The polymer framed, striker-fired pistol family has proved to be a great success for the established gun manufacturer Carl Walther, especially internationally, and covers a wide range of applications with its numerous different versions. In addition to the full-size frame grip with its 18-cartridge magazines and barrel lengths of 5"/127 mm, 4.5"/114 mm and 4"/102 mm, the shorter compact grip, which holds 15 9mm Luger cartridges, is also available with barrel lengths of 4"/102 mm and 4.5"/114 mm. These are joined by the now available SD models with suppressor-ready barrels in lengths of 4.6"/118 mm and 5.1"/133 mm as well as variants with coloured frames in Tungsten Grey, OD Green or Flat Dark Earth. Only a thoroughbred sports version in the style of the Q5 Match was missing from the PDP portfolio. Until now – because the Ulm-based pistol manufacturer has now closed this gap with the new five-inch Match barrel on a full-size polymer frame.
Technical details of the Walther PDP Match
The PDP Match comes with the familiar glass fiber-reinforced polymer full-size frame and is factory equipped with a large, all-round magazine funnel. This not only ensures quick magazine changes in the heat of a competition, but can also improve handling for shooters with correspondingly large hands, as the heel of the hand can be supported. If the magazine funnel is not required or is not permitted according to the sporting regulations, it can be removed in no time at all. All you have to do is remove the 4x16 dowel pin and the funnel can be removed.
Naturally, all magazines included in the scope of delivery feature extended aluminum bases. To further optimise the hand position and adapt to different hand sizes, the backstrap of the PDP – as with the PPQ – is designed to be interchangeable. Three different sized backstraps (small, medium and large) are included and only the aforementioned pin needs to be removed for replacement. Thanks to the combination of magazine funnel, interchangeable backstraps and the non-slip "Performance Duty Texture" on the polymer grip, the PDP Match sits comfortably in the hand as usual.
In addition to a good hand position, the trigger is no less important for consistent shooting results and so Walther leaves nothing to chance here either. Instead of the normal Performance Duty Trigger, the match version is equipped with the company's own Dynamic Performance Trigger. Although the standard, fully pre-cocked striker system of the PDP series is already one of the best trigger systems in the striker-fired utility pistol segment, the Dynamic Performance Trigger with its straight aluminium trigger blade, the shortened trigger take-up, overtravel and reset, and the optimised sear engagement, is the icing on the cake. The trigger group of our test gun had a measured pull weight of 2,100 grams on average with very clean characteristics and an outrageously short reset. If you want to reduce the trigger weight a little more, we recommend either the PPQ TSK Competition Trigger Spring Kit from Sprinco USA or the tuning spring kit from the German handgun tuner Merkle from Backnang. With these, trigger pull weighs of well under 1,500 grams can be easily achieved in the Walther striker-fired pistols, whereby the spring kit from Merkle offers even more tuning potential thanks to the weaker double stage springs included.
The other features of the PDP Match frame are again standard. As with all modern Walther pistols, the slide stop is located on both sides of the frame and is generously dimensioned so that it can be reliably operated without having to reach around. The magazine release is slightly raised, has a non-slip checkering and can be repositioned for left-handers in a few simple steps. On the slide we discover the typical standard features such as the very deep "Super Terrain" serrations, a mini red dot sight cut and the Glock-compatible mechanical sights.
The 5"/127 mm barrel has a polygonal rifling and a right-hand twist of 1-10" (250 mm). In addition, the slide of the PDP Match features elaborate cuts like its steel sister of the same name. The slide cuts have been integrated into the front serrations in a very attractive way and not only ensure a striking appearance, but also reduce the slide weight, which on the one hand enlarges the functional window and on the other positively influences the shooting behaviour.
Practical test: PDP Walther Match on the shooting range
Before we took the PDP Match to the shooting range, we first had "to seat" a Leupold Delta Point Pro. We wanted to make life a little easier for ourselves, not least for the accuracy check at the classic 25-meter range, so we mounted the tried-and-tested mini red dot sight with the corresponding adapter plate (no. 04) on Walther's latest polymer sporting gun. After zeroing the red dot, accuracy testing was carried out with six types of 9x19mm ammunition, five factory cartridges and a hand load, with bullet weights ranging from 115 to 154 grains. The average of all loads was 45 mm, whereby we achieved the grouping of 38 mm with the Hornady American Gunner factory cartridges and the 115-grain XTP defensive bullet. However, it is particularly worth emphasising how well the Walther PDP Match shot even with simple full metal jacket ammo. Afterwards, bill drills (IPSC standard exercise in which 6 hits have to be placed in the "A" zone as quickly as possible) were mainly shot at distances of 5 to 15 metres in order to better assess the shooting behaviour of the PDP Match. Thanks to the excellent hand position, it was easy to control during these rapid shot strings and the excellent trigger did the rest when it came to placing clean hits in the "A" zone. Only the rather tight recoil spring spoilt the shooting experience somewhat, as its impulse was clearly noticeable during the slide advance and the muzzle sometimes dipped at the slide forward stopping point. A weaker recoil spring could provide a remedy. However, with striker-fired systems, it must always be ensured that the recoil spring and striker spring are matched to each other, as a slide spring with too low a spring rate may no longer be able to fully cock the striker. It is therefore important to follow the proven credo of IPSC world champion and gunsmith Matt McLearn: a jamless gun is a winning gun!
