SHOT Show Highlight: Diamondback DBX 5.7x28 Pistol

by
posted on January 24, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
standa_02_db_dbx_5-7.jpg

There haven’t been many surprises at this year’s SHOT Show, because many gun makers chose to announce their new products ahead of the event. But one gun that did manage to sneak up on us was the new Diamondback Firearms DBX pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm.

Ruger kicked off this year’s 5.7x28mm revival with its new Ruger-57 pistol, CMMG has launched a slew of rifle, pistol and caliber conversion kits for this cartridge and Speer Gold Dot is on board with a new load. With Diamondback’s DBX in the mix, we may see this cartridge make a real comeback.

Generally speaking, the 8” barrel DBX takes its design cues from AR-15-pattern pistols with lower receivers built for handgun magazines. In this case, the 20-round magazine has been borrowed from the FN Five-Seven pistol. Popular AR inspired features abound including aluminum receivers, an interchangeable A2 grip, safety selector, trigger group, MLOK slots on the handguard and the full-length optics rail.

However, unlike AR pistols, the DBX has a slim, flat profile of just 1.25″. That makes it about the same thickness as a typical 9 mm pistol. The locked breech action employs a dual gas piston system with a reciprocating left-side charging handle.

The DBX can be outfitted with a single-point sling using the milled in QD ports or the vertical rail at the rear can be used to support the stabilizing wrist brace (shown) that ships with the gun. Without the brace, the unloaded pistol weighs 3-lbs., with the brace it’s 3.7-lbs.

The DBX proved to be a fast-handling, soft-shooting gun that fits neatly in between the hip-holster pistols and carbines being offered by other companies. It’s definitely a candidate for additional testing.

It has a projected suggested retail price of around $1200 with Ruger-57 magazine compatible models in the works for a future release. For more information, please visit diamondbackfirearms.com

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.