[Paulskj]

Well, it's been awhile and I can't get in to my old account . . .
I just picked up this for my 66th a couple weeks ago. A Diamondback SDR .357 Mag in bright stainless steel. Two inch barrel with a 45 degree target crown, 6 rounds, push button cylinder release, fiber optic sights and one of the smoothest DA triggers I have ever felt! I ordered it sight unseen and I'm impressed. View attachment 770813 View attachment 770814 View attachment 770816 View attachment 770817 View attachment 770820 View attachment 770819

It's a cross between a J Frame and a Kimber K6X. At 21 ounces, it now unseats the Kimber as "the lightest 6 shot revolver. "
I was able to get 50 rounds off last week very quickly. The first 36 were DA only at a gong at 20 yards. Hits every time. The rest were also DA only at B-3 target at 10 yards and all were in the black. Fiocchi 158 fmj produced a stout but manageable recoil with a two handed combat grip.
I have a set of rosewood J Frame boot grips coming shortly just to dress it up.
Pics of a S&W 340PD and a Ruger SP101 357 for size comparison, both are, of course, 5 shot revolvers.

Loaded to full potential .357 has noticeable recoil in 3" k frame. I can't imagine shooting one of those J frame sized revolvers with short grips using Federal 154gr HST. I suppose 😬

 

[AZ9fan]

Loaded to full potential .357 has noticeable recoil in 3" k frame. I can't imagine shooting one of those J frame sized revolvers with short grips using Federal 154gr HST. I suppose 😬

A quick story on the S&W 340PD pictured for comparison . . . It weighs 11.5 ounces.

I bought it from an elderly man years ago at a gun show. He had bought it the previous day and took it directly to the range where he proceeded to shoot less than the full 5 shots in .357. He had tried to "get his money back" from the vendor and when they offered 50% of what he had paid he became enraged. I was standing there and offered $50 more than they did and he took it and stormed out. (we had to go to an off-site parking lot to seal the deal) While we were doing that he showed me his very visible bruised hand. He was in his mid to late seventies.
The following day I took my new prize to the gun shop/range where I worked and of course loaded up with 125 gr Federal JHP. Took my 5 shots . . . Never shot .357 out of it again.

 

[Crooked Creek]

A quick story on the S&W 340PD pictured for comparison . . . I bought it from an elderly man years ago at a gun show. He had bought it the previous day and took it directly to the range where he proceeded to shoot less than the full 5 shots in .357. He had tried to "get his money back" from the vendor and when they offered 50% of what he had paid he became enraged. I was standing there and offered $50 more than they did and he took it and stormed out. (we had to go to an off-site parking lot to seal the deal) While we were doing that he showed me his very visible bruised hand. He was in his mid to late seventies.
The following day I took my new prize to the gun shop/range where I worked and of course loaded up with 125 gr Federal JHP. Took my 5 shots . . . Never shot .357 out of it again.

Yep, the beauty of hand loading, everything does not have to be 'Ruger only' level!

 

[AZ9fan]

That is nice, congrats and happy birthday. So, are you saying that Smith J- frame grips fit the Diamondback? If so, what a plus with all the selection available. BTW, love the recessed cylinder, another 'touch of class'! And, the six shots and push button cylinder removal...neat!
I have a a couple of J-frames and a Kimber K6S DASA and a bobbed K-frame snubby.
This could make me want to add to the snubby family...thanks for posting.

P.S. I think I'm 'smelling' a 9MM moon clip switch cylinder coming in the accessory column!

YUP! takes J Frame grips so I am expecting a new set of Altamont grips in rosewood today. The trigger guard is slightly larger so it didn't fit into the intended J frame holster, but it was too loose in the Ruger SP101 holster . . .

I'm glad you brought up the recessed cylinder and the push button cylinder release. Diamondback's website does show a 9mm version so I will be reaching out to them later this week to see about the availability of a 9mm conversion cylinder, as well as what holster they show in their video. This gun needs a nice leather OWB.

Here's another kicker . . . the list price is $821, about $200 less than Kimber's offerings. Mine was $625 + tax. I had been considering a 640 Pro and in another league a Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp edition 7 shot, both in the $1k range. A half hour later while buying ammo elsewhere I bought a KelTec Gen 3 Sub 2000 for $400, something I had been thinking about for over a year. The guys in Cocoa FL got some of my money. I used to live and work in that county for years.

Diamondback has some inexpensive 9mm and .380 ACP offerings that were "not in the same league" as this revolver IMHO. And if I am correct the original parent company makes some great airboats.

