The Walther PDP Compact is a compact striker-fired 9mm built for duty and concealed carry. It has an MSRP of $699. Its SuperTerrain slide serrations stand above the slide surface instead of being milled into it, so a wet or gloved hand grips something raised where a cut serration lets the fingers slide off.

The trigger is the Performance Duty Trigger with a curved shoe, and Walther quotes a tolerance either side of its 5.6 lb weight, so two pistols can feel different. Two 15-round magazines come with it along with an interchangeable backstrap, so the grip circumference can be set without changing frames, and the full-length dust cover rail takes a service-size light. A loaded chamber indicator can be checked by feel. The slide is cut for a plate and no plate comes in the box, so a dot needs its mounting hardware bought as well. There is no manual safety, and the muzzle is unthreaded.

If you are cross-shopping, the Walther PDP Full Size carries the same MSRP and gives an 18-round magazine and a 4.5-inch barrel for 0.5 inches more overall length. The Glock G19 Gen5 is 0.77 oz lighter at 23.63 oz with the same 15 rounds, but its standard slide has no optic cut at all.