Friday, October 1, 2010

Pocket Powerhouse!

Gun magazines have given favorable reviews for the Diamondback DB380 micro-compact .380 auto-pistol:
*Update January 2011: Okay, reviews have not been very favorable as of late. Read on.........

$350-$400
"A micro-compact .380 automatic pistol made entirely in the USA. Designed with safety in mind, the DB380 features a "ZERO-Energy" striker firing system (patent pending) with a mechanical firing pin block, a steel magazine catch to secure a sheet metal magazine and real windage-adjustable sights, all in a lightweight pistol."

"A steel trigger with dual connecting bars allows for a crisp smooth, five-pound DAO trigger pull. The DB380 features a FEA (Finite Element Analysis) designed slide and barrel that is stronger than any comparable firearm, resulting in durability with less felt recoil, and the absence of removable pins or tools makes field stripping easier than ever. The slide, barrel, and internal parts are coated to resist corrosion, making this pistol a lifetime investment." Diamondback Firearms 

I thought this gun was best described as a "Baby Glock" by my local dealer, where I went to check it out recently. The gun is shockingly tiny, but somehow manages to have ample grip space. The trigger pull can best be described as "smooth and short", sort of a cross between double-action and single action. Build-quality at first-impression struck me as being exceptional.
Specs:
  • Caliber: .380
  • Capacity: 6 + 1 in the chamber
  • Weight: 8.8 ounces(!)
  • Width: .750"
  • Barrel Length: 2.80"
  • Firing Pin: "Striker Fire"
  • Trigger: Double Action Only-5 lbs.
The gun is also offered in other slide configurations, such as:
  • Nickel plated,  
  • EXO, which they claim never needs lubrication 
  • Machined sights, which I believe means that the sights are machined into the slide.
The company also offers three types concealment holsters-ankle, pocket, and belt, and extra magazines, with both standard and with finger-extension versions.

Gun Reviews:
  • Smooth trigger pull at 5.5 lbs
  • Under 2" accuracy at 7 yard combat ranges
  • Quality Construction
  • Reliable, "especially likes Winchester Silver Tip self-defense round"
Gun Reviews January 2011: The gun is cute, but reliability sucks. Here's the official review from a reputable gun-testing magazine:
  • A "Handsome little pistol"
  • Fairly difficult magazine release, and the magazine had to be pulled out.
  • Breakdown was a bitch, due to snag-free slide and powerful recoil spring
  • Accurate from the bench, with good ergonomics
  • Several failure to feed, fire, and trigger reset problems during testing earned the piece a poor review.
    Gun Forums:
    • Gun forum opinions were mixed. Recent posts included "jam-o-matic p.o.s." to "dependable but fussy with regards to bullet choice." Search keywords: "DB380","db380","Diamondback Arms"
      The company address is in Cocoa, Florida, coincidentally in the same town as the established Kel-Tec firearms company, another maker of small polymer handguns.

      2 comments:

      1. Read about all the failures in Glocktalk as well as YouTube showing all The FTF and broken firing mechanisms. The pot metal is breaking in half.
        Many owners have sent their DB380's back 2 and 3 times. Several say they will not carry the weapon due to what the weapon is made for..."a concealed protection weapon"... One that cannot be trusted to fire in an emergency.
        Mine is going in the safe as I had 7 FTF and jams. I'm re-holstering my Beretta .32
        This pistol needs re-called before someone is hurt or....

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