Wheelgun Wednesday: Diamondback TALO Exclusive SDR .357 Magnum Models

Welcome back to another edition of Wheelgun Wednesday where we regale you with all of the peculiarities, oddities, and new happenings surrounding revolvers and their related counterparts. For this week, we are looking at the newly announced Two-Toned, TALO Exclusive wheelguns from Diamondback Firearms via their SDR (self-defense revolver) series. 

Wheelgun Wednesday @ TFB:

• Wheelgun Wednesday: Booligan's Muzzle Loader Modernized
• Wheelgun Wednesday: A Remington 1858 For Any Purpose
• Wheelgun Wednesday: Slap Leather In The Extreme Cowboy Fastdraw Series
• Wheelgun Wednesday: Return Of The Raging Judge

Diamondback Firearms and TALO Distributors Announce Exclusive Two-Tone SDR Models

For those who might not be in the know, TALO Distributors is known for taking popular firearm makes and models, and adding their own flavorful twist to them to create something select, unique, and collectible. Diamondback Firearms, on the other hand, is a company long known for producing AR-15s and just recently got into the revolver game. That being said, they have turned a lot of heads with their surprising quality and utility in their wheelguns.

That brings us to this collaboration between Diamondback and TALO for some exclusive Two-Toned SDR offerings. Diamondback expands on that relationship and the new revolvers in this press release statement below:

“The SDR (Self Defense Revolver) is your ultimate ally in self defense, combining reliability, concealability, and confidence into one powerful and compact package. Boasting an exceptionally smooth trigger pull, low profile front and rear fiber optic sights, and a six shot capacity, the SDR makes the perfect companion in any situation.”

Diamondback Two-Tone 2” SDR Bobbed Hammer - MSRP $838

First up, we’ll look at the Diamondback Two-Tone 2” SDR featuring a Bobbed Hammer and touting an MSRP of $838. This TALO Distributor exclusive is one of two Limited Edition revolvers that is built for concealed carry and its curb appeal. With a pairing of Stainless Glass Bead and Black Nitride+ finishes, it's an attractive combination, but not too flashy for EDC use. The rest of the important specs are provided below by TALO Distributors and Diamondback Firearms:

Technical Specs

• Cartridge: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 6-Round Cylinder
• Barrel: 2” Stainless Steel with a Black Nitride+ Finish
• Trigger Pull: 9 - 11 ½ Lbs
• Frame: Glass Bead Stainless Steel Finish on Forged Stainless Steel
• Sights: Fixed Fiber Optic Orange Front with Dovetail Fiber Optic Green Rear
• Grips: Hogue Black Rubber with Diamondback Firearms Logo
• Weight: 21.2 oz.
• Finishes: Black Nitride+ and Stainless Glass Bead
• Firing System: External, Bobbed Hammer
• Action: Double-Action Only (DAO)
• Sight Radius: 3.6"
• Length: 6.53"
• Width: 1.38"
• Height: 4.44"

Additional information from TALO Distributors, Inc can be found HERE.

Diamondback Two-Tone 3” SDR - MSRP $856

The 2nd TALO Distributor exclusive revolver also dons a Two-Tone finish with a few differences in appearance and its build-out. This revolver quite obviously has a longer 3” barrel, but also a longer Hogue rubber grip to go with it. While the first SDR wheelgun was built for its exceptional concealed carry ability, this one has several differences to make it that much more pleasurable to shoot. The full laundry list of specs can be read below as presented by Diamondback Firearms and TALO Distributors:  

Technical Specs

• Cartridge: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 6-Round Cylinder
• Barrel: 3" Stainless Steel with a Black Nitride+ Finish
• Trigger Pull: 9 - 11 ½ Lbs
• Frame: Glass Bead Stainless Steel Finish on Forged Stainless Steel
• Sights: Fixed Fiber Optic Orange Front with Dovetail Fiber Optic Green Rear
• Grips: Hogue Black Rubber with Diamondback Firearms Logo
• Weight: 23.9 Oz
• Finishes: Black Nitride+ and Stainless Glass Bead
• Firing System: External Hammer
• Action: Double-Action (DA) / Single-Action (SA)
• Sight Radius: 4.6"
• Length: 7.71"
• Width: 1.38"
• Height: 5.25"

Additional information from TALO Distributors, Inc can be found HERE.

Where do these Hit their Mark? What is their Target Market?

With these revolvers from Diamondback being called “SDR” and that meaning self defense revolver, it's basically implied in the name. The muted Black Nitride+ finish is both sexy and not too flashy as to draw attention for concealed carry. The touch of Stainless Glass Bead finish on the trigger, hammer, and cylinder that makes these Two-Tone revolvers is not so much that it is a detriment to carrying these for protection everyday as well.

The 3” SDR model could moonlight as a range revolver to shoot for fun, and with .38 Special ammo, I’m sure it would be quite controllable and pleasant. The 2” SDR revolver on the other hand is quite pigeon-holed into its role as a CCW pistol.

Final Thoughts

Both of these revolvers pass in the “looks” department being aesthetically well put together and finished nicely. Also, the pricepoints of $838 and $856 are on the expensive side, but not startling to me in the least. Many of Smith & Wesson’s premium J-Frame revolvers cost the same or a lot more. So, the pricing for these SDR models from Diamondback Firearms seems quite appropriate with where the revolver market is nowadays.