We hit the range to test out the PDP Pro-X, Walther’s comped 9mm that’s equal parts race pistol and nightstand gun.
Since the late 1800s, Walther has been one of the most interesting and innovative firearm manufacturers in the world. While some brands with that much time and history behind them are content to take no risks and invent nothing different, Walther doesn’t stop.
One of their latest takes on the modern handgun is the Walther PDP Pro-X. Designed with a major nod to competition—but it’s no safe queen and comes in at a price normal people can be excited about—this is a seriously under-appreciated pistol.
Walther PDP Pro-X Specs & Features:
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Slide Material: Steel
- Frame Material: Polymer
- Overall Length: 8.5 Inches
- Width: 1.4 Inches
- Height: 5.7 Inches
- Barrel Length: 4.6 Inches
- Sight Radius: 6.4 Inches
- Grip Circumference: 5.8 Inches (Med Backstrap)
- Weight With Empty Magazine: 27.4 Ounces
- Magazine Capacity: 20 Rounds
- Mags Included: 3
- Trigger: Dynamic Performance Trigger
- Trigger Reach: 2.8 Inches
- Trigger Pull: 4.5 Pounds +/- 1 Pound
- Trigger Travel: 0.2 Inches
- Safeties: 3 – Auto
- MSRP: $999
The Walther PDP Pro-X is one of the most feature-packed pistols to ever cross my hands. Replaceable backstraps, flared aluminum magwell, Parker Mountain Machine compensator, optics ready via Walther’s optics mounting system, Dynamic Performance Trigger and extended slide release, its assets go on and on.
What is even more surprising is that these features actually deliver on what the company claims. Most gunmakers say their guns have an improved trigger these days, but Walther comes out of the gate swinging in this department. This is actually the best trigger I’ve found on a factory striker-fired pistol. Honestly, it’s better than a lot of factory 1911/2011 triggers.
The magwell is wide and useful, the PMM comp actually works, and even the slide serrations are extra deep for maximizing their usefulness. Walther didn’t just add “features” to check off boxes on a list, they added features that matter and do their jobs like they mean it.
And they did it for an MSRP of $1,000.
On The Range
Getting on the range with the Walther PDP Pro-X immediately feels like nothing else. Everything about this pistol seamlessly integrated into every drill and stage thrown at it. Normally, there is a bit of a familiarization curve with any review. A practice magazine or two or three to shake out just how it feels and performs. That just didn’t happen with the PDP Pro-X. From the first shot, it felt natural and right.
Maybe it’s a freak occurrence with my grip and eyes perfectly mating with the ergonomics of the gun, or maybe it’s a little German-American magic. Either way, the PDP Pro-X shoots like warm butter.
Playing around with a few types of ammo, it quickly became apparent the PMM did a great job on this comp. Almost every brand and grain of ammo worked well with the gun. Shooting 115-grain, the comp provided a little less compensation than 124-grain, but the fairly anemic load still benefited from the PMM comp.
The meat and potatoes of the shooting were done using Igman 124-grain, S&B 124-grain and Black Sheep 124-grain. All felt great and shot well with minimal muzzle rise.
If you love great triggers, you’re faced with a difficult decision with this pistol. The Walther PDP Pro-X will forever redefine your definition of a good striker-fired trigger. Honestly, it might ruin you for other triggers. Going back to your gunsmith-polished, aftermarket Glock trigger will feel like going back to a bag of rocks.
On the other hand, you’ll experience what is genuinely a stunning trigger. And that isn’t just for a factory trigger. It’s outstanding for any striker-fired trigger … ever. If Walther ever brings this technology to other platforms, it’ll corner the market on triggers.
The pull measures at 4 pounds but is so crisp, it feels lighter. Movement from take-up to break is extremely short, just enough you know you put pressure on the trigger before hitting a defined wall for the break. Reset is a few millimeters and feels almost instant.
All Roses?
Maybe this is just personal preference but there are a few points that would improve the PDP Pro-X in my book. First, a double undercut for the trigger guard. For a pistol that leans very modern in every other respect, it’s kind of odd not to see a double undercut.
Second, it needs suppressor-height sights. The irons on the PDP Pro-X are decent, nothing to write home about. Yet, this is a gun built for red dots. Not only because of the optics plate system, but just everything about it exudes the desire for a red dot on top. Why then, are the irons so short?
Sure, different dots work best with slightly different sight heights, but adding a few millimeters to the PDP’s factory sights would have solved it for most people shooting most red dots.
These are fairly minor points though. In the grand scheme of everything, the Walther PDP Pro-X punches way above the average.
One point that isn’t so minor is magazines. Currently, the PDP Pro-X ships with three 20-round magazines (and that’s awesome). But getting more magazines is a touch rough. Its 20-round mags aren’t currently available from Walther, 18-round mags are as large as they currently go.
The 20-round magazines that ship with the gun are 18-round bodies with a plus-two baseplate. But the baseplates aren’t available from Walther either.
The gun’s 18-round magazines are easy to find in stock and are very affordable at around $32 from retailers. You can add your own aftermarket plate and get plus-two or even plus-three from those, but it would be nice to see factory options from Walther soon.
Loose Rounds
The Walther PDP Pro-X is an outstanding pistol that you have to shoot to believe. The trigger alone is worth seeking out a friend or rental range to give it a try. If you’re looking for a pistol that can hang with the big dogs for a weekend of competition but also be a gun you can always bet your life on, the Walther PDP Pro-X makes a compelling argument.
In a market awash with pistols that over-promise and under-deliver, it’s refreshing to see just how much effort Walther has put into making a gun that shows up.
Pros
- Excellent trigger
- Very feature-rich
- Compensated
- Good value
Cons
- No double undercut trigger guard
- Iron sights not tall enough to co-witness some red dots
- Subpar magazine availability
Walther PDP Pro-X Deals
| Guns.com | $1,026.99 |  |
| Sportsman’s Warehouse | $949.99 | |
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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