Best Walther Handgun - The Walther PPQ was released about 10 years ago and has been kind of dormant in terms of popularity. It has been considered one of the best striker fired pistol triggers in the percussion pistol market. However, it did not achieve the same commercial success as other assault weapons released at the same time.
Walter hit a home run when he followed PPQ with the Q5 Match model, which competes with a 5-inch optical-ready slide. They also started a Win With Walther safety program, and the gun became popular with the USPSA and IDPA. After the Q5 Match, they used the Q5 Match steel frame, bringing a heavy-duty optically-ready 9mm pistol out of the box for competition. The Q4 Steel Frame followed the next year with a 4-inch slide, a redesigned handle, and a different profile around the beavertail than the Q5 Steel Frame.
Best Walther Handgun
Four of Walther's new PDP models (MSRP for all is $649). Clockwise from top left: Compact 5-inch, Full-size 4-inch, Full-size 5-inch, and Compact 4-inch.
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I have had the opportunity to review and shoot all of these models and am a big fan of the PPQ/Q5 pistols. I bought every one of the guns reviewed, stock models, because I believe that competition guns should be treated like shoes and should come in pairs. I carry the Q5 Match everyday with my 4″ PPQ on nightstands, go to bags and other places just in case the SHTF. I even have PPQ 22s for the steel challenge. So when Cody Osborn, head of marketing at Walther Arms, invited me to a writers' meeting for the launch of the new Walther last August, I was thrilled.
Unfortunately, last year's Steel Challenge was the same weekend as the World Speed Shoot, and no matter how much I told Foley that it would be important to have a USPSA representative at the Walther Event, he wasn't convinced. so I missed the first release of the new weapon.
The Walther PDP is ideal for those seeking unmatched versatility, reliability and performance in a firearm for both concealed carry and routine duty situations. (Photo by Jake Martens)
When SHOT Show was canceled, Walter delayed the release of the new Personal Defense Pistol (PDP) 9mm, and I didn't receive review samples until launch week. I didn't know anything about the new pistols because I wasn't at the writers event in September. I was happy to pick them up and shoot them. They arrived the day before I left for the Florida Open after the USPSA board meeting in February, so all I had to do was open the box, pack and check before I left town.
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The first thing I noticed about the full size was that the handle was longer than the PPQ. The magazine release also showed that instead of the 15 round PPQ, it now held 18 rounds. Further inspection of the gun and grip revealed that the new PDP Q4 has the same grip style as the steel frame and has the same profile around the beaver tail. At this point I smiled a bit as these were just a few areas that needed to be addressed in the PPQ. So we have a longer grip, better feel and more ammo - what else did the new PDP offer?
Let's talk about the forward trigger that Walter is so good at. In the PPQ model, the striker-fired trigger system was called a quick defensive trigger. The trigger itself is known for its short travel and reset. With the PDP pistol, Walther introduced a new and improved trigger called the Performance Duty Trigger. This new trigger looks the same as the PPQ trigger; however, they have reduced travel times with the new PDT. There is also a stronger wall before the trigger breaks. My Q5 has tens of thousands of rounds through it, so I had to buy a less abused PPQ to compare triggers. The reception is noticeably shorter, but the wall felt the same to me compared to the clean break between the two triggers.
Another area of the gun that is obviously different is the slide. All PDP models are optic ready. The slides feature a more aggressive serration pattern that Walter calls Superterrain Serrations. Most pistol grips have cut teeth or grooves for a slide or a notched breech style. Walther's Superterrain Serration design raises the serrations above the slide surface for a better grip on the slide when working.
Whether you're using your gloves in a more tactical situation or just preparing for a match, Walther's Superterrain Serration really bites your hand. (Photo by Jake Martens)
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One of the things I liked about the Q5 and Q4 steel frame models was the texture of the grip wraps compared to the smoother surface of the PPQ models. PDP's Performance Position texture provides an aggressive surface for proper gun grip. Walter calls it a tetrahedron design that won't scratch skin or clothes, but is for those of us who like to wear it around our waists. The texture covers the weapon grip, including the front strap and the interchangeable rear straps provided by PDP. Another upgraded feature of the PDP is the magazine release compared to the PPQ M2 style. The edition extends a bit further than the PDP frame, but the texture is noticeable. The PDP magazine release is checkered and allows for a more positive pull with a touch of the smoother style of the old gun.
Walther is known for ergonomics and smart design in all of their firearms, and it shows in the new PDP. Along with improved texture and a beaver tail, PDP has improved the ergonomics of red dot sights. This design allows shooters to easily locate the red dot by sliding forward under the front strap. Adding pink pressure to the front puts the pistol in a natural aiming position and provides quick perception of the attached red dot sight. All models are red dot ready. Each pistol comes with a free Walther plate that you can log in to order the red dot you plan to mount. When it comes to fixing red dots on weapons, check out the CH Precision Weapons boards. CHPW boards for PDP have a proprietary V4 T-nut with twice as many threads as any other board offered. They are available for all popular red dot optics.
If the red dot doesn't show up on the new Walther, the next thing they did was put in an iron sight. The new PDP iron sights are the same as any aftermarket Glock sight front and rear. The rear sight is an adjustable style out of the box with a three dot sight system. The scope adapts to any Glock scope. So if you have your favorite Glock scopes, you can install them on the new PDP so you don't have to wait for aftermarket scope companies to offer a new scope for your new gun. Also, the sights are no longer part of the removable backplate as on the PPQ slide. Now, if you install a red dot, you can track objects on your slide.
Modularity has become an important feature of firearms, and the Walther PDP is no exception. There are two different frame sizes: full size and compact. There are also three different slide lengths. Any slide can fit into any frame. Full size, as mentioned earlier, is longer and fits the new 18 round magazine. The compact frame is similar in size to the PPQ and holds the same original 15 round M2 style magazine. It is not recommended to use an 18 round magazine in a compact frame as it can be over loaded and damage the ejector. Slides come in 4-inch, 4.5-inch, and (just released) two 5-inch models. The gun comes in five variants: the PDP Compact with a 4-inch slide and 15 rounds, also available with the same 4-inch slide and full-size frame; 4.5" PDP with full-size 18-round magazine and frame, and now also introducing 5" compact and full-size PDP.
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Another nice touch from Walter is that all models have the same MSRP of $649. The length of the slide or the size of the frame does not matter, because you will not pay more for the length of the slide or the size of the frame. Many parts of PPQ will also work with PDP, as well as the ability to change frames and slides for PDP models.
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