A Nurse with a Gun

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Colt Diamondback Range Report

I realized I was a very lucky gun shopper when I found this Colt Diamondback in Amber's pawn shop case for $249. The revolver locked up tighter than Ellen DeGeneres at a Tailhook party, and had no wear on the action at all. I bought without hesitation and did not let the door smack my butt on the way out. It looked like it had never been fired, the recoil plate had no scaring whatsoever. The gun did have a couple of rust specks that some copper Scotchbrite and an oiled penny cleared right up. The cylinder swung in and out on it's crane with no perceptible play. This revolver was solid as granite.

Today, I took the Diamondback to the range with a value pack of Winchester White Box ammo. I am not a fan of the Colt revolver grip. It forces me to place my strong side pinky finger underneath the grip. Then, there is the Colt trigger.....On this revolver the stacking was very slight. If an even double action pull was used, the stacking was imperceptible.

After having handled this finely fitted Colt, I was not surprised to find it limited by my shooting skill. I ran targets out to 10 yards, and this revolver outshot me with aplomb. If it had been in the hands of a more capable shooter, I have little doubt it would shoot one hole groups.

The Colt revolver having no failures goes without saying. I am not sure how the lockwork of the Diamondback compares to the esteemed Colt Python, but I can say that the fit and finish matches the .357 magnum snake. I believe the accuracy would match the Python as well. Colt has recently ceased revolver production, and it is rumored that they will likely not produce another revolver for years. If they ever do produce revolvers again, the product will not be able to match the guns of yesteryear. Now is the time to purchase if you want a Colt revolver. The prices will never be lower, or the selection as good. Buy now, or wish you had later. No, this one is not up for grabs!

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15 Comments:

Blogger James R. Rummel said...

Good job! Makes me wish that the pawn shops around here had more guns.

James

6:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice, very nice. I bought a Python new 26 years ago but I always wanted a Diamondback too. If the Diamondack has the same 14" twist as the Python it should shoot midrange wadcutters like a laser.

10:06 PM  
Blogger Mr. Completely said...

You should shoot an e-Postal "Killiards" target with it. We need someone to give Marc some competition in the Revolver class.....

Mr. C.

11:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just for the record, I hate you.
Seriously good buy on a great gun!

8:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

where can I buy origional Diamondback grips ! I bought one with rubber grips and need to replace tehm with the proper grips ! Thanks jhummert@ezeeweb.com

5:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Anonymous,

I just saw at least 2 pair on eBay.
Check it out. 1/10/07

3:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have owned a 4" dimondback for about 25 years. I love to shoot it and it shoots very well. It is one gun I will have till I donate it to my daughter at my death.

11:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I own 19 guns and my Diamondback in 38special is my favorit and will always be.
redtoe@hotmail.com

5:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Colt stopped producing the Diamondback in 1986.
Remember the scoring section of a B-50 silhouette target that was about the size of a playing card? In the early 1980's I had a Colt Diamondback that could consistently hit the playing card size area six out of six rounds at 25 feet. The limit to accuracy was me, not the weapon. I preferred full size Pachmyr rubber grips over the "Detective Special" style or the stock wooden grips.

12:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rangerrick

Due to a monetary crunch I sold my 4" S86***** S/N model back in the early 80's, regreted it ever since.
Some unknown force felt some sympathy, just found another one today, with 76 didgets of the S/N away. It was NIB held by the prior owners estate manager, beats the tooth fairy anyday.

7:38 PM  
Blogger my67falcon said...

I'm happy to hear about the quality of this revolver as I just bought one from my father-in-law (6" .38) for $250. He tried to sell it to his son but as it was not a semi-auto he had no interest. His loss.

It was bought new by him in the early 80's and has maybe 50 rounds through it.

5:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You're now part of the brotherhood of Diamondback owners! ;-) Mine is a late 1969 model and the first gun I bought new back in the day. (4 inch) First time out silhouette shooting, not sighted in, I nailed 18 of 40 at a 100yrds NRA match. I love this gun and would probably take it over my 6 inch stainless Python or 8 inch Anaconda. It's a "Little Wonder!" to say the least. If you see one of these in 38 Special- BUY IT!

3:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

colt pythons,anacondas,kingcobras,8inch barell $2000,6 inch $1800 to $1400.I have gone to gun shows the last 5 years weekly,Colt snakes are doubling in price.Hang on to what you have it's better than gold.

8:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is the revolver i learned to shoot with, i don't think words can describe what a beautiful gun it is, whoever has one of these is lucky to have such a gun in their collection

8:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, I bought a 4 inch Diamondback in .38 two weeks ago and it`s fabulous! I love it.
Best wishes from Germany!

4:35 PM  

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