[SHOT 2026] New Diamondback SDR-A Aluminum Frame .38 Special Revolver

Diamondback Firearms expanded their SDR revolver lineup at SHOT Show 2026 with the new SDR-A, an aluminum-framed variant of their steel-framed defensive revolver introduced two years ago. The SDR-A sheds considerable weight by switching to a forged 7075-T6 aluminum frame while keeping the stainless steel barrel and cylinder. At launch, the gun is only available in one configuration: shrouded hammer with a matte glass bead finish.

The weight savings are substantial. The SDR-A comes in at 15.6 ounces unloaded compared to the steel SDR's heavier platform, making this a legitimate pocket carry option for .38 Special +P. Diamondback kept the capacity at six rounds, which gives you one more than the typical five-shot snubby without adding bulk. The 2-inch barrel and compact dimensions (6.70 inches overall length) keep it concealable.

We got trigger time with the SDR-A at Industry Range Day, and the gun performed better than I expected. Here's what Diamondback equipped it with:

• Forged 7075-T6 aluminum frame with glass bead finish and DBGuard coating
• Stainless steel 2-inch barrel and cylinder
• Double-action only trigger with 9-11.5 pound pull
• Fiber optic sights (orange front, green rear)
• Hogue black rubber grips
• Six-round capacity for .38 Special +P

The trigger surprised us. It's smooth with consistent pull weight and no stacking, which matters when you're running a DAO snubby under stress. The 9-11.5 pound range is standard for defensive revolvers, and Diamondback tuned it well enough that follow-up shots came naturally.

Here's what caught our attention: recoil management. The SDR-A in .38 Special felt less snappy than the steel-framed SDR in 9mm, which I didn't expect from a lighter gun. The aluminum frame absorbed recoil differently, and the grip angle combined with the Hogue rubber grips kept muzzle rise manageable. It's not a range gun you'll run 200 rounds through in one session, but it's controllable enough for defensive work.

The MSRP sits at $614, putting it in the middle of the aluminum-framed snubby market. That's competitive with similar guns from established revolver manufacturers while offering six rounds instead of five.

Right now you can only get the  SDR-A with a shrouded hammer and the glass bead finish. No word on whether Diamondback plans to offer exposed hammer models, longer barrels, or additional finish options down the road, but the current configuration works for concealed carry purposes.

After running it at Industry Range Day, the  SDR-A does what aluminum-framed snubbies should do: cuts weight without becoming uncontrollable. The smooth trigger and usable sights put it ahead of budget defensive revolvers, and six rounds beat five in a package that's barely larger. Excited to see more on this in the future! Are you interested in the SDR-A, or are you sticking with steel-framed snubby guns? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.