Diamondback DB9 VS Kahr CM9

[Markis82]

Hi All,

Have any of you wondered how the CM9 stacks up to the DB9? I have. The DB9 looks like a micro Glock and I like that about it. Since I'm a fan and owner of Glock, I really considered the Diamondback while deciding what to replace my LCP with. After looking at all the facts, the decision was clear. The Kahr was built better, shot better, and was more reliable than the Diamondback. I am really glad I went with the Kahr. I might still get a DB9 for kicks and giggles. But, I'll never trust it to be my carry weapon. Here is a video comparing the DB9 and the CM9 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOS-FWhd16U&feature=related). Enjoy!

[TriggerMan]

Saw one too many DB9 videos to consider one. One guys gun blew up, shipped it in for repair, it blew up on the first shot when it came back. If you can stomache the Kahr's long heavy trigger, its a good choice. Perhaps the Nano will prove to be a better one. Time will tell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urN_-XOiA-0&feature=BFa&list=HL1323312414&lf=mh_lolz

[TheTman]

I have a DB9, and I hate it. I have small arthritic hands, and I cannot shoot 2 shots in a row with the damned thing without a jam. The handle flexes to much in my hands for it to operate properly. I joined the Diamondback forum to discuss my issues, and got the opinion from several people that the gun just didn't suit me, and sell it and move on.
Then someone else threw out a comment about flexing my elbows, and I responded with something like, "What is it now? Limp Elbowing we have to worry about now?, what do you have to remain motionless to shoot the damn thing?" I think he was full of BS.
I think you need big strong hands for it to perform well. I think the polymer is so thin in the frame and handle area that it uses your hand as a big part of the stiffness required to operate it well. I've seen the range officer shoot mag after mag with no problems, then hand it to me and it's back to jam-o-matic. The RO, was a young big ole boy, with large hands, and it shot like it should for him. If I hold it JUST right, and put pressure in the right places with both hands, I can get a few shots to go through it at a time, but it's not something I want to mess with anymore. I gave it a more than fair chance and it's for sale on Armslist now. I bought the DB9 cause I liked the size of it and the way looked, had a compensated barrel, and I thought I had a real nice pocket pistol. But after a couple horrible range sessions, I realized I should have spent the extra $100 and bought the CM9. The dealer said he'd take it back, but would have to pay trade in value on it, and I'd be better off to sell it myself, since it does work properly, when it has a competent operator. I tried adding a Handall Jr. hoping that might stiffen it up some, but it didn't help. Anyway, it's nothing more than a single shot last resort weapon now.
BTW I watched your video, and you have your recoil spring placed up in the notch, and it should go down against the barrel. I wondered about that notch, and asked if that was where the recoil spring went, and was told no, to put it down against the barrel in the larger notch.

[Longitude Zero]

From all the vids and posts I have seen the DB's are just so junky/dangerous that they make Hi-Standard and Raven look like the best weapons in the world. Don't waist your money and risk you life on a POS Diamondback. Also Kahr is suing DB and when they win I hope DB is closed down.

[Markis82]

Saw one too many DB9 videos to consider one. One guys gun blew up, shipped it in for repair, it blew up on the first shot when it came back. If you can stomache the Kahr's long heavy trigger, its a good choice. Perhaps the Nano will prove to be a better one. Time will tell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urN_-XOiA-0&feature=BFa&list=HL1323312414&lf=mh_lolzI absolutely love the trigger on the Kahr. I am very accurate and fast with it. Here is one of my targets, post #7 (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9765&page=2). I would not want a shorter trigger on a carry gun that has no safety. I'm sure there are those who will like the Nano. Nothing against Beretta, I will not be one of them.

[Markis82]

BTW I watched your video, and you have your recoil spring placed up in the notch, and it should go down against the barrel. I wondered about that notch, and asked if that was where the recoil spring went, and was told no, to put it down against the barrel in the larger notch.Well written, thanks. That is not my video. I just found it on YouTube and wanted to share it.

