Walther PDP - Pretty Damn Phenomenal

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vanfunk

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Jan 9, 2003
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The widening gyre
Hi All:

I have LOTS of guns on my to-buy list, and one of the longest-dwelling on that list is the Walther PDP. I had heard great things about it’s trigger, accuracy and reliability. So I had occasion to wander in to a lesser-visited LGS today and the owner had just gotten in a boatload of new Walthers, one in particular was the PDP SD Pro 5” model. Back story: I really like polymer pistols but, despite having 4 Glocks, have struggled mightily with their triggers. To put it plainly, for ME, they are atrocious for precision work no matter what is done to them. Many would rightly point out that they are not precision weapons; I know. But for me, their intrinsic accuracy cannot be realized because the trigger is so distracting and gawdawful. I have a Timney on order for my G17 and I’ll try that - we’ll see. Anyway, back to the PDP…

So, this pistol feels great in the hand; ergos are simply excellent for my hand. The slide looks a little “blocky” but the “superterrain” slide serrations aren’t a gimmick, they really, really work. The grip angle is natural and the gun comes up fast. Now the trigger. Ah, the trigger. Takeup is typical for strikers, but smooooth. Once at the wall the trigger breaks with a crisp, sharp release that is reminiscent of single actions. No creep, just break. Amazingly, what teeny, weeny little bit of overtravel there is, is smooth as well. My follow-through with this trigger is superb and does not influence the sight picture at all. Reset? Maybe 1.5 milimeters and are both tactile and auditory. I have not found any striker pistols to offer a trigger that is even close - HK (VP9) and CZ (P10) come close, with Glock bringing up the rear. All can be improved, I know, but c’mon, to get a factory polymer striker-fired gun with a crisp, no creep 3.2lb break is rare. Accuracy? On par with my CZ TS2 Orange, which is to say, very good.

Now I have to wonder - will Walther make a 10mm and a .45? Why not? How about a micro9 with the PDP trigger? I’d buy them all in a second.

I’m buying a few revolvers over the next couple of days, but this PDP has made me pause - maybe I should just buy more PDPs? It’s that good. And for short money. Amazing. What do you think?

Oh, edited to add: the shop owner made me an awesome deal on a Holosun SCS so I went for it. Love the direct mount to the slide.

IMG_3738.jpeg

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Haha bc, maybe you know me too well at this point? I’m still probably going to get the revolver(s), but I have been thinking long and hard about a steel framed Walther! There’s one for sale at my LGS and the owner kinda wants to move it along. For some reason I don’t understand, Walther sales are slow around here. Honestly I think the PDP is the best of the currently available polymer service pistols (at least of ones I’ve tried). I may also pick up a CZ P-09 because one’s for sale near me NIB for an unbelievably low price, like Hi-Point money. I’m a sucker for a good value despite my thirst for the highbrow stuff, too.
 
I have the full size PDP 5” on my list as a pistol that I want to try . The only negatives that I have heard about it are the thick slide and muzzle flip . But I can’t imagine muzzle flip would be bad in a full size 9mm and I am not going to conceal carry a 5” pistol , so the slide thickness wouldn’t bother me either . I’m going to get off of here now and call the range and see if they have one that I can rent and try out . I have a GSSF pistol coupon that I think that I am going to let expire , because the Glock just doesn’t excite me like some of the other polymer pistol coming out now , but I like the trigger on a Glock for a CC pistol .
 
Red Rick, we have similar thoughts. I like Glock triggers for carry (I actually really love my G42; it’s a great shooter, surprisingly!) and home defense. My primary bedside handgun is a Gen 5 G21 with +2 extension and 230 grain HSTs. But, for me, I can’t shoot Glocks accurately because of the trigger. The “mush” spoils my pull and the overtravel throws off my follow-through. I’ve gotten good with them to a point, but I’m just not getting better now. No Glock bash here, I just have no chemistry with the trigger for precise work.

The PDP fixes all of that; for a production service/defense pistol, the trigger is extraordinary, honestly. I took it to the range and was immediately pretty proficient with it, and I know I’ll get better as we “marry.” This was the first magazine through it with American Eagle 115 grain ball, 25 yards. Please forgive the flyer high right; I don’t know what the Hell I did there.
IMG_3739.jpeg

The slide is “chunky” but I like it. The controls are well placed. i’ve heard comments about it being “snappy” or having lots of muzzle flip but that’s not been my experience so far. It recoils like any other service 9mm in my experience. Anyway, I am really, really happy with it.

Thanks!
 
Nice shooting .

