Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PDP Compact

Walther Arms expanded its Performance Duty Pistol (PDP) line in 2021 with a full-size model and a compact version, both of which built on earlier foundations laid by models like the PPQ. Like many of Walther's recent handgun introductions, at the heart of the PDP was a focus on ergonomics, as we observed in our "American Rifleman Television" Rifleman Review segment above.
"One of the things that Walther has always excelled at with its line of duty pistols has been ergonomics," American Rifleman Executive Editor Evan Brune said. "Of course, when you talk about ergonomics, you gotta start with the grip here, and this really great textured grip, and Walther focused on creating contours in the grip frame that really mesh well with the shooter's hand."
Compared to the full-size, the Walther PDP Compact has a slightly shorter barrel, measuring in at 4", while the grip frame is also shortened and accepts flush-fit magazines holding 15 rounds of 9 mm Luger. In keeping with the gun's ergonomic construction, the design includes interchangeable backstraps, which are secured to the grip frame with a single roll pin.
"This pistol includes what Walther is calling its Performance Duty Trigger," Brune said. "It's an entirely new design. It's got a blade-in-trigger safety, but it's got just a really clean, crisp pull, and it's got a really very short, crisp reset."
Other controls on the Walther PDP Compact include bilateral slide-stop levers, which are lengthened and easily accessible from a shooter's dominant hand, as well as a single-sided magazine release button that can be reversed for left-handed shooters. At the top end of the gun are deep slide serrations at the front and rear that provide easy grasping points to manipulate the slide. A mounting point for red-dot optics is located at the rear of the slide, and Walther includes a compatible adapter plate of the user's choice when purchasing the gun. A contoured cover plate ships with the pistol when the milled slide slot is not in use.
"You know, if you're looking for a pistol that really can kind of touch every area that a handgun can touch, if you're looking for a pistol that is a good general-purpose, do-it-all duty gun, the Walther Performance Duty Pistol is a good choice for you," Brune concluded.
Walther Arms PDP Compact Specifications
Manufacturer: Carl Walther GmbH (Germany)
Importer: Walther Arms
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Slide: carbon steel
Frame: black polymer
Barrel: 4", 1:10" RH twist
Magazine: 15-round detachable box
Sights: Polymer, three white dot with adjustable rear
Trigger: striker-fired; 4-lb., 8-oz. pull
Overall Length: 7.5"
Height: 5.4"
Weight: 24.4 ozs.
Accessories: owner's manual, padded case, lock, spare magazine, backstraps, certificate for mounting plate
MSRP: $699
To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

[@scottgarner7290]

it’s more accurate than i am and feels as good as it looks

[@Qingeaton]

Another interesting feature is the stepped barrel that saves all the velocity a given round can produce instead of wasting it. A 4" barrel that meets the factory velocity on the box ( spec'd on a 5" barrel) is something no other pistol does.

[@JimmyLuffjr]

Interesting you made that comment. As of now for the past 4 years, I'm the one of the guys that make this step barrel in the Fort Smith Plant. There is a lot of detail that goes into this barrel and it is unnoticed to the public. It has over a 105 tight dimensions that has to be checked 100% every 5 parts on a cmm machine. The chamber machine work has to be checked 100% on every part. I don't know about other gun manufactures, but I can tell you from hands on this is the best barrel you can get in a gun.

[@jtaylorb88]

One of the reasons I bought the gun along with the feel of it in hand too.

[@rfd339]

Own a pdp 5in full size odgreen and 4in compact. Both are very accurate and reliable. I own a ppq m2 9mm too.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

I dig my Walther PDP Full Size 5 inch so much, I bought another one! One for iron sights and one for an optic. The one with irons is my EDC. I carry that big bastard in my pants in the appendix position all day, every day. Still training with the optic version since it’s my first optic until I feel proficient and confident enough with it and it will be my EDC.

[@YureiOni]

I’m getting one of these. This thing is sick.

[@j3colt]

I love mine!! I’ve got the Pro SD with 18 rounders, threaded barrel and the enhanced trigger that to me feels close to a 1911.

