Colt Diamond back 38 spcl.

Onapar · January 30, 2013, 11:12 PM

I am hoping there is a colt expert here that can help me. I just came in to the possesion of a colt diamond back 38 spcl ctg 2 1/2 inch barrel that has 357&
stamped in front of the 38 special ctg on the left side of the barrel.
I read and old thread about the same thing and every one says there is no such thing. Why would any one stamp 357& on the very end of the barrel infront of 38 special. I would not try to fire a 357 round out of it. I am also not sure a 357 round would fit.
Serial # D67**
any info or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

22-rimfire · January 30, 2013, 11:33 PM

I have seen a number of mis-marked Diamondbacks over the years from 357 to 22 Mag. Try to load it with 357's and see if they fit. That should answer your question. It is probably a 38spl as there were no 357 mag Diamondbacks made.

But in terms of value, many dealers like to or want to charge a premium for a mis-marked gun, I am not buying.

**James K** · January 30, 2013, 11:40 PM

How about a picture of the markings? I doubt they are factory.

Everything I have read about the Diamondback says it is .38 Special (and .22). The Diamondback is built on the light D frame, the same as used for the Detective Special, and Colt did not (AFAIK) build any .357's on that frame.

I suspect that someone reamed out the chambers to take the longer .357 cartridge and marked the gun accordingly. I have little doubt that it would stand up to .357 pressures but it would probably shoot loose pretty quickly. I strongly agree with your decision to stick to .38 Special.

Jim

PetahW · January 31, 2013, 07:23 PM

.

Meet the Colt Magnum Carry, a factory stainless steel .357 made on the post-1972 DS-size (D-frame), the same size frame as the Diamondback.

They are rare, made only for one year (1998 through 1999), as a .357 Magnum/.38 Special revolver.

The first batch made carried the roll stamp, "1st Edition" on the barrel next to, "Magnum Carry".

They were issued in a Colt Custom Shop box.
SN's start with prefix SYxxxx.

Diamondbacks, however, were blued carbon steel & had a vent-ribbed bbl, and AFAIK were never factory chambered for the .357 - so I'm also of the opinion that somone most likely had it, looked at (or heard of) the .357 Magnum Carry, and did (or had done) a rechamber/remark job.

.

**James K** · January 31, 2013, 08:46 PM

I believe the Magnum Carry was made on the SF frame, which is stainless and a bit heavier than the older D frame.

Jim

rodfac · February 1, 2013, 06:17 PM

Was the cylinder bored out to take the longer .357 Magnum round by some insane shade tree gunsmith? Swing the cylinder out and see if a .357 Mag. will fit in the chambers...if so, then someone has bored it out...not a smart thing to do in my opinion...AFAIK, all Diamondbacks were in either .22 lr or .38 Special...

I own a .22 lr Diamondback that's got a 1.610" length cylinder but I don't know if the .38 Special versions were the same length. I just measured both the cylinder and a Remington factory .357 158 gr JHP (R357M3). The cartridge measures 1.575, making just possible to rebore a .38 Special cylinder for the longer Magnum, including a recess for the rim. I suspect that's what the OP has. HTHs Rod

**4V50 Gary** · February 2, 2013, 09:08 AM

I suspect the gun was modified after it left the factory.

Onapar · February 2, 2013, 09:33 PM

I have not fired this gun and was lucky enough return it to the seller for a full refund.
I believe the input of every one who posted to this thread saved me from possible harm.
I did run across and old thread about the very same thing markings were the same so proabably done by the same person.

January 30, 2013, 11:12 PM	#1
Onapar Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 117	Colt Diamond back 38 spcl. I am hoping there is a colt expert here that can help me. I just came in to the possesion of a colt diamond back 38 spcl ctg 2 1/2 inch barrel that has 357& stamped in front of the 38 special ctg on the left side of the barrel. I read and old thread about the same thing and every one says there is no such thing. Why would any one stamp 357& on the very end of the barrel infront of 38 special. I would not try to fire a 357 round out of it. I am also not sure a 357 round would fit. Serial # D67** any info or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

January 30, 2013, 11:40 PM	#3
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,408	How about a picture of the markings? I doubt they are factory. Everything I have read about the Diamondback says it is .38 Special (and .22). The Diamondback is built on the light D frame, the same as used for the Detective Special, and Colt did not (AFAIK) build any .357's on that frame. I suspect that someone reamed out the chambers to take the longer .357 cartridge and marked the gun accordingly. I have little doubt that it would stand up to .357 pressures but it would probably shoot loose pretty quickly. I strongly agree with your decision to stick to .38 Special. Jim __________________ Jim K

January 31, 2013, 08:46 PM	#5
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,408	I believe the Magnum Carry was made on the SF frame, which is stainless and a bit heavier than the older D frame. Jim __________________ Jim K

February 1, 2013, 06:17 PM	#6
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,223	Was the cylinder bored out to take the longer .357 Magnum round by some insane shade tree gunsmith? Swing the cylinder out and see if a .357 Mag. will fit in the chambers...if so, then someone has bored it out...not a smart thing to do in my opinion...AFAIK, all Diamondbacks were in either .22 lr or .38 Special... I own a .22 lr Diamondback that's got a 1.610" length cylinder but I don't know if the .38 Special versions were the same length. I just measured both the cylinder and a Remington factory .357 158 gr JHP (R357M3). The cartridge measures 1.575, making just possible to rebore a .38 Special cylinder for the longer Magnum, including a recess for the rim. I suspect that's what the OP has. HTHs Rod __________________ Our Flag does not fly because the wind blows against it, It proudly waves because a soldier's dying breath blows upon it. USAF Forward Air Controller, 5th Spl Forces, An Loc, lll Corps, RVN, 69-70, Vietnam Vet '69-'73 Last edited by rodfac; February 2, 2013 at 03:36 PM.

February 2, 2013, 09:08 AM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 15,418	I suspect the gun was modified after it left the factory. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 30, 2013, 11:33 PM	#2
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 4,331	I have seen a number of mis-marked Diamondbacks over the years from 357 to 22 Mag. Try to load it with 357's and see if they fit. That should answer your question. It is probably a 38spl as there were no 357 mag Diamondbacks made. But in terms of value, many dealers like to or want to charge a premium for a mis-marked gun, I am not buying.

January 31, 2013, 07:23 PM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 3,275	. Meet the Colt Magnum Carry, a factory stainless steel .357 made on the post-1972 DS-size (D-frame), the same size frame as the Diamondback. They are rare, made only for one year (1998 through 1999), as a .357 Magnum/.38 Special revolver. The first batch made carried the roll stamp, "1st Edition" on the barrel next to, "Magnum Carry". They were issued in a Colt Custom Shop box. SN's start with prefix SYxxxx. Diamondbacks, however, were blued carbon steel & had a vent-ribbed bbl, and AFAIK were never factory chambered for the .357 - so I'm also of the opinion that somone most likely had it, looked at (or heard of) the .357 Magnum Carry, and did (or had done) a rechamber/remark job. .

February 2, 2013, 09:33 PM	#8
Onapar Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 117	357&38 diamond back I have not fired this gun and was lucky enough return it to the seller for a full refund. I believe the input of every one who posted to this thread saved me from possible harm. I did run across and old thread about the very same thing markings were the same so proabably done by the same person.