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

Weatherby 307 New Models F
Weatherby 307 New Models F

New For 2025: Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0 & Alpine ST Rifles

Weatherby's Model 307 bolt-action rifle opens up a world of aftermarket components to consumers, thanks to its Model 700 receiver footprint, and the company now has two new models for hunters and sport shooters.

Preview: Thunderbolt To The Rebels | The United States Sharpshooters In The Civil War

Author Darin Wipperman provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Berdan’s sharpshooters during the American Civil War.

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 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.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.