First came the ultra-compact .380s followed by the micro 9s. These small pistols were great for carrying, but had more pop in the hand than some wanted. Manufacturers then brought out some slightly larger 9mms, which provided better control for most shooters, and even added a few additional rounds for self-defense. However, these “Wondernines” still make some shooters’ hands sting with recoil. Well, the Walther Arms PD380 has arrived to eliminate those issues.
The concept behind the PD380 is concealment, comfort and handling. Walther engineers created a compact pistol that is light and powerful but easy to use. The design and the chambering of this DA/SA handgun reduces felt recoil, making it a good option for recoil shy shooters.
“Comfort, reliability and confidence is at the forefront when you’re carrying, which is exactly what the PD380 was designed for,” said Jens Krogh, Walther Arms vice president of marketing and product development. “It embodies the perfect fusion of power, elegance and ease. The compact dimensions provide a balance in comfort and concealability, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a reliable, high-performance pistol that doesn’t compromise personal protection.”
While .380 ACP chambering of the PD380 might be considered light by many self-defense advocates, the round has been around for a long time. In fact, John Moses Browning himself designed this caliber for another compact, semi-auto pistol. And since ammunition technology has come a long way since 1908, folks can consider this round for protection. Especially since, this handgun contains some nice features that make it easy to use and easy to handle.
Walther started the PD380 with a slide design that reduces recoil but is extremely easy to rack. In fact, the company boasts it as an “effortless-to-rack” slide. This helps shooters who might have hand strength issues. To help even more, Walther included SuperTerrain Slide Serrations that provide better hand engagement with the pistol during manipulations. In keeping with the hands, the PD380 comes with Performance Duty Grip Texture for comfort and control when sending rounds at the target.
Other features include an ambidextrous slide-mounted safety, ambidextrous paddle magazine release, 10-round capacity and standard sights. All of these combine to make a comfortable pistol that is very easy to manipulate. It is also easy to carry and fire, making the Walther PD380 an excellent choice for both beginners and experts.