Walther PDP Match SF: 1500 Round Check-In

Cowl Photograph: One other nice shot from Jaq from my final coaching class with Inexperienced Ops.

This can be a fast “journal-esque” piece concerning the Walther PDP Match Metal Body pistol I’ve been capturing since mid-December. It was initially reviewed for Capturing Illustrated. Because the title suggests, I’ve roughly 1,500 rounds via the Walther PDP SF on the time of this writing. It’s roughly 1000 rounds over the unique evaluate’s 500-round rely estimate. Clearly, with extra set off time behind the pistol now, my preliminary ideas have developed. 

PDP MATCH SF ROUND COUNT & AMMO

For some 1,500 rounds of 9mm isn’t a lot. However contemplating the variety of pistols I’m working with regularly for evaluate, it’s a good quantity. Particularly since greater than 90% of 9mm ammo has been out of my private stash). Up to now, 115-grain Blazer Aluminum is the what I’ve shot essentially the most via this Walther. I’ve additionally began reloading once more to replenish my depleted inventory of hand-loaded 9mm, and the pistol cycles these like champ. Every thing has been a combination of manufacturing unit rounds from Federal, Fiocchi, Nosler, Winchester, and CCI. Apart from some self-induced malfunctions by my floating left-handed thumb blocking ejection, I’ve had no reliable malfunctions. 

There’s an remark I’ve observed after capturing quite a lot of the CCI Blazer Aluminum. The ammo is nice and works properly with out giving up accuracy or something, however after larger spherical counts or capturing the gun aggressively, small flecks of aluminum off the cartridge casings do are likely to accumulate to a better diploma than brass flecks. It’s simply wiped down, however it’s one thing to remember. And another factor about this alternative-cased ammo… Just like the HK VP9, Walther PDP barrels have stepped chambers and traditional knowledge says to keep away from steel-cased cartridges. After capturing scores of Blazer aluminum throughout three separate PDPs, Blazer Aluminum hasn’t prompted points. 

OPTICS MOUNTED ON THE PDP SF

As quickly as I took the gun dwelling from the FFL in early December, I instantly mounted my first-wave T&E Gideon Optics Omega Inexperienced Reflex sight utilizing the included Walther OEM optics mounting plate. My expertise with the Gideon Omega is one thing else that can ultimately be launched in one other write-up. However for now it has seen over 800 rounds whereas mounted on the PDP Match SF.

After SHOT Present, I swapped out the Omega for Trijicon’s new enclosed-emitter RCR reflex sight. The RCR makes use of the novel capstan screw mounting system. Along with dry-fire with the RCR, I’ve taken it to Inexperienced Ops AAPM One-Day class and my most up-to-date native weekend membership USPSA match. So, I estimate spherical rely to be round 600ish thus far. Apparently sufficient, I’ve by no means used the iron sights on this pistol. All rounds have been aimed with a mounted pistol dot-sight. I’m to not nervous concerning the lack of BUIS on this piece, since I don’t carry it for self-defense. For the foreseeable future, I plan on protecting the RCR mounted on this pistol. Because the RCR will ultimately additionally get its personal write-up just like the Gideon Omega.   

EVENTS ATTENDED WITH THE PDP SF

Moreover my authentic “evaluate” session and capturing it a couple of times with household round Christmas-time 2023 and New Yr’s 2024, I’ve solely taken the Walther PDP Match SF to 4 different occasions. Three weekend membership USPSA matches and the already-mentioned Inexperienced Ops pistol class. 

Each my newest match and that Inexperienced Ops class had been my inspiration for this “follow-up” submit. Not solely did I cross the 1,000 spherical rely milestone through the Inexperienced Ops course, however I additionally pushed efficiency as greatest as I might with the PDP SF that day. And I adopted this up at that current match from 4 days in the past. Though my competitors prowess is modest at greatest, I shot a reasonably good match. At one level, I hit a private document — the primary time ever capturing .13 and .11 splits with any gun. However now I do know it’s bodily potential for me with the PDP Match SF. What a gun! 

CURRENT THOUGHTS

The extra I shoot the gun, the extra I prefer it. What I’ll describe subsequent is totally subjective and emotional: the Walther PDP Match SF is well-made and shoots amazingly. In a single’s fingers, it appears like a rheostat–it spits out as a lot or as little efficiency as one inputs into it. Despite the fact that the Dynamic Efficiency Set off has a breaking weight nearer to 5 kilos than it does to 3 kilos, I’ve come to actually respect its flat face, particularly after the set off management classes through the Inexperienced Ops class. Together with the quick take up, the flat face permits a better and extra exact diploma of manipulation, and it reveals.

Positive, this pistol’s weight might be its largest draw back, however it’s additionally its largest asset too. The gun hardly recoils, in any case. On the similar time, drawing and capturing from concealment all day on the Inexperienced Ops class, made my forearm drained as if I had been doing entrance kettle-bell swings all day! Absolutely loaded with a 20-round journal, dot and lightweight the PDP Match SF weighs 57 ounces.

PRACTICAL & TACTICAL

Going ahead, I’m excited about experimenting with aftermarket shares to see how they modify the contour and really feel of the grip. As a result of this pistol is produced from metallic, it doesn’t have the identical traits as the unique PDP’s grip. So far as evolving ideas, once I first received my fingers on it in December, I considered this extra as a match gun than anything. Not solely is it within the identify, however because it comes with its magwell put in from the manufacturing unit which mentally primed to suppose “competitors.” Positive, it’s 100% “race-ready” for many USPSA divisions, however an increasing number of, the pistol doesn’t strike me as merely a contest piece. It’s proving itself to be such a well-rounded 9mm handgun that it could make for an excellent full-size general-purpose piece, particularly for those who don’t thoughts somewhat additional weight. Walther’s advertising and marketing marketing campaign paints the gun each as “sensible” and “tactical” and thus far it’d truly be trying that method.