Gun Of The Week: Walther PDP F-Series

by
posted on March 31, 2023

In the past, firearms aimed toward the female market generally weren’t all that different, design-wise, than the guns built for men. All that changed was a color or a name and maybe the overall size shrunk a bit, too, which actually made some guns even harder to control. Walther took an entirely different approach to the concept of a woman’s gun. Consequently, the PDP F-Series doesn’t look feminine, but it’s designed to make the controls more reachable for a woman’s hand and be more comfortable to shoot. Watch our Gun Of The Week video above to see the Walther PDP F-Series in use on the NRA Tech Range.

girl shooting walther pdp f-series semi-automatic handgun pistol 9 mm luger outdoors

The F-Series is based on Walther’s PDP concept, which stands for Performance Duty Pistol. We first saw this design in 2021, and it took over from Walther’s successful PPQ lineup of pistols. Central to the design of each was ergonomics, and Walther developed a reputation for focusing on the ergonomic elements of a handgun’s grip frame, making it accessible to shooters across the spectrum. This focus drove the development of the F-Series, as Walther took data from its construction of custom competition pistols and incorporated that information into the design of an entirely new grip frame sized and styled for the average woman’s hand.

walther arms pdp f-series handgun in woman's hand outdoor black gun pistol remote camera

The first major change was a reduction in trigger reach. The overall circumference of the F-Series grip frame was reduced a full inch, which makes the trigger more reachable for those with smaller hands. Walther also eliminated the finger grooves found on most of its designs, all in an effort to create a smaller, trimmer grip frame. In addition to the frame redesign, Walther also went inside the pistol, developing an entirely new two-piece striker. The result is that the PDP F-Series slide requires 20-percent less force to rack than the standard PDP. Additionally, the reshaped trigger has been moved rearward, making it more accessible to those with smaller hands.

man shooting indoors white range wearing ear muffs hat shoot gun pistol walther arms pdp f-series for gun of the week video remote camera

Otherwise, many of the innovative features found in the original PDP are also available on the F-Series, including the SuperTerrain grip texturing, deep slide serrations at the front and rear and a milled slide that accepts adapter plates for micro red-dot optics. Shooting the Walther PDP F-Series, our all-male cadre of staffers on hand noticed the slimmer grip frame immediately, but it wasn’t off-putting. In fact, many of us liked the feel of the new grip. Smaller, thinner hands aren’t exclusive to women, so the F-Series may find interest on the male side of the gender divide, too. We appreciated the mirrored slide-stop levers, and the push-button magazine release is accessible and also reversible, too, for left-handed users.

Walther Arms PDP F-Series Specifications
Manufacturer: Walther Arms
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Barrel: 4"
Slide: carbon steel; Tenifer-finished and blued
Frame: polymer
Magazine: 15-round detachable box
Sights: polymer, three-dot; post front, fully adjustable rear, optics ready
Overall Length: 7.25"
Height: 5.25"
Width: 1.36"
Weight: 23.4 ozs.
MSRP: $699

Latest

Ruger American Gen II Standard bolt-action rifle right-side view shown with gun metal gray metal finish and gray splatter-paint stock with adjustable comb and Picatinny rail on white background
Ruger American Gen II Standard bolt-action rifle right-side view shown with gun metal gray metal finish and gray splatter-paint stock with adjustable comb and Picatinny rail on white background

Gun Of The Week: Ruger American Gen II Standard

Join American Rifleman staff on the range Ruger's American Gen II bolt-action hunting rifle, and it is chambered for the ever-popular 6.5 mm Creedmoor cartridge.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 8, 2024

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

"The Gun Plant:" How General Motors Armed American Troops In WWII

America's "Arsenal of Democracy" relied on commercial manufacturers re-tooling to make the firearms necessary for American troops to fight across the world. A major contributor to the war effort was the Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors in Michigan.

Trio Of Deals Launch Holiday Savings Season

With the 2024 holiday season approaching right around the corner, companies such as Smith & Wesson, Silencer Central and Taurus are announcing this year's best savings with rebates, BOGO offers and more.

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms P99 AS Final Edition

Walther Arms celebrated its groundbreaking P99 polymer-pistol design with the P99 AS Final Edition before discontinuing the design.

New For 2025: Savage Arms Stance XR

Going into 2025, Savage Arms has announced a few major updates to its Stance micro-compact handgun design.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.