I always enjoy shooting the Walther PDP F-Series 3.5-inch handgun, as well as sharing it with my gal pals and letting them enjoy it, too. I also like to compete, and while the 3.5 inches would work just fine in competition, it’s always nice to have a little bigger gun with a little more capacity. So I was excited for the opportunity to check out the new Walther PDP F-Series Pro 4 and also compare it against the 3.5-inch PDP F-Series.
Let’s start by comparing the stats and go from there, with the two guns – the Walther PDP F-Series, a Pro 4-inch versus a 3.5-inch (the Pro is also available in 3.5 inch barrel):
Trigger
The trigger in the Pro is as easy to reach as the PDP F 3.5 inches. It’s very comfortable for my short hands. But don’t think that means it won’t feel good to larger hands. My son who is a big guy, 6 foot 3 inches, tried it out and commented, “I really like the feel of that gun.”
Viridian Green Dot
This Pro came with the Viridian RFX11 custom sight with a 3MOA green dot and instant on-off. I typically don’t do any work on my guns except take them apart and clean them. It’s not my skill, it’s not my interest. But I wanted to see if I could put the dot on by myself. And I did. It was very simple and took very little time.
The green dot offers automatic brightness so it doesn’t have a way to adjust the level. My son really liked it, but I would have liked to be able to turn down the brightness in the indoor range. Since everyone’s eyes are different to varying degrees, this is one of those things each person will have to try to decide if it works well.
Extended Base Pads
The extended base pads give the Pro just a little more weight and more to hold on to for quick reloads.
Extended Slide Lock
Both guns have that wonderful extended slide lock. It is literally a game-changer. It is so much easier to close the slide quickly as you’re getting right back out on target. I have never been able to do that with any other gun with their small slide locks.
Magwell
The Pro has a magwell which helps with quick reloads. Between the magwell, base pads and the extended slide lock, there’s no reason not to be able to get right back out on target quickly.
Range Time
Shooting at my local indoor range, offhand at seven yards, I used three different brands of ammunition and obtained the following results:
· Sellier & Bellot, FMJ, 124 gr. Largest group – 2.5, Smallest group – 2, Average – 2.22
· Remington UMC, FMJ, 115 gr. Largest group – 2.15, Smallest group – .85, Average – 1.42
· Blazer Brass, FMJ, 124 gr. Largest group – 1.5, Smallest group – .8, Average – 1.27
Final Thoughts on the Differences
I wear a Crossbreed Belly Band Module for the 3.5 inch PDP and the Pro fits right in it, too.
Even though the grip size is the same between both guns, the one on the Pro just feels slightly slimmer.
While there is no issue with quickly loading the 3.5 inches, the magwell on the Pro makes loading a little smoother.
Its weight feels slightly different because of the size and distribution, but not in a bad way. It’s quite comfortable.
The Pro holds three more rounds and comes with three magazines instead of two, which would be good in competition, or simply in a self-defense situation.
The nicest part is, the Walther Pro is a gun you can use for competition that mimics your 3.5- inch barrel carry gun, or you can choose to carry the Pro and utilize the same gun for carry and for competition. Both options are good. You’d know exactly where everything is on the gun and exactly how it works. You won’t need to worry you’ll take a split second to remember which gun you’re using in the stress of the moment.
It could literally save your life.
MSRP for the Walther PDP F-Series Pro is $899.
MSRP for the Walther PDP F-Series 3.5 is $649.
Nancy Keaton is a retired college administrator, president of her local gun club, competitive shooter and freelance writer whose work has appeared in A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League, "American Shooting Journal," "American Concealed," "Northwest Meetings + Events," and other publications. She enjoys writing about a wide variety of topics and interviewing ordinary people doing amazing things. To see a compilation of her writing, check out her website at www.nancykeaton.com. View all posts by Nancy Keaton
