From the Vault: Colt Diamondback Revolver

At a glance, it looks like a Colt Python, and for some of us back in the day, it served as the "poor man's Python." Brownells Gun Tech™ and firearm historian Keith Ford shows us his unfired Colt Diamondback manufactured in 1972. Unlike the Python, which was built on Colt's large I frame, the Diamondback used the smaller D frame of the Detective Special and Police Positive double action revolvers. Introduced in 1966, it came chambered in .38 Special or .22 Long Rifle, and could be had with a 2.5", 4" or 6" barrel. Aside from size, the main difference between a Diamondback and a Python was the quality of the finish and the tuning of the internal parts. A Diamondback still looks darned good, but it doesn't have the full, lustrous Royal Blue finish - or the Swiss-watch smoothness - of the Python. It also has a fixed firing pin on the hammer, while the Python has a frame-mounted firing pin. So the Diamondback is NOT a downsized Python. It's a completely different gun but still a very well-made, pleasant-shooting revolver. What about the rumors of .22 Magnum Diamondbacks? Keith fills us in. Diamondback production ended in 1988, but there are rumors that Colt is working on a new stainless steel Diamondback to join the New Python in their current line of "snake guns."