Traded LC9 for Diamondback DB9
- Thread starter Skans
- Start date
Shadi Khalil
New member
That's a bit of an extreme position, IMO. I'm thin (130 pounds) and wear all my clothes to fit, nothing baggy at all. I have no problem concealing a M&P 9c, along with a full sized back up mag, all day. For me, appendix carry makes all the difference, and of course the good belt and holster. I think the weight and size savings you get from the DB9 does not make up for the reliability issues, especially with guns like the shield or LC9 which are not much bigger and extremely reliable.
I gotta' take up a little for Skans. To use a phrase by one Internet gun wag (can't believe I'm doing this) -- what is the philosophy of use? A tiny pocket pistol is not intended to shoot 500 hundred rounds at a steel plate. It's either a backup or a gun you carry when you don't want to carry a gun. It's like dissing an AR because it may not shoot as reliably as an AK if you don't give it a little extra lube when putting hundreds of rounds through it. The question is whether Skans' DB malfunctioned because it needed to be cleaned or lubed or some other reason. Additional shooting will hopefully answer that question.
Also, I'm not taking up for the DB. Never shot one and have been wary of buying one.
Also, I'm not taking up for the DB. Never shot one and have been wary of buying one.
Vt.birdhunter
New member
I dont think any of us plan on firing 500+ rounds in a SD situation. However, a firearm capable of 500 rounds of sustained fire, statistically, has a lower malfunction rate per round.
Its not round 499 Im worried about. Its rounds 1-7. There is a better chance rounds 1-7 are going to go boom with the LC9 than a DB9.
Its not round 499 Im worried about. Its rounds 1-7. There is a better chance rounds 1-7 are going to go boom with the LC9 than a DB9.
You traded a used LC9 (I presume the older hammer fired one and not the newer LC9-S) for a new diamondback? Used LC9's are worth MAYBE 200 bucks. I wouldn't carry such a cheap gun.
As for "25 rounds is all they can be expected to shoot before cleaning", I find that ridiculous. I have shot my LC9-S 300 rounds at a time and it never failed.
Judging by the responses here from those who say their Diamondback broke, and your statement that the gun already malfunctioned after one box of ammo, and your low expectations of its reliability, the Diamondback sounds like a cheap gun for those who want to carry a gun but not really shoot it.
As for "25 rounds is all they can be expected to shoot before cleaning", I find that ridiculous. I have shot my LC9-S 300 rounds at a time and it never failed.
Judging by the responses here from those who say their Diamondback broke, and your statement that the gun already malfunctioned after one box of ammo, and your low expectations of its reliability, the Diamondback sounds like a cheap gun for those who want to carry a gun but not really shoot it.
I understand that large 9mm's run perfectly dirty or clean. I have a Glock 17, S&W 659, Sig X-Five, Steyr GB, and a few others that all run great dirty or clean. But,......they're large! I like to pocket carry, so I can either carry one of the 3, perhaps 4 really small 9mm's made or I can change over to carrying .380. Since I really like 9mm over .380, for me it comes down to: Rohrbaugh R9; Boberg XR9-S and the Diamondback DB9.
The Rohrbaugh, I understand, can be finicky if its not cleaned and lubed often. Also, the recoil spring needs to be changed out fairly often for it to be reliable.
The Boberg is a tiny bit thicker than the DB9, but still small enough for pocket carry. If you feed it uncrimped ammo, it will pull the bullets off of the case while feeding. I know, because I have one and have experienced this with brass cased range ammo.
You really can't compare conventional large (or even medium) frame handguns to the really small 9mm's that actually can fit in a normal sized pocket w/holster.
I understand that Boberg is coming out with a "Micro 9mm". Even smaller than the XR9-S. That'll be interesting.
The Rohrbaugh, I understand, can be finicky if its not cleaned and lubed often. Also, the recoil spring needs to be changed out fairly often for it to be reliable.
The Boberg is a tiny bit thicker than the DB9, but still small enough for pocket carry. If you feed it uncrimped ammo, it will pull the bullets off of the case while feeding. I know, because I have one and have experienced this with brass cased range ammo.
You really can't compare conventional large (or even medium) frame handguns to the really small 9mm's that actually can fit in a normal sized pocket w/holster.
I understand that Boberg is coming out with a "Micro 9mm". Even smaller than the XR9-S. That'll be interesting.
While I agree that a pocket gun doesn't need to have 1k rounds without cleaning reliability, it still requires it prove that it can go through a mag or two many times a single malfunction after 40-50 rounds doesn't prove anything could be it never makes it though another mag too.
So the price of a firearm dictates whether it's reliable or not? You wouldn't carry a $200 gun even if it proved to be reliable?
The DB9 has been updated a few months ago in 2014, so the DB9s that are currently selling are Gen2s.
The owner of KyGunCo carries one, and here's a link to their Diamondback factory tour.
Just some details for clarification. The DB9 I purchased was new and cost about $310 all in (tax, NICS). I got $250 credit on my LC9 and made up the rest in cash.
The LC9 was reliable and in decent shape and I had the box and stuff that came with it. Still, I had put about 800 rounds through the LC9 and carried it regularly for a couple of years - so I got good use out of it. Also, I recognize that the LC9s is really a better gun than the LC9 (or most people will see it that way) and the LC9 in a couple of years will be hard to get rid of.