I called the range today , they don’t have a 5” model but they do have a full size 4.5” for rent . I am going to try and get there one day next week and try it out . If they have a Gen5 34 I am going to compare them . If not maybe a Gen5 17 .
 
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Red Rick: I don’t think you’ll notice much difference between the 5” and the 4.5”. If anything, the balance might be a bit better. I just like 5” barrels so I went with this one but I wonder myself if the 4.5” is the better mousetrap.
 
vanfunk said:
. For some reason I don’t understand, Walther sales are slow around here.
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Here in Wisconsin, Walther doesn't sell either.
The store I always go to which does nothing but higher end guns sat on a couple of steel frame PPQ for almost 2 years.
Funny, this same store sells every single Atlas 2011 it can get at $6-7 K but can't sell a 600 dollar pdp.
 
I have the Q5 match Steel Frame Pro and the PDP SD Pro.

PDP PRO SD.jpg 0911210948 (1).jpg

I prefer the Q5 SF Pro over the PDP SD Pro. The bought the SD Pro for my range gun and it to me is harder to shoot accurately, probably because of the difference in weight.

I put put a new trigger spring kit and recoil management system in the PDP to get it more like the Q5. I think the Q5 with it's stock trigger still has a lighter trigger than the PDP even with the spring kit.
My PDP came through with a 4.5 lb trigger, it's 3.5 like it's suppose to be now to match my Q5.
The recoil management system is just a new recoil spring system to take the sharpness off the end of travel of the slide. I didn't know if it was really doing anything until I shot one of my other 9s.
It helps.
20231203_065025 (1).jpg The red spring is for full power loads and the yellow is for minimum loads. I just loaded some W244 loads at minimum and the slide doesnt' always lock back so I will need to put in the yellow spring before I shoot any more of them.
I looked at their new PDP SD steel frame pro and it looks like it's just a Q5 SF Pro. I don't see any difference.
 
Interesting! Nice gun! My stock trigger is excellent but I’ll see if I can get it a little lower; might try a set of those Springcos. I actually wanted the polymer frame in this case as I am searching for the best alternative to a Glock 17 (and I think I found it). I also got a CZ P-09 for a DA/SA and it’s an amazing value. I might actually try one of the brass backstraps for the PDP - I think adds a quarter pound or so - that might make it a little flatter.
 
vanfunk said:
. I might actually try one of the brass backstraps for the PDP - I think adds a quarter pound or so - that might make it a little flatter.
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That is one thing the PDP definitely needs in my opinion, is more weight. Mine has the threaded barrel and I was thinking about putting a compensator on mine just add forward weight to it. They are kind of a pain though and I don't know how much it would actually help with 9mm. Not a lot of recoil there to begin with unless your shooting +p or +p+ and we aren't supposed to be shooting anything but standard loads according to the owners manual.

One thing I noticed with mine is that it has a fast barrel. Maybe it's the poly rifled barrel. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/polygonal-rifled-barrels.929619/#post-12877533 I started a thread about whether a poly barrel is faster than conventional rifled barrel.
General consensus was that they are a little faster and the stepped chamber seals better than a standard chamber and it all adds up.

I noticed with my Garmin C1 Pro that everything I shoot out of the PDP and Q5 have faster velocities than what I get out of my conventionally rifled barrels.
It's not a lot but its definitely higher. I know my brass is certainly a lot cleaner. My titegroup loads aren't scorched on the outside like they were with my rugers and Smith&Wessons. Again the stepped chamber.

I think the PDP could definitely have a better rear sight. They are adjustable but really course adjustments on the PDP. Q5 has much better sights.

They both are supposed to be compatable with any rear sight that will fit on a Glock 17 or 19 so there are lots of sights available to choose from it you decide you don't like the factory sights.
 
vanfunk said:
Oh, edited to add: the shop owner made me an awesome deal on a Holosun SCS so I went for it. Love the direct mount to the slide.
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That's good for me to know, if I decide to buy a red dot for the PDP That is the one I will go for since it's direct mount. I bought it to be open sights but I have a Red Dot on my Q5 and there is definitely an advantage to having them.
 
Super, thanks! Yes, I’ve been really happy with the Holosun SCS and have them on two Glocks as well. I appreciate the direct mount and the discrete form factor. The only thing I don’t like so far is that the brightness of the dot is not adjustable. It “self adjusts” based on ambient light, and it really does, but I’d still like more control. I too am interested in threaded comps and am thinking about one of the “micro” ones; not sure if they’re big enough to make an appreciable difference, though.
 
vanfunk said:
am thinking about one of the “micro” ones; not sure if they’re big enough to make an appreciable difference, though.
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If they add some forward weight, I'd be good with it. Some people say they do and some say they can't see a difference. It may depend on what ammo your shooting.


