Walther PDP - Pretty Damn Phenomenal
- Thread starter vanfunk
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chicharrones
needs more ammo
tightgroup tiger
Member
I'm about ready to pull the trigger on one. I see your little comp hasn't come yet. I was hoping to hear about it to.
vanfunk
Member
Not yet, it’s coming Saturday. I also ordered one for my CZ P-09 and one for my S&W M&P 5.7 (not that that one needs any recoil mitigation!).
Mark_Mark
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how you compare the PDP with a Glock?
I shot a P-10F and that a SUPER ACCURATE gun for $300! Softer tigger than a Glock
vanfunk
Member
Mark Mark, I am on a crusade to find the Holy Grail of plastic, affordable pistols. In my considered opinion, and on the behalf of my loyal and informed constituents, I say to you, verily, that the PDP is a better pistol than the Glock (17,19, 26 depending on size). It’s more accurate or can be shot more accurately, the trigger is far, far better and closer to an SA trigger, and the grip is both more comfortable and better textured. So it is as well with the CZ P-10F. There it is. They’re just better. You can disagree, but you’d be wrong, and that’s ok too. I choose to be wrong about lots of things, but I accept that I’m wrong about them. ): I love my 4 Glocks and I won’t be selling them, but there are better choices, honestly. Interestingly, I’d choose a Glock over the HK VP9. I really wanted to love it but I just don’t.
red rick
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What didn’t you like about the VP9 ? I have read the it was the holy grail of striker fired pistols , good trigger , great feel , very accurate and lower bore axis than the PDP , with less muzzle flip . The only negatives that I have read is , poor CS and they are higher priced than most of the other polymer pistols .
vanfunk
Member
I was surprised too, Red Rick. I may still get one because it’ll round out my collection of polymer strikers, but the examples I played with and tried out at the range - a VP9 and a VP9 match, were unremarkable in assembly (excessive lateral trigger movement), heavy and gritty trigger (Glock-like 
), accuracy (less accurate than a Glock 17, SIG P320, and Walther PDP). Both were owned by the LGS owner as sales samples but were not fired extensively before I shot them. I didn’t try it against a CZ P-10 but I’m sure they wouldn’t beat it. The Match had a better trigger and longer sight radius so I’d probably prefer that if I get one (but it was a lot more money). It’s not a “bad” pistol by ANY means, but both examples just didn’t compare favorably to the others except for grip comfort. I should revisit them, though. I may have found some bad apples.
), accuracy (less accurate than a Glock 17, SIG P320, and Walther PDP). Both were owned by the LGS owner as sales samples but were not fired extensively before I shot them. I didn’t try it against a CZ P-10 but I’m sure they wouldn’t beat it. The Match had a better trigger and longer sight radius so I’d probably prefer that if I get one (but it was a lot more money). It’s not a “bad” pistol by ANY means, but both examples just didn’t compare favorably to the others except for grip comfort. I should revisit them, though. I may have found some bad apples.
Mark_Mark
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I should do a range review with my VP-70Z, the original plastic hi-cap strikerI was surprised too, Red Rick. I may still get one because it’ll round out my collection of polymer strikers, but the examples I played with and tried out at the range - a VP9 and a VP9 match, were unremarkable in assembly (excessive lateral trigger movement), heavy and gritty trigger (Glock-like
vanfunk
Member
tightgroup tiger
Member
I expect I'll buy one, no reason not to. One thing I like about it is its non-directional. Tighten it up and shoot it. It's heavier than the thread protector but not such a pain to take back off to pull your barrel out of the gun. I like that.
I really like the sprinco recoil management system also. It has two different primary recoil springs, a red one for up to maximum loads and a yellow one for the minimum loads when we're feeling like we do want to be a french fry.
It's all steel unlike what Walther supplies which has a plastic guide rod. So it helps add weight also and I do believe it takes the sharp impulse off the slide stop. I find myself wanting to shoot faster and faster, I have to keep making myself slow down. The range officers sit start to sweat but they haven't said anything to me yet.
red rick
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I wish you were my neighbor . I am interested in your comparisons because I am in the market for a polymer pistol in the 4.5 to 5 inch size .@red rick, you’ve got me going now
Mark_Mark
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PDP is ugly as sin but I think I’ll give it a go! Since we on the same Gun Journey@red rick, you’ve got me going now
red rick
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I really don’t like the thick slide and deep front slide serrations on it , but I might could overlook that for a great trigger and good accuracy and dependability .
vanfunk
Member
We’re all a bunch of enablers, aren’t we? Haha. Now I have to try the Springco recoil management system for the PDP. The pistol is really excellent as-is but if it can be made better, without compromising reliability, then I’m all for it. TT, do you recommend the standard or the light spring for bulk 115 grain and 124 grain range ammo? I shoot a lot of Federal Champion 115 grain and American Eagle 124 grain because I can get it cheap by the case.
I’d still say the PDP has the best out-of-the-box striker trigger by a good margin (the Performance Dynamic trigger is a little better and a little lighter than the Performance Duty trigger, but even the latter is leagues ahead of the standard Glock trigger. Again I am going to try to find a VP9 that is competitive (my LGS has a VP9L OR that might be neat to try). I seem to remember the VP9 having a longer reset than it’s closest competitors but I’ll refresh my memory.
