DB380 Gen 4

[Magnum_0710]

Hi everyone!
I have the new Gen 4 DB380 and could use some help. From what I've heard the newer DBs were supposed to be pretty good, I decided to roll the dice and have my ffl order me a new Gen 4. The distributor messed up and sent a Gen 3 but I decided to give it a chance. It ran 100% until I hit 300 rounds and the trigger bar bent. I sent it in and got it fixed but decided I'd rather try the Gen 4 instead.
I only gave the new 4 a quick cleaning my first range trip, assuming the Gen 4 would be just as reliable. I had quite a few issues my first range trip. I figured it probably needed broken in. I cleaned it thoroughly and my second range trip was great, not one issue! I thought ok maybe it just needed cleaned better.
A few weeks ago I found some Norma 380 ammo for $12 a box, went to the range and everything was fine at first. About 30 rounds in I start having stove pipes. Switched to my normal Winchester ammo and had a couple stovepipes with that too. The Norma ammo was extremely dirty so I figured that was probably the cause, no need to worry. Cleaned the gun again and figured it would be fine. Went to the range yesterday with just Winchester ammo this time and the last round of my first magazine stovepiped. I ran the rest of the box no issue but it's getting harder and harder to trust this gun.
I cleaned it thoroughly AGAIN when I got home, but I just don't get what's causing this. It only happens at random and it's done it with every type of ammo I tried. It's not a limp wrist issue, my Gen 3 ran 100% up until the trigger bar got bent. I don't think it's an ammo issue since all the ammo I used (except the Norma) ran fine in my Gen 3.
I emailed Diamondback and I'm hoping CS will be able to help. I really don't want to send it back to the factory, it'd be the second one I've had to send back and at that point I'd rather take the loss and get something else. It's sad cause I really like these little guns but I can't keep wasting ammo to test it out.  I could've had an LCP for all the money I've spent on ammo.
I considered polishing things up but the ejector looks like plastic so I decided not to. If anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears. I'm not ready to give up just yet but I'm not sure what else I can try. I've tried an extra magazine I bought for the Gen 3 and an older recoil spring and guide rod too. I know one stovepipe in 50 rounds doesn't sound horrible but it's strange that it keeps happening when my old DB never did this at all. I actually regret not keeping my Gen 3, it still worked even after they fixed the trigger bar.

[jayz64]

Sorry to hear that you're having problems with your pistol.  These really are unique and neat little guns that are great for pocket carry.

I too have a DB380 but don't know which version (gen) it is.  It was sent as a replacement by CS about 4 years ago for an original one that was purchased in 2010.

What are some of the characteristics that identify one as a gen 4?

[Magnum_0710]

The Gen 4 has new Glock compatible sights, they changed the logo on the slide, and they made a few internal updates. I know the trigger system was changed a little, other than that it's mostly the same.
It sucks cause I really like the little gun, IMO it's what the Glock 42 should have been. I just don't understand how my old gun was more reliable than the new one. I'm going to give it one more chance and if they can't get it running I'm probably just going to take a loss on it and trade it towards something else. I've tried everything I can to make it work, all kinds of little tips and tricks, there's really nothing more I can do. I regret not keeping my Gen 3. Here's a link to the new Gen 4.
https://diamondbackfirearms.com/portfolio/db0100e002/

[Magnum_0710]

If it helps the stovepipes are totally random, it might happen right away, it might not happen at all, or I might get 3 or 4 in a hundred rounds. It's gotten better since the break in period and me trying different things but I still can't fully trust it.
It's happened with every type of ammo I've tried, 3 of the 4 brands worked 100% in my Gen 3.

[jayz64]

Well, I gotta figure that the replacement CS sent me 4 years ago was not a "gen 4" DB380.  I can tell you that when I 1st got my new replacement it wasn't functioning as well as the original I had was.  I mean the 1st one was a shooter and I had no problems with it other than the reason I sent it in which was the sear wasn't releasing when the trigger was pulled hard all the way back against the frame.

The replacement would give FTL/FTE/stovepiping on occasion but doesn't do that anymore since I traced down to what the problem was.  The sides and bottom of recoil spring tab on the front of the slide frame was rubbing on the polymer part of the frame which would slow down the action enough to cause a problem.  After burnishing down the polymer sides and bottom (but not the metal tab on the slide frame) that made contact with the slide along with adding a bit of lube in that area, until the pistol broke in, there hasn't been another problem since.

You may want to check out that part of your "gen 4" to make sure that isn't happening to yours too.

[Magnum_0710]

Ok thanks! I will take a look but I think I have it narrowed down at this point. I'm really thinking it's either an extractor or ejector issue. When I cycle rounds by hand the last round doesn't want to eject, my original db didn't do that. It makes sense too cause the stovepipes have been on the last round when its happened. It seems like as long as there are rounds in the magazine it ejects just fine.
I will take a look and see if anything is going on with the frame and recoil spring too just to be safe. Maybe if I check that out and find an issue there that will clear it up.
I already put in a service request but I think DB is closed this week for Thanksgiving. It will probably be going back to the factory next week.

[jayz64]

Almost sounds like a magazine problem if it's consistently stove piping on the last round.

[Magnum_0710]

It doesn't do it constantly but it will happen at random, sometimes it doesn't do it all other times it will happen 3 or 4 times in 100 rounds. I do know that if I manually cycle rounds the last round doesn't eject at all unless I hold it sideways, holding it straight up the round does not come out. Perhaps I'll try to cycle rounds with my spare magazine and see if it still does it.
I hate to give up on it, it's everything I want in a pocket pistol. I'll s#!+ if it doesn't do it with the spare mag it would really be a relief if it was just a magazine problem. I'll report back and let you guys know.

[Magnum_0710]

My DB380 is going back to the factory, hopefully this will take care of everything. I'll keep you all posted.