If you’re a fan of lightweight snubbies, this new revolver from Diamondback might be perfect for you. If you’re not, well, you should still stick around, because it’s a nice little gun and it’s smart to keep your options open. The Diamondback SDR-A is the latest addition to the company’s SDR lineup, and it’s the first hammerless model (yes, the Talo Exclusive SDR is shrouded, but that still leave a partially exposed hammer).
The Diamondback SDR-A is chambered in 38 Special, but it’s +P rated. It has a 2.0-inch barrel, so there’s no debating its snubby status, and it’s double-action only (DAO). The combination of it being DAO and hammerless makes it ideal for pocket carry thanks to reduced snags and a heavier trigger. That said, do me a favor and at least consider getting a pocket holster with your SDR-A.
Features of the SDR-A include a six-shot capacity, glass bead finish, and Hogue rubber grips. The grips do have finger grooves and while I usually dislike that, in the case of a snubby revolver it makes sense. Anything to improve your hold on the gun during live fire. If you don’t like it, it won’t be that hard to find aftermarket grips. Low profile dovetailed green fiber optic rear sights come standard as does the orange fixed fiber optic front sight. The sights draw the eye and make front sight focus easier.
On to the dimensions. The SDR-A’s overall length is 6.70-inches, width is 1.38-inches, and height is 4.92-inches. It weighs 15.6-ounces empty, and adding those six rounds doesn’t increase the heft that much. The barrel and cylinder are stainless steel and the frame is Forged 7075 T-6 Aluminum, the latter of which helps cut weight.
The DAO trigger is 9- to 11.5-pounds and delivers a clean break and decent re-set. Yes, it’s a snub-nosed revolver, so it’s a little snappier than many pistols, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t accurate within reasonable distances. If you want to cut recoil a bit, use 38 Special, but bump it up to +P if you prefer boosted ballistics. The cylinder rotates smoothly and there were zero issues during live fire. Speaking as someone who isn’t a massive fan of snubbies but does see their value, I’d say the Diamondback SDR-A is worth a closer look. It performed beyond its price point and really does make a good daily carry option.
MSRP $614.