Diamondback DB15

I’ve got more information (and photos) of the new Diamondback DB15 rifles I first mentioned last month.  After seeing them in the databases of a major gun dealer, I knew they were real, but I just didn’t have photos to share.  That’s all changed now that Diamondback posted their pretty new AR’s online.

A variety of models are, or will be, available.  Variations include different colors, handguards, sights and stocks.  As can be seen in these photos, they will offer everything from a plain-Jane black M4-style rifle to a Magpul-equipped gun to a flat dark earth colored gun with a free float handguard.

At first blush, it appears the company has some nice models that should appeal to many black gun enthusiasts.  Personally, I’d love to test drive the desert model shown, but with a Magpul CTR stock instead of the standard collapsible buttstock.

According to the company, the components are machined in-house on Diamondback CNC machines.  It is not known how many of the parts are made in-house and what other bits and pieces are outsourced.  For example, it would be safe to say that the lower receiver is rolling off a Diamondback machine.  But, how about other parts like the trigger?  The flash suppressor?  Many manufacturers outsource a large number of AR parts, so Diamondback it would be completely normal for Diamondback to bring in a number of parts from the outside.

Information on the company website is sparse, but the Diamondback DB15 uses the standard direct gas impingement system.  They are chambered for the 5.56.  It is not known if other calibers will be available in the near future.  Demand from customers would be the most likely motivator for the addition of new chamberings.

A Picatinny rail on the receiver seems to be standard fare across the line.  Personally, I like the flat top receivers.  I also prefer rifles with a folding front sight, which appears to be an option on several of the new DB15 rifles.  Nice.

At the 2012 SHOT Show, we saw a prototype Diamondback 12 gauge shotgun, which we figured would be the next major product release from the company.  However, it looks like we were wrong on that count.  Regardless, the addition of a completely new product line suggests the company is healthy and expanding, which is a good thing.

We’ll be at the 2012 NASGW Expo next week and will hit the Diamondback booth to get more information and photos on these new DB15 rifles.

 

Prior Article on the New DB15

It looks like Diamondback Firearms is releasing an AR15 rifle to the market.  At least, that is the rumor I am hearing.

Diamondback is known for their DB380 and DB9 pocket pistols, but was showing a prototype shotgun at the SHOT Show this year.  So, producing an AR15 is not much of a stretch.  The AR is probably the hottest selling gun on the market, and the production technology is pretty well a debugged process.

The question is:  Will the Diamondback Firearms AR15 be interesting enough to consumers to sell?  Lets take a look at the specs I have on hand.

Overall, the rifle seems to be pretty standard fare for a modern, semi-automatic AR15.

The barrel is 16″ with a black finish.  It is made of chrome-moly 4140 steel.  The lower is a forged 7075 T6 aluminum receiver, and it is mated to an A3-style upper with a Picatinny rail.  The guns are chambered for 5.56 NATO.

The buttstock, pistol grip and fore end on the Diamondback AR15 will be available in both black and flat dark earth colors.  I do not know if the fore end will have any kind of rail system.  The overall weight will be a little over 6.5 pounds.

The Diamondback AR will ship with a single 30-round magazine.  While I dislike any semi-auto firearm shipping with a single mag, AR mags are relatively cheap and can be had in any number of flavors.  A lot of shooters may prefer to buy their own anyway.

I am hearing the street price will be around $900.

I don’t know if the Diamondback Firearms AR15 will sell enough to be a profitable venture for the company.  I do know that there are a lot of companies building AR platform guns, and that the market is likely tough to break into.  A lot of gun buyers are leery about buying a black rifle from a company without a track record building the guns.  Especially, when there are so many alternatives out there.

However, demand for the AR15 is still fairly high, and the guns are likely to be popular for many years to come.  If Diamondback can start selling a few of these rifles, and good feedback hits the forums, sales of the guns could take off.

Update

Diamondback Firearms is now selling a DB15 pistol as well. Read my DB15 pistol review here.