DiamondBack DB9

B

BoogieMan

New member
My buddy who is about to be ret-LEO is looking to pick one of these up as a EDC. They are inexpensive and from the online pictures I have seen look decent. Wondering if this pistol is low quality (due to price) or is it solid and reliable enough for EDC. His current EDC is a Kahr P380 and he would like a little more punch while still being very small and easy to carry.
 
The DB9 is the smallest and lightest in the affordable class. That's it's primary pro. It's a little punishing to the hand and has never won the reliable pistol of the year award. As with any pistol, it's certainly possible to pick up one that will work and do it's job well. But the odds of picking up a lemon are higher than other pistols in it's class.
 
I would google for failures or broken parts - which I remember seeing reports of several years ago. But this is can be true of all pistol makes. I handled one before years ago (at least 5) and it was indeed small with a very long trigger pull. If you google (or your friend) for problems, pay attention to the date as they may have changed things in the last few years. I have a Kahr CM9 and find it very easy to pocket carry, has been very reliable and one of the more accurate pistols I have, recoil would never begin to hurt my hand. Right now the Ruger LC9 (double action) can be had for cheap because the latest and greatest striker fired version LC9s is out. Another similar class of gun is the Keltec PF9 but a lot of folks have to modify them for optimal function and ergonomics (fluff and buff) but I hear good things about their customer service. For me the DB9 and PF9 ride the line between light weight and longevity/strength a little closely but I have read reports of reliable ones that handle plenty of use.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I told him that it would be wise to beware of any pistol you can walk out the door with for under $300. I will tell him to goggle it and then look at the Kahr CM9. He wants something thin and small to fit in a pocket without printing.
 
I have made my DB9 my every day carry for about 3-4 months now. I have shot it a handful of times 100 rounds when I first got it and a couple of times I put a box of 50 through it. It's not a range gun and I don't intend on putting a bunch of rounds through it. I've experienced a couple failure to feeds when it gets dirty - runs like a champ when it's clean. It's not a Glock and it doesn't like dirt!

It's the easiest 9mm I've found to pocket carry. I like mine. Would like to be able to get a spare parts set for it though.
 
Bite the bullet and forget cheap for EDC, also ret. LE i carry a Sig 938 or Glock 43 when 9mm is wanted, Sig 238 or Glock 42 otherwise.
 
BoogieMan said:
Thanks for the info guys. I told him that it would be wise to beware of any pistol you can walk out the door with for under $300. I will tell him to goggle it and then look at the Kahr CM9. He wants something thin and small to fit in a pocket without printing.
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It's really not the cost that's at issue; if you catch them at the right time, the LCP, LC9/LC9s, and CM9 have all gone on sale for $300 or less. I've read good things about the SCCY CPX-2, which is also sub-$300. The Taurus TCP is generally regarded as one of their better guns, and the Millenium G2 also seems to be have turned out well. And whatever their deficiency in size and ergonomics, Hi-Points are very durable guns.

Don't get caught in the brand trap. There are both expensive and high profile flops, and absolute bargains. Heck, the Springfield XD sold for $300 back when it was called the HS2000; the 'Springfield Armory' stamp apparently makes it twice as valuable. Price does not equal quality.
 
I just ordered a Millennium G2 for carry myself. From what I've read though, they're a little bit big for Pocket carry although it is possible depending on your pockets. In the same price range, I'd think about the Taurus PT709 Slim.
 
My wife has a DB9. Jams like crazy when I fire it. Works great when she does. The gun requires a death grip to work properly. I don't limp wrist other guns.
 
I went through the same thing just recently. I compared every gun mentioned so far in this thread so far. I settled on the new Ruger lc9-s. They can be had new for $350.00 I've put 300 rounds through mine so far without so much as 1 ftfeed, ftextract, or fteject. and it is very comfortable to shoot.
 
I have taurus 740, same as 709 but in 40.

Over a 1000 rounds no problems. Light, thin and accurate. I hit 6/6 on 8" steel plates at 15yds regularly.

Sw shield is good too as us the lcp9
 
Love it. Points great. Tried 2 store bought brands of ammo...both jammed. Loaded my own 9mm and tried 2 recipes and now ..... runs great. Nothing beats the size for Pocket 9.
 
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