My quest for a new concealed carry gun started almost as soon as I bought a Smith and Wesson M&P compact .40 for my wife. I loved it from the first time I fired it. Small but mighty, the M&P’s double-stacked magazine packs a lot of firepower. Carrying it, though, is another matter. The M&P is a real load in your pants. Well, let’s just say it’s heavy. I carried the Compact .40 with me on an extended trip and really wished I’d had a smaller firearm. Call me sensitive, but I found the thought of hauling that brick – even in a Smart Carry holster – a burden. My wife has a .38 Smith revolver that I carried regularly, but that left her without a carry gun. I needed one of my own.
I was a man on the verge of buying a Ruger LCP. But the thought of a 9mm carry gun in a .380-sized package intrigued me. Browsing through my favorite gun shop, I caught sight of the Diamondback DB9 resting comfortably in the display case. My eyes and her rear sights met and I found . . . white dots! They were a huge improvement over the rudimentary sights on my .38. I saved my nickels and dimes – a little under $400 worth – and made the Diamondback mine.
Overview
Unless you consider a Glock a post-modern masterpiece, the Diamondback isn’t what you’d call a looker. Still, the fit and finish is fine. The semi’s polymer receiver mates neatly with the slide; all the components are bug-in-a-rug snug. Compared to the Ruger LCP, the DB9 feels like a Swiss watch. The Diamondback’s design also seems cribbed from Gaston’s gun, particularly in how it breaks down.
The DB9 forgoes an external safety in favor of a revolver-like long, heavy trigger pull. To help keep the handgun affordable, the DB9′s slide doesn’t lock open when you’ve fired your last round. No worries. The Diamondback’s not a range gun. It’s an “emergency” firearm; a pocket nine that you shoot occasionally (to assure function and remain competent) and carry constantly.
The DB9 packs 6+1 cartridges into the slim size and small profile of a .380 compact. I have large hands; I can only get my middle and ring finger around the grip. I plan to buy an extended magazine giving me room for another digit and an extra round in the bargain.
While small, the gun’s black sights with white dots are much more useful than the rudimentary fixed sights you get on other compact semi-autos or lightweight revolvers. And the rear sights are adjustable for windage. Even so, I’d still be more comfortable carrying the DB9 with a Crimson Trace Laserguard. There’s nothing in that line yet, but I’ll be first in line when it is.
Shooting
As with any small carry pistol like the DB9, shooting the gun involves one major consideration: felt recoil. Many a shooter suffers buyer’s remorse after firing a perfectly-sized pocket rocket—especially when the caliber and grain count start to rise. Whether or not that interferes with accuracy or practice time is often a matter of experience, hand-size and pain tolerance.
But make no mistake, this is a tiny firearm. Firing the DB9 loaded with 115 grain FMJ and JHP 9mm rounds requires . . . commitment. That said, it’s not a wrist-breaker, either. The Diamondback DB9′s slide recoil system eats a lot of recoil energy. I fired 100 rounds through the gun – twice. It wasn’t like bare-handing baseballs. Shooters who don’t have experience with the recoil of a mini-9 may want to practice to become confident with this firearm. Or they may not.
Thanks to a combination of a stiff spring and a small slide, racking the Diamondback’s slide takes a firm grip and plenty of pull. Potential buyers should determine if they have the hand strength needed to reliably rack the slide. My wife was up to the task, but I bet an older friend of mine couldn’t manage it.
Finding the right diet for the DB9 takes a little doing; it’s Starkist-finicky about ammo. Fiocci JHPs were too long to allow the breach to close fully; the bullet wedged tight into the chamber sticking up the slide. I experienced the same problem with PMC FMJs.
Independence FMJs worked flawlessly for 100 rounds. Federal 115 grain JHP cycled just fine, too. Dropping a round into the chamber end of the barrel revealed that the problem ammo was sticking out a good deal further than the ammo the DB9 fed well.
Shooting Ergonomics
Test-firing the gun, I shot from a Weaver stance, then one-handed from both strong and weak sides. I limp-wristed a left-hand shot and was rewarded with a stoppage.
Meaty-handed people will want to mind how they grip the weapon. The DB9′s mini beavertail helps, but I still emerged from the range with a touch of slide-burn. Of course, slide burn would be the least of my worries if this gun is ever needed in an actual self-defense situation.
As stated above, the DB9′s trigger has a long and smooth pull. While the shoe itself feels a little on the cheap side, I can’t complain about function.
