Diamondback DB15 5.56mm | Gun Preview

“Diamondback Firearms recently began shipping the DB15 pistol. These new handguns are based on the traditional AR-15 design and are an extension of the company’s existing DB15 rifle line. Fortunately, I was able to obtain one of these brand new handguns to see how well it would run.” written by author Richard Johnson in the upcoming June 2014 issue of COMBAT HANDGUNS.

The Diamondback DB15 pistol is chambered for the 5.56mm NATO cartridge and can safely fire the .223 Remington cartridge as well. Like many AR-15 rifles, the pistol uses a direct gas impingement design. Due to the classic design, a commercial-spec buffer tube extends beyond the rear of the receiver. The buffer tube is not designed to be a stock, and it is too short to try and use as an improvised one. The end of the tube is covered with a removable foam sleeve. It is possible to obtain a cheekweld on the foam portion of the tube, though doing so put my nose dangerously close to the castle nut.

“The 7.5-inch barrel is made of 4140 chrome-moly steel and has a 1-in-9-inch twist rate. The barrel is threaded and comes standard with an aggressive-looking muzzle device called the 5.56 Edge Flash Hider. The 5.56 Edge has spike-like posts arranged in a hex pattern around the outside of the flash suppressor. While not marketed as anything other than a flash suppressor, with its ferocious edges it appears that it could be effectively used to break a window or persuade an attacker to desist in his or her aggressive behavior.

“Diamondback uses a proprietary, free-floated aluminum handguard on the DB15. The handguard has Picatinny rails at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions. The lack of rails on the sides of the handguard made the gun more comfortable to hold than if the pistol had a full quad-rail.”

For more information on the Diamondback DB15 5.56mm, visit: http://diamondbackfirearms.com/

To learn more and find out how it fared on the range, check out the June 2014 issue of COMBAT HANDGUNS, available on newsstands and digitally March 18, 2014. To subscribe, go to /combat-handguns/