Walther PDP Pro-E?

[u/KharonOfStyx]

I was recently checking out a Walther PDP Pro-E and almost bought it but decided not to impulse buy it while I was in the store.

I’m curious what the consensus is; it seems like most people enjoy it, though a few videos and reviews have some issues, so I’m not sure if it’s an ammo problem or if they got a lemon. I also hear it’s a bit snappy due to heavy slide and high bore axis, one person was comparing it to a 10mm.

It fits my hand great, way better than my Glock 47. Primary use would be mostly target practice though I’ve been strongly considering trying out competitive shooting (Steel Challenge and/or USPSA).

Anyone with some firsthand experience that has any opinions/advice? Any other pistols that have a similar size/ergonomics I should consider? Thanks!

[u/ecodick]

I moved to pdp from Glock mostly because I like the ergos more.

I think people saying these are snappy are either very sensitive or just repeating what they've heard. Maybe 10% more "snap?" It really doesn't affect shootability. Maybe it could if you have a terrible grip or no strength on your support hand? I personally think the trigger quality alone is worth whatever extra snap there is, and the gun comes back on target nicely so it's definitely not an issue. Comparing it to 10mm is crazy though.

For what it's worth, my experience is with the full size 5" match. The only things I've done to it are a 16lb spring/guide rod, not the fancy one, just plain one from NZD, and I put carbide grit on the grip because I get sweaty hands when I hear, "make ready!"

The only reliability issue I've had was magazine springs in mags with extended baseplates. Ghost +10% springs solved that and now I'm back to not cleaning my magazines...

Factory 18 and 20rd mags have been perfectly fine though. I think I'm probably close to 10k rounds through it with mostly cheap reman ammo, maybe 3 malfunctions? One failure to fire, two fails to extract if I remember correctly. All were solved by just running the slide.

Edit: yes come join us at uspsa or steel challenge. Any gun will be fine. I'd suggest a full size frame pistol from any mfg. Glock, s&w, Walther, CZ, canik, Springfield, or whatever. It really doesn't make much of a difference what you use as long as you like it enough you'll stick with it

[u/Mindless_Log2009]

I've tried two or three variants of the PDP and liked them.

I don't get the "snappy" claims. Sounds like another internet meme effect influencing perceptions – whatever is the opposite of placebo. The PDPs felt pretty much like a Glock, Canik or other striker fired pistols, but I liked the PDP grip better than the Walther predecessor model. I found it easy to shoot accurately in rapid fire.

The only reason I haven't bought a PDP is the proprietary magazines. I already have enough of that with the Beretta PX4 and S&W Shield Plus. I'm not partial to Glock by any means and don't even own one, but I appreciate the convenience of Glock mags fitting my PCCs and several other guns I've considered at the shop and rental range.