I was able to turn in respectable groups firing one-handed from both my left and right sides. The gun is jumpy enough that I needed to readjust my grip within a six-shot string, often after getting a bite from the slide. I also noticed that the tip of my finger would get a little snap; probably the meat of my finger getting a mild pinch between the end of the trigger and the trigger guard.
Accuracy
Like all the tiny 9s in its class, the DB9 is a close-range gun. While you won’t be using it on Top Shot to break plates at 25 yards, at 21 feet, this gun is quite accurate. Looking over my groups, I am “drooping” my shots. I might have been anticipating the DB9′s “sting” or just jerking the trigger. In any case, my silhouette says “tango down.” I was able to make consistent head shots. God forbid I ever need to.
Breakdown
Field-stripping the DB9 can be something of an adventure in frustration. Disassembly’s only slightly more intuitive than using a slide rule. I had a devil of a time with it until Big Al at Mid America Arms showed me his trick.
The DB9’s recoil spring is fairly stiff. The takedown detent is small and well-recessed. You drop the mag and clear the weapon, pull the trigger and move the slide back about half an inch up. If you pull it back too far, you’ll reset the striker. Wash, rinse, repeat–and not in a good way.
With the slide out of battery, you pull down the Diamondback DB9′s assembly catch, gripping it on both sides, letting the slide release forward. You’re done. Whew.
Cleaning the DB9 is a breeze. I only dropped the slide over the side of my table shooting the springy parts to the end of the range once. Thanks to the nice range officer at Sovereign Arms for his help.
Issues
Once I identified the ammo the Diamondback DB9 likes to cycle, the gun functioned beautifully. However . . . there are two retention pins above the trigger, one in front and one behind. After 50 rounds, the rear pin worked its way out on the right side of the gun. That can’t be good. I was able to push it back in place, but it walked its way out again after more range time.
Bottom Line
If the first rule of a gunfight is “bring a gun” – and it is – the Diamondback is a “First Rule” firearm. It’s not pretty but it delivers seven accurate rounds of serious caliber ammo in a pocket-size package with reasonable reliably.
For a shooter employing fair fundamentals, the DB9 can find center of mass all day long at seven yards. When I don’t feel like hitching up my gun-truss and packing a brick in my britches, the DB9’s size allows it to be carried discreetly. That means I’ll have it with me in situations I might not otherwise carry a gun. The DB9′s not perfection. But it’s a lot better than nothing.
- Capacity: 6+1 Rounds
- Weight: 11 Ounces
- Length: 5.60″
- Height: 4.00″ with mag
- Width: 0.80″
- Barrel Length: 3.00″
- Firing Mechanism: Striker Fire
- Trigger Pull: DAO
RATINGS (out of five stars)
Style * * *
This is not a beauty queen, it’s a working class firearm
Ergonomics * * *
A good grip is needed for accuracy, this is a little bitty gun, and it takes some effort to rack the slide and break it down.
Reliability * * *
Testing ammo is a must, If the cartridge is too long, it will jam the slide out of battery.
Customizable *
7 round mag and a Crimson Trace
Carry * * * * *
Small but mighty, with a holster looks like a wallet in your pocket. You’ll carry this.
Overall Rating * * * * *
This gun does what I want it to do, be small, trustworthy and powerful.
[Click here to watch Tim McNabb's video review of the Diamond Back DB9]
I don’t see 4 star reliability in this review. I have an LCR that I don’t like to practice with and so I’m looking for an alternative. Doesn’t sound like this is it.
So far from what I’ve been reading the PPS is still the one to beat?
Once I identified the ammo it liked, it worked just fine. This is not a SHTF gun, it’s too fussy about ammo – at least this one is.
I tried the Kahr Arms piece in the showroom. Nice firearm, and I am sure I would have been happy with it, but it was almost another 100 bucks. I am a Scot, after all. Same sort of issue with the Walther.
The Kahr C series are cheaper. $400 +/- 50.
Great firearms.
Don’t forget the Rohrbaugh R9. It’s spendy but it has NEVER not gone bang, and it’s accurate to boot. I put it in my back pocket with a pocket holster and it looks like a wallet. So, I get mugged, I reach for my “wallet”.
Most subcompact 9s are a hassle to break in, and none of them are much fun to shoot The DB9 will at least leave some room in your wallet for plenty of break-in ammo and range time. Unlike some other tiny 9s (cough Kimber cough.)
