Great design, nostalgia, limited supply and many collectors with deep pockets.

Collector value aside, they also exhibit a level of fit and finish unobtainable in today's new market. They went out of production because they took too much (very expensive) skilled, hand labor to produce.

Try to get as nice a revolver for less money in the custom market.


Quality costs.

 

The colt Diamonback and Python are very collectible revolvers that will never go down in value,
there will always be a demand for them. As the supply of these guns for sale decreases, the collector interest and value increase. There are other factors for each individual piece like condition, barrel length, box and papers ect. that define the high and low end of these guns, but either way they are excellent examples of craftsmanship that is rarely duplicated these days.

Many shooters and collectors agree that the Diamondback and Python are the pinnacle of American made double action revolvers.

I think so!

 

1. they are not made anymore.
2. Colt SAAs are too expensive
3. Pythons are getting there or are.
4. Diamondbacks are next

my DB out of the box had a nice smooth action. and that was the 80s revival version.

you can find some like that but they are usally older/used guns.

if you ever have an opportunity to shoot a DB or Python, do so. you will see what its all about.

 

Whats the going price for a nice 4" Diamondback? Also, isn't the Diamonback built on a smaller frame than the Python, and isn't there a 22 that is built on the Python frame that is alot cheaper?

 

1k ish +

Nice is relative. chance are you want a 95% condition, so expect to pay dearly unless you know of someone willing to give you a break.

iirc, the DB is made on a smaller frame. forget which one tho.

afa a 22 built on a python frame, i sure dont know of any.

 

I can't exactly say what's so special about them. They just are. I needed to sell my nickel 4" Diamondback years ago to get enough money for the downpayment of my house. I would gladly buy it back for twice the price if I could find it. It was the worst mistake I've ever made. My 1968 nickel Python went away the same time, for the same reason, with a lot of other guns. But It's the Diamondback I regret the most. Anyone seen a 4 incher wih aftermrket matte nickel and Hogue grips with a colt medallion on one side?

 

The Diamondback is made on the D-frame. If you want a 22 made on the same size frame as a Python, it's called an Officers Model. Officers Model Target from 1930-48, Officers Model Special from 1949-52 and Officers Model Match from 1953-69. Anyone who shoots them will find them the finest .22 target revolvers ever made. Diamondbacks, while a great looking revolver, are more plinkers than target grade.

 

Anyone who shoots them will find them the finest .22 target revolvers ever made. Diamondbacks, while a great looking revolver, are more plinkers than target grade.

Having several Pythons already, I already knew that I wanted a .22 Diamondback.
But I wanted to shoot, not collect, and when I saw that the Diamondback had shot up to the collector price level, I was very disappointed. I just wanted a really, really nice .22 revolver, not another safe queen.

Fast forward, and of course, Colt .22 revolvers are history and won't be coming back anytime soon. But I still wanted an excellent, high quality .22 revolver, and I have to admit that I finally got happy when I bought a brand new S&W 617 in 4". The 617 lacks nothing against the Diamondback as a solid and accurate shooter.

So for people who still want a Diamondback but can't justify the price for something they probably wouldn't shoot anyway, go handle a Smith 617 and you will be very happy to leave the Diamondbacks to people who don't mind spending $1200+ for a safe queen.

 

Well said, when it comes down to it, Diamonbacks are collectors, they will probably never be made again. Unless I had a Diamondback or Python that was well worn, I would probably not shoot it near as much as my other firearms to preserve the value.

The S&W will hold value and be a great shooter, leave the Colt's to museums and collectors.

My belief is that fireams are made to be used. But I use them and take care of them!

 

Why they are special:

I have a S&W 17 and Colt Diamondback...both 6" barrels and .22 caliber. The Diamondback is hard chromed and tuned by Cylinder and Slide. I can shoot the 17 more accurately but the Diamondback has the "wow" factor. Everyone seems to admire it and says "I wish I could get one." It also is a reminder of the past, when American products were the envy of the world.

 

Here's the way I look at it.

If you find a nice DB you like and you have the money, buy it. So what if it might be a few bucks more than your buddy paid or whoever, your not going to loose money in the long run. The gun values just keep going up. Have you ever spent $30K+ on a new car or truck and drive it home? Now it's worth $5K less in one trip. When I bought my 6" nickel Python new, I paid $435. and have been enjoying shooting it ever since. Do you think I can get all my money back? Yup........

Just my $ .02

 

That $1300 is top dollar for a NIB blue Diamondback 22. I used to buy a lot of them, but they have gotten too expensive. Buy Sell Buy Sell... it was fun. I still want a couple of the 38's that I don't own currently. They are just really cool looking revolvers and they handle wonderfully. I'd rather carry a 4" Diamondback in a holster in the woods than just about any 22 handgun. The 4" Diamondback is my favorite 22 revolver.

The Smith Model 17. 18 and 617's are nice too. But the Diamondback was my very first Colt 22 that I purchased. Never even owned a Smith 22 revolver until about 5 years ago. Now I own a few. I do like the Model 17's and 18's.

There is a great deal of interest in both Colt and S&W 22 revolvers. They are worth buying when you find one for a reasonable price. I can't see the interest changing with ammo getting more expensive.

 

The S&W model 17 and 18 revolvers are very nice. I don't think that it is fair to Colt to compare them with a Diamondback. Think of a Diamondback as a fancy Detective Special. The Officer Model Match is a fair comparison to the S&W model 17. In that comparison, the OMM will do very well.

 

The OMM usually is higher priced than the Model 17 these days. But yes, they are a good comparison in terms of frame size and weight. The Colt Trooper Mark III in 22 has just recently eclipsed the S&W Model 17 in terms of pricing based on what I have seen. The Trooper Mark III is an excellent 22 revolver, but many feel they are a bit heavy for a 22.

Years ago, the Diamondback and Model 17's were priced in the same area give or take $50. The gun writers generally gave great reviews of the Diamondback, but they always mentioned price; it was an afford it if you can.

 

Years ago, the Diamondback and Model 17's were priced in the same area give or take $50. The gun writers generally gave great reviews of the Diamondback, but they always mentioned price; it was an afford it if you can.

You are correct. Back in 1975, I went into the local gun shop to buy my S&W 17 (that I had been looking for over a year) and could have bought a Diamondback for the same price - $145.

 

I'm usually a .22 pistol person because that is what I specialize in collecting, but along the way I have acquired about 20 .22 target revolvers. My persoanal favorite because of accuracy and smoothness of action is a Colt Trooper Mk III.
The S&W's are the more rugged gun but as a class they lack the buttery smooth action of the old Colts. I do agree that the Diamondback is not as accurate as the OMM, but its bore is 0.0005" larger in diameter also.

Wayne38

 

I have never slugged one of my Diamondbacks to check it, but I have heard that they were larger for use with a 22 magt cylinder. I never have verified it.

 

Gosh, 1975 was 36 years ago.... My first Diamondback 22 was purchased in June 1978 and was $225. My X kept it. It's history. It was my favorite gun and she knew it... what can I say?

I'm pretty sure that the Diamondback barrel was the larger diameter to allow for the 22WMR version that was planned and only barely produced if at all as a factory gun. The 22 Mag cylinder was listed in the parts catalogs of the day.