Academy: 9 handguns on sale February 6-12, 2011.

[rmr1923]

Does anyone have experience with Diamondback handguns? I was at Academy a couple weeks ago looking for a pocket/back-up gun and the guy behind the counter showed me that .380. When my CHL finally gets here (DPS is taking their sweet time with my app) I plan on using my M&P 40c for everyday carry but would like a small .380 as a back-up, or to carry when I feel the M&P may not be necessary or as easy to conceal.

While they seem to have gotten better, I would avoid the DB380 for a while longer. Mine is a mid production model, has been back to home base once, and is still not right even after deburring by my GS. Their trigger bar setup leaves much to be desired. This just my opinion. I believe the Academy model is the basic one, with non adjustable sights. Go here, if you want to read about the problems (not as many being reported as last year). BTW, my problems did not begin until I had well over 300 rds through it.

http://www.diamondbacktalk.com/forum/se ... d=newposts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I looked at this gun yesterday afternoon. The model at Academy has terrible sights IMHO. They are tiny and seem like they would be very hard to use.

that's the first thing i noticed about it, i'd probably have to hold it up against an attacker to guarantee a hit. it's been a little while but i don't remember the sights on the LCP .380 being any better, but maybe i'm mistaken.


and what's everyone's take on that Rossi .357 magnum? i've had some people say they've had one for years and love it, and other people say they're junk and to just get a Taurus or a Smith & Wesson if i want a .357 magnum revolver.

[Beiruty]

I'd jump on that PX4 if it wasn't ODG

PX4 usually are listed for $520, $450 is great price.

[MadMonkey]

Also this HD shotgun for 179.

H&R PROTECTOR 12-GA. 18 1/2-IN.

* Gauge: 12
* Barrel length: 18 1/2 in.
* Chamber: 2 3/4 and 3 in.
* Capacity: 5 rounds
* Stock: black synthetic with recoil pad and swivel studs

I'd go with the Maverick 88, which sells for that price all the time at Academy, over the H&R. The Maverick is built on the Mossberg 500 action and shares most parts with the Mossberg. Plus it is made in Texas (Eagle Pass).

The H&R Protector shares a lot of parts (I believe everything but barrels and mag extensions) with the Remington 870. It's a great shotgun, I have one myself.

[eureka40]

For the price you can't beat it for a home defense shot gun. Here's a blurb from Gun Test Magazine:

When you consider the scant difference in price between these two shotguns, the differences in performance and handling cannot be ignored. Fit and finish of both shotguns was adequate. The Maverick’s blue finish was very nice. The Pardner’s was adequate and business like. The Mossberg featured an additional sighting bead, but the Pardner was drilled and tapped for a hunting scope. The trigger action of the Pardner was lighter by a margin. The recoil pad of the Pardner seemed to limit recoil and was the better looking of the two, our testers said. The Pardner’s safety was easier and faster to manipulate, we thought. The Pardner does not use a plastic trigger housing like the Maverick. Even if you pay $30 more, as Gun Tests did, the Pardner remains the recommended buy. Our team shot the guns using 2.75-inch Winchester Super Target lead shotshells and a Winchester Xpert Game/Target steel load.

[hirundo82]

Does anyone have experience with Diamondback handguns? I was at Academy a couple weeks ago looking for a pocket/back-up gun and the guy behind the counter showed me that .380. When my CHL finally gets here (DPS is taking their sweet time with my app) I plan on using my M&P 40c for everyday carry but would like a small .380 as a back-up, or to carry when I feel the M&P may not be necessary or as easy to conceal.

While they seem to have gotten better, I would avoid the DB380 for a while longer. Mine is a mid production model, has been back to home base once, and is still not right even after deburring by my GS. Their trigger bar setup leaves much to be desired. This just my opinion. I believe the Academy model is the basic one, with non adjustable sights. Go here, if you want to read about the problems (not as many being reported as last year). BTW, my problems did not begin until I had well over 300 rds through it.

http://www.diamondbacktalk.com/forum/se ... d=newposts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I looked at this gun yesterday afternoon. The model at Academy has terrible sights IMHO. They are tiny and seem like they would be very hard to use.

that's the first thing i noticed about it, i'd probably have to hold it up against an attacker to guarantee a hit. it's been a little while but i don't remember the sights on the LCP .380 being any better, but maybe i'm mistaken.

The sights on most of the pocket guns are minimal. These guns are all meant to be used at bad breath distances, where good sight picture is less important, and higher profile sights can snag when drawn from a pocket. The Rohrbaugh R9 was introduced without any sights whatsoever, although they now offer a model with sights due to demand.

The SIG P238 is an exception to this--it is supposed to have very good sights.

