Overview
In the gun industry, it can feel like manufacturers are wondering what women want in a gun without actually asking female shooters. Walther decided to change that and go straight to the source when designing the PDP-F. The company solicited input and feedback from the women on their Shooting Team, Gabby Franco and Michelle Waldran, and Tatiana Whitlock, a member of Walther’s Defense Division.
Through research, Walther found out that women wanted to:
- Reach the trigger easily
- Reach the magazine release easily
- Manipulate the slide stop lever and lock the slide back
With that input, Walther designed a new version of the popular PDP that checked the three boxes above and then some. Focusing on ergonomics, Walther aimed to give shooters with smaller hands a better experience. Instead of just shrinking the existing platform, they devised something entirely new. Let’s dive into the features and upgrades.
Unique Features
Reduced Trigger Reach: Walther included its Performance Duty Trigger but shortened the trigger reach for better control. Instead of changing the grip size so your finger can reach the trigger, they moved the trigger back so it reaches your finger. The 2.5-inch length of pull feels noticeably different.
Reduced Slide Force: The PDP-F slide has a 20-percent reduction in slide-racking force. You can feel the change right out of the box, unlike other slides that need to be worked in over time. For those with small hands or lessened strength, this feature is welcomed.
Reduced Grip Circumference: Instead of throwing a tiny grip on the gun, Walther created one that’s smaller but only where it needs to be. The contours of the grip fit a woman’s hand better than most pistols of the same size.
Related: Best Handguns for Women
Fit & Feel
I opted for the 4-inch barrel version, and when I first handled the PDP-F, it felt magical. Immediately, I thought, “It fits. It really fits!” I was surprised, because at first glance, it’s much larger than what I usually shoot and carry.
I’ve never reached the trigger on a compact-sized gun so easily. I didn’t have to adjust my grip and wasn’t pulling to the side. I don’t know what kind of sorcery Walther performed, but my husband, who has large hands, also finds it a good fit.
Grip
The PDP-F comes with a small backstrap installed; in the box, you also get a medium-size option. The grip is contoured in all the right places and feels good in the hands. The ergonomics encourage you to get a nice, high grip, which helps with recoil.
The stippling is my favorite out of any pistol I own. Walther calls it its Performance Duty Texture, which is a tetrahedron design. It’s incredibly grippy, but it isn’t abrasive. I consider it an aggressive texture because it grips your hands nicely but won’t tear up your T-shirts if you carry it concealed.
Slide & Sights
The slide on the PDP-F is shockingly easy to rack. I’ve carried Glocks for over a decade, and it takes a while to break them in. Right out of the box, you notice the reduced slide force Walther claims. I can rack, lock back, and press check with ease. This is a big plus for small hands as well as those with injuries, arthritis, disabilities, and more.
Walther calls the front and rear slide serrations Super Terrain Serrations, and they are indeed super. They’re integrated into the slide instead of being an afterthought, and they’re deep and substantial – not that you need much help racking the slide.
The PDP-F comes with your typical white three-dot sights. If you want to add a red dot sight, both variations of the PDP-F come with the slide cut. Walther will send you a free mounting plate once you decide which optic to add. I am currently running the Holosun 507C x2.
Controls
Controls are all ambidextrous and well-designed, and everything feels easy to use. On most of my pistols, I swap out the magazine release and slide stop lever for something “extended,” but I won’t have to do that on the PDP-F.
The magazine release button is round with a nice texture. It’s easy to push, and the magazine releases with good force, so you don’t have to rip it out. The best part is that I can actually work it without breaking my grip. There’s even a little guard underneath for bigger-handed folks so they don’t accidentally press it.
Trigger
The PDP-F trigger is one of the nicer options in stock striker-fired triggers. Walther calls it the Performance Duty Trigger, which it developed by shortening the length of travel. Everything about the trigger is tactical.
There is a very short and light take-up before a definite wall. I feel a slight creep before it breaks cleanly. The reset is also short, with just a little bit of creep. Overall, the trigger feels great and is easy to work.
The Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Width: 1.26 inches
- Length: 7.25 inches
- Barrel Length: 3.5 or 4 inches
- Height: 5.4 inches
- Weight: 24 ounces
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Capacity: 15+1, 10+1
On the Range
Although I’ve owned my PDP-F for a year, it doesn’t get as much range love as my everyday carry guns. I always look forward to shooting it, though, and have roughly 800 rounds through it so far.
Because it feels so good in my hands and the trigger is within reach, the PDP-F is nice to shoot. I can put a few hundred rounds through without it beating up my hands like other pistols I own. The texturing holds up to sweaty hands, and getting back on target is easy.
It’s accurate, too. At 10 yards, I had good groupings and no issues with follow-up shots. I’ve noticed that I sometimes drop shots low with the PDP-F. It’s not an issue I have with other pistols, so thus far, I’ve chalked it up to the grip angle. I mostly shoot Glocks, and while the PDP-F feels more natural, it’s a much different angle.
One thing that surprised me when I first shot it was the recoil. It’s manageable for sure, just more than I expected because it feels like such a big, heavy gun in my hands. And for what it’s worth, my husband doesn’t think it has any recoil, so the shooter’s size can factor into that.
I installed a ZR Tactical Solutions captured guide rod with a 15-pound flatwire spring, which helps with the bucking. I also added a raw brass backstrap from Lok Grips, which is primarily for aesthetic, but the extra weight also helps manage recoil.
Carry
With its 15-round capacity, accuracy, and overall nice fit and finish, the PDP-F is a pistol I’d look to carry. And I think for many women (and men), it’s a good choice. At my size, though, it feels like a full-sized gun when I carry it.
Related: Three Reasons Why Women Don’t Carry Concealed
For reference, I’m 5 feet tall with a short torso. It’s slightly shorter in length than the G48 MOS I carry in the fall and winter, but it’s pretty chunky. I can pull it off while wearing thick shirts and layers, but I struggle to conceal it in the summer.
Conclusion
The Walther PDP-F fills a void that’s been in the firearms market for a very long time. It’s a large gun that is easily handled by people with small hands, reduced grip strength, or any other issue that causes them to struggle to manipulate firearms. If you’re part of the small-handed club, the PDP-F just might be the perfect fit for you.
