A Brief History
In 2021, the PDP line of pistols replaced the Walther PPQ, which had been completely discontinued along with the P99. The P99 was the initial foray into plastic, introduced as the new Bond gun for “Tomorrow Never Dies,” and featured a unique double-action, striker-fired design.
The PPQ was the follow-up that used a traditional striker-fired mechanism as a direct competitor to Glocks and Smith & Wesson M&Ps. It was used worldwide but never really took off in the U.S. The PPQ differed slightly from the Glock lineup with a fully pre-loaded striker that eliminated some of the “mush” with the partial load strikers.
The PPQ had a great trigger, which was optimized through Walther’s Q series, and caught steam as a steel-framed competition gun. The PDP built on this, with an excellent trigger but built more for duty use. The frame was the first major upgrade, with a custom texture that secures the shooter’s grip.
The PDP features legendary ergonomics that remain mostly unchanged from the P99, which shares some DNA from the P5 lineage. Its slide was beefed up a bit, getting less angular and more boxy, complete with wide, and quite sharp, serrations both in front and back. The slide was brought to modern standards by being optic-ready with a plate system.
Package & Specs
The PDP Pro Acro comes with an Aimpoint Acro red dot sight installed, which co-witnesses the pistol’s steel sights. Controls are ambidextrous with an American-style mag release button, full Picatinny rail, and interchangeable backstraps. An upgraded Dynamic Performance Trigger boasts minimal take-up and an ultra-short reset.
Recently, the series has expanded to include several color options, as well as the Steel Frame and Pro series. The Full Size comes in a 5-inch or 4.5-inch barrel, while the Compact is 4 inches with a shortened frame.
The Walther PDP Full Size is similar in size to a full-size Beretta 92. As much as I love that gun, it tends to be unnecessarily large when the Centurion exists. The PDP is about a quarter of an inch taller as well.
A Certified Used Gem
Over the last couple of years, I’ve scored some pretty sweet pistols. Finding an older gem that’s either rare or in outstanding condition, or both, is very fulfilling.
This Certified Used example from Guns.com looks to have been well loved but is still in impeccable condition. The slide and barrel have virtually no wear marks, though the carbon that came off shows that it’s been shot. It came with three magazines and a magwell installed. Even better, the installed Aimpoint Acro perfectly co-witnesses with the upgraded aftermarket night sights.
There’s also a Grip Control folding gas pedal installed. These are not my thing, as my thumbs do essentially nothing within my shooting grip – something that is debated constantly, of course. The person that traded this in must have had huge hands. My thumbs barely touch that piece, and I’d likely remove if I kept the gun.
Takedown on these Walthers is extremely easy – almost easier than the Glock, I think. This package also included a threaded barrel and second recoil assembly, which I installed for some photos. Finding a gun with extras like these is exciting; it's a win when you don't have to shell out money for extras immediately after buying a new gun.
My Thoughts
The PDP lineup has mainly missed me, though mostly due to my preferences switching from plastic to metal, hammer-fired pistols. Often, plastic just does not feel premium to me. The PDP series defies that trend with just how well put together these pistols are.
This PDP feels solid. It’s a polymer frame, but the seams don’t stand out. The rear grip panel looks like it’s one piece, even though it’s interchangeable. The frame molds to my hand and has nice tack without being too aggressive (though I personally prefer that).
The slide has more of a nitride finish that’s evenly applied with excellent machining, matching the frame for a no-nonsense look. The trigger is awesome, with a short reset. This gun has great curves and looks, solid lockup, and a high-quality feel.
The slide is the one area that gives me pause. It reminds me of a cheese grater. The sharp serrations seem an odd fit for the smooth curves and excellent machining of the rest of the gun – and most of its relatives. It’s certainly not a deal-breaker, and the slide cuts work extremely well, but to me, the gun looks bigger and bulkier than it needs to be.
The mag release is easy to reach and works well, with a solid, tactile feel. The mags come flying out, and I found myself rapidly reloading without much practice, thanks to the magwell. The whole experience feels intuitive and makes me a little nervous that I may want a PDP of my own.
Range Report
My experience with Walther has been undeniably positive. These guns all feel about the same in hand, which is to say, they fit like a glove. I can point naturally right to where I look. The optic and co-witnessing sights on this example put me on target quickly.
I had mainly Sellier & Bellot and PMC 115-grain 9mm for testing. Again, it’s been a minute since I’ve used a striker, but I’m always reminded how simple and easy to use these guns are. The pattern on the frame grip has a way of locking my hands in even when they are a little clammy from the cold. The trigger travel is short, so it took me a bit to get into rhythm – a good thing overall. The trigger just kind of lives in the middle of the trigger guard, which feels slightly different from many others.
This is a large gun that tracks well. My grip doesn’t let me really tap into the Grip Control lever, but again, I don’t push with my thumbs unless I actively try to incorporate them. The felt recoil was a little jumpier than I expected, so I had to lock in my grip a bit. While it’s not excessive, I’ve always found that compacts in the range of 4.25 inches and less track a little better for me.
In 200 rounds, I experienced no malfunctions. The only hiccup was user-induced when I failed to seat a mag fully due to the magwell.
The Walther PDP tends to be more expensive than its direct competitors, but it has factory upgrades you won’t find on many other comparable guns. The PRO Acro series gives you everything you’d need out of the box at a competitive price. It tracks as well and seems as reliable as any Glock. It’s got a better trigger, texture, and overall fit and finish that should appeal to more people.
Pros & Cons
I’d recommend looking at a PDP Pro Acro if you’re in the market for a striker that feels a little more high-end. Would I personally buy one? After this experience, yes. It’s hard not to think that the PDP series could take the top spot in the polymer market with its feature set, top-notch trigger, and expanding history of reliability.
The gun feels great in hand but does just seem a little bigger than it needs to be. I have a size large glove, and most guns fill my hand without much overhang (including 1911s, Beretta 92s, and SIG P226s). There’s still a good quarter-inch at the bottom, so this is best for duty and not carry. Perhaps the Compact is more my speed.
Parting Shots
I know several people who have dumped all their other polymer in favor of the PDP series, and they swear by its reliability and accuracy for duty use. I can see where the hype comes from, since I can’t find much fault in this gun at all.
The PDP is as solid as they come. I could see replacing my G19 COA with the Compact or even the Steel Frame at some point, but I still prefer to have a Glock in the stable.
So, maybe it’s an “and” situation. Just don’t let my wife read this.