The H&R Protector shares a lot of parts (I believe everything but barrels and mag extensions) with the Remington 870. It's a great shotgun, I have one myself.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

[G26ster]

The sights on the DB380 are OK, except for the fixed sight model which is the one Academy is selling. Those sights are almost non existent.

http://diamondbackfirearms.com/DB380MS/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; vs http://diamondbackfirearms.com/DB380N/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Compare those sights with the other adjustable sight DB380 models, which I own, and there is a world of difference. But you're right, they don't even compare to the sights on my P238 SAS, which are great!

[Scott in Houston]

I love the 238, but don't consider it a 'pocket' gun. The 1911 style of condition 1 would scare me in my pocket (as opposed to a good holster IWB or OWB).

I ended up with a little Taurus TCP. It's an ok little 380, but also has hardly any sights. I don't hardly ever carry it though... it was a waste of $300. Every time I reach for it, I think, "How will I feel if I need to use a weapon to protect myself today? WilL I be glad I grabbed this TCP, or would I wish I had just taken one of the Glocks?" :)

[XinTX]

I love the 238, but don't consider it a 'pocket' gun. The 1911 style of condition 1 would scare me in my pocket (as opposed to a good holster IWB or OWB).

Pocket holster? Have one. Works okay.

[MadMonkey]

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

Doublecheck before you buy, but I'm pretty sure that's accurate. I can't remember if the holes in the receiver line up for accessories like sidesaddle shell carriers but I think they do.

[Scott in Houston]

I love the 238, but don't consider it a 'pocket' gun. The 1911 style of condition 1 would scare me in my pocket (as opposed to a good holster IWB or OWB).

Pocket holster? Have one. Works okay.

I assumed a holster. It still makes me uncomfortable. I guess, if it was leather, and custom fit for the gun, then maybe, but the typical "size 4" holster from Mike's made to fit any pocket gun... not so much.

[XinTX]

I love the 238, but don't consider it a 'pocket' gun. The 1911 style of condition 1 would scare me in my pocket (as opposed to a good holster IWB or OWB).

Pocket holster? Have one. Works okay.

I assumed a holster. It still makes me uncomfortable. I guess, if it was leather, and custom fit for the gun, then maybe, but the typical "size 4" holster from Mike's made to fit any pocket gun... not so much.

I picked up a custom fit 238 pocket holster in leather for ~$30.

[hirundo82]

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

Doublecheck before you buy, but I'm pretty sure that's accurate. I can't remember if the holes in the receiver line up for accessories like sidesaddle shell carriers but I think they do.

Not in the market for another shotgun right now--I already have an 870 riot gun that I'm gradually upgrading. Just filing info away for future reference.

[gtrman66]

This is the lowest I ever saw a TCP and would be a perfect pocket carry on the Harley. So tempting... thinking about it.

.40 S&W 50 Rnds for $14.99... better than wally world.

I picked up a WWB 100 rnd box there a week ago for $27. The box was dropped and was missing 5 rnds. Nice discount.

[Tregs]

For the price you can't beat it for a home defense shot gun. Here's a blurb from Gun Test Magazine:

When you consider the scant difference in price between these two shotguns, the differences in performance and handling cannot be ignored. Fit and finish of both shotguns was adequate. The Maverick’s blue finish was very nice. The Pardner’s was adequate and business like. The Mossberg featured an additional sighting bead, but the Pardner was drilled and tapped for a hunting scope. The trigger action of the Pardner was lighter by a margin. The recoil pad of the Pardner seemed to limit recoil and was the better looking of the two, our testers said. The Pardner’s safety was easier and faster to manipulate, we thought. The Pardner does not use a plastic trigger housing like the Maverick. Even if you pay $30 more, as Gun Tests did, the Pardner remains the recommended buy. Our team shot the guns using 2.75-inch Winchester Super Target lead shotshells and a Winchester Xpert Game/Target steel load.

Lots of heated comparisons between the Pardner and the Maverick on several forums. By a slight margin, the nod went to the Pardner on the blurbs I read because it is "built like a tank". Others don't like it because "tanks" are heavy. Others don't like it because it wears a "Made in China" tattoo. It is thought that all of the Remington 870 parts will fit on the Pardner except the barrel, which needs a spacer to make it work.
The Maverick is interchangeable with the Mossy 500. However, if you want to swap the forened, your will need to swap the full assembly.
In the end, after the dust settled, most agreed that both are good guns, great for the price.....except those who were completely turned off by the China thing.......

[Scott in Houston]

This is the lowest I ever saw a TCP and would be a perfect pocket carry on the Harley. So tempting... thinking about it.

.40 S&W 50 Rnds for $14.99... better than wally world.

I picked up a WWB 100 rnd box there a week ago for $27. The box was dropped and was missing 5 rnds. Nice discount.

Where did you see .40S&W 50 rounds for $14.99? It shows $19.99 on what I'm seeing.