Walther PDP

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.

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]

History

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

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]

Walther PDP Full Size with five inch barrel in 9x19.

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 lb_f).^[3]

Variants

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

• Germany ^[22]

• 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

• United States

• 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

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]