Have Diamondback DB380's gotten any better? looking at one for $188

[brianm767]

Out here in Utah visiting my daughter, we were looking for a pocket pistol for her and her husband.

She handled the LCP as well as the non laser Bodyguard 380, there about $300 -$310 out here with the S&W coming with two mags versus the one Ruger mag, she prefers the feel of the S&W.


We also handled the diamondback DB380, she also really liked the feel of it as well, I told her that pistol has had some issues in the past and I'm not sure there been worked out yet, told her id recomend one of the others, which shhe agrees, but I have to admit, it felt pretty good to me as well, better than I remembered it did when I first handled it when they first came out.

Here's the kicker,the DB380 is $188 here, im tempted to buy her one just so we can play with it and see what we think, even if we buy the Bodyguard as her EDC.

So heres the question, and the only reason for the post,have DB pistols gotten any better, how's their CS?

Daughter is going to try to shoot all 3 at range soon, but for those who are concerned " no, not buying the DB as her carry gun" but she wants to shoot it, please stick to the question.

[brianm767]

A self defense tool seems like a weird place to cut corners, save pennies, or take a chance.

That's exactly why we will get the LCP or BG as her carry gun, as mentioned in the post, but just asking the question, have the DB'S gotten better?

Not sure if you recall, but the LCP's had initial issues and were recalled, and the BG also had issues, but now their looked at as being 100%
reliable,

[jb octane]

Which generation were you looking at? I would stay away from Gen 1's but Gen 2's seem to be doing much better. I did a lot of research on them and found any problems were uncommon and usually fixed with a single trip back to the manufacturer instead of 3.




Not that you are asking anything beyond all that but it wouldn't be a forum if I didn't add my own thoughts. I looked at all the little .380's and decided to go with the Taurus TCP. Based on the LCP, TCP, Bodyguard, and DB380 Gen 2 having at least equal reliability the thing that set the TCP apart was the trigger. Not in the sense that it was just easier to shoot, but because I enjoyed it more and that means I train with it more.

[NorcalGSG]

The current LCP is pretty nice to shoot for its size, and is about 3 times better than the first ones due to the trigger upgrade. I haven't heard of longevity problems, either. I have no experience with the DB.

[brianm767]

Which generation were you looking at? I would stay away from Gen 1's but Gen 2's seem to be doing much better. I did a lot of research on them and found any problems were uncommon and usually fixed with a single trip back to the manufacturer instead of 3.




Not that you are asking anything beyond all that but it wouldn't be a forum if I didn't add my own thoughts. I looked at all the little .380's and decided to go with the Taurus TCP. Based on the LCP, TCP, Bodyguard, and DB380 Gen 2 having at least equal reliability the thing that set the TCP apart was the trigger. Not in the sense that it was just easier to shoot, but because I enjoyed it more and that means I train with it more.

Honestly I dont know what gen they were , LGS had stacks of new ones as well as well as the the DB9'S, those were $228.

They didn't have the TCP in stock to play with,but said they may have one this week,there is a like new one 50 rd count three month old one in local classifieds for $190.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I will be forever mystified why folks gravitate toward tiny hide out pistols that are more difficult to shoot and have stiffer recoil than a larger pistol. A decent holster solution can conceal almost anything these days.

[Tovarish]

I will be forever mystified why folks gravitate toward tiny hide out pistols that are more difficult to shoot and have stiffer recoil than a larger pistol. A decent holster solution can conceal almost anything these days.

It's for a woman. And it depends on what you wear. You know that.

OP, if she doesn't like the LCP, she should look at the brand new Beretta Pico and the old, heavy, rock-solid NAA Guardian.

Personally I'd stay away from the Diamondback unless it really seems to fit your needs better than the others. And I'd also stay away from the Kahr and Kel-Tec options. All of them have had quality control issues at some point in time. You will never hear a statement like that about the LCP or the NAA. As for the TCP, Bodyguard, and Pico, I don't know enough about them but there has certainly been positive talk about the TCP lately.

[brianm767]

I will be forever mystified why focurious if theve vitate toward tiny hide out pistols that are more difficult to shoot and have stiffer recoil than a larger pistol. A decent holster solution can conceal almost anything these days.

Well first your assuming we don't alreadyhave " a larger pistol" and second to understand why, you need to understand that every one is different, and many will have different opinions or thoughts than you may.
I'm glad a full size works for you for all ocasions, but for my self, I don't want to carry full size 100% of the time, and neither does my daughter. I have full size Sig to carry, mid size PM9 and I finish it off with a LCP, my daughter has a full size M&P9 , mid size Kahr P9 so now she's looking for a pocket pistol, some times depending on the clothing or other factors, I as well as her like to have the option of throwing a pistol in our pocket and heading out.

I don't see how there are those who can carry a full size 100% of the time. I mean when I'm at the coast in shorts a T-shirt and flops, I don't want to carry a full size, but that's just me and I understand there are those who will carry a full size at the beach.

Aldo let me clarify. We will not buy the DB as her carry gun, just curious if theve made improvements, but for $188 I did consider getting her family one to play with and try out.

As far as Kahrs goes,we are Kahr fans, we've had many and have had zero issues, maybe lucky, but my PM9 ,third one, her P9 and my P380 have been flawless.

[jimsguns]

Everything I've read/ seen still point to the Gen 2's as jam-a-matics. Neat guns but not well executed.

[qufennans]

A self defense tool seems like a weird place to cut corners, save pennies, or take a chance.

[brianm767]

A self defense tool seems like a weird place to cut corners, save pennies, or take a chance.

Thanks for that, I agree, do you have any input on the post question?

[brianm767]

Everything I've read/ seen still point to the Gen 2's as jam-a-matics. Neat guns but not well executed.

Yah if that's the case that's too bad , its a nice little pistol, seems like by now with competent gun smiths they could have worked out their issues .

[Quiet]

Yah if that's the case that's too bad , its a nice little pistol, seems like by now with competent gun smiths they could have worked out their issues .

Well...
The DB-380 was the first firearm designed/made by Diamondback Firearms and transitioning from decades of fiberglass boat building to firearms, may take awhile to get the bugs worked out.

Also...
Being sued by Kahr Arms for patent infringement and losing the lawsuit, puts a damper on funds for product improvements/fixing bugs.

Internally...
Diamondback Firearms copied the Kahr Arms DAO trigger system (which prompted the afore mentioned lawsuit), so a gunsmith that knows how to work Kahr Arms pistols may have some success in working on the DB-380 & DB-9 series of pistols.

[morrcarr67]

Honestly I dont know what gen they were , LGS had stacks of new ones as well as well as the the DB9'S, those were $228.

They didn't have the TCP in stock to play with,but said they may have one this week,there is a like new one 50 rd count three month old one in local classifieds for $190.

I had a S&W Bodyguard 380 and sold it in favor of the Taurus 738TCP.

I'm a truck driver and stop at LGS all over the country. I have gotten to play with many of the different mouse guns on the market. The Taurus 738TCP by far has the best trigger of any of them. They also have a last round hold open for the slide.

I have never shot the DB but I was not very impressed with it in the store. They are now affiliated with Taurus but I've heard just for marketing up to a complete buy out of the company. If the later is true it should mean things will get better.

What ever you do stay away from the I/O Hellcat. This was probably the cheesiest of all the little 380's I got to handle.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD