Walther PDP Pro-X 9mm: Full Review

I could have predicted this years ago. Walther has announced its best-yet contemporary design, the PDP Pro-­X in 9mm. Just add your preferred optic and/or pistol light, and you’ll have a versatile package that’s as accurate and reliable as any other. It’s difficult to imagine a full-­size pistol that’s as sorted as this one.

The point of the PDP Pro-­X is to make shooting full-­size guns easier. It’s not just about one-­shot-­at-­a-­time accuracy. I tested two PDP configurations when the platform was announced in the April 2021 issue. In my hands, the PDP Pro-­X isn’t any more accurate than the base model. My best five-­shot groups measured just under 1½ inches and averaged about 1.8 to 2 inches from 25 yards — on a benchrest. What the PDP Pro-­X does better is multi-­shot accuracy. Isn’t “multi-­shot accuracy” what we desire when selecting a semiautomatic pistol?

We are seeing new handguns introduced with compensators, or “comps.” Whether a barrel modification or muzzle device, comps have been counteracting the forces of recoil since gunsmith Hyman Saul Lebman of Texas installed seven-­port barrels in full-­auto Model 1911s for mobsters in the 1930s. They gained popularity again in the 1970s and ’80s with the rise of competitive shooting and handgun hunting, but they’re back! After years of watching shops such as Parker Mountain Machine develop and tune comps for the aftermarket, manufacturers now offer compensated pistols. Canik. FN. Shadow Systems. SIG Sauer. Smith & Wesson. These brands all offer factory-­comp’d models. (And others are coming.)

The same can be said for optic-­ready slides. Every new pistol seems to have an optic-­ready slide as a standard feature. Even brands such as SIG Sauer have eliminated models such as the original P365, which lacked an optic-­ready slide. The only reason to make a pistol slide without an optic cut is to support gun owners subject to restrictions such as the California DOJ Approved Handgun Roster. Now that so many shooters have come around to using a red-­dot-­sighted pistol, the only problem left to solve is how to get companies to agree on a universal footprint or mounting configuration.

Lastly, there are the topics of comparing full-­size to compact and micro-­compact pistols, magazine capacity, and whether we need a light attached to the rail. For those wanting all of these aspects, allow me to discuss the Walther PDP Pro-­X in 9mm.

Add It Up

With reliability and accuracy established, a pistol in my “John Wick” box receives an upgraded trigger, upgraded sights, a red-­dot optic, flared magazine well, several spare mags of different capacities, and a compensator for the muzzle. The Walther PDP Pro-­X 9mm has (almost) all of these included, but I typically attach a pistol light and order a custom holster to complete the package.

Let’s consider the value proposition of the PDP Pro-­X. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the base PDP model is $649. (Most gun stores sell them for less.) The PDP Pro-­X includes an optic cut. All PDP models are optic ready, but if you wanted to have the slide milled, a reputable shop such as C&H Precision will charge around $100 for the service, excluding additional nitriding or Cerakote finishing. Finishwork to a slide adds another $60 to $100. Then, to add a barrel and compensator, the price is around $350. How about an aftermarket match trigger? $180, not including installation. A magazine funnel? $90. Extended basepads? $35 each. And let’s not forget custom grip texture: $250. To configure a Walther PDP with these add-­ons, the sum comes to $1,714 — on the low-­end. (The cost of the optic and light are not included.) The PDP Pro-­X comes with these features and a factory warranty.

Walther’s MSRP for the PDP Pro-­X — both full-­size and compact models — is $999. If a pistol configured such as this makes sense for you, Walther is saving you a couple hundreds of dollars. For comparison, the alternatives are the Canik TTI Combat; FN 509 CC Edge XL; Shadow Systems XR920P; SIG Sauer P320 Spectre Comp Blackout, and Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P 2.0 Competitor. The only current-production factory compensated Glock is the full-­auto G18C, but that’s not a readily available model.

