Firearm: Walther PDP Compact Steel Frame (MSRP: $1,699)
In a curious case of reverse-reverse engineering, Walther has released the PDP Compact Steel Frame 4-inch pistol. Walther released the PDP in 2021 as a striker-fired, polymer-frame pistol. Later, the company designed a steel-frame version for competitive shooters, with the goal being to add weight to reduce felt recoil. Coming full circle to the pistol in today’s kit, we have the PDP Compact Steel Frame with 4-inch barrel.
The size of the PDP Compact should be familiar: overall length of 7.4 inches with the 4-inch barrel and height of 5.4 inches. That’s the same length as the Glock G19 and only slightly taller. It’s in the weight where the difference lies for this Walther: Unloaded with a magazine, it’s 40.4 ounces – that’s more than an all-steel Government model 1911. This clearly is not a lightweight gun, and it shows when you pick it up.
But, that’s not a bad thing; in fact, far from it. Yes, it will require more careful gear selection – you’ll need a dedicated gun belt and a solid holster to carry its heft. The upside, though, is when you take it to the range. First, the PDP has an excellent trigger that wowed Shooting Illustrated’s Senior Executive Editor Daniel McElrath in his review, stating “I fired a Walther PPQ 45 that has the best out-of-the-box, striker-fired trigger I’ve felt. It now has a rival.” in reference to the PDP. Second, the 40-ounce weight means that felt recoil is significantly reduced; which, as our Handguns editor Tamara Keel has often quipped, makes it like shooting on easy mode.
The PDP Compact steel frame pistol is, much like a lot in life, a tradeoff. Yes, it’s going to require more careful thought into the gear you use to carry it, with its extra weight over a lighter polymer-frame variant. Balance that against the ease with which you’ll shoot it on the range, especially should you take a pistol class or two. I took a three-day course with an all steel 1911, which weighs a little less than the PDP Steel Frame, and was amazed both at how easy it was to shoot and how comfortable it was at the end of the day. It’s about choices, and if you want a gun you can shoot a lot, the Walther PDP Compact Steel Frame is an excellent one.
Holster: Falco Holsters Low Profile IWB (MSRP: $109.95)
To carry the PDP Compact Steel frame pistol, we’ve chosen the Falco Holsters Low-Profile IWB kydex rig for today’s kit. Constructed of rugged .08-inch Kydex, the Low Profile IWB holster is designed to keep printing to an absolute minimum. Single-sheet, taco-style construction and precision molding keep things both simple and stable, with adjustable retention and cant accomplished via twin screws holding the polymer belt clip in place.
The holster we have here has a sweat guard to keep the pistol away from the body, which fits in with the tuckable nature of the belt clip. Since the holster is designed to be held close to the body, there’s a wing that pushes the grip in to further minimize printing. Holsters are available with cuts designed to accommodate optics as well as for pistols with tall sights. Currently only available in black, the Low Profile IWB holster is available for both right- and left-handed shooters.
Accessory: CRKT Padawan knife (MSRP: $75)
Rounding out today’s kit is the Padawan knife from CRKT. With a 3-inch, 14C28N-steel drop-point blade, the Padawan uses a frame lock to keep the blade open when needed. Deployed via a flipper projection on the rear of the blade, the Padawan opens quickly and cleanly thanks to CRKT’s proprietary IKBS ball bearing system. Scales can be had in black G-10 or the brown Micarta we have today.
One neat touch on the Padawan is the overlay of the scales on the frame lock. On other frame lock knives, one of the difficulties right-handed folks can have opening the knife, especially with the flipper, is that support fingers can inadvertently press on the frame lock, making it harder to open the blade. On the Padawan, the overlay is cleverly positioned so support fingers rest on it, keeping pressure off the frame lock mechanism and allowing the knife to open easily. It’s also slim, light and fits the hand well, making it a fantastic addition to any EDC kit.
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