Colt Diamondback Thoughts?

[sailor723]

I was wondering what people's thought were on these guns?

Built on the smaller/shorter "D" frame some websites I've visited suggest they are a "baby Python" but Coltfever (which I've found to be generally accurate) seems to disagree with that...(I suspect Coltfever is right)

From their website....

"In 1966 Colt introduced the Colt Diamondback revolver.
The Diamondback was intended to be a premium quality adjustable sighted small framed revolver that would resemble the popular Python.
The new Diamondback was built on the Colt "D" frame as used for the Detective Special, Police Positive Special, etc.
It had a wide, long, grooved Target hammer, Target type walnut grips, Colt Accro adjustable sight, and a barrel that looked like a Python barrel and was in fact built on Python machinery.
While the new Diamondback looked like a miniature Python, it isn't the same quality and wasn't fitted or finished to the same level.
The action wasn't tuned to Python standards and the blue job was not the Royal Blue as used on the Python.
The Diamondback is really a Detective Special level gun with adjustable sights and a barrel that closely resembles a Python barrel.
Production of the Diamondback was from 1966 to 1991."

My Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms says production was actually 1966-1986 so who knows . It also suggests that the .22's command a 30% premium over the .38's although that is 1)... in the US and 2)... several years ago.

I also read on another site that the 22's are really more of a plinker than a true target gun like a Officers Model Target or Match. That author said that Colt had plans to sell a .22 Mag version and the barrels were made a thou larger to accommodate that. Not idea if that is true or not but might make sense.

In any event I think they look pretty cool and when I saw one on the EE last night I gave in to temptation.
It's not in top notch cosmetic shape but I don't see them very often so I decided to grab it while I had the chance.
If nothing else it will fill a hole on my Colt shelf. I'm looking forward to shooting it back to back with my OMT and OMM.

 

[sailor723]

A couple of photos courtesy of the seller... The serial number doesn't show up on the "date your gun" section of the Colt website but I'm thinking it may be fairly early if the grips are original. I've read that having silver medallions and the curved line in the checkering under the medallion are indicative of earlier production.

edit Found a listing on proofhouse.com that suggests it may be a 1971

 

[ryan]

I had one in .38 special. Very pretty revolver and shot great. Might not be python quality, but darn close in my view.

 

[dan belisle]

I was just shooting my 6 inch 22 Diamondback on Monday. With the right ammo, it shot just as well as my Match Target, that day. I have three Diamondbacks, find them to be an accurate small framed revolver. As to the baby Python comment, it also refers to the leafspring type lockworks. - dan

 

[gdawg]

I like them. As above, I always understood the quality was very good and that they were surprisingly close to Pythons - certainly closer than King Cobras. If I recall, they were not 'that' much cheaper than Pythons (whereas the King Cobras were half the price). Definitely a worthy pick up for anyone who likes the classics colt revolvers.

 

[sevoman]

I had a 22 diamondback a few years ago and while it was a pretty gun it certainly wasn't at the same level of workmanship and finish as a python.The way it shot also left me underwhelmed,it wasn't that accurate and my smith model 17 was a way better shooter.I ended up selling it.I still have 2 officers model targets(one from 1937 and one from 1966)which are both superbly made and great shooters and more " python like"as regards finish and action.

 

[sailor723]

I had a 22 diamondback a few years ago and while it was a pretty gun it certainly wasn't at the same level of workmanship and finish as a python.The way it shot also left me underwhelmed,it wasn't that accurate and my smith model 17 was a way better shooter.I ended up selling it.I still have 2 officers model targets(one from 1937 and one from 1966)which are both superbly made and great shooters and more " python like"as regards finish and action.

Yes, I'd read that about the Diamondback compared to the S&W 17 or any of the Colt Officers Models in terms of being a target pistol. Nice to hear firsthand experience.

BTW, wouldn't your 1966 be an Officers Model Match rather than an Officers Model Target? My '41 is an OMT but my '56 is a Match. I've always understood that all the OMT's were made pre WW II.

 

[sevoman]

Yes, I'd read that about the Diamondback compared to the S&W 17 or any of the Colt Officers Models in terms of being a target pistol. Nice to hear firsthand experience.

BTW, wouldn't your 1966 be an Officers Model Match rather than an Officers Model Target? My '41 is an OMT but my '56 is a Match. I've always understood that all the OMT's were made pre WW II.

Yes,I stand corrected,get confused between the match and target!.Either way they are great guns and it always amazes me how much less they sell for compared to the "snake" Colt revolvers

 

[marshall]

I have always likes and shot good with the pythons, the diamond backs I have had , have never impressed me other than looks.
I could always shoot a M17 s-w better, and I was a colt guy for years.
I have had a diamond back in the colt royal blue , but that was a real early one.
have never shot a 38 sp one, I had, it was new, that is the trouble with new guns.