The Goodies

The Walther PDP was named 2021 Guns & Ammo Handgun of the Year. Even after several thousand rounds fired through our PDPs, we stand behind that award. It’s a great gun, and I’ve never heard anyone criticize it.

The pattern of new releases we saw with the outgoing PPQ model has been applied to the PDP platform. As of this writing, there are 25 varieties of PDP. It’s available in compact and full-­size models; with extended barrels; two-­tone versions with either gray, green or tan frames; a Professional model with an Aimpoint Acro; and Match and Pro versions with Walther’s Performance Duty Trigger.

The Performance Duty Trigger made the PDP one of the best striker-­fire pistols available — but it gets better. The PDP Pro-­X comes with Walther’s Dynamic Performance Trigger, which is lighter and has a shorter travel and reset than the Performance Duty Trigger. What’s the difference? The Dynamic Performance Trigger has a hand-­tuned sear engagement; it’s tuned at the factory to offer an excellent trigger feel. Guns & Ammo received three samples of the PDP Pro-­X in Compact and Full-­Size forms. Using a Lyman Digital Trigger Pull Gauge, the Dynamic Performance Trigger measured 4 pounds, 12.5 ounces, a half-­pound less than the Performance Duty Trigger. (Walther’s advertised 5½-­pound trigger weight estimate was conservative.)

Though accuracy results were similar between the PDP and PDP Pro-­X, the Pro-­X is easier and quicker to shoot. On a timer, our splits improved an average of .03 seconds while achieving the same accuracy with the PDP Pro-­X. A new shooter might not discern the difference, but a competitor or seasoned law enforcement professional would. The performance improvement is due to a combination of enhancements, one being the trigger. Next, let’s consider the comp.

Started in 2012 by Jarod Legsdin, Parker Mountain Machine (PMM) has made a name for himself. Based in New Hampshire, his products and services have been responsible for steering trends with firearms. Many know PMM for aftermarket compensators, and if you have a Walther PPQ or PDP, PMM makes a comp for it ($100). He also offers a barrel-­and-­comp combo ($360). The PMM compensator on the PDP Pro-­X, however, is unique and exclusively provided to Walther. Made of anodized aluminum, it is threaded on the barrel and secured by Rocksett adhesive. I contacted Walther for more information.

“We worked on the compensator together,” said Cody Osborn, director of communications for Walther. “We matched up the thread options so that it would only need one shim to properly clock it. It attaches like the muzzlebrake of an AR, so it will be reliable.”

If you look at the top of the slide, where the slide and compensator meet, you’ll notice an arched interface that interlocks the compensator to the slide when the slide is in battery. This detail is unique to the PDP Pro-­X and prevents twisting. It’s an “anti-­rotation” feature, if you will.

“When installed, it precisely aligns with the barrel, ensuring perfect timing and optimal performance,” Osborn added. “When the slide is forward, the compensator and barrel is locked nice and tight.”

Add An Optic

As a cost-­saving measure, Walther chose to install standard-­height polymer sights. Though it does come with a three-­white-­dot system — post front, adjustable rear — these are easily replaced with Glock-­pattern fiber-­optics, tritium night sights, or adjustable steel match sights. The PDP slide prioritizes optics. “We’re optics people,” Osborn said. The PDP Pro-­X features Walther’s 2.0 optic-­mounting system, which accepts plates to accommodate most options. Optic technology continues to advance, so Walther engineered the slide for plates rather than direct mounting.

“I don’t like having a slide machined for a particular optic, because that commitment is forever,” Osborn added. “If a better optic comes out in two years, I don’t want to have to replace the entire slide or buy a new gun to use it.”

The PDP was designed specifically for mounting a red-­dot sight. You’ll note that the optic doesn’t extend over the ejection port or barrel hood, and the slide serrations are still useful, even with an optic in place. The optic is sunk down for a low witness. “Low witness” is a more accurate term than “co-­witness” because the standard-­height sights are useable at the very bottom of an optic’s window. Walther didn’t install suppressor-­height sights because they didn’t want sights obstructing half of the window. It’s just visible in case something happens to the dot.

