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.