As of January 7, the anti-gun team of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have officially won the White House. When you add in how your vision is altered by body alarm response in a self-defense encounter, a lot of subcompact pistol sights are functionally useless. I also like the sights better on the DB9. Reliable and compact, the updated DB9 pistol is worth considering if you need a subcompact pistol for very discreet carry. When we started testing the Diamondback DB9 pistols, the company was relatively young and ventured into the single stack, pocket 9 market where the competition wasn’t tight. Original SIG pistols are in high demand and aftermarket accessories are plentiful. Thanks for taking the time to read the article and comments! Some people carry wallets that are thicker than this pistol. The CW9 has a longer grip so it feels a little better in the hand. It looks better too. This makes field stripping and assembly much easier. Thanks for the review, I recently purchased a Gen 4 to replace a less than reliable Kahr P380. If your arthritis has made it very hard to shoot some of these smaller guns, I highly recommend looking at the Smith & Wesson M&P380EZ series of pistols. Actually, they are possibly the best factory 3-dot sights on any subcompact pistol currently on the market. Let me tell you. With that, keep in mind that the recoil spring is super stout on this palm-sized pocket pistol, especially when over a full magazine, and you must go about charging a DB9 with your game face on. Besides, a 9mm you will carry with you is worth more in real terms than a heavier or bulkier one you leave at home, right? Texturing is on the front and rear of the frame in the grip area. The Wilson Combat WCP320 Carry is one of the best 9mm pistols I’ve reviewed. I did a review of one of the fancier versions of the gun here: https://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/gun-reviews/smith-wesson-performance-center-mp380-ez-shield-review/ However, the basic guns offer most of the same benefits and are just as reliable. In fact, few of the “major” players were in this space. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 SAFETY INFORMATION 2 DB380 PARTS LIST 6 DB9 PARTS LIST 9 DBAM2 PARTS LIST 10 LOADING AND FIRING DB380/DB9 12 ... Due to potential cyclical problems involving recoil energy, Diamondback Firearms The size difference isn’t much, but it feels much better. but always wished it had a slide “ lock-back”…. All Rights Reserved, Related Spec-Check: Comparing the Diamondback DB9 Against Other Common Carry Guns, Gun Review: Diamondback DB9 Gen 4 After 3 Months & 1,000 Rounds. Now, I’m taking a look at the GEN 4 pistol and comparing it to the original. Great review bro, honestly one of the best I’ve read. Ftf .fte .I couldn’t clear the round on the chamber. Have owned the older DB-9…. Should you decide to purchase something from one of those companies, I make a small commission. As I shot round after round, that portion of my hand became tender from the repeated impacts. For at least five years, there’s been a battle among gun makers to see who can make the smallest, lightest, easiest to conceal 9mm handgun. Thanks again for reading. I have a gen 2 model . TALON Grips for Diamondback DB9 Gen 1. Such an issue is overcome by locking open the empty pistol and inserting a full magazine, then releasing the slide. The question is “what optics are compatible for a Springfield Hellcat OSP?” Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. One is to check out the recently released 9mm version of the S&W M&P EZ series. Diamondback DB9FS Full Size DAO 9mm 4.75" 15+1 Poly Grip Poly Frame Black. (Do note that in a real, adrenaline-filled defensive situation, there is not much felt recoil!) After several trips to the range, we can confirm this is a great gun. OK, it’s no Sig Sauer of which I am a big fan. It is less than 0.9″ wide and holds 6 rounds in a magazine. Thank you for the professional review. The closest thing I had to a malfunction in over 1K rounds fired was short stroking the slide on two occasions during loading drills with a closed slide. These loads were a heavy mix of hollow point and practice loads, both standard velocity and +P. The other (and my personal preference) is to buy the Taurus G2C which is a better pistol than the ones previously mentioned and one you can buy for under $170 in several places. Of course, Diamondback