Walther PDP Compact 9mm
Model: 2851814
Walther PDP Compact 9mm
Model: 2851814
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
Walther built the PDP Compact around its trigger. The Performance Duty Trigger breaks at 5.5 lbs with almost no pre-travel before a defined wall and a crisp release. That is the same pull weight as the Glock G19 Gen5 and Springfield Hellcat Pro, but the character of the break is different. Reviewers consistently describe the PDP trigger as having the shortest take-up and sharpest break of any factory striker gun. The reset is short enough that shooters can track it by feel without looking.
The rest of the spec sheet is competitive but unremarkable. Fifteen rounds, 24.4 oz, 4" barrel, 7.5" overall length, optics-ready slide. The stainless steel barrel outlasts carbon steel alternatives. The Performance Duty Texture grip includes interchangeable backstraps for hand fit without aftermarket panels. Adjustable rear sights come standard. Two magazines ship in the box. Made in Germany with the fit and finish that implies.
The PDP Compact does one thing better than any other striker-fired compact: it ships with a trigger that most owners of other guns pay aftermarket money to achieve. If trigger quality is the spec you optimize for, and you want it straight from the box, this is the gun.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The Performance Duty Trigger at 5.5 lbs has the shortest take-up and crispest break of any factory striker compact, according to consistent reviewer consensus
- Adjustable rear sights and interchangeable backstraps come standard, eliminating two common aftermarket purchases
- Aftermarket holster and accessory selection lags behind Glock, Sig, and Smith & Wesson. Finding a specific holster/light combination may take more searching.
- At 1.34" wide, it is the widest compact in this comparison set. The Springfield Hellcat Pro is 1" wide and the S&W Equalizer is 1.04". The extra width matters for appendix carry under fitted clothing.
Category Rankings
How the Walther PDP Compact 9mm ranks among compact 9mm Luger handguns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much better is the PDP trigger than a Glock?
Both break at 5.5 lbs, but the PDP has roughly half the pre-travel distance before the wall. The break itself is sharper with less creep. Shooters switching from Glocks typically report tighter groups within the first range session. The reset distance is similar, but the PDP's reset click is more distinct and easier to track by feel.
Does the PDP Compact use PPQ magazines?
No. The PDP uses its own magazine design that is not compatible with the older PPQ. Walther makes 15-round flush, 10-round compliant, and 18-round extended magazines for the PDP Compact. Factory magazines run roughly twice what Glock 19 magazines cost, which is worth knowing before committing to the platform.
Can I co-witness iron sights with a red dot on the PDP?
Yes. The optic cut sits low enough for lower-third co-witness with most Shield RMSc pattern dots using the factory sights. The adjustable rear sight makes it easy to zero your irons independently of the dot. This gives you a backup aiming method if the battery dies or the dot fails.