Any experience here with the Gen 4 Diamondback DB9?

[Flashpoint]

So to begin with the unnecessary obligatory (for me) backstory, I had this fake book I wanted to hide a gun in. Unfortunately it's a small book. I found that the only thing that would fit in it was a NAA mini revolver or a micro 380 subcompact, until I came across the DB9. I really didn't want a 380, but this is a 9mm in the same size package. So I got one, a gen 3. I gave no thought at all to carrying it, but it came (used) with a hoster that could be used in a pocket or IWB. I've always wanted to carry appendix but I'm not in good enough shape for that, but I found that I can with the DB9. So I appendix carried it a few days and I like it. I'm seriously considering getting the gen 4 version which has some signifigant upgrades including a much better trigger and relegating this one back to the book.

The gen 3 has been 100% reliable for me and I expect no different from the gen 4. The biggest thing I think I lose is accuracy for longer shots, although I watched a guy on youtube run a line of pie plate size steel hangers from 10 to 50 yrds and hit all 5 with the first shot. I think the advantage of a much more accessble and quicker draw outweighs the longer range accuracy concern considering most gunfights are withn 7 yards and of those most are within 3 yards.

I realize these are inexpensive guns, but they appear to be quite reliable despite the internet hate generated by the early versions. My thinking on this is there are so many more factors involved including 99% me doing my part than the .01% or less of a gun malfunction.

Does this make sense or am I playing justify the new toy I want?

My Gen 3 DB9 in it's dedicated space:

 

[NCLivingBrit]

When I had one of the earlier revs it didn't like a couple of brands of 9mm, but was otherwise pretty reliable. It does demand a proper grip to stay that way though.

Shooting more than a couple of mags in a row from it was a bit rough though, the diamond plate texture started to try and wear through my skin pretty aggressively. Left me a touch sore.

 

[Beef15]

Better trigger how? Less breakable?

I have an early one and it has the best trigger pull I've felt on a tiny gun.

If they're actually more durable I'd pick up another. I find it accurate, and pretty easy to shoot, truly tiny and lightweight.

Things I don't like, RSA broke causing progressively worse jamming in the first 200 rounds. What really bugged me, manufacturer knew and had a fix (more material), but no recall, no advertised upgrade, nothing, not really okay for a tool people may depend on for their life. After that I don't doubt the web reports, so it almost never gets shot, they sacrificed too much durability for lightness.

 

[Flashpoint]

Better trigger how? Less breakable?

I have an early one and it has the best trigger pull I've felt on a tiny gun.

If they're actually more durable I'd pick up another. I find it accurate, and pretty easy to shoot, truly tiny and lightweight.

Things I don't like, RSA broke causing progressively worse jamming in the first 200 rounds. What really bugged me, manufacturer knew and had a fix (more material), but no recall, no advertised upgrade, nothing, not really okay for a tool people may depend on for their life. After that I don't doubt the web reports, so it almost never gets shot, they sacrificed too much durability for lightness.

The gen 3 I have now has a long da pull but the worst part is the reset is all the way back out. IMO it would be possible to short stroke in a panic. If you did it doesn't require racking the slide, etc. like some guns I've heard of, just release the trigger fully and go again.

The gen 4 has a great trigger with a short reset, and another improvement is it is now +p rated, although not being into S&M it is of little value to me.

 

[noway2]

My wife tried one and found it was both painful to shoot and unreliable. As you said, though, it could be operator contribution too. We’re talking about a small female with a bad wrist.

 

[Flashpoint]

My wife tried one and found it was both painful to shoot and unreliable. As you said, though, it could be operator contribution too. We’re talking about a small female with a bad wrist.

They are highly suceptable to limpwristing, being extremely small, thin, and light for the round. A very good grip has typically been mandatory, however this guy could not get a gen 4 to malfunction by limpwristing.

 

[BatteryOaksBilly]

Wellllll....had 2 through here...my experience is like the above posts....it would be a No Go here.

That said...it will be fine as long as it stays in that box.

 

[Flashpoint]

Wellllll....had 2 through here...my experience is like the above posts....it would be a No Go here.

That said...it will be fine as long as it stays in that box.

Thanks but two of what generation(s)? If they weren't at least gen 3 they aren't a useful data point for me.

 

[BatteryOaksBilly]

Thanks but two of what generation(s)? If they weren't at least gen 3 they aren't a useful data point for me.

Zero problem from this end...I love to see folks spend their money on whatever they want.

 

[Flashpoint]

So far we have 1 semi positive, 2 negative (1 of which likely shooter induced) reviews, and one factless condemnation. For all I know they may all reference the 1st or 2nd gen, different firearms than I asked about or own, and none of which address the firearm asked about in the title of the thread. About right for a gun forum, lol and not unexpected. I was hoping someone had the gen 4 though.

