New .380 (Diamondback)

[Zee]

Why can't these manufacturers and retailers have a good old-fashioned price war??

[mr.72]

I always get excited about itty bitty guns that are easily concealed. My concern with this innovation is even if it turns out to be as reliable as an LCP, what existing need does it fulfill?

Well, unlike the LCP/P3AT, it is striker-fired.

The LCP/P3AT have very long triggers. If this one has a shorter trigger, that could be a very good thing.

I think it likely will compete more directly with Kahr's P380 but at what looks to be a much lower price point.

But for me, basically, one of these days I have to get a pistol for my wife to carry and it will probably be a very compact .380. The more, the merrier. Gotta like the options.

[Salty1]

Just checked pricing with my distributors, none are in stock yet but expect them to be in the $350 to $375 range from dealers who fairly price their products. Like everything else some shops will try to get top dollar until they saturate the market.

[casingpoint]

I'd rather pay the extra $200 or so for the Glock 26 or the often overlooked CZ Rami Compact. The 9mm barrel velocities are superb in both. 380 sounds a little weak at the knees in terms of ballistics.

[mr.72]

I'd rather pay the extra $200 or so for the Glock 26 or the often overlooked CZ Rami Compact. The 9mm barrel velocities are superb in both. 380 sounds a little weak at the knees in terms of ballistics.

Apples and oranges. Why not just carry a 12 guage shotgun? Or an AK-47?

These 9mms are physically much bigger than the class of micro .380 pistols. I have a very small 9mm and it is night and day difference in terms of ease and comfort to carry compared with my LCP. So you know, sure the .380 ballistics are not on par with 9mm. Tradeoffs. Gotta get the right tool for the job.

[adam71176]

I saw this post and couldn't help but to track one down today. I'll be giving a full report for you all tomorrow. As of now let's call it an A+

[havoc]

I am glad you tracked one down Adam and I eagerly await your review. I have been eyeing the LCP lately and with the DB 380 now on the scene I am eager for some reviews. Thanks in advance!

[casingpoint]

Why not just carry a 12 guage shotgun? Or an AK-47?

I frequently have shotgun in my truck. When the methamphetamine epidemic hit, I seriously considered getting an assault rifle. But this year, the money was better spent on a boat trailer. And a 357 MAGNUM Model 386. Plus a Model 317.

Actually, the assault rifle would have been cheaper in the aggregate. And easier to explain.

[adam71176]

Ok all, here is the story of how i found it in brief: Sent email to Diamondback directly asking if they could point me in the right direction, they told me to have my dealer contact RSR distributors. I know my dealer didn't have any and like a 4 year old I wasn't willing to wait lol. I called RSR directly and asked if they have shipped any to the Houston area. They were very helpful and pointed me to Tomball Pawn. Called them and they had it in stock for $329. I immediately hopped in the car and picked it up. I've never been to Tomball pawn before but seems like a great crew and really great prices.

The Gun:
Looks just like the pics and I would post some internals here if I could figure it out...
I know many of you don't like the Glock look, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Extremely nice fit and finish, this gun, even at the price point is NOT like a KT or LCP (I have an LCP). It resembles a tiny glock combined with some M&P characteristics, i.e. slide serrations. I had a Kahr PM9 several months back and the fit, finish, and internals are very near to what you find here with the DB380.
Take down is exactly like a Glock, which is much easier than any of the above mentioned models. I should note that I have a great distaste for KT arms due to issues with a PF9 of which I won't go into detail here, but do have and like my LCP for daily carry due to it's size and reliability (after some internal sanding/polishing). I was very hesitant to purchase a gun only on the market 2 months and certainly was not about to carry it without putting her to the test.

Range Report:
Again like a 4 year old I left work early to head to the range.
I'll start off with how it shot then detail my load info.
Shoots just like my LCP and my aforementioned Karh but a little lighter and smoother trigger. I have small hands so it fits me well, better than my LCP, but it certainly does have a good snap to it.

1st 50 rounds: Remington Express 95 Gr. FMJ = 50 flawless rounds downrange with no FTF, FTE, FTF. BEAUTIFUL. At 3 and 5 yards, (my expectations for a gun this size) all shots were 9-10 ring. I forgot to mention earlier that unlike the KT or LCP this baby actually has sights, descent ones at that, which made target acquisition and re acquisition very easy.

2nd 50 rounds: Turned into only 25 rounds out of frustration. I was dumb enough to purchase some bizzaro Monarch Brass .380 94 Gr. Hollow point ammo (not self defense, simply ball ammo with the tip chopped off) a few months back at a great price but this is NOT good ammo even for the range. In the DB380 it was FTE, and FTF every round, and honestly I don't blame her. Now my LCP would fire this junk but would keyhole every shot. If this were a true Glock it would fire it for sure as my Glocks have always flawlessly put anything downrange that I feed them. Totally an ammo issue in my humble opinion.