doesn’t cover anything you try to fix and make worse. Steve. This puts it a hair larger than “mouse gun” semi-autos in .22LR, .32ACP and .380 Auto, but more than, say a J-frame .38. The micro-framed DB9 Gen 4, with an unloaded weight of just 13.4-ounces, while maintaining a 3.1-inch stainless steel barrel that gives an overall length of 5.73-inches, is described by Diamondback as the “smallest and lightest” 9mm on the market. Performance measured with a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph at an approximate distance of 15' from the muzzle of the pistol. The Sig Sauer p320 X5 Legion has been on the market for a little while now. That’s probably the best word I can use to describe the sights on the DB9 GEN 4 pistol. Was origonally looking at the db9, now I may reconsider. Is super slim and no heavy at all. I wear a leather vest that has two internal pockets, one on each side and the pockets are cut vertically on the edge oh each side of the vest, so the the question for you and your expertise is the following; would a pocket holster work on this kind of pockets? I got a new barrel for it from Diamondback , which seems to be a common cause of the problem, but it made no difference. Although extended use can beat your hand up, in return you get an extremely concealable handgun. Whether it was at the gym or kayaking offshore, the DB9 was an easy companion that gave peace of mind– even in pocket carry without taking up room in clothing options that were outside the norm. I can carry it. The original handgun hit the market about 10 years ago, and I had a chance to review one then. I’m quite pleased with this change. As for some of the drawbacks of this handgun: The Gen3s tend to FTF or FTE when new out of the box and when held lightly in the hand during firing. It could be considered an alternative to the classic J-frame for pocket carry. If a gun is not reliable, it is not suitable for use in personal protection. If you have any questions about this disclosure, or if you have some thoughts on my DB9 GEN 4 review, please leave them in the comments section below. $21.99 $ 21. It shoots very low, like I have to put the front blade on top of the back sights to get a proper elevation. 40% off. Great review! What might draw a lot of people in is the low price tag: only $661 at full retail. (Click here to see all of Markel’s handgun reviews.). The DB9 was great for “gym carry” and other activities where you may find yourself sans belt but still with pockets. Note: SAAMI, the industry entity that sets cartridge standards, has a specific range of pressures deemed safe for a 9mm +P rating. Shot out the bullseye at 7 yds. It shoots basically the same as its larger brother the G2C which was also true for the prior 2nd Gen guns it replaced: PT709 ->G2S and PT111 ->G2C. I received no money or other compensation for this review. I have heard the new gen 4 is better, but if you follow their forums which i do, its still a crap shoot but the odds have improved. But they are also great guns for civilians. Alternatively, it being hard to access makes fast reloads difficult. During an extended shooting session, this can become uncomfortable quickly. This model has a 3.1' barrel and a black polymer frame and black nitride stainless steel slide. It is relatively small at just 5.7″ long and 4″ tall with a flush fitting magazine. It could be considered an alternative to the classic J-frame for pocket carry.The original handgun hit the market about 10 years ago, and I had a chance to review one then. FWIW, G42 & G43 front and rear sight are fully compatible with the gen4 DB9. I carry this in a pants pocket, and it is so light that, after a while, I forget it is even there. sights – This is another huge improvement for the pistol. I have one of these and love it so far. This magazine is compatible with Diamondback DB9 Gen 4 pistol models which are chambered in 9mm Luger and hat magazine will holds 6 cartridges. However, if you plan on shooting an advanced pistol class with the DB9, you will feel it. In short, if you can carry a wallet or mobile device, you can pocket carry a DB9 comfortably. During the subsequent years, Diamondback introduced a variety of pistols and rifles. If a gun is over 4-inches in height or over an inch thick, you can hang it up for pocket carry– or deep carry for that matter. See what we did there? The second, and important thing is to break a new DB9 in with