[@GHicks-lu5tu]

This is an amazing gun . I got one foe Christmas Custom Coral Sea Edition

[@DJ-mr7vn]

Walther has been out of stock on the new flat trigger for months when are they coming back in stock along with the 15# recoil springs

[@albertaoridge]

What’s the difference in size between this and the pdp pro sd compact? Same size? Or is one bigger than the other?

[@mchankerhoff853]

I can’t find a p17 anywhere in stock.

[@IIIIggy1]

Should I be concerned about the polymer guide rod?

[@AAA22323]

How snappy is this ?

[@no_handle_required]

I always made fun of Walther for being a douchey boutique and gimmick line....until I picked up the PDP. Now I'm the douche. Oh well.

[@rodhtown]

How’s the recoil vs a Glock 19? I’m debating between the two.

[@Jayesci]

It's a snappy gun, but the gun seems to want to push into your hand instead of muzzle flip which is why some people say it's easier to find followup shots, while others say there's a higher felt recoil. This gun will probably test how proper your grip control is.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

It’s a 9mm. How much recoil can it have? I have 2 PDP’s and I love the way it shoots. It’s it “snappier” or have more muzzle flip than a Schlock? I don’t know. Maybe? All I know is the faster I pull the trigger on the PDP, The flatter seems to run. It’s really odd but it seems to return to the target much faster.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

I own a early 1.0 version 4" 9mm PDP. 0 flaws or ammunition problems. 9mm factory rounds. The gun feels light even fully loaded. I added a factory 18rd mag. The gun came with factory night sights.

[@tonysoprano7372]

Get a sig p365 xl

[@jtaylorb88]

Walther sprung the gun horribly, replaced my factory with a DPM kit and it's a night and day difference. Didn't help it having a high bore access too.

[@sarge131]

The worst gun I ever owned was a Walther PPK in .380 auto. Constant jams and feeding issues so I got rid of it and swore I'd never own another Walther. This one however, has me intrigued...

[@user-vc3ei2bm9n]

Who thinks this would be badass in the style of a P-38, with the protruding barrel and front sight?

[@mmafanatic-tz5or]

Walther needs way more distributors to distribute and sell their parts and needs to educate gun smith how to do some work on their gun because i was in SA and went to an armorer to qork on my PDP and they said rhey dodnt know how to especially ainxe uts a new gun

[@bbmw9029]

For a gun called a "compact", assuming it's meant to be the CCW package of the line, it's pretty damn big. There are much smaller 15 shot 9mm poly-striker guns out there. This gun likely shoots a little better than tham. But is this the gun you'd want on your hip XX hours a dan, and have to try to conceal?

[@mmafanatic-tz5or]

Dude not everyone has small hands. I am 6'6" tall and even the m&p 2.0 that I carried for years was small. The PDP compact was the perfect size and that's why the modern samurai project has hands in the design of the PDP considering that he has thick big hands.

[@bbmw9029]

@@mmafanatic-tz5or Okay. I can see it working for you. But what percentage of the public is your size? Is this concealable for an avergae szie man, let alone women. Than again, Walther has a seperate model targeted for women.

[@Blindsyde5762]

This is exactly the size I want,.....so yes.

[@nik040271]

@@bbmw9029 I bought the PDP Compact, but have no chance of ever getting CCW because I work on federal property. But for the size of my wife's hands, we got her a Walther CCP M2. The slide on the CCP is ridiculously easy. I should reiterate, I can easily get my CCW, but carrying while working on federal property isn't happening.

[@Goldarach]

A compact gun doesn't cease being compact just because subcompacts exist. Many people actually enjoy the shootability and handling of a larger gun for better comfort and accuracy...at a slight sacrifice to concealabity.

[@sirBumpyCase]

Walther, put your gun away Walther. I'm not going shooting with you right now Walther.

[@4_the_health_of_it]

It is pronounced Vai ta. Germans don’t have the er sound

[@Qingeaton]

Perhaps, but go into a store and ask if they carry Vai ta pistols and you will hear the clerk say...."What?"