 

[sailor723]

Yes,I stand corrected,get confused between the match and target!.Either way they are great guns and it always amazes me how much less they sell for compared to the "snake" Colt revolvers

I agree with you about the value. I got a really nice 1964 OMM in .38spl last fall for about a third of what a Python in similar condition would cost.

 

[dan belisle]

Took the Diamondback, OMT, Dan Wesson 22 VH6, S&W 17-3, S&W 34, and a High Standard Supermatic Citation to the range on Monday (all 22's). Ammo differences made more difference to the groups. I was very surprised how well the 34 did, actually. I also have an OMT in 38 Special, and a Diamondback in the same cartridge. I prefer the OMT's, but only because of the way they feel in my hand. - dan

 

[sailor723]

Took the Diamondback, OMT, Dan Wesson 22 VH6, S&W 17-3, S&W 34, and a High Standard Supermatic Citation to the range on Monday (all 22's). Ammo differences made more difference to the groups. I was very surprised how well the 34 did, actually. I also have an OMT in 38 Special, and a Diamondback in the same cartridge. I prefer the OMT's, but only because of the way they feel in my hand. - dan

Interesting....I guess a lot of the time it really is the gunner and not the gun.

 

[Twisted Canuck]

Not much I can add looks like! I don't have a diamondback, but was lucky enough to shoot my Model 14 and 17 (K38, K22) next to Diamondbacks in same cartridges. A friend wanted first hand comparison. I honestly felt like the Smiths were a bit smoother, and I definitely shot better with them. My friend shot his better. I guess you dance with the one you brung...however, we both agreed that my Custom Shop Python was far better fit, finish, and shooting than any of them.

 

[sailor723]

Not much I can add looks like! I don't have a diamondback, but was lucky enough to shoot my Model 14 and 17 (K38, K22) next to Diamondbacks in same cartridges. A friend wanted first hand comparison. I honestly felt like the Smiths were a bit smoother, and I definitely shot better with them. My friend shot his better. I guess you dance with the one you brung...however, we both agreed that my Custom Shop Python was far better fit, finish, and shooting than any of them.

That would seem to line up with what I am thinking. I suspect the more direct Colt/S&W comparison would be Officer's Model Match in .22 and .38 to a K-22 and K-38.

I have those 4 guns so maybe I should do a comparison next time I'm at the range.

 

[Twisted Canuck]

That would seem to line up with what I am thinking. I suspect the more direct Colt/S&W comparison would be Officer's Model Match in .22 and .38 to a K-22 and K-38.

I have those 4 guns so maybe I should do a comparison next time I'm at the range.

I tend to agree with you. The Diamondback is nicer than my King Cobra, as mentioned. Will be interested to hear your observations comparing your Smiths to Colts. I don't have any Officers Match, never shot them either. I do love my K38/22 though!

 

[sailor723]

I tend to agree with you. The Diamondback is nicer than my King Cobra, as mentioned. Will be interested to hear your observations comparing your Smiths to Colts. I don't have any Officers Match, never shot them either. I do love my K38/22 though!

From what i understand the King Cobra is just a stainless version of a Trooper MK V. Interesting that having a snake head engraved on the barrel adds about $1200 to the value.

 

[Twisted Canuck]

From what i understand the King Cobra is just a stainless version of a Trooper MK V. Interesting that having a snake head engraved on the barrel adds about $1200 to the value.

Yes, and a bit no. The later version enhanced KC had the larger cylinder release off the Anaconda, a recessed muzzle crown, and it's own trigger parts as opposed to the Troopers. I have a Mark III Trooper, and it has what I call a 'Cop trigger' very heavy. My enhanced KC is much superior. I also have a blue KC, and it is also better than the Trooper, though it is not enhanced. Have not had a chance to compare the KC to a Mk V though.

 

[marshall]

The colt model 357 is the same as python or trooper? , I have not opened it, but it is smooth as hell. I have heard that they turned into the pythons, but can't swear to that.

 

[Sakoman .308]

It's a very nice revolver OP, enjoy it.

 

[sailor723]

The colt model 357 is the same as python or trooper? , I have not opened it, but it is smooth as hell. I have heard that they turned into the pythons, but can't swear to that.

The is some good information on the Model 3-5-7 on the coltfever website. http://www.coltfever.com/The_357_Model.html
After the Python introduction the 357 kind of got squeezed out, being positioned between the Trooper and the Python.