This was at a gun show. I went to the gun show with it already in mind that I was going to basically "swap" my LC9 for a DB9 - I was already familiar with the DB9, so this wasn't an impulse purchase. I simply needed something in 9mm a little smaller and lighter. I could hold out for a Rohrbaugh, but didn't want to spend that kind of money.
The LC9 was reliable and in decent shape and I had the box and stuff that came with it. Still, I had put about 800 rounds through the LC9 and carried it regularly for a couple of years - so I got good use out of it. Also, I recognize that the LC9s is really a better gun than the LC9 (or most people will see it that way) and the LC9 in a couple of years will be hard to get rid of.
This was at a gun show. I went to the gun show with it already in mind that I was going to basically "swap" my LC9 for a DB9 - I was already familiar with the DB9, so this wasn't an impulse purchase. I simply needed something in 9mm a little smaller and lighter. I could hold out for a Rohrbaugh, but didn't want to spend that kind of money.
Nakanokalronin
New member
If you needed something smaller than an LC9, the Kahr CM9 would of been a better choice.
stagpanther
New member
I recently got an LC9s pro--and even though I have small hands I find the ergonomics of that pistol too small for my tastes in a 9--hard for me to get why someone would want something even smaller.
They do not have your taste or your hands might be the reason, or because they want something more concealable and lighter. I sometimes carry a TCP, and with the pinky extension; I don't mind the size at all. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
The DB9 is smaller and lighter than the CM9.
Not bad. Which variant of the DB9 did you get? I picked up the plain jane black and blued model online for $215, but I seen others that have colored frames and/or different slides go for the $300-$350 range.
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Nakanokalronin
New member
Heh, barely. Definitely not enough when it comes to their reputations or sacrificing quality and durability for concealability. The Kahr might be heavier, but that's because it's made to handle the 9mm round.
Video comparing the two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOS-FWhd16U
The CM9 is thicker, a bit heavier and the grip is longer than the DB9. I'm sure its a decent gun, though. This makes a difference when pocket-carrying. I pocket-carry only.
@Va, the one I purchased was the plain black one. The stainless and nickel slide guns seem to be selling for about $30 more. $219 new? I've been looking for about 1 year, and haven't seen any near that price. I can find them on the internet for about $250, but then you have to pay $25 shipping and then $30 for transfer, it ends up being about the same thing.
There are actually a couple of things I like better about the DB9 over the LC9 (other than size). The feed ramp is nicely polished; the magazine catch is firmer and the magazine seems to seat more positively on the DB9. The DB9 front sight is a part of the slide - can't come loose and both the front and rear sights are less prone to snagging. No ugly chamber indicator and no "trigger dingus" like other striker-fired pistols.
BTW, I just checked to see if any LC9's had bids on them on Gunbroker, and the only black one with bids is at $170. Tons of them on Gunbroker with no bids at all - there's no love for the LC9 anymore.
@Va, the one I purchased was the plain black one. The stainless and nickel slide guns seem to be selling for about $30 more. $219 new? I've been looking for about 1 year, and haven't seen any near that price. I can find them on the internet for about $250, but then you have to pay $25 shipping and then $30 for transfer, it ends up being about the same thing.
There are actually a couple of things I like better about the DB9 over the LC9 (other than size). The feed ramp is nicely polished; the magazine catch is firmer and the magazine seems to seat more positively on the DB9. The DB9 front sight is a part of the slide - can't come loose and both the front and rear sights are less prone to snagging. No ugly chamber indicator and no "trigger dingus" like other striker-fired pistols.
BTW, I just checked to see if any LC9's had bids on them on Gunbroker, and the only black one with bids is at $170. Tons of them on Gunbroker with no bids at all - there's no love for the LC9 anymore.
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Whirlwind06
New member
I would guess that has a lot to do with the Pro model coming out. Heck the KT P11 and PF9s go for more then that
Nakanokalronin
New member
The height of the CM9 and DM9 are identical. Both are 4.00 stated right on each manufactures website. The width is only .10 difference. The weight is about 4 ounces more and I understand if that's makes or breaks a pocket gun.
I'm not arguing, just stating facts. If the CM9 has a longer grip and is the same height as the DB9, then that's a good thing. The fact that any +P will void the warranty or any 9mm over 124 grains may cause issues means the DB9 is at the bare minimum in it's ability to house and shoot the 9mm round. I know high round count doesn't mean much since a box of ammo is good enough for carry and shooting it once a year is adequate for most. I had a DB380 and it was an unreliable junker. I then read the constant posts of sheered frame rails, broken parts and malfunctions on the DB9 right on the DB forum. I think they still happen, but the cracked frames are a new one to me. These are definitely not guns to be shot a lot.
I'm not arguing, just stating facts. If the CM9 has a longer grip and is the same height as the DB9, then that's a good thing. The fact that any +P will void the warranty or any 9mm over 124 grains may cause issues means the DB9 is at the bare minimum in it's ability to house and shoot the 9mm round. I know high round count doesn't mean much since a box of ammo is good enough for carry and shooting it once a year is adequate for most. I had a DB380 and it was an unreliable junker. I then read the constant posts of sheered frame rails, broken parts and malfunctions on the DB9 right on the DB forum. I think they still happen, but the cracked frames are a new one to me. These are definitely not guns to be shot a lot.