PDP Polymer Photo: Walther
By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2024
ABOUT WALTHER
Carl Wilhelm Freund Walther laid the foundation for the Walther company. Born in 1858, he started his own rifle-making business in 1886. Walther began building hunting and target shooting rifles with Martini and Aydt breech block actions.
Walther had five sons: Fritz, Georg, Wilhelm, Erich, and Lothar. The first three learned the profession of rifle-making at their parents’ company, and in 1903, the Walther factory was built in Zella-Mehlis, Germany.
Fritz Walther was particularly interested in semi-automatic pistol technology, which he had learned about while training in Berlin. Fritz convinced his father that pistols were the future of firearms manufacturing.
In 1908, after Fritz had returned home, the two of them created the prototype of their Model 1, which was patented in June 1911 and went into production in a 6.35 mm version. Other pistols followed, and the series ended in 1920 with the Model 9. Upon his father’s death in 1915, Fritz Walther took over the company along with his brothers.
In 1929, the double action Walther PP was born, and two years later, the PPK. These pistols were revolutionary in their design and are still in production today. The PP and PPK demand was high as police and civilians were interested in this new design.
Walther would design another legendary pistol for the military with the P38 and produced 580,000 by the end of WWII. At the war’s end, Fritz could save only the design drawings for his pistols from the rubble of his factory.
Fritz built a new factory in Ulm producing calculating machines, as weapons production was not allowed. In 1950, Fritz was able to start making air rifles. In 1957, Fritz was allowed to begin producing the PP, PPK, and P38, which was now designated the P1 for the newly formed Bundeswehr.
In 1966, Fritz passed away, and his son Karl took over and expanded the company’s line of sporting guns. In 1969, the Walther GSP was launched and was the world’s most widely used small-caliber match pistol.
In 1993, Umarex Sportwaffen (sport weapons) of Arnsberg, Germany, acquired Walther and continued manufacturing under the Walther name in Ulm. In 1999, the U.S.-based Smith & Wesson company became the authorized importer of Walther Firearms. In 2012, Umarex (PW Group) formed a new subsidiary, Walther Arms, Inc., located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to take over the distribution of Walther Arms in the United States.
The Walther PDP Match with a polymer frame was recently introduced, and Walther quickly followed up with a steel frame version of the PDP Match.
“The PDP Match Steel Frame is a game-changer. With unwavering stability, shooters are able to have lightning-fast follow-up shots and laser-like accuracy,” said Jens Krogh, vice president of marketing and product development for Walther Arms, Inc. “Like its polymer counterpart, the versatile features combined with the steel frame, makes this an unparalleled performance-enhancing powerhouse.”
THE FRAME
A plus of the steel frame version is that the weight of the frame tames recoil and delivers smoothness when shooting. The Wrap-Around Grips of the steel version provide a comfortable and secure hold, enhancing your ability to stay on target, and both pistols feature the Walther Performance Duty Texture, giving you a secure and comfortable grip.
Both versions have an aluminum magwell that aids in magazine changes, ensuring you’re ready to go. The polymer version is only available with 18-round magazines as it requires magazines with an aluminum base plate.
A five-slot Picatinny rail is on the dust cover for lights and lasers.
THE INTERNALS
Both models feature the Dynamic Performance Trigger. It offers control & response that provides enhanced accuracy and consistency in shot placement. Three different safeties provide for safe handling.
THE SLIDE & BARREL
The slide on both versions is Optics Ready, so you can quickly integrate your preferred optic for enhanced accuracy. The strategic slide cuts provide positive purchase during slide manipulation, and the Tenifer coating guarantees durability.
The barrel is 5 inches long with a 1-9 twist.
SPECIFICATIONS STEEL POLYMER
Type: Striker Fired, Semi-Automatic
Caliber: 9mm 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 18/20 Rounds 18 Rounds Aluminum Base Pad Only
Sights: Adjustable 3-Dot Sights and Optics Ready Slide
Barrel Length: 5 Inches 5 Inches
Overall Length: 8.37 Inches 8.5 Inches
Height: 5.7 Inches 5.7 Inches
Weight with Empty Mag: 41 Ounces 26.9 Ounces
MSRP: $1,899 $1,099
URL: www.waltherarms.com
THE VERDICT
Whether you pick polymer or steel, the PDP Match features all the best features of the PDP line. The steel version ships with two 20-round magazines and one 18-round magazine, while the polymer ships with three 18-round magazines.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].