Behind the ejection port is a coverplate secured by two Torx fasteners. Remove it to install one of Walther’s adapter plates. The PDP series comes with a “Redeem-­A-­Plate,” another cost-­saving effort. Including all six available adapter-­plate footprints would raise the price significantly, and you would likely only need one. When you have your optic selected, fill out the Redeem-­A-­Plate form and send it in for one free plate. The Trijicon RMR footprint is Walther’s most redeemed style. Also, C&H Precision and Holosun offer direct-­mount optics for the PDP that don’t even need a plate.

Other Features

Besides the PMM compensator, Walther Dynamic Performance Trigger, the last new add-­on is the magazine funnel. It is secured with the same roll-­pin that secures the backstrap in place. Three rubberized backstraps are provided, which absorb some recoil against the palm of your hand. The backstrap that comes on the PDP Pro-­X is a medium size. The small backstrap is thinner with less of an arch, but the large size has a pronounced arch and a beavertail.

The magazine funnel is aluminum and helps to keep the hand in place during strings of multiple shots, preventing the pinky finger from sliding down. It also makes reloads a little easier and intuitive to perform blindly. When you press the checkered-­style magazine release button, magazines eject immediately and with speed. The magazine release button is reversible for left-­hand use, but I would suggest seeking someone with a mechanical skillset for assistance with changing its orientation.

The difference between the initial PDP Pro-­X models are the grip frames. These will be available in either a full-­size (tested) or compact frame with the same 2.7-­inch five-­slot rail. Unlike modular chassis pistols with removeable grip modules, the PDP Pro-­X polymer grip frame is a serialized component. (Like the P99 and PPQ, the serial number is at the back of the frame above the beavertail.) Initially, the PDP Pro-X will only be available in black.

The full-­size frame is magazine specific. Whereas the compact models of the PDP Pro-­X will accept either the shorter 18-­round magazine with extended basepad, or the 18-­ and 20-­round magazines that are included with the full-­size, the full-­size frame will not accept the 18-­round magazine with the extended basepad due to the lengthened grip. Additionally, for jurisdictions subject to magazine capacity restrictions, Walther will provide 10-­round magazines with the PDP Pro-­X.

At The Range

The Walther PDP Pro-­X shoots great. Of note is the ejector system. Regardless of the load, cases are extracted and ejected with authority. The ejection port is generously sized, wrapping over the top to the left side. The right sight of the port is steeply angled and beveled at the rim and the case, and the pistol runs perfectly reliable with any grain weight of 9mm.

Shooting standard 115-­grain ball ammunition through the PDP Pro-­X will produce no different results than shooting it against the base PDP. To experience the benefit provided by the trigger, compensator and magazine funnel, you really to shoot defensive or +P ammunition through it. Due to the comp, hot loads push the muzzle down more effectively than lightweight range ammo. Add an optic to eliminate the process of sight alignment, and you’ll find the PDP Pro-­X enables a “Race Mode” you never realized you were capable of. Shooting it certainly brought the best out of me. 

Walther PDP Pro-X

• Type: Recoil operated, striker fired, semiautomatic
• Cartridge: 9mm
• Capacity: 10+1 rd. (restricted jurisdictions, Compact/Full Size); 18+1 rds. (Compact), 18+1 rds. And 20+1 rds. (Full Size)
• Barrel: 4.6 in. (Compact and Full Size), PMM Compensator
• Length: 8.25 in.
• Width: 1.34 in.
• Height: 5.4 in. (Compact); 5.8 in. (Full Size)
• Weight: 1 lb., 8.4 oz. (Compact); 1 lb., 9.4 oz. (Full Size)
• Finish: Tenifer (steel)
• Sights: 3 white dots, post (front), adj. notch (rear); optic ready
• Trigger: Walther Dynamic Performance Trigger, 4 lbs., 12.5 oz. (tested)
• Safety: Trigger safety, striker safety, disconnect safety
• MSRP: $999
• Importer: Walther Arms, 479-242-8500, waltherarms.com

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