Carl Walther won the tender for the new service pistol for the German special forces with a PDP variant
The "K" stands for compact. The model has a magazine capacity of 10 rounds.
We reported on the outcome of the tender for the new service pistol for the Bundeswehr's special forces back in May. The Ulm-based service and sporting arms manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH came out on top in the end and is now supplying these pistols to the Bundeswehr. Today we want to find out from Tom and David from Greyground what their initial feedback is on the P14 and P14K. The fact is, you can shoot and hit very fast with the Walther P14 and P14K. Both models are based on the PDP family – where the abbreviation stands for Performance Duty Pistol. The P14 and P14K are of course manufactured according to the specifications of the German Armed Forces. The development of the models took over a year. With the modernisation of the Bundeswehr, the requirements for handguns were also raised to a new level and Carl Walther was able to best meet the expectations of the procurers at the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), so that special forces such as the Special Forces Command (KSK), the Special Forces Command of the Navy (KSM) and specialised forces of the military police can in future be equipped with two PDP variants, which will be introduced to the Bundeswehr under the designation Pistol P14 and Pistol P14K. The framework agreement with the Bundeswehr has a term of 7 years. Economically, this means full order books for Carl Walther GmbH. In addition to the economic aspect in the government sector, the performance of these handguns will probably also arouse desires in the civilian sector. Even if the P14 and P14K are currently reserved for special forces only, there will be a great deal of interest from sports shooters and in particular from members of the reservist shooting sports working groups to test the potential of these two pistols in sporting competitions in the foreseeable future, according to the two shooting instructors Nitsche and Müller from Greyground.
Greyground tests the Walther P14 and P14 K on the shooting range
The feedback from Greyground carries weight. It is not for nothing that brands such as Aimpoint, Frankonia and Carl Walther rely on these shooting instructors for their seminars. We had the exclusive opportunity to look over the shoulders of David Müller and Tom Nitsche during their "first time" with the P14 and P14K. Among other things, the question posed by shooting instructor Nitsche came up: "When do I get mine?" – Once you have watched our video, you will certainly understand why the man who has held so many different service pistol models from various manufacturers in his hands is so fascinated by the new Walther pistols.
Video: all the important details about the new Walther P14 and P14K pistol models for the Bundeswehr special forces
Common features of the Walther P14 and P14K models
Both models utilise modern technologies and designs from Carl Walther, including:
- Ergonomic design: both pistols have interchangeable backstraps to adapt the ergonomics to the shooter's hand size.
- Trigger system: both pistols use the same pre-cocked striker system, which is intended to ensure consistent trigger characteristics and a constant trigger pull weight at all times.
- Safety devices: several automatic safety systems ensure safe operation of the guns.
- Materials: The use of polymer with steel inserts for the grip and steel for the slide ensures an excellent balance between light gun weight and robust materials.
The P14 and P14K models from Carl Walther are therefore versatile and reliable pistols that are characterised by their adaptability and modern safety features. As Walther does not yet offer these pistols on the civilian market and we have not been able to find out whether and when this might change, we have compiled the technical specs of the two similarly designed civilian PDP models Pro SD 4.6" Compact and Pro SD 5.1" Fullsize for you here. These PDP models, which are already available, are optics ready and therefore suitable for mounting a red dot sight and also each have a muzzle thread to which one of the compensators already available on the aftermarket for the Walther PDP can be added if required.
Technical specifications and prices of the civilian Walther PDP Pro SD 5.1" and Walther PDP Pro SD 4.6"
Model: | PDP Full Size 5.1" OR Pro SD | PDP Compact 4.6" OR Pro SD |
Caliber: | 9 mm Luger | |
Magazine Capacity: | 18 cartridges | |
Frame: | Polymer frame with steel inserts | |
Slide: | Steel, black coated | |
Barrel Length, Rifling: | 5.1"/130 mm, polygonal | 4.6"/117 mm, polygonal |
| Muzzle Thread: | 1/2"-28 UNEF | |
Rear Sight: | 3.7 mm, fully adjustable with white edging | |
| Front Sight: | 3.7 mm with white dot | |
Sight Radius: | 181 mm | 170 mm |
| Trigger: | Dynamic Performance Trigger | |
| Trigger Pull Weight: | 2,200 g approx. | |
Safety: | 3 automatic safeties | |
Dimensions (LxWxH): | 212x34x148 mm | 197x34x135 mm |
Weight: | 765 g | 700 g |
Price: | 1,210 euro | 1,210 euro |
Accessories and Equipment: | Hard case, 2 spare magazines, interchangeable backstrap, recoil spring for suppressed operation, ambidextrous slide stop, interchangeable magazine release, MIL-STD-1913 accessory rail | |
As already mentioned at the beginning of this article, you can find another report with information on the P14 and P14K pistols on all4shooters. Among other things, it also deals with around 4,500 uniformed police officers of the Pennsylvania State Police, who are also equipped with a variant of the Walther PDP.
Further information on the Walther P14 and P14K and more about the Walther PDP series can be found on the Carl Walther website.
