Walther PDP VS Glock 19 – Full Comparison

The Glock 19 safe action handgun has been a top choice for polymer handguns for over 20 years. Its compact frame is almost as effective as a full-sized gun, yet it's small enough for hidden carry.

The Walther PDP is now available with an impressive trigger system, ready to challenge the stock Glock 19. Let's compare these two options closely to guide your purchase decision.

Walther PDP VS Glock 19 - Side By Side Comparison

Physical Dimensions

Factory Barrel Specs

Magazine Capacity

The standard Glock 19 comes with 15 rounds capacity, but that's not the end of the world because the Glock 19 can accept any standard Glock 17 magazine and they can accept magazine extension to hold more rounds as much as 22 rounds.

The PDP full size version features double stack 18 rounds magazine right out of the box. Aftermarket magazine extension plates are also available to add 3 more rounds.

At this time there are way more affordable Glock 19 magazines and magazine extension plates available than the PDP. So if your goal is to train more and save more on magazine purchases, the Glock 19 maybe a better option.

Optic Footprint

Glock 19 MOS model has the ability to mount optics with various plates available. The user can use OEM Glock plates for popular RMR footprint optics, Vortex Venom, Aimpoint ACRO or use aftermarket optic plates.

If you buy a standard Glock 19 without slide cuts. Don't worry, you can always buy aftermarket Glock 19 slides with optic cuts. As far as judging the Glock 19's optic game out of the box. Both PDP and Glock 19 MOS aren't the best because the optic isn't wedged tight in the slide cut. Instead they are held only by the screws.

Credit TRex Arms

So most users find alternative mounting options like the Forward Control Designs MOS plate for the Glock 19 MOS to reduce stress on the screws and to reduce lateral load stress during slide recoil.

Other options include CHPWS, and they have a ton of aftermarket plate options available if you don't like the factory MOS plate.

As far as PDP goes, the PDP 2.0 is the most updated optic footprint that addressed the lack of recoil lugs the PDP 1.0 feature. When choosing between PDP 2.0 cut or the PDP 1.0 cut, always go with the PDP 2.0 as the time of writing this comparison guide. 

If you need to update your PDP 1.0 to a PDP 2.0 cut, CHPWS offers the service for an affordable price without having to buy a new gun.

Grip Comparison

Glock 19's grip style has not changed much in the past 2 decades. Each generation feature slightly enhanced grip texture serrations, but the grip angle is something most users end up modifying. Some users love the finger groove and some absolutely hate. 

In this case, the Gen 4 Glock 19 feature adjustable back strap upgrades and finger groove. The finger groove can help some shooters the tactile feel to index their grip, but it's not necessary for super experienced shooter. However, at the end of the day, it's personal preference.

The back straps can be helpful to tailor to the shooter's hand size, and also change the grip angle slightly to simulate a 1911 style grip angle. 

The Walther PDP features a 1911 style grip angle that allows the shooter faster sight acquisition speed. Since the gun is built to support red dot sights, The PDP's grip angle is thoughtfully engineered to naturally align with the aiming position, a quality that synergizes seamlessly with the innovative RDS Ergonomics.

Together, they enable rapid acquisition of the red-dot, ensuring a swift and efficient targeting experience. When you're prepared to embrace the advantages of using an RDS, the PDP is engineered to expedite your transition with ease.

The Performance Duty Texture to offer users a strong hold without being abrasive to the skin or clothing, eliminating any discomfort. Walther has ensured whether facing pouring rain, extreme heat, high humidity, freezing temperatures, or thick mud, the shooter can maintain a perfect grip.

Grip panels are also offered for the PDP for different hand sizes.

Factory Trigger Performance

The Walther PDP has the better trigger than the factory Glock 19. The Walther's Performance Duty Trigger is like an aftermarket trigger that improves accuracy by reducing trigger travel length and enhancing the tactile feedback at the point of trigger break. 

The Glock 19's safe action trigger on the Gen 4 is good for what it does, but it feels heavy and the pretravel, wall, break and reset just don't match the performance of the Walther PDP period.

Most Glock users will at some point upgrade their triggers to something like the APEX action enhancement trigger, Overwatch Precision TAC or upgrading with the Ghost 3.5 lb trigger connector. The options are endless.

Don't be deterred by the perceived imperfections of the stock Glock 19. Keep in mind that the Glock has been available for decades, leading to a well-developed aftermarket ecosystem. In comparison, the aftermarket for the PDP is less mature as of now. If you're looking to enhance the Glock 19, there are always aftermarket parts available.

If you buy a Walther PDP, you will get a outstanding trigger right out of the box without buying aftermarket upgrades unless you really want to.

Internals

Disassembling the PDP is straightforward and mirrors the process for the Walther PPQ. 

The Walther PDP features large slide release levers on both sides of the gun, and it's very easy and tactile to use, and they don't get in the way of the support hand grip. The lever is also serrated and lengthened to get the most amount of contact surface for the user to interact to clear malfunction or to lock the slide.

The Glock 19 on the other hand still feature the small slide release that sometimes it's hard to operate. Fortunately, there are tons of aftermarket support with enlarged slide release.

Depended on the shooter's proficiency. Using the power stoke method ensures proper chambering of rounds instead of using the small slide release lever.

The Glock 19 Gen 4 has a significantly enlarged magazine release since the Gen 3 release. The large magazine cured users' dislike from the Gen 3 era. The Gen 4 and Gen 5 all offer the same big button to push during reloads.

The Walther PDP features a large circular button to push. Even though its on just one side, the user can still interact with it fairly effortlessly. The trigger finger guard near the mag release stops you from accidentally pressing it when you hold the gun tightly.

Slide Serration

Both handguns feature serration cuts, but the Walther PDP has the most aggressive deep cuts in the front and the rear of the slide. Any user can easily grip the slide firmly to charge the slide or to perform press check without slipping.

The Glock 19 Gen 4 version doesn't feature front serrations. However, this shouldn't be a deal breaker because most after market slides and slide milling services can add custom serration cuts for you.

Iron Sights

Glock 19 Gen 4 comes with plastic iron sights by default. Swapping them out is very simple if you have a sturdy sight pusher tool.

In fact, many Glock purchasers would upgrade the sights on day one with something like the Trijicon XR HD or Ameriglo Pro-IDOT

Aftermarket Parts Support

At the time of writing this comparison guide, both guns have very niche aftermarket parts support, but the Glock 19 has the most amount of aftermarket support for almost everything including guide rod upgrades, trigger, custom slides, muzzle devices, barrels, trigger springs and more.

The PDP is fairly new, and we haven't seen lot of aftermarket support as hot as the Glock 19 market.

As mentioned earlier. If you lean towards the Glock, there are always aftermarket parts to make the stock gun as good as the PDP. But if you just want a good gun out of the box without putting in extra money upgrading it, the Walther PDP is a great option.