Walther PDP Match SF vs Walther Q5 Match SF (Bonus Competitor for Fun)

This is a review comparing the Walther PDP Match Steel Frame gun and Walther Q5 Match Steel frame. I did add in an M&P Competitor for fun, but that was mostly for me personally.
Let me know what you think! Do you agree? Disagree? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Both of these guns are FANTASTIC guns for competition. You can't go wrong either way.

[@t3h8ar0n]

The lack of lockback is due to the high grip hitting the large slide release paddles. I had the same issue with my PPQ and I had to modify my grip so I wasn't touching the slide release levers.

[@TRR56]

I just wonder how much the optic affected the comparison. Added reciprocating mass might have biased the 2 side by side. Either way, looks I so subjective. I went with the PDP match over Q5. Either way both great guns!

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@TRR56 They are both great guns. There is zero difference in the feel of a gun whether there is an optic on top or not. I just put an optic on the Q5 and there is no difference in how it feels. They are both great guns.

[@JustinV911]

Looking forward the rival review

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@JustinV911 I am hesitant honestly. I feel like the rival has been overdone. Maybe if I swapped for the PDP Match I could do one comparing the Q5 and the Rivals S Darkside... But even that has already been done.

[@timm9114]

I want a PDP so bad but I can’t buy one new from a dealer here in SoCal. I found one on consignment at a gun shop in LA but they want $2100.00 for it. Sucks that we’re at a point here in Cali where I’m literally leaning towards picking it up. But that’s the nature of our loonie gun laws. I can’t buy a new off roster gun because it’s “unsafe” but I can buy that same gun from a private party on the used market.

[@JUSTAGUY1000]

That’s a great deal for Cali. Best I’m seeing for ppt is $3,000

[@gair1944]

Really nice job comparing these. I've read some people take issue with the grip size on the Q5 match saying it felt cramped. (This depends on hand size of course) The slide profile looks sleeker and sexier on the Q5. The PDP is definitely chunkier. Other's have commented the Walthers have a high bore axis than some USPSA competition pistols. Not sure if that factor along with the heavier slide on the PDP match made it feel a little slower?

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@gair1944 Thank you, I have small hands so the Q5 is definitely a good fit. The Magwell makes a big difference, so you're not pinching fingers on reloads. Usually a higher bore axis just leads a snappier recoil impulse. I didn't feel much of that on either of these guns, but they are heavy. The standard PDP is very snappy to me. I do feel like the weight of the slide on the PDP Match affected the way it felt. Since the first PDP came out I have strongly disliked the super terrain serrations. There is nothing gained from making the slide massive IMO.

[@gair1944]

@@FiringLineShootingI also owned a PDP (Past tense). It was very accurate and reliable but double taps were so much harder because of its snappy muzzle flip. I am now shooting CZ’s and my splits are a lot better.

[@johnnyhernandez2770]

Awesome video

[@dallasroberts6932]

I am sure that you considered this, but the lighter recoil springs in the pdp could be contributing to the “feeling” that you mentioned. Competitors often don’t care about recoil but how the gun responds in that person’s hands, and the feeling will vary pending grip. Lighter recoil springs can make the gun feel snappier. Maybe take to recoil assembly out of the pdp and put the q5 in and see how it does and vice versa. You may be surprised.

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@dallasroberts6932 The recoil Assemblies are not interchangeable, but that is a possibility. The PDP is an overly snappy gun already though. Usually adding lighter recoil springs tames the recoil. Either way, it still did what I was supposed to well.

[@dallasroberts6932]

@@FiringLineShooting I thought that they may not be interchangeable. Lighter does always mean less snappy. There are variables there. We often use lighter recoil springs because we use lighter loaded rounds and the gun is more reliable with the lighter spring. Lighter recoil springs often lead to more felt recoil as the slide comes back, but less return movement as the slide goes back into battery. It is usually about dot movement in competition not felt recoil.

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@dallasroberts6932 Ya it's certainly a tuning process.

[@oceaser6977]

I’m planning on buying a Q5 SF pro and putting a DPT trigger and SRO

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@oceaser6977 fantastic plan. I'd like to talk more about this. Send me an email at [e-mail] if you'd like.

[@WyattDerpTheNotSoEarp]

Don't plan on it just hurry up and do it lol. With them being discontinued I got a standard Q5 SF brand new for a little over 1k, took all the factory 15rd mags and converted them to 20rd mags with some TTI mag extensions I got for 15 bucks a piece, then ordered a DPT and magwell for it on labor day. USPS lost my package for 4 days so I'm still waiting to install the magwell and DPT but it's a neat set up with the SRO. I recommend getting one of the C&H Q5 plates over the free plate walther sends because that one is way too thick

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@WyattDerpTheNotSoEarp I did notice they sent me a fat boy lol

[@airmann4673]

After seeing your review. I’m starting to regret buying the pdp sf.

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@airmann4673 That was not my intent. It is a fantastic gun. What part is making you feel that way?

[@airmann4673]

@@FiringLineShooting the price I could have gotten the q5 sf for 900. I paid 1400 for the pdp sf

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@airmann4673 MAN that's a smoking deal on the Q5. I probably would regret not picking that up lol. The Q5 is still an awesome gun, and even that price is great if it's the same one I have in the video.

[@airmann4673]

@@FiringLineShooting it doesn’t have the dynamic trigger or magwell

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@airmann4673 Well, you win some, you lose some. The PDP has never been my favorite just because of how bulky the slide is... And the recoil in the normal PDPs is very snappy. But it does everything it's supposed to, and it's reliable!

[@MrKlein83]

I own 2 Canik Rivals, one is the chrome Rival S, I regret buying the Rival S. Do not waste your $ on the Rival S, wish I had spent more on quality & purchased a Walther Q5 (and I will some day).

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@MrKlein83 Very serious question. Why not the Rival S? I'm looking to move both of these guns and get a Rival S Darkside and save 3K. Why do you say no? P.S. I'm seriously looking for your insight. I've never even held a steel framed rival. But the poly one seemed great.

[@MrKlein83]

@@FiringLineShooting I'm not the only person who has had issues with the Rival S, maybe you could get lucky & get a good one but I would stick with Walther (my 2 cents). I will say this: when it runs through an entire mag it's a great shooting pistol, points naturally for me, & transitions from target to target well (balanced). The issue with my Rival S has been failure to extract the empty case (brass, never steel) after firing a round. The empty case stays in the chamber, next round tries to load into the empty case jamming the next bullet/slide. This does not always happen per magazine but happens several times while out target shooting (enough that I don't trust the gun). I contacted CAI about the issue, they sent me new parts; extractor, extractor spring, extractor spring plunger. The new parts have been installed but have not resolved the jammin' issue I have with my Rival S.

[@chrism314]

what holster are you running?

[@FiringLineShooting]

@@chrism314 for all my guns that I don't have a holster for, I just slap an X300 and run it in an X300 Hayden from StandardCo. I even just ran it in the match this weekend.