Walther PDP
| Walther PDP | |
|---|---|
| File:Walther PDP Compact 4".jpg 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 striker-fired semi-automatic pistol designed by Walther Arms in 2021 as a replacement for the Walther PPQ.[2] It is currently available for the 9×19mm Parabellum and 9×21mm IMI ammunition chamberings.
History
[edit | edit source]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 new flagship handgun.[5]
Design
[edit | edit source]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 | edit source]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]
In June 2024, Walther announced and release their PDP Pro-E models, with their goal bridge the gap between the standard Walther PDP base models and PDP Pro SD . Pro-E model features includes an aluminum magwell, larger magazine and their new DPT-E (polymer version of the Dynamic Performance Trigger) flat trigger that retains its bladed safety. [19]
By September 2024, Walther announced the PDP Pro-X, PDP-F Pro-X, and the Pro-X PMM models. That same month, Walther released the Pro-X PMM, a collaboration with Parker Machine Mountain, it comes with Walther's Dynamic Performance Trigger, a custom compensator, threaded barrel, aluminum magwell and base pads, and extended magazine capacity. [20]
Walther PDP series variants:[21]
- Compact
- Full Size 4"
- Full Size 4.5"
- Full Size Match 5"
- Pro-E 4"
- Pro-E Full Size 4.5"
- Pro SD Compact 4.6"
- Pro SD Full 5.1"
- Pro-X PMM Compact 4.6"
- Pro-X PMM Full 4.6"
- Professional ACRO Full Size 4"
- Professional ACRO Full Size 4.5"
- Steel Frame Compact 4"
- Steel Frame Full Size 4.5"
- Steel Frame Match Full Size 5"
- Steel Frame Pro Compact 4"
- Steel Frame Pro Full Size 4.5"
Walther PDP-F series variants:
- Pro 3.5"
- Pro 4"
- Pro-E 3.5"
- Pro-E 4"
- Pro-X PMM 3.5"
- Professional ACRO 4"
- Standard 3.5"
- Standard 4"
Users
[edit | edit source]
- Bundeswehr Special Forces - designated P14 (PDP Full-Size) and P14K (PDP Compact),[23] replacing the P8, P9, and P12 variants by Heckler & Koch
- Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) - Command Special Forces
- Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine (KSM) - Marine Special Forces
- Special Forces of the Military Police
- Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).[24]
- Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Florida (BCSO).[25]
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).[26]
- Florida Lottery - Division of Security
- Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement (PDP Pro, Planned) [27]
Reception
[edit | edit source]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.[28]
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",[29] and named it as one of the best guns of the year.[30]
References
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