Colt Diamondback Thoughts?

How does the Diamondback feel sizewise to the Python? I want to feel the Diamondback in person to compare the sizes of the two. Almost pulled the trigger on one last year. I'm intrigued by scaled down models of guns. With the Diamondback I prefer the .38 as I'd like the .22 to be scaled down more to the size of the cartridge.

Colt should have made an even smaller snake for the .22. Call it a Pit Viper or Copperhead or Rattler. The snake line could have been endless.. The .500 could be called the "Titanoboa".. Its an absolute shame they dropped the line.

There are very few options for smaller framed classy DA revolvers like Colt and S&W in .22 and mouse calibers. The K frame is too big imo, I haven't seen the J frame but I think they should have smaller models for the .22. Maybe the mechanics make it impossible to downsize, doubt it.

I haven't been able to reconcile purchasing a model 17. The K frame is huge compared to a .22 and only 6 rounds?!? They should raise round count and make a size smaller than J. That would be a cool .22, keep it classy like a scaled down 586 half size.. Now I'm dreamin'.

Its smaller, but not as small as a S&W J frame. A lot of the difference is grip size, and mostly on the DB that's wood. The frame is second gen D frame, same as the Detective specials. - dan
 
Hard to say as our market is so thin and collectable handguns don't seem to be as valuable here as in the US and it's very hard to compare prices across the border

That being said, a completed auction search on Gun Broker show some selling recently in the $1600-1900 US range with one near perfect LNIB nickle gun I saw that went at something like $3750.
I'm not sure they would bring anything like that here but who knows.....the snake name seems to add a lot of value over and above the inherent quality of the gun.

A older collector told me one time he sometimes took US prices, converted to Canadian and then deducted 30% as a rough "guesstimate" for collectible handgun values in Canada. By that measure that $1800 might not be that far off.

edit Just re-read this post........ It seems a long and convoluted way to say "I don't really know" doesn't it? ;)
 
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Meh....had a .22lr Diamondback. Pretty gun but it keyholed with inexpensive ammo and was reasonably accurate with expensive ammo. I thought there was an issue with it so I had it inspected by Armco and it came back with a clean bill of health and a recommendation that I only feed it expensive ammo. I have a S&W 617 that shot well with "cheap" ammo, ie. CCI SV, American Eagle, Remington. I couldn't see the point of owning a .22lr that had to be fed ammo that cost more than a box of 9mm so I sold it....YMMV.
 
Meh....had a .22lr Diamondback. Pretty gun but it keyholed with inexpensive ammo and was reasonably accurate with expensive ammo. I thought there was an issue with it so I had it inspected by Armco and it came back with a clean bill of health and a recommendation that I only feed it expensive ammo. I have a S&W 617 that shot well with "cheap" ammo, ie. CCI SV, American Eagle, Remington. I couldn't see the point of owning a .22lr that had to be fed ammo that cost more than a box of 9mm so I sold it....YMMV.

Yes, the more I read/learn the more I think it's about collectability rather than it's qualities as a firearm.
 
Yes, the more I read/learn the more I think it's about collectability rather than it's qualities as a firearm.

Bingo. I'd like to have one for my collection but not going to pay Python money for one. My Model 17 shoots very good for less than a third the price of the one you mentioned listed on EE.

Edit: I see a .38 Diamondback with box just got listed on EE for a more reasonable price...only twice as much as my Model 14-3.
 
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Bingo. I'd like to have one for my collection but not going to pay Python money for one. My Model 17 shoots very good for less than a third the price of the one you mentioned listed on EE.

Edit: I see a .38 Diamondback with box just got listed on EE for a more reasonable price...only twice as much as my Model 14-3.

One good thing about Colt snake gun values is that they makes vintage S&W revolvers look like the deal of the century in comparison.;)
 
Just seen this:

[h=2]Colt diamondback .38 special[/h]
For sale a nice Colt Diamondback 38 special cartridge, 6 inch barrel. This pistol is like new with 12 rounds fired. Comes with a correct box but not numbered to the gun. Pics if you pm me your email. Price is 1650.00 shipped. These are getting hard to come by in this condition.

sold please remove​
 
Just seen this:

[h=2]Colt diamondback .38 special[/h]
For sale a nice Colt Diamondback 38 special cartridge, 6 inch barrel. This pistol is like new with 12 rounds fired. Comes with a correct box but not numbered to the gun. Pics if you pm me your email. Price is 1650.00 shipped. These are getting hard to come by in this condition.

sold please remove​

Less than a day
 
One good thing about Colt snake gun values is that they makes vintage S&W revolvers look like the deal of the century in comparison.;)

I love my Colts, anyone who knows me knows this.....but as time goes on I'm starting to love my S&W even more just for the fact that the value in them is incredible for the price, in comparison to the Colts. Yes, the Colt snake guns have the edge (by a wide margin) for pure design and aesthetics. They are beautiful, plain and simple. And no question that the Python is a superbly built, very accurate gun. The S&W may be the 'blue collar' gun, but dear Lord the action on my 27-2, 14-3, 17-3, 66-1.....they are fantastic too! And accurate. And a fraction of the price.

IMO the big reason that the S&W doesn't command the same or similar prices as the Colts, is simply because S&W is still making revolvers (with the hateful 'Hillary Hole' and MIM parts aside and for another discussion)....and Colt stopped making them. At least until recently anyway, and I haven't heard or read anything that makes me think the new ones will affect the value of the Snake guns....
 
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