NRA Gun of the Week: Walther Full-Size PDP 4.5"

by
posted on June 4, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

From the gun’s excellent dodecahedron-style texturing to the SuperTerrain slide serrations, to the its 18-round capacity magazines, the Walther Performance Duty Pistol (PDP) is dressed to impress. Over the last decade, we’ve been witness to Walther’s modern focus on ergonomics, and this latest market entry is nothing short of exemplary.

black pistol handgun metal plastic gun left side with text noting make and model "walther arms pdp full size 4.5""

 

The Walther Arms Full-Size PDP 4.5” is a user-friendly, ergonomic pistol made for the modern era, chambered for 9 mm Luger and enhanced by engineering to accommodate pistol optics. Even though the striker-fired PDP can be traced back to the company’s PPQ and Q Series guns, it is most certainly a different gun that is designed to help the shooter optimize his/her performance on the range.

black pistol in hand shooting guns green shirt

 

With the PDP Full-Size 4.5” model, you get a duty-size pistol that measures 5.7" tall with an overall length of 8". Empty weight of this model PDP tips the scale at 22.3 ozs., add in an empty 18-round magazine and the weight jumps up nearly three ozs.

gun pistol parts pieces modules black plastic handgun

 

All of our tests with the Performance Duty Pistol concluded that this recoil-operated semi-automatic is a feature-rich design and provides a lot of features for the money. The addition of optic plates to customize the pistol to your style of red-dot optic is a worthwhile feature in a market that is increasingly more saturated with optic-ready options.

right side pistol handgun black outdoors sticks leaves wet

To learn more about the Walther Arms PDP Full-Size 4.5” pistol, watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above.

Walther Arms PDP Full-Size 4.5” Specifications
Importer: Walther Arms
Manufacturer: Walther GmbH (Germany)
Action Type: recoil-operated, center-fire, semi-automatic pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Barrel: 4.5”
Slide: carbon steel
Frame: polymer
Sights: polymer, three white dot with adjustable rear
Trigger: striker-fired; 4-lb., 8-oz. pull
Magazine: 18-round detachable box
Height: 5.7"
Length: 8"
Width: 1.34”
Weight: 22.3 ozs. (empty)
MSRP: $649

Latest

Henry Spd Hush Gotw 1
Henry Spd Hush Gotw 1

Gun Of The Week: Henry SPD HUSH

For its first design, Henry Repeating Arms' Special Products Division developed the HUSH, or the Henry Ultimate Suppressor Host. 

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 19, 2025

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

TriStar Arms Protégé X: A Pocket-Size Punch

Inspired by successful designs of the past, the TriStar Arms Protégé X is a pocket-size, M1911-style handgun chambered for the popular 9 mm cartridge.

Hornady Family Honored with Legacy Award

In October, the Hornady family was recognized by the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation for its contribution to the city that Hornady calls home.

I Have This Old Gun: Model 1860 Spencer Carbine

One of the most revolutionary shoulder arms of the American Civil War, the Model 1860 Spencer carbine went from being an experimental design at the war's beginning to ultimately becoming the official issue arm of the U.S. Cavalry by war's end.

New For 2025: Tippmann Arms Integrally Suppressed M4-22s

In anticipation of the upcoming $0 NFA tax stamp enactment, Tippmann Arms is now offering integrally suppressed versions of its M4-22 design.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.