Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PDP Match Steel Frame

Walther Arms took its polymer-frame Performance Duty Pistol design and crafted it entirely from steel to create its PDP Match Steel Frame, which is a true heavyweight designed just for the pure joy of shooting. Watch our "American Rifleman Television" Rifleman Review segment above to hear the details and design intent behind this full-size pistol.

"This is a true race gun. This gun is built for range use. It's built for competition use," American Rifleman Executive Editor Evan Brune said. "And when you're shooting competition, what you want is a gun that shoots really flat, is quick to the reset. That is, you know, something that you can just snap right onto that next target. You don't have the muzzle flip, you don't have the additional recoil. Having a whole lot of metal in the frame, which this gun does, gives you that in spades."

Unloaded, the Walther Arms PDP Match Steel Frame weighs 41 ozs., providing the weight needed to anchor the gun in the hand while shooting. The metal frame also provides the template for finely cut checkering located on the pistol's frontstrap, which complements the grip ergonomics for which Walther has always been famous. The frame also incorporates Walther's Performance Duty Trigger, which is a step up from the trigger found on standard PDP Match guns with polymer frames. A five-slot Picatinny accessory rail provides plenty of room for lights and lasers.

"So, you know, there's a lot going on on the bottom end of this gun, but there's also a lot going on at the top end of this gun, too," Brune said.

Walther's PDP Match Steel Frame incorporates the company's deep SuperTerrain slide serration at the front and rear, along with ventilating the slide at the front end with lightening cuts. The rear of the slide features an optics cut with a cover plate, and Walther gives buyers the opportunity to purchase a cover plate that fits the red-dot optic of their choice. A set of fully adjustable, three-dot sights provides a clear open sight picture for those who choose to run the gun without an optic.

"When it comes to having a complete, well-rounded family of firearms, Walter has really gotten there with its new PDP line," Brune said.

Walther Arms PDP Match Steel Frame Specifications
Manufacturer: Walther Arms, GmbH (Germany)
Importer: Walther Arms USA
Action Type: striker-fired, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm
Slide: steel
Frame: steel
Barrel: 5-inch
Magazine: 18-round detachable box
Sights: three dot; post front, fully adjustable rear
Trigger: 4-lb., 12-oz. pull
Overall Length: 8.37 inches
Height: 5.75 inches
Width: 1.6 inches
Weight: 41 ozs.
Accessories: owner's manual, two spare magazines, speedloader, wrench, lock
MSRP: $2,049

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/videos/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.