Finally got a DB9 G4

[gale155]

You know, it's really a beeoch getting old. I tried to register this morning but was unable to do so due to a problem with my username. It finally dawned on me that I was already registered...apparently 4 years ago!

Anyway, I finally bought a DB9 Gen4 last month, and so far I'm enamored with it. I was hoping to look at one in person before buying but couldn't find one locally. Member Boscobarbell has posted brief yet glowing reviews of his at the Seecamp forum several times, so I finally decided that was good enough for me. I wanted the nickel-boron version, and the best price I could find was at Shooting Surplus via Gunbroker...$199.99 plus $14.95 shipping. I was pleasantly surprised that it arrived at my LGS the day after I ordered it.

I was immediately impressed with the fit and finish on a pistol in this price range, and could find absolutely no tool marks on the inside or outside of the slide. Visually everything seemed to be perfect. I've only got 24 flawless rounds through it so far, and the felt recoil using 115gr and 124gr ammo was far less than I expected. I don't think I'd want to shoot it all day, but 100 rounds in a single session is certainly doable, IMO. I'm also impressed with how short the trigger reset is, which is almost too short to measure. Bosco warned me to watch for the sights loosening, but so far they're still tight as a tick.

Like others have reported, I seem to be shooting low/left from only 7 yards, but that's probably just me not being used to the gun and admittedly being out of practice. The only other issue is the mag release seems to be extremely difficult to activate, but maybe that will improve a bit with use.

I'm addicted to front pocket carry, and the DB9 carries as easily as my Remington RM380 and LCP, and with very little printing. If there are no problems over the next 100 rounds or so, this little pistol will be seeing a lot of carry time. 

[boscobarbell]

Welcome (back), Gale

[gale155]

Thank you, sir.

[boscobarbell]

That’s good to hear, glad you like it.

I think I’ve seen you both in another forum before 

Hey, Holiday.  What are you doing here?   

[gale155]

Hey, Holiday.  What are you doing here?   

That was going to be my question. How are you doing Holiday? Good to hear from you.

How 'bout them Bengals? Looks like they may be coming to KC next weekend.

[mr380acp]

Rooting for the Bengals too!

[MSglock19]

Burrow and crew are getting their lunch handed to them.  I was hoping for a better game.

[gale155]

Burrow and crew are getting their lunch handed to them.  I was hoping for a better game.

A couple of Bengals and the mayor of Cincinnati should have kept their mouths shut. 

[gale155]

Next time they play, the Chiefs will remember #58 of the Bengals. Anticipating overtime, he was obviously trying to hurt Mahomes...and he cost the Bengals the game in the process.  What a moron. 

[jayz64]

Great review Gale.  Inspires me to want to buy one too.  Was looking at a Taurus GX4 or Ruger's current version of a 9mm pocket pistol but your review of the DB9 gets me to thinking.

[gale155]

Great review Gale.  Inspires me to want to buy one too.  Was looking at a Taurus GX4 or Ruger's current version of a 9mm pocket pistol but your review of the DB9 gets me to thinking.

Well, I've had trouble posting lately...I get a message that my session has timed out, and then I can't even log out because my "session cannot be verified".  Sorry it took so long to reply, but that's the reason. 

Before you run out and buy one, you might want to check Bosco's posts in another thread about issues he's been having lately.  Mine's still running 100%, but I don't have many rounds through it yet.

[gale155]

Well, I've had trouble posting lately...I get a message that my session has timed out, and then I can't even log out because my "session cannot be verified".  Sorry it took so long to reply, but that's the reason. 

Before you run out and buy one, you might want to check Bosco's posts in another thread about issues he's been having lately.  Mine's still running 100%, but I don't have many rounds through it yet.

I finally figured out why I was unable to post, and it appears I'm good to go now.

If you can find one in the low $200 range, I recommend the nickel slide model wholeheartedly.  I can't speak for the quality of the finish on the black slide since I've never seen one. Although he hasn't reported back yet, I'll bet that Bosco's issues were caused by the recoil spring needing to be replaced.  His problems began at around 600 rounds, and I think that's a reasonable lifespan for the recoil spring in a 9mm as small and light as the DB9. 

[Beefyhill]

I finally figured out why I was unable to post, and it appears I'm good to go now.

If you can find one in the low $200 range, I recommend the nickel slide model wholeheartedly.  I can't speak for the quality of the finish on the black slide since I've never seen one. Although he hasn't reported back yet, I'll bet that Bosco's issues were caused by the recoil spring needing to be replaced.  His problems began at around 600 rounds, and I think that's a reasonable lifespan for the recoil spring in a 9mm as small and light as the DB9.

I just picked up a nickel slide model, I have a black slide model too. I put several hundred rounds through my black slide model and it ran 100%. The black model slide finish was not bad, but it shows more scuffs in the finish than the finish on my Sig P365. I prefer the look of the nickel slide and plan to have the slide of my P365 nickel plated.

I had the nickel plated slide to the range a couple of times and had no issues. I also purchased a Kimber Micro 9 at 3 times the cost of my DB9 and it has giving me nothing but issues so far.

I would agree with you regarding the recoil spring needed changed on Bosco's DB9. I've seen some reviews on people running 1000 rounds in the DB9 with out issue. The recoil spring is not that expensive at $11.99 and I have no problem replacing it it I start having issues.

[gale155]

I just picked up a nickel slide model, I have a black slide model too. I put several hundred rounds through my black slide model and it ran 100%. The black model slide finish was not bad, but it shows more scuffs in the finish than the finish on my Sig P365. I prefer the look of the nickel slide and plan to have the slide of my P365 nickel plated.

I had the nickel plated slide to the range a couple of times and had no issues. I also purchased a Kimber Micro 9 at 3 times the cost of my DB9 and it has giving me nothing but issues so far.

I would agree with you regarding the recoil spring needed changed on Bosco's DB9. I've seen some reviews on people running 1000 rounds in the DB9 with out issue. The recoil spring is not that expensive at $11.99 and I have no problem replacing it it I start having issues.

Congrats on the new DB...I hope the finish on your nickel slide is a good as mine.  I can find absolutely no tool marks or imperfections on mine, and I was quite pleasantly surprised by that in this price range.  I still don't have many rounds through my DB9 yet, but it's been perfect so far. 

I tried a Micro 9 Raptor not long ago, hoping to finally being able to acclimate to a 1911 style pistol.  Alas it wasn't for me, so I guess it's true that you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  I tried a Ruger SR1911 and a Sig P938 as well, but no joy with either of those.  In fairness to Ruger, my SR1911 was a mirror-polished custom with gold inlays, and it was so beautiful I never even fired it.  I'm not a collector so I finally sold it for more than what I paid for it.

I'm certain Bosco will try a new recoil spring in his DB9 and report back.  You know, Rohrbaugh recommended replacing the recoil spring every 200 rounds in their R9, mainly due to the tiny gun taking such a beating from 9mm.  The same may be true for the DB9, but it's no big deal since the springs are cheap.