14 rounds each of Federal Hydra-Shock 90 GR. and Hornaday Critical Defense 90 Gr. FTX, These are of course for carry and both feed flawlessly at slow and high speed fire.

As soon as time permits I will put another 200 rounds downrange with it to feel fully comfortable with reliability, but let me say this, she rode loaded in my pocket for the rest of the day, i.e. I trust this gun.

This thing is going to be a very hot seller and at this price point I can't personally imaging going for the KT or the LCP any longer. (I'll be selling my LCP as soon as all range testing is done)

If you have any other questions or can explain how to post pics I'd be happy to answer and or post pics of the internals.

Adam

[joe817]

Great report Adam! Thanks. I hope you continue enjoying that new gun of yours.

[NcongruNt]

A question for you...

From appearances, the grip angle is awfully steep. Like the opposite of a Glock. How did that work for you?

According to the specs, the pull is only 1/2", is this acccurate? That alone might win me over from the LCP, as that's the only gripe I have with it. I still haven't sent in the LCP for the recall, as I have nothing to replace it as a pocket gun (due to my unfortunate work circumstances, my regular carry isn't reasonable to carry and then disarm in the parking lot when I get to work).

I'd happily look into this gun for a near-future purchase as a surrogate/replacement carry for the LCP.

[adam71176]

Personally the grip feels great to me, this is a tiny gun so there is quite a bit of snap, I think the grip angle helps you hold onto it better. I believe that 0.5" is correct and 5lb pull is correct as well. The trigger is infinitely better than my LCP, between that and the sights it makes hitting on target much easier. Believe me I understand your reluctance about sending back the LCP and going without a pocket piece but I would be very careful. Maybe you should pick up this if you think your interested and send back the LCP for recall and sell it when you get it back. Doesn't is suck to not be able to carry at work?

Range Report Day 2:
I consider myself conservative in that I won't usually carry until I've put 250 flawless rounds through a gun (Hence why i love Glocks and Sigs).
Took little DB for another test run at a local range at lunchtime.
50 Rounds USA Ammo? 95 Gr. FMJ, DB380 did not like this but better than the Monarch junk. about 50% FTE/FTF
150 Rounds Double Tap Ammo? 95 Gr. JHP, 100% success

She is a little finicky with ammo but I just enjoy her so much more than Elsie who never really did impress me reliability wise anyway. Not to down Ruger or KT, as they are both fine weapons I'm sure but I have to say I'm very impressed with this new little pocket piece that we now have to choose from.

My only complaint and it's not a big one is that this gun comes in the box completely un-lubricated. Oil her up before you use her.

I say well done Diamondback, whoever you are!

Internals, sorry their not better.

[Embalmo]

"She is a little finicky with ammo..."

I read a few reviews, and this seems to be a common theme, which reads very Kel-Tec like. I almost didn't buy an auto for my first gun because of my jam and feed failure phobia. With the .380 shortage that doesn't seem to be going away, I would prefer a gun that shoots whatever the store's got.

I'm really not trying to be rude-I happen to love cheap ammo for the range, and that is why I got a .22 revolver, so I could shoot the Federal cheap stuff. I'm also not very learned in the ways of good vs bad ammo. So for someone like you who knows good ammo, shoots good ammo, and can find good ammo, that's your gun.

Embalmo

[adam71176]

To be honest with you I've only been a handgun shooter for about 6 months, but in that time I have learned that there is NO gun that will go bang 100% of the time. Either due to mechanical failure or lack of cleanliness of the gun or just plain ammo that didn't go. I'm a massive Glock fan because out of the half dozen I've tried out and with the many thousands of rounds used, of every price range and loading they have gone bang every time (except when I limp wristed a 36). I've seen many many 1911 style $1,000+ guns jam but you are right, if you want something that has better odds go with a revolver. I'm no expert, just going off of personal experience but I do hear it a lot that typically most mouseguns not just KT or LCP but also with many high end small size 9mm will have issues with certain ammo. That's why I make the investment into buying enough and various rounds to feel comfortable enough with the gun that if need be it will save my life. If you never had a jam with your LCP than you are one of a very lucky few, I certainly had more than my fair share. There are many, many board postings that are dedicated as to how to sand and polish the feed ramps in them so that they will feed any ammo at all reliably including the "good stuff"(i.e. name brand from wal-mart will do the trick).

[havoc]

Do you have an Win White Box (WWB) you can try? That seems to be the only cheap .380 ammo I can find and I am just curious if it is reliable in the DB380. Do you think polishing the feed ramp of the Diamondback will help? Thanks again and I look forward to more reviews. Oh, how is the accuracy compared to the LCP and P3AT?