Walther PDP-F 3.5-Inch, Examined and Reviewed

The Walther PDP-F is a compact concealed-carry pistol that has a slimmed-down body, a shorter set off attain, and it’d simply change into your new favourite EDC. Walther has been within the concealed-carry gun marketplace for about so long as any fashionable gunmaker, with their .380 ACP PPK being immortalized by James Bond on the silver display. Regardless of the ever-expanding universe of EDC handguns, Walther has achieved a high quality job maintaining. Their evolving lineage of polymer pistols that began with the P99, PPQ, PDP, and now the PDP-F, runs neck-and-neck with a number of the greatest striker-fired manufacturing pistols available on the market. After placing greater than 500 rounds via one, I had a tough time discovering something that the Walther PDP-F didn’t do nicely.

See It

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capability: 15+1
• Journal Materials: Metal
• Dimensions: 5.33 inches (H) x 6.75 inches (L) x 1.37 inches (W)
• Weight: 23 ounces (weighed with empty journal, no optic)
• Body: Polymer
• Slide: Metal, black end
• Barrel: 3.5-inch, black end
• Sights: Polymer 3-dot, white, adjustable rear
• Optic prepared: Sure, makes use of Walther adapter plates
• Set off: Single-action, curved shoe, 5 kilos 5 ounces (measured)
• Security: Set off security bar
• Worth: $600

Walther PDP-F Evaluation Highlights

• Wonderful ergonomics
• Optic-ready, makes use of adapter plates
• Good set off and accuracy 
• Controls are ambidextrous and simple to function
• Common Group Measurement: 1.59 inches (5-shot teams at 15 yards) 

The Walther PDP-F and Its Distinct Heritage

The Walther PDP-F is probably the most compact mannequin within the PDP Line, which has its roots within the P99. In contrast to the PPK pocket pistol, the P99 was a full-sized striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol that was a lot better-suited for obligation use. The P99 was adopted by the PPQ, which employed lots of the similar ergonomic qualities because the P99. It had an analogous grip form, the identical model of takedown lever, and comparable journal launch lever. The PDP, or efficiency obligation pistol, has since changed the P99 and PPQ, however maintains their favorable form and really feel. 

In a homogeneous sea of polymer-framed, striker-fired pistols, the PDP distinguishes itself with excellent ergonomics and easy-to-use controls. Although it stays true to the fundamental form and contours of the PPQ and P99 pistols, the PDP has advanced to satisfy the expectations of the fashionable shooter. The grip profile is streamlined, with a raised honeycomb-shaped texture and a backstrap that nestles snugly into the net of the hand. The undercut-style set off guard permits a agency and repeatable grip. The grip form and angle are supposed to make utilizing a crimson dot sight simpler and sooner. 

Just like the PPQ, the PDP options ambidextrous slide cease levers that measure 1.79 inches from the tip to their pivot level. The place most polymer-framed pistols make use of a small sheet metallic tab, this lengthy, well-textured lever on the PDP may be very simple for the shooter to function and doesn’t require exact thumb placement. This lever-type design operates easily and offers some mechanical benefit. It requires much less power to function than tab-design slide stops, however the half that engages the slide is simply barely ahead of the rear of the lever—so a few of that perceived leverage is an phantasm. Nevertheless, merely having an extended, well-textured slide-stop floor makes it simpler to interact and disengage, no matter hand dimension. 

The place P99 and PPQ fashions had lever-type journal releases on the backside of the set off guard, the PDP makes use of a big knurled button that’s reversible for left-handed shooters. Magazines launch with ease and drop freely, however the button is protected against being by accident pushed by a molded portion of the body. 

Walther PDP-F: A Slimmed-Down Model

For all its ergonomically sound qualities, the full-sized PDP grip is a bit beefy. The grip angle isn’t as dramatic as a Glock, but it surely includes a notable curve or hump on the backstrap. The idea behind the Walther PDP-F is to slim down the grip and shorten the space to the set off. This makes it a extra perfect platform for ladies or shooters with small fingers—although I believe few shooters would discover it dainty or awkwardly slim. 

The grips of the full-size PDP and PDP-F are the identical width behind the set off, however I measured the set off attain to be greater than a quarter-inch shorter on the PDP-F. The center portion of the grip is slimmed down a couple of tenth of an inch, and the rounded-hump backstrap is exchanged for one with a extra refined curve.  It’s most similar to the grip dimension of pistols just like the Sig P365 XMacro or Springfield Hellcat Professional—although not as blocky because the latter. The grip is notably thinner and extra refined than these of the similarly-sized Glock G19 and Sig P320 Compact.

