When it comes to snub-nose revolvers, people usually picture a Smith & Wesson Chief’s Special or even a Colt Detective Special. These dream sequences are very noir, filled with trench coats, gangsters, and Tommy guns. But while we may consider small revolvers a carry gun of the past, they are still very popular today.
And it’s not just S&W and Colt producing them. There’s a fair number of manufacturers offering small wheel guns, including names that will surprise you. One of those is Diamondback Firearms.
Most people know Diamondback for their AR-style rifles. They’ve expanded their offerings over the years, including a series of J-Frame-size revolvers called the SDR (steel) and SDR-A (aluminum). Among wheel gun enthusiasts, the SDR line is popular.
These are well-made and well-thought-out revolvers. Diamondback continues to double down on the line with the introduction of the SDR-A in black.
SPECS
Diamondback Firearms expands its lightweight SDR-A revolver lineup with the SDR-A Black, a six-shot .38 Special +P revolver featuring a black anodized frame, a black nitride stainless-steel cylinder, and a black PX5-finished stainless-steel barrel shroud.
The standard specs are as follows:
| Specification | Diamondback SDR-A Black |
|---|---|
| Model(s) | SDR-A |
| Action | Double Action Only |
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Color | Black |
| Caliber | .38 SPL +P |
| Capacity | 6 |
| Sights | Fiber-Optic Front, Dovetail Fiber-Optic Rear |
| Optic Cut | N/A |
| Barrel Length | 2″ |
| Overall Length | 6.70″ |
| Overall Width | 1.38″ |
| Height | 4.92″ |
| Weight | 15.6 oz. |
| MSRP | $614.00 |
FEATURES
Built around a forged 7075-T6 aluminum frame, the double-action-only revolver weighs just 15.6 ounces.
Its 2-inch stainless-steel barrel is complemented by an orange fiber-optic front sight and a low-profile dovetail green fiber-optic rear sight. The hammerless design features a 9.0- to 11.5-pound trigger pull and a Hogue black rubber grip bearing the Diamondback logo. Measuring 6.70 inches, the SDR-A Black offers a compact package for everyday carry.
ZOOMING OUT
There’s a lot I like about this snubbie. Price-wise, it’s more than fair. Plus, you get a sixth round—something uncommon on J-Frame-size guns.
That sixth round also fills a Bianchi Speed Strip, which holds six .38/.357 rounds and slips into a pocket for a fast revolver reload.
For carry pieces, I prefer a color like black over stainless. It blends in better and is less likely to glint if sunlight hits it. All in all, the SDR-A is a well-thought-out snubnose.
For more new release news, head over to the CADRE Dispatch, and for more wheel guns, visit our revolver tag page.
Quick Answers on the Diamondback SDR and SDR-A
The SDR-A has a forged 7075-T6 aluminum frame, a hammerless double-action-only design, and .38 Special +P chambering, and it weighs 15.6 ounces. The SDR is the stainless-steel version, chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special +P or 9mm, with hammer and bobbed-hammer models.
No. The SDR-A is chambered in .38 Special +P. For .357 Magnum, Diamondback offers the stainless-steel SDR.
Six rounds of .38 Special +P.
15.6 ounces unloaded.
Diamondback lists a suggested retail price of $614.