Not that this is news,.. but my Keltec PF9 had a light striking habit which ended after the first hundred or so rounds. Now it shoots anything. I’m sure the DB9 will work itself out.
I’m curious how it compares to the Keltec, though,… **hackcoughkeltecvsotherpocketninesreviewhackcough** ahem…
I’m curious as to how it compares to the Kel Tec and other previous 9mm pistols in terms of size.
As far as I’m concerned, when it comes to compact pistols anyway, there are three sizes of pistol: good pocket guns, borderline pocket guns, and NOT pocket guns. The LCP and its ilk fit into the first group; The Sig P238 fits into the second; Every single 9mm “pocket” pistol falls into the third. This includes offerings from Kahr*, Kel Tec, Ruger, and a few others.
For reference, the Kel Tec 9mm pistols I’ve seen were approximately the same footprint (length and width) as the Ruger LC9, which itself has the SAME EXACT FOOTPRINT as the Springfield XD subcompact. Those dimensions place them all FAR outside the realm of what I consider a pocket gun.
*Although I probably haven’t seen their complete line, because they’re too damned expensive, and they look like Glocks.
I think the Kel Tec P11 is a viable alternative, usually well under $300, carries 10 -12 (extended mag) 9mm, and down loaded to six or seven rounds, is still not that heavy. Sure, the trigger is not great, but for the price it’s okay. Seems to digest about any ammo, which the price allows you to choose your load. Oh, slide locks back too. Not much fun to break down though.
The P11 is still too big though. My issue isn’t weight, it is simply dimensions — There are three classes of firearms I generally consider; those that can be pocket carried with ease (E.G. Ruger LCP), those that *can* be pocket carried, but are a little on the large side (E.G. the P238 and the DB9), and those that are too large to pocket carry (E.G. The P11 and anything larger).
As it stands, I can use the LCP as a pocket gun; It is 3.6″ tall (bottom of mag to top of slide). I can barely draw the P238 and the DB9, and they are both approximately 4″ on the money. The P11 and other such guns start around 4.3″. The .4″ difference between the LCP and the DB9 almost makes the DB9 unusable for pocket carry; The extra .3″ on top of it for the PF9/P11 throws the idea of pocket carry completely out the window.
“[Kel Tec P11] down loaded to six or seven rounds, is still not that heavy. ”
Clearly, as I own the P238 HD (20 oz unloaded) weight isn’t the issue; it’s the ability to actually carry it as a BUG, specifically the ability to get it OUT of my pocket and use it if I need it.
Why did you edit the picture of the round in the barrel? I find this highly deceptive as you only pasted the upper half showing the 2 different rounds onto the same image of the barrel. Why did you not use 2 real images to display the ammo not seating all the way in the chamber. Did you make this up or is it a real issue because your image is a fake.
The thin red line isn’t a hackjob artifact – it shows the variable seating of two different 9mm loads.
I never said it was. I said the 2 images are not 2 different images. The barrel is repeated twice and the round is pasted in. If you can cross your eyes and view it in stereo vision you’ll see exactly what I mean.
I am in no way associated with this site or the author of this article. I am however a professional graphic designer who is frequently required to photograph products. The similarity in to two pictures can easily be explained. If the barrel is in a set position (i.e. in a vise or on a peg) and the camera is on a tripod, and the lighting is consistent, the bullet can be removed and a new bullet dropped in place and the unchanged portion of the picture (the barrel) will look identical whether you take 2 pictures or 200. I know your handle is NikonMike which obviously implies that you are a photo enthusiast, shouldn’t you understand the simple principles that I have just outlined. FLAME DELETED
I see that Mr. McNabb hasn’t dignified your argument with a second response. I understand why he would choose to not respond. It is not in his best interest to get into a pissing match with some dude that has his sights set on discrediting a very informative article.
I assure you, PhotoShop is a powerful tool and in the hands of a trained professional photos can be manipulated to deceive without the “artifacts” that you claim to see in the photos above. But ask yourself this question… What would Mr. McNabb stand to gain from trying to deceive us with the photograph anyway? He is simply pointing out that especially with a finicky gun, you need to test out the ammo that you are going to be defending your life with.
Thank you Mr. McNabb for the information!
I am a recent owner of the DB9, I didn’t do much research, but I got a great deal on it, and liked the idea of an affordable pocket 9. I fired FMJ through it at the range and had no problems. Once I was comfortable with it, I bought some hollow points, and realized this problem. The gun had to be put into a bench vise to get the bullet to eject. At that point the gunsmith I took it to, took the gun down and started dropping different types of rounds into the barrel, and we noticed this same effect.
