Walther PDP Pro-X Compact: Hands-On Test Shows Its Compensator Edge

Walther doesn't come across the bench at Brownells all that often, so when Stephen and Caleb got their hands on the PDP Pro-X Compact, they put it through its paces on camera. The gun pairs a compact slide with a built-in compensator, giving it the footprint of a larger duty pistol while keeping compact-size dimensions underneath.

Snapshot

In a video from Brownells, Inc., hosts Stephen and Caleb run the Walther PDP Pro-X Compact through its features and a live-fire session. Both admit they have little prior experience with Walther handguns, but come away saying the compensator noticeably tames muzzle flip and that the gun shoots accurately right out of the box, with Caleb calling it one of the better striker-fired options on the market.

Key points

• Compensator, compact frame: the extended slide is mostly compensator, so the pistol needs a duty-style holster despite its compact classification, the hosts note.
• Optic-ready, but bring your own plate: the slide is cut for an optic but ships without plates; Walther sends one free plate per gun once buyers register the serial number online.
• Loaded-out package: three magazines, a magazine loader, and interchangeable backstraps come standard, with Caleb specifically praising the inclusion of three mags as more than adequate.
• Ergonomics and controls: the hosts highlight the reversible magazine release, ambidextrous slide controls, and textured grip, though Stephen notes his thumb rode the slide release during one string and suggests a larger backstrap could fix that.
• Light and soft-shooting: both hosts call out the gun's light unloaded weight and say the compensator kept recoil and muzzle flip unusually controlled for a compact pistol.

Quick take

Stephen and Caleb walked away impressed, with Caleb saying he considers the PDP Pro-X Compact one of the stronger striker-fired pistols currently available, crediting the compensator and ergonomic touches like the backstraps and controls for making it easy to shoot accurately even with iron sights.

Watch the full video: Brownells, Inc.