Walther PDP Pro-X [Review]: Not What I Expected

It is no secret that I and a few others on the Pew Pew Tactical team love the Walther PDP.

The standard Walther PDP is known for its outstanding trigger, excellent accuracy, and fantastic reliability. However, the one complaint levied most against the PDP is how flippy they can feel, thanks to their higher bore axis.

Walther has addressed this complaint by offering their first-ever factory-compensated striker-fired gun — the PDP Pro-X.

With the promise of a flatter shooting experience from one of my favorite platforms, I just had to get my hands on one. So, is the hype real? Or is the compensator more trouble than it is worth?

How We Tested the Walther PDP Pro-X

For this review, we tested the full-size Walther PDP Pro-X with both the factory iron sights and a Holosun 507Comp. Shooting and accuracy testing was conducted at 5, 10, 15, and 25 yards.

The ammo types used during testing were:

• AAC 115gr FMJ
• S&B 124gr FMJ
• Speer Lawman 124gr FMJ
• Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P JHP.

Finally, we also tested the trigger on the PDP Pro-X using a Dvorak TriggerScan to provide an extremely accurate graphical readout of both the trigger pull weight and everything going on during the trigger pull.

Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 20rd (full-size), 18rd (compact)
• Barrel Length: 4.6″
• Overall Length: 8.5″
• Height: 5.7″
• Width: 1.4″
• Weight: 27.4 oz (full-size), 24 oz (compact)
• Frame: Polymer

Features

• PMM single-port compensator
• Optics-ready slide
• Performance Dynamic Trigger
• Aluminum magwell
• Comes with three 20rd magazines
• 3-Dot white sights w/fully adjustable rear sight

Walther PDP Pro-X Background

Back in 2021, Walther released their first run of PDPs to the public. The PDP was the evolution of their well-received PPQ, which in turn was an evolution of their P99 pistol.

With the P99 having been introduced way back in 1997, Walther is no stranger to the polymer, striker-fired pistol world.

Walther has constantly updated its pistols based on research and consumer feedback. They identified the growing market interest in fast, flat-shooting firearms at reasonable price points.

This culminated in the release of the factory-compensated PDP Pro-X in late 2024. With the new model in tow, we just had one question…

Just how good is the new PDP Pro-X?

Ergonomics: Fit & Feel

I own two PDP pistols and have fired numerous other PDP models. They feel good in the hand, and I have no real qualms about them.

While I know that ergonomics are inherently subjective, I have noticed that the PDP seems like a very love-it-or-hate-it gun. I have had numerous people shoot my PDPs, and the size and shape either works for them or it doesn’t.

Grip

The PDP Pro-X uses the same grip design as the standard PDP. This includes a fairly aggressive honeycomb texture on the sides and backstrap, with standard checkering on the frontstrap.

On the sides of the grip, you get these raised sections that are supposed to guide your fingers into place while providing a bit of a palm swell.

I’d prefer a normal palm swell over the multiple ridges. While the ridges don’t really bug me, they can be an annoyance for some hand shapes or sizes.

There is a slight trigger guard undercut that is complemented by a decently high beavertail. The beavertail is nice and rounded, with no hot spots anywhere. Despite a nice beavertail, the slide is still large, and the bore axis is still tall.

I’ve found that the PDP grip does not eat into any part of my hand at all, even during extended shooting sessions.

We tested the full-size model, which is long enough to accommodate even the largest of hands with ease. It is still very manageable for those with smaller hands, such as my 5’ 2” fiancée, who shot the Pro-X during testing.

At the bottom of the grip, there is a generously sized aluminum magwell to facilitate quick reloads. It works great and doesn’t cramp my grip at all — A+ here.

The compact grip option features 18-round magazines, while the full-size model we tested comes with three 20-round mags.

Rounding things out are the three interchangeable backstraps. I left the standard one on that came pre-installed, and it was perfect for my medium-sized hands.

Controls

Like the grip, the controls are unchanged from the regular PDP.

A very long and ambidextrous slide release is present. I like how easy it is to hit the slide release, but it is a double-edged sword. It is equally as easy to accidentally depress the slide release and cause the gun to not lock open after the last round.

Our resident media man, Sean Curtis, loves his PDPs but notes that this is an issue for him and his large hands.