I called Diamondback, after explaining the problem, they sent me a postage paid label to send the gun back for repair. I failed to include a slip of paper that stated what the problem was (because I had already explained this over the phone), and they sent the gun back a month later stating they fired 18 rounds through it with no problems. The gun still gets stuck open when trying to chamber hollow points. I have a call into them to correct this…I guess they’re a small company and still working out kinks, but if I call once, they should know what the problem is when it gets there, and not rely on a “slip of paper” stating the problem. Or, since they have my contact information, contact me to see WHY i sent it back, before returning it untouched. (I’m done, just wanted to verify this ammo claim, and vent about the customer service).
You can clearly see the top is edited if you knew what you were doing at all with photoshop. There is very clearly a clone tool job going on on the upper half of the chamber where the dark splotch is. The rest is 100% identical. This isn’t 2 images. It’s one that has been edited.
Crop them and put them in photoshop and swap between layers and it will become painfully apparent.
As far as motives go? I don’t know.. this whole blog is full of ulterior motives.
It’s really easy to write a wonderful review of something and then falsify a clincher so no one will buy the product.
Kinda like… man i really love this car, it has exceptional styling, interior is immaculate and the seats are really comfortable but I discovered it wont run on anything other than jet fuel.
Who would buy that car after reading a review like that?
It’s purely coincidence I mention the car analogy btw.
If you continue to dispute me I’ll save the image and make a video of the layer swapping to prove myself. This is getting tedious.
“Once you drop the mag and clear the weapon, pull the trigger and move the slide back about half an inch up.”
I really don’t like that system.
Yes, well, pretty much every polymer frame handgun on the market today uses that system. The only exception to this rule that I’ve heard tell of is the M&P range of pistols from S&W, and that through their advertising materials…
Tim,
So basically this gun sucks and you should have gotten a Kel-Tec?
I don’t think that’s what I said…
It really depends on the actual difference in size.
The two pistols are in a size class where even half an inch in length and or width can make or break the ability to use it as a pocket pistol. I already know that the Kel Tec is too big — I’ve tried — What I don’t know is if the DB9 is smaller or not, and if it IS, is it small enough?
I stopped by Mid America Arms today and checked out what I could have picked up for a hundred bucks less, and a hundred bucks more. The Kel Tec is a nice piece, and I must not have seen that it was under 300 bucks when I went shopping. That said, I think it is a bit larger.
I have been carrying the DB9 around using a Blackhawk inside the pocket holster. It’s like a fat wallet, somewhere between my dad’s and George Castanza’s. It is a little bigger LxW than my Android phone.
The Kel Tec PF9 is 5.85×4.3x.88 inches
The DB9 is 5.6×4.0x.80 Inches
On signal, draw and fire 3 shots, in 3 seconds, into a 6″ circle.
That’s the test I use, based on “typical gunfight” distance and time data, and what’s known about performance loss under stress. It’s a pass/fail test.
Start hands at sides for concealed belt holster carry, hand on gun in pocket for pocket carry.
“A handgun is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable” – Clint Smith.
Hard to shoot pocket guns are comfortable. Being able to pass the 3 second test is comforting.
Kahr CW9 – 9mm +P – 7+1 – $360
Kahr CM9 – 9mm +P – 6+1 – $430
Better made…great DA trigger… actually fun to shoot… thin is sexy
I think the TTAG crew needs to drop a truth bomb on its patrons about Kahr’s great line of carry weapons. Let’s see some reviews.
I shot the Kahr PM45 and liked it. It felt like a gun more in line with the prices you quote above rather than a $650 arm. Kahrs feel great in the hand.
Well the P for pricey series of Kahr pistols has a few features that are absent on the C for cheap series of pistols. I personally don’t see a need to drop the extra $300 on the dovetailed front sight, extra mag, and extra machining operations that come with the P series of pistols.
You could buy 10 mags with the difference…
Thanks for the review.
Do you have a loaded weight for the gun? Is the 11 ounces with or without mag?
I see nothing in this review to sway me away from the Rohrbaugh R9. Unsurprisingly, Diamondback sounds like Kel Tec all over again.
