Walther PDP
| Walther PDP | |
|---|---|
 Walther PDP Compact grip frame and 4" barrel length slide | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Walther Arms |
| Unit cost | $649 |
| Produced | 2021–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 23.8 oz (full size, without magazine) 26.9 oz (with empty magazine) |
| Length | 8.5 in (full size) |
| Barrel length | 4, 4.5, or 5 in |
| Width | 1.34 in |
| Height | 5.7 in (full size) |
| Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum 9×21mm |
| Action | Short recoil operated, locked breech |
| Feed system | 15 round detachable box magazine (compact) 18 round detachable box magazine (full size) |
| Sights | Three dot iron sights |
| References | [1] |
The Walther PDP (Performance Duty Pistol) is a 9×19mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistol designed in 2021 by Walther Arms as a replacement for the Walther PPQ[2].
History
[edit]The first pre-production PDPs were distributed in 2020,[3] and the final design was released in February 2021.[4]
The PDP has been designed to be more modular than previous Walther handguns, and has been described by Walther as their flagship handgun.[5]
Design
[edit]The PDP is a striker-fired, recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum,[6] with a longer grip and larger magazine capacity than the previous Walther PPQ design.
The PDP grip uses a custom texture, which makes acquisition of the red dot easier, and improves handling of the pistol in adverse weather conditions.[7]
The slide on the PDP is milled,[8] allowing it to accept red dot sights without prior modification,[9] and the slide contains serrations above the surface, making it easier to operate.[10]
The three-dot iron sight line features the same mounting method that is used on Glock pistols, meaning the PDP can accept aftermarket Glock iron sight lines.[10]
The trigger is cross-compatible with the PPQ, but is lighter due to a shortened takeup. It has a trigger pull of approximately 25 N (5.6 lbf).[3]
Variants
[edit]The PDP was originally offered in full-size and compact grip frame variants[11].
In 2022, Walther released a new competition-oriented variant of the PDP at that year's SHOT Show, the PDP SD Pro, which includes a threaded barrel, reinforced optic cut, flared magwell extension, and an improved trigger.[12]
In late 2022, Walther released the PDP F-Series which features “reduced trigger reach, reduced grip circumference, and reduced force necessary to operate the slide and you truly have the perfect tool for those with smaller hands.”[13]
In December 2023, Walther released the PDP Match[14] and PDP Match Steel Frame.[15]
In May 2024, the PDP and its compact variants[16] were adopted as the standard issue pistol for the German special forces, having won the "System Pistole Spezialkräfte" programme bid[17] to supply up to 6,500 pistols to the Bundeswehr. [18]
Users
[edit]
Reception
[edit]American Rifleman called the PDP an "excellent addition to the market that will allow Walther to compete strongly against the established leaders", praising its "best-in-class trigger, excellent controls and exceptional accuracy."
The author said that it outperformed other striker-fired pistols he had used in the past, and went on to call the PDP his "current choice" for striker-fired pistols.[22] Guns & Ammo described it as "the most modular and versatile pistol designed by Walther", also noting its accuracy and high quality trigger.[3]
Guns.com called the PDP's ergonomics "revolutionary",[23] and named it as one of the best guns of the year.[24]
References
[edit]- ^ "PDP Full Size 5". Walther Arms.
- ^ Flanigan, Eve (2021-03-02). "Walther Rolls Out New Performance Duty Pistol (PDP) Line". All Outdoor. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
- ^ a b c Poole, Eric R. (2021-04-01). "Walther PDP 9mm Pistol: Full Review". Guns and Ammo. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
- ^ "New for 2021: Walther PDP Full-Size Handgun". Shooting Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
- ^ B, Eric (2021-02-23). "New Flagship Handgun from Walther Arms: Performance Duty Pistol (PDP)". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
- ^ "NRA Gun of the Week: Walther Full-Size PDP 4.5". American Rifleman. 2021-04-06.
- ^ Rodgers, Seth. "Unboxing the New Walther PDP Pistol". Guns.com. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
- ^ "New for 2021: Walther PDP Full-Size Handgun". Shooting Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
- ^ Flanigan, Eve (2021-06-16). "Walther's New PDP 9mm: All It's Cracked Up to Be?". All Outdoor. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
- ^ a b Martens, Jake (2021-05-25). "Review: Walther PDP". Shooting Sports USA. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
- ^ Martens, Jake (2021-05-25). "Review: Walther PDP". Shooting Sports USA. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
- ^ F., Benjamin (2022-01-17). "[SHOT 2022] Walther Unveils PDP SD Pro". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
- ^ "Series - PDP F-Series".
- ^ "PDP Full Size Match 5"".
- ^ "PDP Match Full Size Steel Frame 5"".
- ^ "Walther wins German Special Forces Tender". carl-walther.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Bundeswehr schreibt System Pistole Spezialkräfte aus". soldat-und-technik.de (in German). 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "System Pistole Spezialkräfte: Carl Walther GmbH liefert neue P14 und P14K der Bundeswehr". soldat-und-technik.de (in German). 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Miller, Stephen W. (2017-12-01). "Wheels of Fortune". Armada International. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- ^ "Pennsylvania State Police selects Walther PDP as official duty handgun". 12 February 2024.
- ^ "How the switch to 9mm got even better for this Florida sheriff's office". 27 December 2023.
- ^ "Review: Walther Arms PDP". American Rifleman. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ "Walther PDP vs Beretta APX in a 15+1 Shootout". Guns.com. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
- ^ Doerr, Annette. "Best New Guns Released in 2021". Guns.com. Retrieved 2021-07-12.