I’ve pretty giant fingers and, regardless of the svelte grip on the PDP-F, discovered it nice to shoot and simple to regulate. Whereas blazing via Invoice Drills, I may hold the dot from my RMR within the small sight window, and on course—a troublesome activity with many compact 9mm pistols. I may additionally preserve a fast, correct tempo on an IPSC goal at 25 yards. The pistol has a full-sized set off guard, so these with longer fingers needn’t fear about having to curve these booger-pickers again right into a tiny set off guard. Should you’re accustomed to capturing micro-compact pistols, you’ll be happy with the PDP-F’s really feel. 

Walther PDP-F Carry Options

If you realize polymer pistols, a number of the PDP-F’s options will appear acquainted. The recoil spring and information rod, slide rails, striker, extractor, and trigger-bar security are all fairly typical for one of these pistol. Nevertheless, it’s a smartly-designed carry gun with efficient, sensible options that go with its different attributes. The general footprint is about the identical because the Glock G19, and the mud cowl includes a two-slot accent rail for mounting a small gentle or laser. Although nit-picky, I’m not a giant fan of the roll pins within the body—significantly the one that may be drifted out to alter the grip backstraps. Roll pins can take a beating once they’re eliminated and changed. I’d choose stable pins.

The slide has deep, forward-leaning cocking serrations which might be simple to know, however received’t drag on holsters or clothes when drawing. The fore and aft corners of the body are scalloped away, as is the realm across the ejection port. I really like the stability of aggressiveness and delicate contour within the slide. It has chunk the place you want it, whereas trying prefer it was carved by a detail-obsessed German craftsman—who judiciously pared away any obtrusive corners or edges.

The Walther PDP-F 3.5-inch is the shortest-barreled model of the PDP, and comes with a set of white three-dot polymer sights. The rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation, and is protected by a sight housing that has the identical footprint and peak as most non-adjustable sights. It ships with a canopy plate put in, however is optic-ready, and makes use of Walther’s proprietary mounting plates to suit a wide range of optics. Crimson dot pistol sights are undeniably sooner and more practical than irons, and this pistol is meant to be carried with one. With a Trijicon RMR mounted, I famous that the iron sights usually are not co-witnessable. 

Capturing the Walther PDP-F 3.5-Inch

When testing a handgun, there’s no substitute for rounds expended in the case of actually ironing out the nice, unhealthy, and generally ugly of how a gun performs. Although 500 rounds isn’t a torture take a look at, I can normally take the measure of a selected gun inside that spherical rely. I didn’t clear the pistol, however did add just a few drops of oil to the barrel and slide rails. I had no complaints in regards to the PDP-F when it got here to perform. It labored nicely with each sort of ammunition I threw at it, from 100-grain machined copper bullets to 135-grain +P hundreds, to 147-grain match ammo. Periodically, the slide wouldn’t lock again on an empty journal, however that’s neither a novel nor deal-breaking problem. 

I ran this pistol via many repetitions of standardized drills, however extra importantly, I alternated with a number of different pistols in its class. Testing a pistol in a vacuum doesn’t inform you a lot about the way it compares to its peer group. I introduced out a few of my favorites just like the Sig P320 XCompact, Glock G19, and Springfield Hellcat Professional, and  the PDP-F isn’t decisively topped by any of them. The set off pull and reset are higher than these of most manufacturing striker-fired pistols, as are the controls and ergonomics. It’s additionally considerably extra correct.

For accuracy, I adopted our customary protocol of capturing 5-shot teams from a standing, tripod-supported place. I examined the PDP-F with 4 forms of ammo: 100-, 115-, and 135-grain defensive ammo, and 147-grain Federal Gold Medal Motion Pistol ammo.  Common group dimension total was 1.59 inches, with the 147-grain ammo being most correct, averaging 1.33-inch teams. That’s fairly stellar for a compact, striker-fired pistol. Many of the compact pistols we take a look at common nearer to 2.5-inch teams at 15 yards. 

What the Walther PDP-F Does Nicely

The Walther PDP-F 3.5-inch has wonderful ergonomics, and its slender grip and shorter set off attain are wonderful for all kinds of shooters. It has set off, nice controls, and is straightforward to shoot precisely.

The place the Walther PDP-F May Be Higher

There isn’t a lot I don’t like in regards to the PDP-F. I believe it may benefit from a extra common optic mounting system, co-witnessable iron sights, and I’d prefer to see the roll pins within the body changed with stable pins. 

Last Ideas on the Walther PDP-F 3.5-Inch

The compact striker-fired pistol market might be probably the most aggressive. It’s full of fine, dependable pistols which might be inexpensive and shoot nicely. The sensible variations between one gun and one other are sometimes minor particulars. Private choice is, in fact, paramount when selecting out a brand new pistol for your self, however I believe that Walther has executed on all fronts with the PDP-F. It’s a modern, handsome pistol with nice ergonomics, grip texture, controls, set off, accuracy, and it will possibly host a wide range of crimson dots. What’s to not like?