In 2009, American gun maker Diamondback Firearms launched its first handgun, the diminutive polymer-framed DB380 pocket pistol chambered in .380 ACP. The success of this model allowed the company to grow and expand its catalog. Today it includes handguns chambered in 9 mm and FN 5.7, along with a variety of AR-type long guns, which are available at affordable prices.
The aluminum-framed SDR-A (left) next to the all-stainless steel SDR (right).
In 2024, this company joined the concealed-carry double-action revolver marketplace with the launch of the SDR series. Inspired by the 6-shot Kimber KS6 snub-gun design, the early SDRs sported 2" barrels, were chambered in .357 Mag. and were made wholly constructed from nicely polished stainless steel. In the years since, the lineup has diversified to include 3" barrels, various finish options and a 9 mm version.
At the first of 2026, Diamondback released their latest version of this platform which is dubbed the SDR-A. As the company's first dedicated .38 Spl. +P model, they opted to lighten the frame and shroud the hammer to make it a more pocketable option. In doing so, they stuck close to the winning formula of the original design. Here's what it has to offer.
This model tips the scales at 15.3 oz., unloaded.
Most of the SDR family consists of double-action/single-action revolvers, meaning they have an exposed hammer that allows the gun to be manually cocked for single-action fire. The SDA-A differs in that the hammer is fully encased inside of the rounded frame. This gives the gun a double-action only trigger, or, a long trigger pull for every shot fired.
This revolver's frame is made from forged 7075-T6 aluminum with a satin glass bead finish and a transparent DBGuard coating. Rather than using an all-steel barrel, the stainless steel bore is set into an aluminum outer barrel. The outer barrel supports the front sight and provides the hollowed out underlug which shrouds the ejector rod.
The pinned front sight sports a bright orange fiber optic.
The cylinder assembly, controls and trigger are made from stainless steel. This mixed metals construction reduces the SDR-A's weight from 21.2 oz. to 15.3 oz when compared to the all steel .357 Mag. version with a 2" barrel. It is about 1 oz. heavier than a Smith & Wesson lightweight J-Frame, like the Bodyguard 38 2.0, but it holds six shots instead of five.
This version of the SDR sports the same useful upgraded sight set as its compatriots. In place of the common fixed ramp front sight, it is fitted with a pinned metallic sight housing a red/orange fiber-optic tube. The square-notchrear sight is dovetailed into the frame, allowing it to be drift adjusted for windage, and it is fitted with a pair of green fiber optics. These sights are quick to acquire and easy to see in a broad range of lighting conditions.
The SDR-A holds six rounds of .38 Spl. instead of the more common 5 rounds for revolvers this size.
The cylinder rotates counter-clockwise with a weight-reduction fluting pattern borrowed from the Ruger LCR series. The left side, push-button style cylinder release is serrated and wedge shaped. I'm a fan of this style of release because, for me anyway, they are more intuitive to use than the shove-forward or pull-back varieties. Just mash it like you mean it and the action will open up. With the cylinder open, it spun freely which is an indicator of a good, clean fitting.
The SDR revolvers are unusual in that they feature a second cylinder release, a small round button located on the right side of the frame above front of the trigger guard. This spring-loaded button takes the place of the typical frame screw used to secure the cylinder yoke, or crane, into the frame. With the cylinder open, pressing and holding this button allows the entire cylinder assembly to slide forward and out of the frame. This feature comes in handy for routine cleaning.
The square notch rear sight is outfitted with green fiber optics.
Not everyone is a fan of this model’s concealed hammer and double-action-only (DAO) trigger arrangement, but those who are will point to key advantages for daily concealed carry. Sealing up the rear of the frame keeps debris out of the action. The sleek, rounded profile ensures a smooth, snag-free draw from concealment, including pants and purse pockets. The trigger pull, though a bit heavier, is consistent for every shot fired. And since most defensive situations do not allow the self defender the time to manually cock the hammer, the single-action function will not be missed.
Diamondback made the SDR grip frame compatible with Smith & Wesson J-Frame grip panels and mono grips. This allows folks to fit their guns with an expansive selection of options should they wish to trade them out. The SDR-A leaves the factory with a one-piece soft black rubber "boot" grip. This grip features pebble-textured sides, a finger-grooved front strap and a fairly thick backstrap that completely encases the aluminum grip frame. It also has a half-inch-long finger extension to support the little finger of the shooting hand. It's a comfortable, hand filling option for a lightweight revolver like this one. In fact, it would be a great fit for the .357 Mag. models as well.
The right side release button makes it easy to remove the cylinder assembly.
Although revolvers are fairly simple to use, they are not all that easy to make. A lack of attention to details becomes evident quite quickly to the consumers. That's why one of the first things to catch my attention when handling this and other SDR models is the quality. The fit and finish was snug and professional throughout with all of the moving parts cycling cleanly. The DAO trigger weighed in at 9 lbs. 4 oz. of trigger pull with a smooth, non-stacking feel.
The SDR-A’s double-action-only trigger cycled smoothly without any stacking.
Although some handguns are more multi-purpose in their designs, lightweight DAO .38 Spl. revolvers are specialized for concealed carry. While they are not unpleasant to shoot, they are not what most folks would choose for casual plinking or recreational target shooting. Be prepared for fairly vigorous levels of felt recoil, especially when using heavy bulleted or +P loads.
The SDR-A was put through its paces at the shooting range using a mix of standard pressure and +P loads. They included practice-grade and premium hollow-point loads topped with bullets in common weights. The revolver operated flawlessly without any malfunctions, gun or ammunition related, throughout the course of testing.
The author opted for lighter bullet loads to manage levels of felt recoil.
The formal bench-rested performance testing consisted of firing five 5-shot groups using three different loads into paper targets posted at a distance of 7 yards. A Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph was on hand to measure the average muzzle velocity for 10-shot strings. For this portion of the testing I opted for loads topped with lighter bullets in the 110 to 130-gr. range in order to reduce the levels of felt recoil.
The best individual 5-shot group of 1.97” was fired using the colt defense load.
The practice-grade load was Federal's American Eagle 130-gr. full-metal-jacket load. The two +P personal-protection loads included the Colt Defense (made by DoubleTap) 110-gr. lead-free solid copper hollow point and Federal Premium's 120-gr. Punch Personal Defense jacketed hollow point. Here are the results:
For those who prefer the simplicity and reliability that pocketable revolvers provide, the SDR-A represents a best-in-class option. It is lightweight, sports useful easy to see sights, and has a comfortable grip. But unlike many .38 Spl. revolvers in this size class, it holds a sixth round. With a suggested retail price of $614, this SDR costs roughly $50 more than comparable DAO J-Frames. But with the extra round in the cylinder and its other features, it's well worth the investment! For more information, visit diamondbackfirearms.com.
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