MY IMPRESSIONS
This is a big, lightweight handgun. Although Walther also makes this handgun in an all-steel configuration, I will be examining and shooting the polymer version. My favorite characteristic of the handgun is its grip. It begs to be held. Three points grabbed my attention at once.
First, the heavily checked textured surface is combined with gentle nearly invisible finger grooves that keep the handgun solid in my hand. Second is the swelled palm swell handgun base. It acts to prevent my hand from holding too low and to guide the magazine into the belled magazine well. Third is the ability to interchange the grip backstraps to attain a perfect fit.
The trigger is attention-getting. No, this is not another Glock-style trigger. The PDP trigger is flat-faced and crisp, breaking at just under 5 pounds with minimal take-up. Once learned, I feel it will allow precision long-range shooting.
The three-dot white sights align with my eye naturally and are adjustable for windage and elevation. Sights, trigger, and grip combine to give me a feel of confidence as I point the Walther.
More Features
The frame may be polymer, but the slide is steel. I like the generous rear cocking serrations, which allow generous purchase area for my fingers when racking the slide. Check out those forward lightening slots. Walther calls these Super Terrain Slide Serrations. I call them cool! I can see the 5-inch barrel as I look through to the rear of the muzzle.
Fire controls are simple and should appeal to the left-handed shooters out there. The slide release hold-open is ambidextrous, and the magazine release is reversible. I like the lack of any manual safety or grip safety. Walther keeps it simple. This gun will get into action fast!
Related Review: Walther PDP – Thick in Size, Superb in Performance
I like to customize my pistols. The PDP has a 2-inch Picatinny rail, and an interchangeable optic plate is included. It will allow any Trijicon, Holosun, Leopold, Vortex or Burris optics to be mounted with the proper plate from Walther. The PDP will allow me to come to the line with a optic, high-intensity flashlight, or laser.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Capacity: 18+1
- Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
- Overall Length: 8.5 inches
- Height: 5.5 inches
- Sight Radius: 7.4 inches
- Width: 1.75 inches
- Caliber: 9mm
- Materials: Polymer frame, steel slide
- Barrel Length: 5-inches (4-inch and 4.5 inch available)
- Sights: High-visibility white dots, adjustable for windage and elevation
- Grips: Interchangeable backstraps included
- Ambidextrous: Slide release and magazine release is reversible
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Magazine: Three steel mags included
RANGE TIME
Southern Arizona is always sunny and warm. My spot at Area 51 is primed and ready for the Walther. I want to blast some space alien root beer jugs, cans, and steel! My first few shots are on my steel plate at 20 yards, and the PDP groups nicely for me. The 6-inch flapper plate moves when hit. It is no problem hitting 2-liter root beer jugs and even pop cans at this distance, too.
What makes this gun so accurate? The grips, target-style flat-faced trigger, and adjustable sights combine to keep me on target. It feels and looks accurate, and it is. The small take-up on the Walther PDP trigger helped me master the break for a clean shot.
Today I am testing Super Vel 115-grain hollow points, SIG 124-grain Elite Performance hollow points, and some mixed full metal jacket rounds from Winchester and Sellier and Bellot. Will the Walther jam? I expect the lighter 115-grain bullets to cause feeding or ejection problems, but nothing of the sort happens.
Root beer jugs and pop cans explode with remarkable violence. I like the 18-round steel magazines. They fit the pistol solidly, are very reliable and drop out cleanly when empty. Reloads are a snap with my Magula UpLula universal magazine reloader. It avoids the stress of loading 18 rounds into each magazine and speeds the process, too. It is an invaluable tool at the pistol range.
For long-range shooting, I select a milk-bottle-shaped steel target at 50 yards. The long sight radius and smooth trigger release allow me to connect two of three shots as I hear the pleasant “ding” of steel hits. My on-shot hit of a root beer jug at 50 yards shows the pistol to be highly accurate. No jams nor mechanical failures were encountered in today’s test while emptying three 18-round magazines.
PROS & Cons
My only complaint is the handgun’s light weight. I am accustomed to a full-sized steel-framed 1911-style gun for target work. Walther may have overdone the lightening for my tastes. I like a heavier gun.
Pros:
- High quality
- Accurate
- Customizable
- Three 18-round steel magazines
- Interchangeable rear grip straps
- Interchangeable optic plates
- Target trigger
- Ambidextrous
- Belled magazine well
Cons:
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Maybe too light
Final THOUGHTS
This pistol is more than just good-looking. I like its feel, accuracy and high-quality construction. The trigger is amazing for a factory trigger. The grips are both customizable and textured to improve my hold while aiming. It is also a very simple easily operated pistol. No safety or hammer to slow my reaction time.
James Bond carries a PPK, but I bet he wishes he had the Walther PDP Match! Pick one up and you may agree.
Related: Walther PPK Pistol History – Warfighter Turned Movie Star & Self-Defense Favorite