I'll have to check out the SCS. I should look to see if my Q5 and the SD Pro have the same foot print for Red dots. No, they don't, because the Q5's rear sight assy has to come off to put the Red Dot on and the PDP doesn't.
Can you still use your open sights through the SCS as co-witness sights?
Sorry my replies take so long. I work 12 hr days and you caught in a 4-5 day stretch. I hope it's only 4. My last one was 8) 12s out of 10 days. I'm not doing that again.
 
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chicharrones said:
I think it looks like a mighty fine Walther. I'd like to hear more about how that Holosun is working for you as you build trigger time with that PDP.
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Can't speak for the scs model, but I have around 10 holosun dots.
To me, I despise spending my money on China made products, I hate it. Unfortunately Trijicon refuses to make their dots in green or yellow and for me those colors stand out like a sore thumb.
I've had zero issues with my holosun dots. IMO, on a defensive based pistol it's Trijicon or holosun.
On a few range toys I have cheaper swampfox optics but am not trusting my life on those.
 
sevt_chevelle said:
Can't speak for the scs model, but I have around 10 holosun dots.
To me, I despise spending my money on China made products, I hate it. Unfortunately Trijicon refuses to make their dots in green or yellow and for me those colors stand out like a sore thumb.
I've had zero issues with my holosun dots. IMO, on a defensive based pistol it's Trijicon or holosun.
On a few range toys I have cheaper swampfox optics but am not trusting my life on those.
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I only have one Holosun (HS407K), but it has manually adjustable brightness. I wonder how usable the auto adjusting models are?
 
The SCS is really nice and has some great features - small, low form factor. 50k hour battery life and solar panels to recharge. Green dot (I have a bad astigmatism and see a green dot better). Aesthetically, the way the ridges on the side match the slide serrations is a nice touch. Seems durable (though I haven’t thrown mine out of a Blackhawk, or anything). Clear glass and clear, well-defined dot. Direct mount to the slide allows for co-witness. Pro/con: auto-adjusting brightness. It DOES work, and adapts rapidly to ambient light, but I would still prefer to be able to adjust the brightness. Sometimes it’s a little too bright for fine target work and I would just like to dial it back slightly - no go. Overall, I am very happy with mine and have three of them now.
 
I have a Holosun SCS and a couple of 407's and Im really liking the SCS.

I think the SCS must be the next Gen sights for them and what to expect going forward.

The auto adjust on the SCS works great and is a lot better than the version on the 407's which Ive found to be lacking. I disabled it and went with a fixed dot brightness set to an outside level and left it at that.

Im also finding I like the green dot over the red. I also have an astigmatism and red ot green, the dots are still more of a starburst than a pure dot. The weird thing is, on my SIG Pro1 red dot, the 6moa dot is round. Every other red dot I have rifle or handgun, its that starburst.

I'll have to see how long the SCS's battery holds up. Sounds like they don't expect it to die. We'll see.

The only thing Id really like to see different with the SCS is, replacing the cross and circle and open circle dots, with solid dots of varying sizes.
 
trackskippy said:
I have a Holosun SCS and a couple of 407's and Im really liking the SCS.
. . .
Im also finding I like the green dot over the red. I also have an astigmatism and red ot green, the dots are still more of a starburst than a pure dot. The weird thing is, on my SIG Pro1 red dot, the 6moa dot is round. Every other red dot I have rifle or handgun, its that starburst.
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My 407K has a 6 moa dot. It appears to be the truest round dot out of all my red dots. Of course, all the others I have are 2 or 3 moa, so maybe there is something about those small intense dots? I still own no green dots as my eyes see red light better than green light.
 
Revisiting the SCS red dot y'all.

I suppose since the internal battery isn't easily replaceable, the SCS needs exposure to sunlight to keep charged? Or a lot of exposure to indoor light?

My pistols mostly see darkness or occasional dim light at an indoor shooting range. As much as think the SCS direct mount is a great idea, it doesn't seem like it would be good for me to use since my pistols aren't exposed to light very often.
 
Chicharrones: great snack food, by the way.

I don’t think you need to worry about the SCS. The 50k hour battery life is good for almost 6 years without recharging. I have one on my G21 and it only comes out of darkness (biometric safe) once every 6-8 weeks to fire a few magazines before going back in the crypt. The SCS is bright and ready to go all the time. If you’re worried about it, take it out once a quarter and leave the slide on a windowsill for an hour.

Edited to add: I think all the SCS sights are green - I may be wrong though.
 
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