I know I will have to look at the PDP steel frame match though while I am there! Oh man, I’ve got it bad.
Thanks guys!
Oh, P.S. I have a CGW striker and reduced power striker spring inbound for the CZ P-10. That trigger is closest to the PDP in terms of having a clearly defined wall, crisp, light break and short reset. Stock it has a little more creep and another pound of pull than the PDP. We’ll see if I can get it to match the PDP with a simple and inexpensive parts swap. That gun is still a screaming bargain for what it’s capable of.
I’d still say the PDP has the best out-of-the-box striker trigger by a good margin (the Performance Dynamic trigger is a little better and a little lighter than the Performance Duty trigger, but even the latter is leagues ahead of the standard Glock trigger. Again I am going to try to find a VP9 that is competitive (my LGS has a VP9L OR that might be neat to try). I seem to remember the VP9 having a longer reset than it’s closest competitors but I’ll refresh my memory.
I know I will have to look at the PDP steel frame match though while I am there! Oh man, I’ve got it bad.
Thanks guys!
Oh, P.S. I have a CGW striker and reduced power striker spring inbound for the CZ P-10. That trigger is closest to the PDP in terms of having a clearly defined wall, crisp, light break and short reset. Stock it has a little more creep and another pound of pull than the PDP. We’ll see if I can get it to match the PDP with a simple and inexpensive parts swap. That gun is still a screaming bargain for what it’s capable of.
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Buzznrose
Member
I tried to find something to branch out from my Glock default. Went down several rabbit holes with Walther, Springfield, Sig, and S&W. All were okay but none made any type of “wow” factor. Did not pursue FN, CZ, or Canik.
The one line that I kept and did not sell was the XDm’s. By themselves they are just okay, but with a Powder River Precision trigger, they are very good. And they are pretty cheap if bought used. And come in 9/.40/.45/10MM.
I’ve not tried the PDP. Wanted to but the slide bulk, which I’m sure is great for recoil, is just kinda off putting to me.
I’ve decided the Sig P365 Macro Comp will be next up…mainly to see how they work for my wife and daughters.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
In my case, the PDP's predecessors made me look at modern Walther's with indifference. Except for the weird 1st gen PPS, which I really like for some reason not counting the mag release that I'd have to retrain for.
While I didn't notice the PDP's intro a couple years ago, the recent threads of the PDP drew me in immediately. I actually like the looks of the PDP so much more than the other poly framed Walthers.
The best part is that the gun doesn't care what it looks like, it feels and shoots as if I'm a cyborg with a gun for a hand. That big ol' chunky slide is amazing (to me) in its own right. As easy to grasp and rack as using an oversize medicine bottle cap for seniors. And those deep looking slide cuts are not sharp to the hand either, Walther broke the edges ever so slightly.
I've tried a variety of handguns (not nearly all of them) but I can tell you that this is the first autoloader that I've owned that does exactly what I thought all autoloaders were supposed to do. For me, my PDP makes shooting well easier than anything else I own. That right there is a beautiful thing.
Of course, my very short term experience is the with the 4" Compact model with sights I can barely see. I can't wait until I get a red dot mounted on it.
Now that I've overhyped the gun, everyone else will be disappointed when they try one.
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Buzznrose
Member
In my case, the PDP's predecessors made me look at modern Walther's with indifference. Except for the weird 1st gen PPS, which I really like for some reason not counting the mag release that I'd have to retrain for.
While I didn't notice the PDP's intro a couple years ago, the recent threads of the PDP drew me in immediately. I actually like the looks of the PDP so much more than the other poly framed Walthers.
The best part is that the gun doesn't care what it looks like, it feels and shoots as if I'm a cyborg with a gun for a hand. That big ol' chunky slide is amazing (to me) in its own right. As easy to grasp and rack as using an oversize medicine bottle cap for seniors. And those deep looking slide cuts are not sharp to the hand either, Walther broke the edges ever so slightly.
I've tried a variety of handguns (not nearly all of them) but I can tell you that this is the first autoloader that I've owned that does exactly what I thought all autoloaders were supposed to do. For me, my PDP makes shooting well easier than anything else I own. That right there is a beautiful thing.
Of course, my very short term experience is the with the 4" Compact model with sights I can barely see. I can't wait until I get a red dot mounted on it.
Now that I've overhyped the gun, everyone else will be disappointed when they try one.
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Good post! Do you carry it? If so, how?
I do like that they offer the "F" model...I did like the way that felt in hand.
WRT to PPQ, I had two...the 9MM and the .45. Both shot very good...good triggers, accurate. I did NOT like the texture but a set of Talon grips helped. But for me, neither shot any better than my Glocks. Yes, I sound like a "fanboy"...whatever. I just shoot Glocks pretty well (but after many thousands of rounds, I dang well should!)
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Not yet. I'm need to put more rounds though it to displace my Glock 36.
The local gun shop that I got my Compact from had a whole slew of Fs. In my case, the trigger reach of the standard Compact fit my hand better.
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