Rapidly growing Florida gunmaker Diamondback Firearms recently acquired a well-liked knife company and is expanding into making M1911-style handguns. 

Based in Cocoa, in Florida's Space Coast, Diamondback teased the single-action 1911 line last week, saying the guns will hit the mark next year. The example showed off by Diamondback, which carries SN 1911DB0006, is highly embellished and includes a skeletonized trigger, checkered wooden grip panels, combat sights, and slide cuts. 
 

Diamondback isn't saying who got the first five, but the quality looks on point. (Photo: Diamondback)


In related news, Zac Brown's Southern Grind knife company, founded in Georgia in 2012, is now part of the Diamondback family. 

"Although the physical equipment may be changing hands, the quality and designs will always represent Grind's proven track record of using extremely high-quality materials as well as an unparalleled attention to detail to always deliver a line of knives where only the best make the cut," said a joint statement, stressing that all warranties still exist. 
 

A Damascus spider monkey with carbon fiber scales, one of Southern Grind's past offerings. It is unclear which models Diamondback will carry in its catalog. (Photo: Southern Grind) 


Diamondback started over a decade ago by delivering reliable precision-machined components to distributors, then entered the firearm market proper with one of the smallest micro-compact .380 ACP handguns available. Since then, they have aggressively expanded with every part being machined or assembled in-house. Today, their products include the DB380, DB9, AM2, and DBX handguns, as well as DB15 and DB10 rifle and pistol series. 

We toured the burgeoning operation in 2019 on our Select Fire series. Check out that video, below.
 

 

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