@NikonMikon – Good catch, I did on fact edit the photo. The bullets “stick” when dropped into the breach, so it was very difficult to get the exact same shot for both. These two images were extremely close, and I used reference points to align the end of the breach with the barrel. I thought this best way to illustrate the differences. No deception was intended.
I love this gun. The DB9 has given me no real concerns through over 600 rounds of various power & manufacture. My 1st range trip to ensure reliability before I would confidently carry it consisted of 200 FMJ Federal & Blazer, brass & aluminum, then 10 Critical Defense loads. No malfunctions, 100% grade A performance. The only negative was a blood blister on my trigger finger,( call the waambulance!), but it’s not like I’m ever gonna run it like that again. I put 50 rounds a week through it to maintain proficiency, so a little sting is an acceptable trade for the security of assuring my skills are kept sharp. I acknowledge that the gun isn’t perfect, but what gun is? What matters is that for warm weather or as a BUG, the DB9 is the perfect carry gun for me. I hope this helps.
I had the same little nip from the trigger on my finger, though I did not get a blister.
In the 1980s, I stood in a concrete tube that served as a firing point for qualifying on the M-16 rifle. It was a clear spring morning at Fort Leonard Wood, truly beautiful. I had just had a 40 round practice run-through and through a “stoppage” (Slap Pull Observe Return Tap Squeeze!) had just added three rounds to my magazine.
Locked and loaded, I leaned into my firing position and waited for the range officer to give the “watch your lanes” command. It came, and the first target popped up. I squeezed the trigger…
I left the &#!^%$ safety on.
While I qualified as a Sharpshooter, I yearned for the Expert badge. I have hated safeties ever since. The DB9 does not have a safety.
+1.
I hate safeties.
We called it Fort Lost In The Woods. Fun on the Big Piney.
Heh – that’s what we called it too. Ft. Lost in the Woods Misery.
The Big Piney forest is a beautiful patch of land, though, with magnificent stands of pine and great hiking trails.
I was thinking of getting one of these, but there seem to be a plethora of issues with the DB9, which you can read up on at diamondbacktalk.com. The magazines will chip the feed ramp, frame rails crack, the CTC laser can also cause something else to break (forgot what), etc. Hopefully theyll revise the design sometime soon.
Sounds like some of the same issues that the P238 is reported to have had early on.
Honestly, it strikes me as an issue of knowing what the practical operational tolerances of the parts actually are. As this is a miniaturized firearm (as is the P238 to an extent), the tolerances can be quite finicky.
Really, the issue isn’t that they let a lemon out the door (although that is an issue too), the issue is what they will do to FIX it, and make it right.
Great review!
I am surprised that some of the Q/A issues remain with the DB9. Given the founders of Diamondback are ex-KelTec engineers, I’m stumped as to how they can let these go out the door.
With that said, this is the micro pistol Glock SHOULD have built. Kudos for DB building a highly concealable Glock clone. Hope they can work out the bugs. I was very close to buying one this week, yet with the continued negative reports, will wait.
Thanks for a thorough review!
So I guess the reviewer is going to ignore my call-out on his image doctoring showing the barrel and the round not seating all the way? Good stuff this blog…
I did respond, Nikon Mikon. On September 27th.
the DB9 has proven it’s self to me to be a worthy enough firearm to stake my life on. Of course I would prefer a full size Glock 40 cal but this DB9 is the ticket for daily backup and CC. I ran 400 rounds through mine before I even cleaned it (other than the barell) and it broke in perfect. I have put it through my own torture tests and it shines. I love this little firearm and highly recommend it. After breaking in … treat it to some microlon and you will be even happier.
Intrigued at 2012 Shot Show, so bought a DB9. Consistent with the above review, it is an impressive, serious, true pocket pistol. Use proper technique and concentrate. Only ammo I tried was Remington 115 HP and 147 HP, and function was 100%, no problems. Plenty accurate, too. Not a pistol to be trifled with, on either end.
Look here people! There are good and bad apples in all guns. Being a former LEO myself and in military I have tried and tested a great deal of weapons. I had a keltec.380 and P11 that would shoot anything u put in them even if they were dirty and uncleaned. I bought a Pf9 and had nothin but problems from day one. Are all keltecs bad. No! I just got a bad apple. Same can go for DB9 or any gun for that matter. As far as the DB9 I purchased it has been a great gun. It is true that they do not like 147grain bullets and some of the longer length overseas stuff but this gun has less felt recoil, better pocket concealment and shoots pretty darn straight comparied to other pocket nines!