By Graham Baates YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video review of the Diamondback DB9R.
USA – -(Ammoland.com)- If you haven’t tried a 9mm carbine yet you’re missing out.
They’re less expensive to shoot, create less recoil, less noise, can be shot almost anywhere a handgun can be shot, and generally make for a fun time.
They can be used for training, to introduce new shooters, or in any of the growing new shooting sports based around the pistol-caliber carbine.
We’ve been fortunate to cover a few firearms from Diamondback Firearms. The Florida-based company began as a boat maker (which they still make), but when their business grew to the point that they could no longer wait on third-party part sources they began making their own. As any of us would agree to have the machinery on hand and not become a firearm manufacturer would be a waste of good machines! Diamondback knows this well and began making tools for land-based use.
Diamondback DB9R 9mm Carbine
Diamondback Firearms grabbed our attention with a pocket pistol chambered in 9mm, and really got our attention with their Diamondback DB9R 9mm Carbine which shoots sub-moa and sells for under the AR-10 price barrier of $1,000. Naturally, when we learned they were working on a 9mm rifle we wanted to give it a try.
While the internet may have some nay-sayers about Diamondback, we’ve had nothing but good fortune. We got our hands on an early-production model of the DB9R rifle and it wasn’t perfect. Rather than blab about issues we did took the route that benefits gun owners; we contacted Diamondback and sent it back. Diamondback resolved the issue and the results are seen in the video above.
No complaints here. If you’re going to invest in a firearm why not also invest the time to talk to a manufacturer if you have an issue?
So what makes the Diamondback DB9R 9mm Carbine unique? Here are the specifications direct from Diamondback’s website:
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 16″ Black Nitride
- Barrel Twist Rate: 1:10 RH
- Bolt Carrier: 9R Bolt Carrier,
- Handguard: 15” Keymod Rail
- Pistol Grip: Magpul MOE
- Stock: Roger’s Buttstock
- Mag: 31 Round Glock style plastic mag
- Flash Hider: A2
- Weight: 6lbs
- Overall Length (Stock Collapsed): 32.5″ Overall Length (Stock Expanded): 36”
For a closer look at the Diamondback DB9R 9mm Carbine see the tabletop review video below.
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .
I don’t know why you say 50 yards is stretching the 9mm, considering the experiences in both World War 1 and World War 2 on battlefields. I used to own civilian version Uzi, 16 inch barrel, and on a man size Target it was good at 200 yards. Those were the days in which I could still use open Iron Sights, rather than what I have to have now, which are Optics, but the 9mm or the 45 is good to about 200 yards! Should there be naysayers in the group about my statement concerning yardage, here’s my challenge to… Read more »
JR Bailey I’m not arguing that, but to group at that distance is to leave a lot to chance. Wind and other elements outside of our control can play too much of a role and that’s not fair to the rifle. That’s why we don’t group 9mm past 50yards and group most rifles at 100yards.
I can see that you and I have two different definitions as to why we want a weapon to group as small as possible. I’m not talking about punching paper for paper’s sake, or three gun this, or competition shooting that, I’m referring to the exact rationale for the very existence of the weapon in your review: for one human being to use it in a deadly confrontation against another human being. This is the whole reason for target practice, and for attempting to get our groups as small as possible. However, what a legitimate group is, I would argue… Read more »
Not a problem. I understand your point. I’ve seen combat and been through hundreds of hours of defensive shooting training. As reviewers it would not be fair to the manufacturer or the reader if we let our skills taint the view of the product. Erika once spent some time pinging an 8″ target at 35 yards with the Diamondback DB9 handgun, but the average consumer should not expect the gun to easily accomplish that for them. That was skill. That’s part of why we try to normalize as much as we can and take the shooter element out of our… Read more »
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my latest and clarify why you and your wife do what you do, in your reviews. I understand much better now the parameters for how you test, and why you test as you do, for which I thank you. I shall continue to watch your reviews, because you provide valuable knowledge that can be useful, should I ever be able to afford some of the Weaponry you review. Basically, I’m poorer than dirt, and own a whole 3 weapons, shotgun, sidearm, 1 AR. Hopefully, I can improve that so-called ‘Arsenal’ (… Read more »
Just returned from the range used 4 different mags and experienced multiple jams with all. The rounds are jamming on the bottom of the feed ramp on 8 of 10 attempts. Very nice “looking” rifle, but not very effective as a weapon. Now I will contact Diamondback and see what results from the call. This rifle was bought as a unit, already assembled. RH
Fine article and presentation. It played a big par in my decision to purchase a DB9RPB10. I’ve subscribed to your youtube channel. Thank You!
I like the fun aspect of it. I’m thinking a 10mm would up the performance level for defense or say “hog” troubles. The fit and finish were much better than I expected.
Love my Hi Point! Really love the price and warranty.
Unique? Hardly. Look at Quarter Circle 10.. Before that was Double Diamond.. Palmetto State Armory has these too, but they probably rebrand theirs.