a few hundred rounds, and keep the slide well-oiled. Many people carry a 5-shot .38 Special in a front pocket due to its ease of carry and concealment. The new DB9 variant has a generous amount of take up followed by a short, but heavier pull. The maximum width is 0.89-inches. The trigger is one of the best. Unfortunately, I've found that the stock Diamondback DB9 magazine springs lose some of their strength over a few months of use and a perfectly good magazine can all of a sudden become a dud. Only problem was shooting HST 124 gr +p; the recoil caused the magazine to release after the last shot. The Gen4 version is my favorite of the bunch. Diamondback may have tried the impossible with this gun because we didn’t find the DB9 to be reliable or accurate. The Diamondback DB9 micro-compact pocket-9 looks revolutionary but looks can often be deceiving. How well do you think the Kahr CM9 compares? The micro-framed DB9 Gen 4… Great review. I looked at several reviews online before ordering it and they all seemed positive for the Gen 4. I have become so enamored with the DB9 that I have seven Gen3s and ten Gen4s in my inventory. I hope it makes the difference, if not … oh well still the best carry gun. Not a problem, we offer gift certificates in any amount to suit your needs. But it failed miserably. Able to be stored almost anywhere or worn with almost anything north of a banana hammock without printing, Diamondback’s palm-sized 9mm works across the board as a self-defense handgun in several situations. Mine ran great and it sounds like yours is as well. I have shot the Db9 a good number of times, and agree with your “narrowness” thought. DIAMONDBACK FIREARMS, LLC 3400 Grissom Pkwy. Definitely. Make sure you get a good feel of it in the store so you know what you are getting. If you have fired the Ruger LCP then can you discuss the similarities or differences in felt recoil? A couple of weeks ago I posted a blog entry about using a trimmed Kel Tec PF9 spring in place of the stock DB9 spring. You shouldn’t have to shoot a lot of rounds through a gun to improve a trigger, but I’ve had several guns that have improved with shooting. The original DB9 had tiny sights that were difficult to use. But certainly the 4 is the worst product you have produced. My other round choices are the Federal HST micro, Hornaday Critical Defense and the Fiocchi XTP (that uses the same XTP bullet as Hornaday at half the cost).. To obtain warranty work you would need to have a proof of purchase and there may be some handling charges you would be responsible for. If you have large hands, the gun probably won’t fit very well. Awesome review, touched on almost every question I would have regarding this model. Note the front and rear slide serrations and fenced slide stop lever. Throw in a sub-$270 price tag and a lifetime warranty, and you get one of the best values in defensive pistols on the market today. The DB9 GEN 4 offers a number of significant improvements over the original including the ability to run 9mm +P ammunition, the addition of a slide stop and much larger sights that are Glock base compatible. trigger – According to the company, the newer pistol has an “improved trigger pull and shorter reset.” I’m a bit mixed on the newer gun’s pull. The best price for diamondback db9 for sale online. It has my EDC and in my soft leather holster it is almost like it’s not there. The DB9 Gen 4 proved perfectly reliable with more than 10 different 9mm loads. The Nemesis works well, is durable and is affordable. I send it back. The Springfield Armory SAINT offers a high-value, no-frills-required AR-15 platform. I found both to be good shooters and reliable. recoil spring assembly – The GEN 4 pistol uses a captive recoil spring. So what. This style sight is what many aftermarket companies are moving toward because of its efficiency. Stay in the know. MAG DBF DB9 GEN4 9MM 6RD W/FLAT BTTM $ 17.29 (0) Desantis Gunhide N38BJZ3Z0 Nemesis Black Slick Pack Cloth $ 17.36. In my view, one of the key measurements on this pistol is its thickness. Save big on a new diamondback db9. While you can fire 50 or 100 rounds at a time through the DB9, after that you are just kind of beating yourself around. The DB9 stacks up a skosh bigger than the mouse guns out there, while coming in smaller– and slimmer– than a snub-nosed .38 and way shorter than compact 9mms. The slide, also made of stainless steel, has deep serrations