Better late than never: the 4.5-inch version of the PDP Steel Frame FS
With an unloaded weight of a whopping 1,145 grams, the PDP Steel-Frame FS is a real lump in direct comparison to the PDP Match, despite the half-inch shorter barrel/slide length, but it feels very well balanced in the hand. In any case, many consider the 4.5" version of the PDP to be the most visually pleasing due to the proportions between the slide and frame length. An impression that we can't help but share. The full-size steel frame, which is machined from a solid billet and extends downwards, holds the standard PDP 18-round magazines and a cleanly made 20 Lpi (lines per inch) checkering on the front strap and the non-slip, one-piece plastic grip panels provide the necessary grip in the heat of battle. To match the shorter 4.5" slide, the recoil spring channel of the frame has been shortened so that it is flush with it and, in keeping with the new design, it also tapers downwards at an angle. All this makes for very pleasing lines.
The medium-length version of the PDP Steel-Frame is supplied with the Performance Duty trigger (easily recognisable by the round polymer trigger blade) and the slide – as with the 4.0" Compact – has no weight-reducing cuts. A magazine funnel is also missing. Fortunately, the magazine funnel and Dynamic Performance Trigger can be retrofitted without any problems. The PDP Steel-Frame FS also had to face our accuracy test at the 25 meter range, again using the same six 9x19mm cartridges as in the previous test of the PDP Match. In the end, the shorter version even achieved a slightly better shooting performance, the average of all 5-shot groups was only 43 mm. Admittedly, 2-mm difference is not much. Fortunately, the PDP Steel-Frame FS also behaved extremely well with common full metal jacket ammo. The best single accuracy result was once again achieved with the Hornady American Gunner factory cartridges. The five XTP hollow-point bullets achieved a group of only 36 mm on the target. As usual, the accuracy check was followed by some standard dynamic exercises in the form of the aforementioned bill drill or the Blake drill, in which three IPSC targets must be shot at as quickly as possible with two shots each. The ammunition we had brought with us was rapidly running out: it was simply so much fun to hit the targets in the "A" zone at lightning speed. Above all in direct comparison with the flyweight PDP Match, it became abundantly clear what advantages a gun with a steel frame offers for recoil control – with otherwise almost identical technical features. It is therefore no wonder that heavy all-steel guns continue to hold their own in the sporting arena despite the large number of polymer-framed pistols.
Walther PDP Match Polymer and PDP Steel Frame FS 4.5": technical specifications and prices
| Model: | Walther PDP MATCH POLYMER | Walther PDP STEEL FRAME FS 4.5" |
| Caliber: | 9mm Luger | 9mm Luger |
| Magazine Capacity: | 18 (20) rounds | 18 rounds |
| Frame: | Glass-fiber reinforced polymer frame with steel inserts | Steel |
| Slide: | Steel | Steel |
| Barrel Length, Rifling; Twist Rate: | 127 mm, polygonal; 1:250 mm | 114 mm, polygonal; 1:250 mm |
| Rear Sight: | 3.9 mm, adjustable, with white border | 3.9 mm, adjustable, with white border |
| Front Side: | 3.8 mm with white dot | 3.8 mm with white dot |
| Sight Radius: | 195 mm | 181 mm |
| Safety: | Automatic trigger safety, firing pin safety | Automatic trigger safety, firing pin safety |
| Trigger Action, Pull Weight*: | SA, average value: 2,100 grams | SA, average value: 2,310 grams |
| Weight (incl. Magazine): | 863 g | 1,232 g |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 213x150x40 mm | 201x145x35 mm |
| Price: | 1,199 euro | 1,899 euro |
| Equipment: | 2 spare 20-round magazines, 3 backstrap inserts S, M, L, hard case, magazine loading aid, adjustment mechanism (rear sight), safety flag | 2 spare 18-round magazines, 3 backstrap inserts S, M, L, hard case, magazine loading aid, adjustment mechanism (rear sight), safety flag |
| *Average value from 5 measurements with the electronic trigger scale. | ||
Conclusion: Walther PDP Match and Steel Frame 4.5"
The Walther PDP Match should be a legitimate successor to the PPQ Q5 Match. In addition to convincing workmanship, function and shooting performance, it scores points above all for its outstanding handling characteristics. In this respect, the lack of a sporty micrometer sight can also be overcome. With a recommended retail price of €1,199, the PDP Match is also an attractive alternative to the normal five-inch PDP. Walther charges €849 for the latter. Mind you, this does not include the Dynamic Performance Trigger, aluminum magazine funnel and matching magazine bases. In view of the fact that retrofitting the Dynamic Performance Trigger alone now costs €305, the Walther PDP Match really is a good deal. Nevertheless, the PDP Match is likely to have a hard time holding its own in the highly competitive sport shooting market. All-steel guns are too popular with sport shooters for that. Especially as Walther itself has some pretty hot guns in the fire with the new PDP steel-frame pistol family, which turn out to be the more sporting alternative. Whether it has to be the flagship in the form of the 5" PDP Steel-Frame Match Full-Size or the PDP Steel-Frame FS 4.5" shown here is ultimately a question of taste, as the differences in terms of accuracy and shooting behaviour are marginal. While the average shooting performance of the five-inch steel version tested by us was 42 mm, the shorter PDP Steel Frame FS 4.5" also performed very well at 43 mm. At best, the argument of the longer sight radius would speak in favour of the 5.0". However, if you are planning to fit a mini red dot sight anyway, you can opt for the 4.5" version of the PDP Steel Frame with a clear conscience. In any case, for a price of €1,899, the PDP Steel-Frame FS 4.5" is a very good-shooting "Made in Germany" all-steel striker-fired pistol.
For more information on the PDP models please visit the Carl Walther website.