 

[NCFubar]

I shot one at a range fun day a couple years back … all I remember was it was a tiny thin grip that was not the most comfortable and having to adjust my grip every couple shots.

 

[Flashpoint]

I shot one at a range fun day a couple years back … all I remember was it was a tiny thin grip that was not the most comfortable and having to adjust my grip every couple shots.

Yep I've had that issue with some little guns. I have big hands but for some reason I seem to be able to hold on to this one.

 

[wk9k]

Ive had 4 different DB9s. Every one of them the trigger literally broke off within 100rds. Ive had 2 gen 1's, a gen 3, and a gen 4. I really wanted to like the DB9, the trigger pull was actually really nice, but all of them for me was a jam-o-matic. Failure to feed, stovepiping... And the parts where there was too much tension put on them in the trigger area needed to be reinforced, I dont know if it was from the shock of firing it that made the trigger break off in the same spots where the two "ears" of the trigger would break off on both sides and it being Such a small thin-ish MIM part. I also had a pin inside the rear cam block move out rendering the pistol to not be able to function, I took it apart, pushed the pin back in and it worked for a few shots then moved out of place again.

I was on the first Diamondback forum when they very first came out and posted pictures and contacted Diamondback a couple of times. Then I got to the point where I just gave up on them. They never changed anything in the internals that needed to be changed. All they did was make it look nicer on the outside.YMMV

 

[Radar]

I had an early Gen 3 DB9 and kept it about 6 weeks before it left here. The trigger bar broke and had to be replaced. Once it was fixed it was gone. I did like the relatively small size of it for CCW but I wouldn’t trust my life to it after the trigger breaking.

 

[noway2]

I did like the relatively small size of it for CCW but I wouldn’t trust my life to it after the trigger breaking.

If you want small size I would go with a sig P938. Though it is small, the recoil is surprisingly gentle.

 

[Radar]

If you want small size I would go with a sig P938. Though it is small, the recoil is surprisingly gentle.

The Glock 43 fits that duty perfectly for me.

 

[BatteryOaksBilly]

Ive had 4 different DB9s. Every one of them the trigger literally broke off within 100rds. Ive had 2 gen 1's, a gen 3, and a gen 4. I really wanted to like the DB9, the trigger pull was actually really nice, but all of them for me was a jam-o-matic. Failure to feed, stovepiping... And the parts where there was too much tension put on them in the trigger area needed to be reinforced, I dont know if it was from the shock of firing it that made the trigger break off in the same spots where the two "ears" of the trigger would break off on both sides and it being Such a small thin-ish MIM part. I also had a pin inside the rear cam block move out rendering the pistol to not be able to function, I took it apart, pushed the pin back in and it worked for a few shots then moved out of place again.

I was on the first Diamondback forum when they very first came out and posted pictures and contacted Diamondback a couple of times. Then I got to the point where I just gave up on them. They never changed anything in the internals that needed to be changed. All they did was make it look nicer on the outside.YMMV

He's not gonna like this^^^^^^He already decided......was looking for affirmation.... 🙋‍

 

[wk9k]

He's not gonna like this^^^^^^He already decided......was looking for affirmation.... 🙋

Lol : D yea didnt mean to burst his bubble. Like I said I *really* wanted to like it.... But I wouldn't buy another one unless they made a gen 5 and I heard the word on Diamonbackforum.com that they beefed up the trigger and upgraded the other internal parts that have been major problems...

 

[Flashpoint]

Thanks so much everyone for the related experiences. That's why I love this place. I was ready to give the gen 4 a try but hearing about all the repeated trigger failures (including the gen 4) I've decided against it. I didn't hear about broken triggers on Youtube, but most of those reviews are on brand new guns. Again nothing beats the real word experiences of the CFF brain trust!

Billy you were right about me not liking what I read, but if I had made up my mind I'd already have one! The gen 3 will live in it's box and serve the role it was purchased for.

 

[wk9k]

Thanks so much everyone for the related experiences. That's why I love this place. I was ready to give the gen 4 a try but hearing about all the repeated trigger failures (including the gen 4) I've decided against it. I didn't hear hear about broken triggers on Youtube, but most of those reviews are on brand new guns. Again nothing beats the real word experiences of the CFF brain trust!

Billy you were right about mye not liking what I read, but if I had made up my mind I'd already have one! The gen 3 will live in it's box and serve the role it was purchased for.

About how many rounds have you ran through your gen 3?

 

[Flashpoint]

About how many rounds have you ran through your gen 3?

Not that many, only shot it once. I'd say about 30 mixed FMJ and SD. No issues. It's a used gun, have no idea how many have been down the pipe.

 

[wk9k]

I wonder if the previous owner had a problem with it internal malfunction /something breaking and they sent it in to get it fixed then sold it off, who knows...

See if anything happens if/when you fire a hundred or few hundred rounds. I absolutely would not carry it though.