The textured, reversible magazine release is sized and placed well. With medium hands, I can hit the mag release without adjusting my grip, but just. I only have to adjust my grip slightly to reach it comfortably.

Trigger

Flat-out, the trigger on this gun is elite-tier.

The regular PDP already has a great trigger with the Performance Duty Trigger (PDT), but the Dynamic Performance Trigger (DPT) in the Pro-X is next level.

It is a flat-faced trigger with a very short travel, an extremely crisp break, and a very short reset.

I put the Pro-X on the Dvorak TriggerScan for a detailed readout. The result was an average pull of 4.1 lbs.

Again, I cannot praise this trigger enough. The only striker-fired trigger that is on par with the PDP Pro-X is the trigger in the Canik Rival series (which are Walther clones).

Slide

Ah, the main draw — the compensator. Walther teamed up with Parker Mountain Machine (PMM) to include their single-port comp on the PDP Pro-X models.

These compensators use no screws and are threaded on with shims and red Loctite. This means they are semi-permanent and that the barrel typically won’t be removed from the slide.

Subsequently, any field stripping and cleaning done to this gun will need to be done with the barrel still in the slide.

Compensators are finicky by nature, and as such, PMM has a list of approved and “don’t shoot” ammo brands that ensure the best safety and reliability.

Like the standard PDP, all Pro-X models are optics-ready. Unfortunately, Walther does not include optics plates with the gun.

Instead, you have to fill out an online request form to Walther and let them know which optic you want an adapter plate for, and they will send you one free metal adapter plate.

This is an annoying process, but I suppose it is part of what helps keep the cost of these guns down.

Walther’s SuperTerrain slide serrations are awesome. They are deep, thick, and easy to grab hold of (insert joke here). Combined with the large size of the slide itself, manipulating the slide is very easy on this gun.

Capping things off is a set of 3-dot sights. The rear sight is fully screwdriver adjustable for both windage and elevation.

Walther PDP Pro-X Shooting Performance

I am going to be honest; there is a bit to unpack here. This includes the fact that I had to send the gun back to Walther.

Recoil

Single-port compensators aren’t meant to reduce the overall recoil but rather reduce the muzzle flip to help keep the gun on target.

I have a ton of rounds behind other PDPs, and I will say that the compensator makes a notable difference on the Pro-X.

My non-scientific report is that it feels like the recoil is reduced by about 30% over a stock PDP. I feel like it shoots a tad flatter than even the PDP Match Steel Frame.

Double taps and Mozambique drills felt fast but not blazingly so. Even with the recoil reduction, something like my Shadow 2 or even my Glock 34 feels faster.

Accuracy

I had huge expectations for accuracy going into this test. My 4-inch PDP compact is one of the most accurate handguns I own, so the bar was high.

With that in mind, I hit the range and set up with the Holosun 507Comp. Using a single B-27 target, I shot a full mag (20 rounds) at each of the following distances: 7, 10, 15, and 25 yards.

 At 7 yards, I was getting solid accuracy, although I was shooting like **** (what’s new?).

As I moved further out, the group opened up as expected. But even at 25 yards, I slung out another 20 shots and was nearly able to keep them all in the X-ring, which is 2 x 3 inches.

For me, that is on the upper end of how well I can shoot freehand. However, I do feel like my PDP compact is a skosh more accurate. I believe this may be due to the thread-on compensator of the Pro-X slightly affecting the barrel lockup, but that is just a theory.

Regardless of my musings, a better shooter and match ammo would likely have this gun stacking quarters out to 25 yards and beyond.

Reliability

Damn, this one hurt me in my soul. My love for Walther goes back many years. I was surprised by my findings here, but it worked out in the end.

When I received the PDP Pro-X, it was well-lubed from the factory. I took it out to the range, popped in a mag loaded with AAC 115gr, hit the slide release, and…failure-to-chamber.

I racked that round out, and the next went in. Fired. Failure to chamber again. I made it through three more rounds and had a stovepipe failure to eject. S&B 124gr had the same issues over the course of about 100 rounds.

After about 20 stoppages or so, I called it quits. I was also getting crazy point-of-impact shifts on the rounds that were going down range.

Something wasn’t right. Failures to extract or chamber when firing are one thing. But a repeatable failure to chamber when using the slide lock with different ammo on both partially and fully loaded mags is another.