[TriggerMan]

I absolutely love the trigger on the Kahr. I am very accurate and fast with it. Here is one of my targets, post #7 (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9765&page=2). I would not want a shorter trigger on a carry gun that has no safety. I'm sure there are those who will like the Nano. Nothing against Beretta, I will not be one of them.That's some damn fine shooting at whatever speed you used. If I could shoot DAO that well, I wouldn't have sold my PM9 yesterday.

[kahrnut1]

i bought 2 db9s they boh had chambers bored shorter than saami specs. they try to get you to try differant rounds until you find one that works. when i insisted that the chambers were supposed to meet saami specs they changed the barrels on my guns but there are thousands out there with short chambers. when i bought them they were rated +P they were going to have ct laser and night sights. now they are not rated for +P they only sell night sights on new guns and crimson trace says they do not know when they will have a laser that will fit

[recoilguy]

I can't believe CT would make a laser for the DB9. But then I can't believe anyone would buy one either so my opinion and 4 bucks will get you a small Latte' at Starbucks. Which I woould rather have then a DB handgun. Or any other small weapon made in Florida.

RCG

[Raindog]

I bought a DB9 several months ago in lieu of a PM9 because it was a tiny bit smaller and cost about half as much. That was the beginning of a nightmare, I have never experienced a weapon with malfuntions as frequent and varied as what was exhibited by the DB9. Changing ammunition solved nothing, nor did various grip techniques.

I sent the pile back to DB and recieved it back about a week later. They had polished the ramp a bit but that seemed to be all. It fed better on the first round but that was all, as kahrnut1 said, the chamber was still bored too shallow and it would either FTE, FTRB or lock down tighter than ****'s hatband.

I ended up taking a loss and using it as partial trade on an N frame. Then I bit the bullet and did what I should have done in the first place, ordered a PM9.

[kahrlover123]

Diamond Back? It's a lot worse than Kel-Tec ... nuff said !!!

[PCollen]

The Diamondback guns are made by a company who's primary business is making airboats...very GOOD airboats I must say. They are located just down the road from Kel-tek . I drive by there often going to/from work. I think the owner of Diamondback used to work for, or do machine work in his shop for, Kel-tek. Anyway, he decided than most airboater's would benefit having a firearm handy when out in the Florida swamps, and decided to make one...the DB380. He figured he could sell them, or give them away as a sales 'gift' , to his airboat customers. Once the DB380 was in the bag (or boat, so to speak), he decided to add the 9mm DB9. I would n't be surprised if there is a DB40 coming one of these days.

I could have bought either a Kel-tek or Diamondback gun, and had the advantage of having the manufacturer and all it's customer service right on my doorstep. If I had a problem I could stop in and talk to them face-to-face, leave it for repair if necessary in the morning and pick it up on the way home from work. I bought the Kahr CM9 and have never questioned my decision to do so.

If you're interested, you can search www.floridatoday.com (http://www.floridatoday.com) newspaper archives for a big write-up they had on Diamondback a few months ago.

[Longitude Zero]

I bought the Kahr CM9 and have never questioned my decision to do so.

Smartest decision possible. Maybe the owner of DB needs to concentrate on what he is good at, building airboats and leave firearms manufacturing to experienced folks.

[John Law]

Good choice going with the CM9 Markis. While I dont bash other products, from what I have been reading the DB9 has had its share of issues. Its a nice concept but I dont think they have all the bugs out yet. JL

[kahrlover123]

The Diamondback guns are made by a company who's primary business is making airboats...very GOOD airboats I must say. They are located just down the road from Kel-tek . I drive by there often going to/from work. I think the owner of Diamondback used to work for, or do machine work in his shop for, Kel-tek. Anyway, he decided than most airboater's would benefit having a firearm handy when out in the Florida swamps, and decided to make one...the DB380. He figured he could sell them, or give them away as a sales 'gift' , to his airboat customers. Once the DB380 was in the bag (or boat, so to speak), he decided to add the 9mm DB9. I would n't be surprised if there is a DB40 coming one of these days.

I could have bought either a Kel-tek or Diamondback gun, and had the advantage of having the manufacturer and all it's customer service right on my doorstep. If I had a problem I could stop in and talk to them face-to-face, leave it for repair if necessary in the morning and pick it up on the way home from work. I bought the Kahr CM9 and have never questioned my decision to do so.

