. Is this a good price? The gun was in good shape. Could use a cleaning though. Bore looked good too. Some nut in the store put his 2 cents in by saying they go out of time? Someone explain this to me please. Thanks.

 

[Standing Wolf]

All Colt D and I frame revolvers will go out of time if you shoot lots and lots and lots of very heavy loads through them.

The Diamondbacks were excellent revolvers. $400 doesn't seem unreasonable in today's market, although only you can judge the condition. They were made in both .38 special and .22 calibers, and are becoming nearly as collectible as Pythons. A really good Diamondback in tip-top condition is as good a gun as the Python; conversely, if it needs parts and/or work, it's going to be a more expensive gun to have repaired than a Smith & Wesson or Ruger.

My only D frame Colt is a Detective Special with a sweetheart trigger and uncanny accuracy. I've owned and shot a few Diamondbacks, and would very much like to find a .22 caliber model with a six-inch barrel.

Best of luck, eh? If you buy it, we'll expect pictures.

 

[Gordon]

Cock hammer VERY slowly on all six chambers and make sure cylinder locks into place. Do same thing double action if it locks up its in time! Colts are wonderful precision insturments that last almost as long as Smiths. Your(Ihope) Diamond back should shoot 5000 standard velocity .38 loads and at least half that many +power loads if you don't slam cylinder in or dry fire it to death. The diamond back has an esquisite action and finish and is ergonomically perfect for a .38 bore revolver, Hell John Wayne used one in McQ !

 

[Albert Shear]

It is a great price. Arpund here they are going for$600-800.
I have thousands of rounds through mine with no ill effects.
Al

 

[RonH]

Diamondbacks are great! I have 3, a 4" .38, and both 4" and 6" 22's. $400 sounds like a really good price. I got a really good deal on my 6" .22, and paid $600 each for the 4"ers (NIB). Good luck with it.

 

[Gordon]

Saxonpig: you lived up to your name on that last trade! Congratulations!

 

[9mmepiphany]

one of my first guns was a 4" .38 diamondback and i regret to this day to ever trading it away...in today's market, anything under $400 is pretty good.

i've also had the 4" and 6" .22 diamondbacks, but the 6" had a very short front sight and i had a hard time picking it up. the 4" .22 will never be traded or sold. it is my most accurate .22 wheelgun, much more then my 6" m-17. my only regret is the hammer mounted firing pin.

colts (usually pythons) have a rep for going "out of time" faster then smiths or rugers. this is because they lock up tighter and so the lockwork takes more of a pounding. i don't think this would be much of an issue unless you're shooting case after case of 158gr +p+.

 

[44and45]

Got my eye on one in cherry condition in these parts, private party has one in box with original papers...only flaw is it don't have original grips, got some packmyers that feel good on it.

Gun has class, just need some cash.

44and45

 

[RonH]

A local gunsmith has a 4" .22 on consignment, pretty good condition. Believe it or not, price tag is $900.

 

[BigG]

They're cool lil smokewagons. If you want to see one in action, check out this:

Brannigan