 

[Crooked Creek]

I'll be interested in the response on the extra 9MM cylinder. You know Taurus has had that combo for a while, though lower end, I'm sure. Don't be surprised if Diamondback says factory fitting is required for the cylinder. Though, today's 'precise' machining capabilities may make that sort of requirement 'a thing of the past'....here's hoping!
An aside, I bought a TK Custom 'spring/firing pin' kit for my Kimber. Haven't installed it yet because I have an 'issue' where 'something' is hanging up the single and double action movements, the cylinder 'locks up' on the hand. I have to resolve that first! But, that spring kit is supposed to be a 'major improvement', can't wait!

 

[AZ9fan]

I'll be interested in the response on the extra 9MM cylinder. You know Taurus has had that combo for a while, though lower end, I'm sure. Don't be surprised if Diamondback says factory fitting is required for the cylinder. Though, today's 'precise' machining capabilities may make that sort of requirement 'a thing of the past'....here's hoping!
An aside, I bought a TK Custom 'spring/firing pin' kit for my Kimber. Haven't installed it yet because I have an 'issue' where 'something' is hanging up the single and double action movements, the cylinder 'locks up' on the hand. I have to resolve that first! But, that spring kit is supposed to be a 'major improvement', can't wait!

I saw that Taurus too but . . .
I'm sure it would have to return to Diamondback, I have a NAA Pug that I was considering getting the 22LR cylinder for but never got around to it.
Do you make it over to the Kimber forums? Your K6S may have to return to the mother ship for a tweaking. Apparently they're pretty good about it.

 

[Crooked Creek]

I saw that Taurus too but . . .
I'm sure it would have to return to Diamondback, I have a NAA Pug that I was considering getting the 22LR cylinder for but never got around to it.
Do you make it over to the Kimber forums? Your K6S may have to return to the mother ship for a tweaking. Apparently they're pretty good about it.

I've 'Googled' the problem and found 'cylinder lockup' is not all that uncommon. I bought it used, so any 'warranty coverage' is out the window. That is one reason I have not put the TK kit in yet...if I have to send back to Kimber, they would likely remove the $60 kit and put 'factory' stuff back in. I can see what's locking it up when I have the side plate off, but with plate on it still does it. Strange thing is, it didn't do it when I first got the gun, coming only after a bunch of double action dry firing sessions in front of the TV. That should not have caused it.
Though not a member there, I have visited the Kimber Forum a number of times...maybe I should join.

 

[toxophilus]

Broke in a new to me K6s, handled everything from 125 to 180 gr loads just fine

 

[lightstar_actual]

Broke in a new to me K6s, handled everything from 125 to 180 gr loads just fine

Initial thoughts on the weapon? Workmanship and ergos.

 

[toxophilus]

Initial thoughts on the weapon? Workmanship and ergos.

• Beautifully crafted, fit & workmanship is in my opinion was well done
• I dislike exposed back straps on a tool of this size so I swapped out the Altamont stocks with these which fill my hands better and provides cushion when firing stouter loads; no fatigue after the session with these stocks
• One of the loads I tested left excessive carbon on the front sight, I'll need to fill that sight with more paint so I can clean it off better with a brush that I have access to in my range bag
• I like that the front sight is replaceable and may do that in the future
• The trigger action is extremely smooth (I didn't detect any stacking), and you can stage it for more accuracy if you'd like
• Shooting/testing was done at 15yds:
  • Lighter weight boolits 125-130 gr impact about 3-4" low
  • My 148gr .357 mag wadcutter loads hit even with my point of aim when covering the target with the front sight
  • 180-185 gr loads impacted about 1/2 inch above the sights
    • I've got some 158gr handloads in the queue to test next as well as gaggle of 140gr loads which shoot well out of my other longer barreled .357s
  • Though I only shot two cylinders of .38spcl, it handles those with very minimal recoil
  • No issues with extraction of any of the rounds (fired about 200 rounds altogether). though the gun was pretty hot from constant use
  • I used strip loaders and the same 5 Star speed loaders that I use for my K6xs fit this as well as the Icon 2.0 holster

And that's all I've got to say about that... - Forrest Gump

 

[lightstar_actual]

• Beautifully crafted, fit & workmanship is in my opinion was well done
• I dislike exposed back straps on a tool of this size so I swapped out the Altamont stocks with these which fill my hands better and provides cushion when firing stouter loads; no fatigue after the session with these stocks
• One of the loads I tested left excessive carbon on the front sight, I'll need to fill that sight with more paint so I can clean it off better with a brush that I have access to in my range bag
• I like that the front sight is replaceable and may do that in the future
• The trigger action is extremely smooth (I didn't detect any stacking), and you can stage it for more accuracy if you'd like
• Shooting/testing was done at 15yds:
  • Lighter weight boolits 125-130 gr impact about 3-4" low
  • My 148gr .357 mag wadcutter loads hit even with my point of aim when covering the target with the front sight
  • 180-185 gr loads impacted about 1/2 inch above the sights
    • I've got some 158gr handloads in the queue to test next as well as gaggle of 140gr loads which shoot well out of my other longer barreled .357s
  • Though I only shot two cylinders of .38spcl, it handles those with very minimal recoil
  • No issues with extraction of any of the rounds (fired about 200 rounds altogether). though the gun was pretty hot from constant use
  • I used strip loaders and the same 5 Star speed loaders that I use for my K6xs fit this as well as the Icon 2.0 holster

And that's all I've got to say about that... - Forrest Gump

Buddy has one he's looking to sell, and I've been on the fence about picking it up for a couple of months. I appreciate the information and your time.

