Shoots4Fun
Master
Diamondback DB9
I know there was a previous review of this new-ish pocket pistol in 9mm by Que, but I thought I'd give my perspective as well. I took the DB9 out to the range twice over the labor day weekend. I've put just over 200 rounds through it now with the help of some folks at the pistol range as everyone seems anxious and excited to give it a try.
I bought the DB9 to replace my Ruger LCP for a conceal carry weapon. This is not really a range toy so I just wanted to get some rounds through it to cycle it in, get to know the ins and outs of the pistol, and to become more proficient with it. To me it is not really more or less enjoyable to shoot than the LCP, but overall I would say it is very snappy. A few of the other guys who tried it out said they couldn't wait to get through the mag of 6 and that it felt more like 12 or 18, but I don't see that much difference in my hand discomfort with either the LCP or DB9. I did buy a Hogue grip for mine made for the pocket pistols on the market and it fits and looks great in my opinion. I haven't shot it since adding the grip however. Here's with the Hogue Grip installed:
The first day out I shot through 2 boxes of Federal 9mm target ammo.
It shot the 100 rounds with 5 jams. One of the jams was the most severe in that an unfired round was jammed in the barrel and I had to use my knife to pull it out. Wasn't too hard to do but the biggest criticism I have is that there is no way to lock the slide back on the pistol. It takes some getting used to to clear a jam such as the one I mentioned. The other 4 jams resulted in an improper feed and can be seen here. Merely pulling back the slide helped to refeed the bullet in these cases.
Although at first I blamed the gun for not being broken in, I believe now I was limp-wristing the shots. I have never had that problem, even with my G27, but I was able to correct the problem on the second day at the range when putting another 50 rounds of the Federal ammo downrange by changing my grip. A gentleman that was at the range helped me diagnose and fix the issue. I didn't catch his name so sorry for that. I will say that of the other 4 people who shot a mag through the DB9 over the 2 days, it had zero jams for them.
On the first day, I also shot a box of Winchester JHP 9mm ammo through the DB9 as well. It didn't have any problems running the hollow point. I also shot about 12 rounds of Hornaday Critical Defense through it as well with no jams.
The sights on the DB9 are much better than any of the pocket 380 that I have owned or looked at. There may be some others with adjustable and replaceable night sights but certainly not all. Diamondback did a good job with the sights in my opinion.
I wasn't a crack shot with it yet, but I could at least hit the paper from 8 yards on the pistol range.
and
Overall I am very pleased with the quality and performance of the DB9. I agree with other reviews that I have read in that the slim fit of the DB9 makes it most uncomfortable to shoot, but that is the main selling point for me in the comfort of the conceal carry ability of the pistol. There also aren't many aftermarket products for them yet, so the availability of magazines and holsters is still limited. And last, the lettering on the slide itself is not really as deep as I think it should be, so the lettering isn't as defined as what I'd like to see or what you'd see on other firearms.
I find that it is just as easily carried and concealed as the LCP with the DB9 overall slide being only 1/2 inch longer and it being actually a bit thinner.
I'll try to give a further update after I've carried it for a while and shot it more with a continued variety of ammo.
Thanks,
S4F
I know there was a previous review of this new-ish pocket pistol in 9mm by Que, but I thought I'd give my perspective as well. I took the DB9 out to the range twice over the labor day weekend. I've put just over 200 rounds through it now with the help of some folks at the pistol range as everyone seems anxious and excited to give it a try.
I bought the DB9 to replace my Ruger LCP for a conceal carry weapon. This is not really a range toy so I just wanted to get some rounds through it to cycle it in, get to know the ins and outs of the pistol, and to become more proficient with it. To me it is not really more or less enjoyable to shoot than the LCP, but overall I would say it is very snappy. A few of the other guys who tried it out said they couldn't wait to get through the mag of 6 and that it felt more like 12 or 18, but I don't see that much difference in my hand discomfort with either the LCP or DB9. I did buy a Hogue grip for mine made for the pocket pistols on the market and it fits and looks great in my opinion. I haven't shot it since adding the grip however. Here's with the Hogue Grip installed:
The first day out I shot through 2 boxes of Federal 9mm target ammo.
It shot the 100 rounds with 5 jams. One of the jams was the most severe in that an unfired round was jammed in the barrel and I had to use my knife to pull it out. Wasn't too hard to do but the biggest criticism I have is that there is no way to lock the slide back on the pistol. It takes some getting used to to clear a jam such as the one I mentioned. The other 4 jams resulted in an improper feed and can be seen here. Merely pulling back the slide helped to refeed the bullet in these cases.
Although at first I blamed the gun for not being broken in, I believe now I was limp-wristing the shots. I have never had that problem, even with my G27, but I was able to correct the problem on the second day at the range when putting another 50 rounds of the Federal ammo downrange by changing my grip. A gentleman that was at the range helped me diagnose and fix the issue. I didn't catch his name so sorry for that. I will say that of the other 4 people who shot a mag through the DB9 over the 2 days, it had zero jams for them.
On the first day, I also shot a box of Winchester JHP 9mm ammo through the DB9 as well. It didn't have any problems running the hollow point. I also shot about 12 rounds of Hornaday Critical Defense through it as well with no jams.
The sights on the DB9 are much better than any of the pocket 380 that I have owned or looked at. There may be some others with adjustable and replaceable night sights but certainly not all. Diamondback did a good job with the sights in my opinion.
I wasn't a crack shot with it yet, but I could at least hit the paper from 8 yards on the pistol range.
and
Overall I am very pleased with the quality and performance of the DB9. I agree with other reviews that I have read in that the slim fit of the DB9 makes it most uncomfortable to shoot, but that is the main selling point for me in the comfort of the conceal carry ability of the pistol. There also aren't many aftermarket products for them yet, so the availability of magazines and holsters is still limited. And last, the lettering on the slide itself is not really as deep as I think it should be, so the lettering isn't as defined as what I'd like to see or what you'd see on other firearms.
I find that it is just as easily carried and concealed as the LCP with the DB9 overall slide being only 1/2 inch longer and it being actually a bit thinner.
I'll try to give a further update after I've carried it for a while and shot it more with a continued variety of ammo.
Thanks,
S4F
Thanks for sharing and congrats on your new pistol!
