Based on the images that have been released, the long-delayed James Bond film No Time to Die will once again see the suave 007 carrying a Walther PPK. While some of the marketing materials also feature Bond (Daniel Craig) with a Sig Sauer P226, fitting his background in the Special Boat Service and MI6, it seems that the filmmakers can’t let 007 let go of the PPK.
It is part of the tradition of course – even if in the original film Bond didn’t want to give up his Beretta. Yet, given that the PPK model was introduced in the 1930s it would seem an odd choice for a 21st secret agent. Produced in 6.35mm auto (.25 ACP), 7.65x17mm (.32 ACP) Auto or 9x17mm (.380 ACP) the compact Polizei Pistole Kriminal, (German for Criminal Police Pistol as in the criminal investigation service within the German Police) may have seemed a good weapon for a Cold War agent, but there are so many better options.
In fact, just this year Walther introduced its PDP (Performance Duty Pistol), and arguably that should be the James Bond for the 21st century. It builds on the popular Walther PPQ line, and is available in both a full size and compact version. The Compact features a 15+1 capacity while the Full-Size has an 18+1 capacity. On top of those two, there’s also a 5-inch Compact, 4-inch Full-Size, and 4.5-inch Full-Size.
The 9x19mm Parabellum pistol features revolutionary Red Dot Ergonomics engineered into its body, while the PDP platform has been designed around making the switch to the popular red-dot sight system easier for the new RDS shooter and faster for the RDS veterans. The handgun’s SuperTerrain serrations are uniquely shaped to protrude above the surface of the slide allowing for quicker and more responsive hands-on engagement with the pistol.
Moreover, the PDP shortens the length of travel and increases the tactile definition of the trigger break making the best striker-fired trigger on the market even better.
“At Walther, we believe it is our duty to engineer the best possible pistol for anything our customers may encounter. We want them to focus on being ready for anything and not thinking about how or if their pistol will perform, we have done our job, so they don’t have to worry about it,” explained Jens Krogh vice president of marketing and product development at Walther Arms USA.
Walther PDP Compact Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel Length: 4 inches and 5 inches
Trigger Pull: 5.6 pounds
Trigger Travel: 0.28 inches
Capacity: 15+1
Overall Length: 7.5 inches and 8.5 inches
Overall Height: 5.4 inches
Weight: 21.4 ounces (empty) and 23.1 ounces (empty)
Overall Width: 1.34 inches
Safety: Trigger safety, striker safety, and disconnect safety
MSRP: $649
Walther PDP Full Size Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel Length: 4 inches, 4.5 inches, and 5 inches
Trigger Pull: 5.6 pounds
Trigger Travel: 0.28 inches
Capacity: 18+1
Overall Length: 7.5 inches, 8 inches, and 8.5 inches
Overall Height: 5.7 inches
Weight: 21.5 ounces (empty), 22.3 ounces (empty), and 23.8 ounces (empty)
Overall Width: 1.34 inches
Safety: Trigger safety, striker safety, and disconnect safety
MSRP: $649
The Walther PDP is now available at select retailers.
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites. He regularly writes about military small arms, and is the author of several books on military headgear including A Gallery of Military Headdress, which is available on Amazon.com.
