New Product Highlight: Walther PDP Pro-E

We were smitten with the PDP when Walther unleashed it on the world in 2021, and pistol shooters have welcomed several new additions to the model lineup since then. The newest is the best bargain of the bunch.

The new Walther PDP Pro-E packs a ton of value by offering popular factory upgrades right out of the box without pushing the price as high as Walther’s premium PDP offerings.

Walther PDP Pro-E Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-automatic, striker
• Capacity: 18+1, 20+1
• Barrel Length: 4", 4.5"
• Overall Length: 7.5", 8"
• Weight: 26 oz, 27 oz
• Optic Ready: Yes
• MSRP: $779

Features

• Flat-faced Performance Duty Trigger
• Flared aluminum magazine well
• Polymer magazine extensions

The PDP Pro-E blends some features from the base PDP with others from the PDP Pro SD. Nothing is particularly new on its own, but we haven’t seen this combination of components before.

Like the original PDP, the PDP Pro-E is available in compact and full-size configurations. That’ll get you a 4- or 4.5-inch barrel, respectively. The slide, massive serrations, and outstanding grip texture are all the same.

It also uses the same adapter plates to support a range of red dot footprints.

The flared magazine well and factory magazine extensions (18+1 for compact pistols, 20+1 for full-size pistols) come from Walther’s high-end catalog. They’re more in line with what you’d find on the PDP Pro SD and PDP Match. Unlike those pistols, the PDP Pro-E doesn’t have a threaded barrel or speed cuts in the slide.

It does have a flat-faced trigger, though. If you look closely at some photos, you’ll see that the polymer trigger shoe is stamped with “PDT,” suggesting that it uses the same Performance Duty Trigger mechanism as the normal PDP but with a different trigger shoe for people who prefer a flat face over the conventional curved trigger.

Interestingly, the spec sheet lists the PDP Pro-E’s trigger pull at 4.5 pounds. That’s 1.1 pounds lighter than the claimed trigger weight on the PDP and PDP Pro SD.

"With the PDP Pro-E, we've successfully bridged the gap in performance between our standard PDP and the high-performance PDP Pro SD,” Jens Krogh, vice president of marketing and product development for Walther Arms, said. “It's a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and providing the ultimate shooting experience. This firearm represents a new era of precision, customization, and performance that brings enthusiasts and professionals closer to the pinnacle of handgun technology.”

At first blush, it looks like Walther struck a nice balance with the PDP Pro-E. It has the upgrades most people want – a flared magazine well, extended magazines, and a flat-faced trigger – without going whole-hog and pricing it out of reach.

Walther lists an MSRP of $779 for the PDP Pro-E.

What do you think of the new Walther PDP Pro-E? Let us know below. For more Walther action, check out our hands-on PDP Match Review!