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Walther PDP

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Walther PDP
Walther PDP Compact grip frame and 4" barrel length slide
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originGermany
Production history
Designed2021
ManufacturerWalther Arms
Unit cost$649
Produced2021–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass23.8 oz (full size, without magazine)
26.9 oz (with empty magazine)
Length8.5 in (full size)
Barrel length4, 4.5, or 5 in
Width1.34 in
Height5.7 in (full size)
Cartridge9×19mm Parabellum
9×21mm
ActionShort recoil operated, locked breech
Feed system15 round detachable box magazine (compact)
18 round detachable box magazine (full size)
SightsThree 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. The PDP has been designed to be more modular than previous Walther handguns, and has been described by Walther as their flagship handgun.[2]

History

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The first pre-production PDPs were distributed in 2020,[3] and the pistol was released in February 2021.[4] As the PDP was released, the PPQ ceased production.[5]

Design

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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 design, the PPQ. The PDP is produced in full-size and compact grip frame variants.[7] The grip uses a custom texture, which makes acquisition of the red dot easier, and improves handling of the pistol in adverse weather conditions.[8]

The slide on the PDP is milled,[9] allowing it to accept red dot sights without prior modification,[10] and the slide contains serrations above the surface, making it easier to operate.[7] 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.[7]

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]

Reception

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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.[11] 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",[12] and named it as one of the best guns of the year.[13]

Variants

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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.[14]

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.”[15]

In December 2023, Walther released the PDP Match[16] and PDP Match Steel Frame.[17]

Users

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 Germany [18]

Carl Walther GmbH won the framework contract in May 2024 with the PDP to supply up to 6,500 pistols to the Bundeswehr. [19]
The guns optimized for military applications have been adapted from Walther’s PDP pistol and will bear the name P14 (standard) and the P14K (compact model). [20]
BAAINBw published in February 2023 a call for bid for the "System Pistole Spezialkräfte" programme. It is a framework contract (7 years) for the production and delivery of new pistols for the german military special forces (KSK, KSM and Special Forces of the Military Police). The system is intended to replace the H&K P30 and the P9A1 (Glock 17 3rd generation). [21]
Variants planned with the programmes:
  • 3,200 standard pistols with the sub-programme BaWa SysPi SpezKr Bw (“Basiswaffe des Systems Pistole Spezialkräfte der Bundeswehr")
  • 3,300 compact pistols with the sub-programme KoWa SysPi SpezKr Bw (“Kompaktwaffe des Systems Pistole Spezialkräfte der Bundeswehr")

 United States

  • Pennsylvania State Police.[22]
  • Brevard County Sheriff's Office (FL.)[23]

References

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  1. ^ "PDP Full Size 5". Walther Arms.
  2. ^ B, Eric (2021-02-23). "New Flagship Handgun from Walther Arms: Performance Duty Pistol (PDP)". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  3. ^ a b c Poole, Eric R. (2021-04-01). "Walther PDP 9mm Pistol: Full Review". Guns and Ammo. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  4. ^ "New for 2021: Walther PDP Full-Size Handgun". Shooting Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  5. ^ Flanigan, Eve (2021-03-02). "Walther Rolls Out New Performance Duty Pistol (PDP) Line". All Outdoor. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  6. ^ "NRA Gun of the Week: Walther Full-Size PDP 4.5". American Rifleman. 2021-04-06.
  7. ^ a b c Martens, Jake (2021-05-25). "Review: Walther PDP". Shooting Sports USA. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  8. ^ Rodgers, Seth. "Unboxing the New Walther PDP Pistol". Guns.com. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  9. ^ "New for 2021: Walther PDP Full-Size Handgun". Shooting Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  10. ^ Flanigan, Eve (2021-06-16). "Walther's New PDP 9mm: All It's Cracked Up to Be?". All Outdoor. Retrieved 2021-07-13.
  11. ^ "Review: Walther Arms PDP". American Rifleman. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  12. ^ "Walther PDP vs Beretta APX in a 15+1 Shootout". Guns.com. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  13. ^ Doerr, Annette. "Best New Guns Released in 2021". Guns.com. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  14. ^ F., Benjamin (2022-01-17). "[SHOT 2022] Walther Unveils PDP SD Pro". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  15. ^ "Series - PDP F-Series".
  16. ^ "PDP Full Size Match 5"".
  17. ^ "PDP Match Full Size Steel Frame 5"".
  18. ^ Miller, Stephen W. (2017-12-01). "Wheels of Fortune". Armada International. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "Walther wins German Special Forces Tender". carl-walther.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  21. ^ "Bundeswehr schreibt System Pistole Spezialkräfte aus". soldat-und-technik.de (in German). 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  22. ^ "Pennsylvania State Police selects Walther PDP as official duty handgun". 12 February 2024.
  23. ^ "How the switch to 9mm got even better for this Florida sheriff's office". 27 December 2023.
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