on the front and rear for a positive grasp. It seems that every company offers a single-stack, subcompact 9mm pistol today. Compare prices from more than 30+ gun stores. The only thing I didn’t like was that the thinness of the backstrap directs recoil into a narrow slice of the hand. All of them ran flawlessly. Diamondback DB9 G4 Stainless / Black 9mm 3" Barrel 6-Rounds - $299.99 DB9 G4 Features Diamondback Firearms is proud to present the DB9 G4, a micro-compact 9mm pistol made entirely in the USA. Consequently, I’ve had a number of emails come in from readers who are looking for the best self-defense pistol on a budget. Most, if not all, of the above negative comments are not true of my DB9 gen4. Diamondback DB9 Gen4 specs… The 9mm DB9 is 2.8 ounces heavier (unloaded eight for both guns), .29 inches taller, .56 inches longer, and .14 inches thicker at its widest point. There are, for sure, drawbacks to such a carry technique. Same problem here plus it drops the magazine and of course, stops firing. Just a few years ago, that wasn’t the case. With the GEN 4, Diamondback includes serious combat sights on the gun and has used Glock-style bases to allow for a broad range of upgrades if desired. The reset is relatively short. Reset is much shorter in the GEN 4 model, so you do not need to let the trigger go fully out before pulling it again. Making it Plus P is no advantage if the trigger is horrible. Actually, I prefer my Gen 1 to the 3 or 4. The DB9 ate a wide-array of ammo from various manufacturers including both FMJ and JHP loads. I bought a gen4 last week and shot it yesterday. I’ve had so many poor experiences with Taurus (one example: TAURUS SPECTRUM REVIEW: NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME ) that I’m hesitant to spend any money or time on reviewing its guns. The larger sights, ability to run +P ammunition and the inclusion of a slide stop combine to make this the best DB9 yet. With the standard features, the gun seems like a great […], While single-stack 9mm pistols seem to be all the rage in modern concealed carry, subcompact pistols that hold a bit more ammunition shouldn’t be dismissed by anyone interested in personal protection. However, this is the tradeoff for having a defensive pistol that can disappear in a pocket. However, the original DB9 did not have one. This magazine is a standard factory replacement magazine for DB9 Gen 4 pistols. Thank you for your comments. I am eager to try it out as I like the .380 ACP version (see my review of the Performance Center version here: SMITH & WESSON PERFORMANCE CENTER M&P380 EZ SHIELD REVIEW ) but much prefer the 9mm cartridge over the .380 ACP for self-defense. Of these, my top choice is the DeSantis Nemesis. The DB9 Gen 4 is a pocket-sized 9mm single stack that has evolved from a decade of Diamondback’s experience with the platform and makes a good … In contrast, the GEN 4 slide doesn’t need nearly as much strength to properly manipulate. If you have large hands, this gun will seem tiny. This also lends well to use as a BUG to a larger handgun. The DB9 GEN 4 is a polymer-framed 9mm subcompact pistol. The links do not change your purchase price. I own a CM9 but have shot the CW9 also. MODEL: DB9 SLIDE: Stainless Steel CALIBER: 9 x 19mm CAPACITY: 6+1 rounds OVERALL LENGTH: 5.73″ OVERALL WIDTH: .9” OVERALL HEIGHT (Flush Mag): 4.00″ OVERALL HEIGHT (Extended Mag): 4.51″ WEIGHT (Empty Flush Mag): 13.4 oz. Plus, did we mention they are American-made and only run about $225 bucks? Smooth all the way through with no stacking. I’ve used various sizes of the Nemesis for all kinds of pocket guns including my 642 and Kahr CM9. Take down and cleaning is a snap. I envision this as a potential replacement for the J-frame revolver. Diamondback uses a wide U-shaped rear sight that allows for quick sighting in a defensive situation. This fixed my problem! [Related Spec-Check: Comparing the Diamondback DB9 Against Other Common Carry Guns]. Thank you for posting this review, I found your review to be very informative and now I am going to go to the gun store and purchase one. With an empty magazine, the gun weighs 13.4 ounces. I’ve tested all three of these guns plus the Kel-Tec P3AT and others. ... and I have owned 4 or 5 Kahrs. You can read that here. Glock 17s are trusted by law enforcement and militaries around the world. Required fields are marked *. 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