I figured something was out of spec. So I called up the folks over at Walther and explained my issue, and they agreed something was off. They got me a shipping label, and I had the same gun back in hand within 5 days.

With the repaired gun in hand, I hit the range again. I had much better success this time around.

Over the next 500 rounds, I only had three failures. The first two were around the 250-round mark. I cleaned the gun and had no issues again until about the 480-round mark. All three failures were with the S&B 124gr FMJ.

Compensated guns like to be run wet, clean, with medium to hot ammo, and a firm grip. Lack in any of these areas, and the gun can choke. This isn’t specific to Walther either, but to most pistols with barrel-mounted comps in general.

One or two of these failures could have been from me limp-wristing after long strings of fire, but it is so hard to say if it was me or the compensator.

I’m on the fence about using Pro-X for home defense. However, good defensive ammo is generally pretty hot, and the hotter the ammo, the better the comp works. I would highly advise keeping the gun very well-lubed if you intend to use it in this capacity.

Who Is the Walther PDP Pro-X For?

This is a pistol that is very clearly marketed toward competition shooters and folks looking for a sweet shooting range gun.

Its size limits its usefulness for concealed carry, and compensated pistols aren’t always the best choice for duty guns. However, it could serve some people well as a home-defense gun.

In a nutshell, the PDP Pro-X offers you an optics-ready, factory-compensated gun with an amazing trigger — all for around $850-950. The accuracy potential is amazing, and the gun is fun to shoot, barring any hiccups.

That price is competitive with the Canik TTI and the comped S&W M&P offerings. The PDP Pro-X has a solid blend of features at a reasonable asking price.

By the Numbers

Reliability: 3.5/5

Although highly unusual for a Walther product, I had to send the gun back due to something likely being out of spec. Once it was returned, it ran much better, although I did have three stoppages. I took off one point for the return and half a point for the stoppages. I think I just got unlucky here.

Ergonomics: 4/5

The controls are very easy to use, and the grip is comfortable while providing great traction. I’d like to see a slight redesign of the ridges/grooves on the sides.

Accuracy: 4.5/5

Groupings were great all the way out to 25 yards, even with basic range ammo. With a better shooter and match-grade ammo, this gun can hang with the best of them.

Customization: 3.5/5

While the base PDP has a good chunk of upgrades available, many of those are already on the PDP Pro-X. You can still add high-mass guide rods, aftermarket sights, brass backstraps, lights/lasers, and a few other odds and ends. There is a solid aftermarket.

Value: 4/5

A price point of around $850 to 950 makes the PDP Pro-X competitive with other compensated, striker-fired pistols on the market. You also get three mags, which is awesome.

Overall: 3.8/5

Upgrades for the Walther PDP Pro-X

The Holosun 507Comp ran amazingly during the testing of this firearm. It has a huge window and a great reticle for speed shooting. This is one of the best competition optics out there, and it is priced really well. This thing rules.

Make use of the copious amounts of Picatinny rail space on the PDP Pro-X with a good weapon light. Not only do you get a duty-ready piece of gear, but the extra weight helps with recoil reduction.

We prefer ShellShock eye and ear pro for our trips to the range. The gel ear cups are particularly comfy. Everything comes in a nice carrying case, too.

Meet the Experts

This review was written by Pew Pew Tactical Editor Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a competitive shooter. He owns over 200 firearms, over 100 of which are handguns, and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales under his belt. Wyatt uses his extensive experience with firearms at large to test guns for Pew Pew Tactical — evaluating them based on our standards and metrics. You can see some of his handgun knowledge in action in our Best Micro-Compact 9mm Handguns article!

This review was edited by Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings, who runs Pew Pew Tactical’s experienced team of reviewers. Jacki is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association and has her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. She has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years, and has worked as an editor for five years. She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards.

Final Verdict

The PDP Pro-X shows Walther’s commitment to producing guns that the consumers want. It also shows that even a company with a great reputation for reliability can have the odd QC miss every once in a while.

But at the end of the day, they rectified the issue and sent back a gun that performed pretty well, albeit not flawlessly.

I am not a huge fan of barrel-mounted compensated guns in general for the reasons I outlined earlier, but the PDP Pro-X is a legitimate contender for those who are interested in these types of pistols.

What are your thoughts on the Walther PDP Pro-X? Let us know in the comments below! Interested in the regular PDP? Check out our 10,000-round PDP review!