 

[Paulskj]

YUP! takes J Frame grips so I am expecting a new set of Altamont grips in rosewood today. The trigger guard is slightly larger so it didn't fit into the intended J frame holster, but it was too loose in the Ruger SP101 holster . . .

I'm glad you brought up the recessed cylinder and the push button cylinder release. Diamondback's website does show a 9mm version so I will be reaching out to them later this week to see about the availability of a 9mm conversion cylinder, as well as what holster they show in their video. This gun needs a nice leather OWB.

Here's another kicker . . . the list price is $821, about $200 less than Kimber's offerings. Mine was $625 + tax. I had been considering a 640 Pro and in another league a Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp edition 7 shot, both in the $1k range. A half hour later while buying ammo elsewhere I bought a KelTec Gen 3 Sub 2000 for $400, something I had been thinking about for over a year. The guys in Cocoa FL got some of my money. I used to live and work in that county for years.

Diamondback has some inexpensive 9mm and .380 ACP offerings that were "not in the same league" as this revolver IMHO. And if I am correct the original parent company makes some great airboats.

I hope its better than their pistols. I examined DB AM2, it was so bad I honestly thought it was broken. Not as bad as the used pos Charter Arms 9mm the needed to have trigger pulled once before cylinder could be released easily, but not promising either. Unlike the Charter Arms the DB revolver looks well-finished in pictures.

 

[AZ9fan]

I hope its better than their pistols. I examined DB AM2, it was so bad I honestly thought it was broken. Not as bad as the used pos Charter Arms 9mm the needed to have trigger pulled once before cylinder could be released easily, but not promising either. Unlike the Charter Arms the DB revolver looks well-finished in pictures.

Yup, I never liked their polymer pistol from the start and just about everyone can make a decent AR platform so I really didn't pay much attention . . . until I found this one. The write-ups were good, so here I am.

 

[Paulskj]

Yup, I never liked their polymer pistol from the start and just about everyone can make a decent AR platform so I really didn't pay much attention . . . until I found this one. The write-ups were good, so here I am.

The 9mm looks good, I don't bother with 2" barrel .38s because defensive ammo doesn't work in them and I don't want to rely on target wadcutters for defense.

 

[AZ9fan]

I got the new grips in the other night. Beautiful Altamont rosewood boot grips but then I got thinking . . . For full house Magnum maybe something a bit bigger. Altamont three finger in rosewood. These are keepers!

 

[AZ9fan]

The 9mm looks good, I don't bother with 2" barrel .38s because defensive ammo doesn't work in them and I don't want to rely on target wadcutters for defense.

Let me see if I can enlighten you . . .

In the last few years there has been huge developments in bullet designs and powders that go hand in hand with the rapid popularity of mini guns that actually work. "Back in the day" a small gun meant a snub nose revolver and three of the best loads were the FBI Load (158 gr LSWCHP +P) which met the FBI depth protocol of 12", the Treasury Load (Winchester +P+ 110 gr SJHP) and the old standby Federal Nyclad (125gr nylon clad standard pressure HP). But different burning powders that were more efficient, producing less muzzle flash and more power, coupled with better designed bullets like Gold Dot, HST, Ranger and the likes have propelled Snubbies back into the forefront of self defense choices. Bullets will penetrate to the 12" FBI minimum AND expand in upwards of twice their original diameter. Foot pounds of energy have also increased without the blinding muzzle flash of unburned powder as it exits the barrel, thus it's more efficient. Your statement of ".38 defensive ammo doesn't work in a 2" barrel" is incorrect. Here are 3 of the most popular .38 loads today with depth, expansion, and energy numbers from 2 inch barrels to examine. There are several more to consider . . .

See posts #617, 618, 619 and 620 for the current popular loads that I was referencing above. Check out those expansion and penetration stats!

 

[AZ9fan]

For the guy who said .38 defensive ammo won't work in a snubbie . . .

 

[AZ9fan]

Or this . . .

 

[AZ9fan]

Try these . . .

 

[AZ9fan]

From mild Hornady Lite to wild Winchester there are plenty of loads that penetrate and expand with enough foot pounds of energy to get the job done. 12.6 inches and .73 expansion (from .38) is pretty damn good.