Saw this Diamondback SDR for the first time today. My friends at Carolina Sporting Arms texted to say that a new/unusual revolver arrived.

It took me a minute, staring at the revolver case, to figure out what they wanted to show me. Was looking for a Smith or maybe Colt. It was this diamondback SDR.

My first thought, it looks sort of like Ruger LCR and Kimber K6S had a baby. It is a reasonably attractive revolver. Fit and finish felt solid. Trigger was nice. The trigger felt a bit like late 1970s Charter Arms. I mean that in a good way, really. The fiber-optic sights are nice.

You know how you can remove a screw by the trigger guard and then pull out the crane and cylinder? Well, this gun has a little push button where that screw would be on a Smith. Push the button and the crane and cylinder pop out for easy cleaning. It is a nice feature and, frankly, would be glad to see it on Smith. I noticed that there is no firing pin bushing. Just a little hole in the recoil shield. Not sure if that offers any advantage.

Diamondback markets this as the lightest 6 shot 357 revolver. I watched a couple videos about the gun this afternoon. It is compatible with Smith J Frame grips.

This is a "new" gun. So, no opportunity to test fire it. I am not going to buy it, right now. Very glad to see new entrants into the revolver market. I am concerned, however, that this one might have trouble finding a place. Has a hefty price tag. CSA tagged it at $684.99. Not sure about MSRP. looks like a solid little revolver. Hope Diamondback does well. All of us who like revolvers benefit from more revolvers on the market.

I think Kimber might take offense.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

It is a little Kimberesque. Diamondback had durability issues with their early semi-auto .380's & pocket 9mm's. Not sure if they have improved any.

I've never heard of these. Certainly not a looker, but are they good quality revolvers?

Not sure. It looked and felt solid. I do not know anything about it beyond what I saw today and a few online reviews. On one of the SHOT Show videos, the Diamondback representatives said that the company bought entirely new CNC machining equipment to make this revolver. He spoke as if there was a serious effort toward quality. Of course, I would need more than the Diamondback representative's statement.

Would be interested to hear about actual experience from forum members.

I highly recommend the Kimber K6xs in the new gun market.

But I always keep an eye out for Colt Detective Specials in the Consignment Section at my LGS.

Also unsure about that push-button crane/cylinder release. Would hate to have the unit slide off the gun as I was reloading it in a SHTF situation. But yes, it is "nice." And $850? Then let's see how it holds up after 500 rounds of factory .357. I'll run that test if someone buys or lends me the gun!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Change durability to reliability with the DB380s.
Forgot that I even had the second one they sent to replace the first early one, that was gifted to me.
Intermittent trigger reset on the second one, so thanks for the reminder, will get an RMA and hope they replace it.
Shoots nice compared to our LCP, but just for range fun.
It's like an Airboat, you know it's going to flip (gun won't fire),
you just don't know when.

Hope the revolvers work and last.
Always root for Florida kids.
Took the Panthers a long time.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

For +/- $700 otd I'd have to consider a proven design S&W or Ruger. I've never seen one at the range or talked with anyone who put rounds through one. That being said, it does look interesting and may be a quality gun. I'd at least wait to study some unbiased reviews.
Ed

It's for the casual gun buyer. Not snobby revolver enthusiasts like us...right? You can find a nice, gently used pre-IL Model 60 .357 for this kind of dough, or if you need that sixth shot, go get one of the new Colts.

That push button really should be shrouded by steel. Like a parking brake button on the side of the steering wheel!

But what do I know...maybe circa 2040, Diamondback is the king of the resurgent revolver market. Stranger things have happened...look at Glock!

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Psalm 27:2