New to me Colt Diamondback issue

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A lady I know just sold me her ex-husbands 1969 Colt diamondback .38 that he bought new. Still covered in cosmoline w/bianchi holster. just the slightest hint of holster wear on lh side of barrel tip,no turn line. problem is, somehow the left grip has a piece broken out of it...gungrip.com has some that look better than orig. for $200, orig. colts look like$300..of course there are cheap ones also. maybe I could have this one repaired? maybe find a left side only.. help if you can.
 

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That's a beautiful revolver, check with John Culina concerning the grips. ([email protected]) or (650)450-2955. It may help if you have the broken part of the grip.
 
I am a real Diamondback fan. I think one of the nicest features of the Diamondback is the grips. I would keep it as close to original as possible because the original was outstanding.

These guns are going up in price and may eventually join its big brother, the Python.

The bluing can look like a liquid blue glass. Never seen any better.


Prescut
 
I bought a used 4" Diamondback a few years ago that had a terrible set of aftermarket grips on it. The cost of original grips sent me into sticker shock. :eek:
I first bought a set of the wood knock offs, but they didn't fit the frame well and tended to shift around under recoil. Didn't fit my hand very well either. They're gone. :mad:
I ended up buying a set of NOS Colt Factory Pachmyer Presentation grips with medallions for about a third of the price for originals. No, they aren't as nice as original wood, but they are factory issue, fit my hand and shoot very well.
 
Check the Colt forum for a member that goes by OLLIE.
 
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If you have the broken piece, I'd very carefully glue it back in for starters. I have a gun that had a cracked grip, and I glued it back together.

It worked well enough that I can't even remember what gun it is, and I'm not going to pull all my grips to find it.

Just remember "less is more" when it comes to gluing.

Beautiful gun, by the way.
 
Thanks, so far. No I don't have the piece, sure wish I did...starting to look like..gungrip.com for $200 or claims to have factory orig $300.....probably give everyone a chance to look around,maybe someone has a left hand one from a damaged pair, and get more ideas before I spend that
 
Considering the collector interest in the Colt Diamondback, I'd look for factory original grips now. Prices seem to be steadily increasing for these revolvers and their parts.
 
The member on the Colt forum makes EXACT replacement grips for the Diamondback that are as close to the originals as you can get.The grips on gungrip are not even close.
 
There are a few Forum members here that can likely fix the grip panel so it is undetectable from new, but it will probably cost you close to the price of a new set.
 
...starting to look like..gungrip.com for $200...
Don't waste your money on reproduction grips. You'll never be satisfied with them and they won't help future resale value.

If you just want decent grips to shoot, look for a set of Pachmayr Compac's. You should be able to find some for about $25.

If I was in your position, I'd first contact DWFAN and get an estimate on restoration of the original grips. I doubt you'll find anyone better.
Classic Stocks for sale #13 DW's Stocks and Restorations

If the restoration is cost prohibitive (quality isn't cheap), watch the auction sites and be patient. You will eventually find a nice set of factory Diamondback stocks for less then $300.
 
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I love my Diamondback, too.

Maybe as a low-budget option you could find some original Detective Special grips and use them with a Tyler-T or Pachmayr grip adapter.

Bullitt’s snub DB had DS grips.
 

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My Diamondback was missing the original grips (or stocks in Colt speak) when I bought it, so I used a set of Police Positive Special stocks I had lying around and a Tyler T-Grip. Detective Special stocks of the same era work too as mentioned above. Looks and feels great. Here it is with the take-off Herritt's and a Single Action Holster it came with and the PPS stocks installed. I don't have a pic with the T-Grip on it handy:

20130923-140822.jpg
 
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