If you're interested, you can search www.floridatoday.com (http://www.floridatoday.com) newspaper archives for a big write-up they had on Diamondback a few months ago.

You're correct about the history. Few things I want to add in are:
1) DB380 is a big failure. Academy returned all those back and stopped carrying DB.
2) Bass Pro and Gander Mountain do not carry them as well.

This is why I said they're worse than Kel-Tech

[recoilguy]

To say a gun is worse then a KT is paramount to saying what a freakin POS.

No arguments here!

RCG

[Raindog]

Here's some pictures of the DB9 POS...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_4293.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_4291.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_4290.jpg

[Raindog]

It's replacement...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_4634.jpg

[TheTman]

The DB9 has a pretty dedicated fan base over at diamondbacktalk.com, with a few people like me jumping in and wondering what kind of POS is this thing? I've seen others fire full mags of ammo out of it without a hitch, but I cannot get the thing to fire twice in a row. I think you need big strong hands to fire this properly, I think the handle flexes too much for smaller hands to control.
It kind of reminds me of all the unhappy people with the P380 we had for quite awhile, either they performed well, or had to go back to the shop several times. I don't think mine needs to go back to the shop, just sold to someone with bigger hands.

[patgwashere]

i have a db9 and I am more accurate with it then my cm9. actually my cm9 had to go back to the factory because of a defective barrel right off the bat. it has been great though since kahr replaced the barrel, my db9 has been flawless through 400 rounds so far except 3 failures to eject (always last round) in the first 150 or so rounds. it fits in my pocket better than my cm9 due to it being thinner and lighter. kahr has had its problems just like diamondback. I think with time the db9 will end up being a really great micro 9mm. Maybe I have been lucky with mine but to me its a keeper.

things I like better about kahr is that it is rated for +p and locks back after last round

things I like better about db9 is lighter thinner and can slingshot first round much easier than kahr. I couldnt slingshot my kahr till it had a couple hundred rounds through it. I also find the db9 to be more accurate than my cm9. easier breakdown and reassembly. recoil spring is rated for 5000 rounds and kahr recommends changing every thousand rounds.

[Longitude Zero]

From what I have gathered over at the DB board you get a real winner or a POS. There is simply NO consistency in what is going wrong. And the debacle with the CT Lasers that was ALL DB's fault.

DB's first screw up was LITTLE TO NO Beta testing outside of employees. If they had sent 250 guns out at no cost to the recepient and provided 500 rounds each and then taken what they learned to change the design and/or manufacturing but alas they did not.

They tried to do it on the cheap and then make lame excuses. Then the kool aid drinking owner of the DB board used to throw a fit when ANY negative posts were made until the floodgates were opened. Still you have some die hard kool aid drinkers over there.

[TheTman]

I thought it a bit "weird" (for lack of a better word) of the Admin over at DBtalk to change the name of a thread from What a Piece of Crap, to FTF Problems. I was lucky I saw the Admin posting he was going to rename the thread as I had a few questioins on that thread I wanted to see how they got answered.

[jocko]

I do know that kahr has a lawsuit against DB for patent infringement.....

[Ljutic]

Howdy all. I have the PM9 and the DB9. Love both and will continue to own and carry both. I guess I'm one of the Kool-aid drinkers mentioned above, but I will state that I'm also a bit of a pot stirrer on the DB forum and have no issues calling out problems when I see them.

Is the DB9 perfect? Not yet, but neither was the PM9 when it first came out.

Instead of pitting one model vs. another or complaining about teething issues, I spend my money and time supporting innovative companies that continue to push the limits of small and lightweight pocket pistols. So I guess that makes me supportive of many, but loyal to none. I'm a marketer's nightmare.

[Ljutic]

I do know that kahr has a lawsuit against DB for patent infringement.....

From the Kahr website news section in April 2011 we see an update titled:
Kahr Arms Pursues Patent Infringement Lawsuit



Diamondback denies receipt of any litigation. I'm not a lawyer and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I think this was just posturing, by Kahr before the release of the DB9. "Pursues" and "Files" are two very different things.

[jocko]

not gonna argue that point. I could care less either way.. Time will tell here..