Walther Pistols. 7 Best Walther Guns For Concealed Carry [2022]
The Best Walther Pistols For CCW
Looking at Walther guns and wondering which would be best for concealed carry? They make some excellent carry guns as well as target and competition pistols, in fact some of the best.
Here at Alien Gear Holsters, we've had a number of Walther pistols through the office. We've shot a bunch of them, and a few of us here own one or two or three. All are good, but some Walther guns are quietly among the best in their class.
So what are the best Walther handguns for concealed carry? Here are 7 excellent choices.
Walther PPQ: The Standard Of Walther Pistols
We didn't rank this list of Walther guns, but the Walther PPQ would top it if we had. You just aren't going to find a better factory gun of the polymer frame, striker-fired variety.
Ergonomics are second to none. The factory trigger is outstanding; best-in-class and only really rivaled by the H&K VP9. While a tad large for a carry gun, it's still a "Goldilocks" gun; just svelte and light enough (dimensions are broadly the same as a Glock 19) for easier daily carry.
The only real strike against it are the factory white dot sights, but they do offer a model with XS sights. Some people didn't care for the paddle magazine release levers on the M1 model, but the M2 model comes with a button release. It's as close to perfect as it gets.
Walther CCP M2 380: Newest Of Walther Guns Is A Slam-Dunk
Next is, without doubt, the best of the Walther guns in .380 - the Walther CCP M2 380. We shot this pistol at SHOT Show 2020 and were dumbstruck by the almost total absence of felt recoil.
The CCP series uses a piston-delayed blowback operating system, similar to the H&K P7, which is pretty novel. The operating system plus the softer springs required for .380 (compared to 9mm) make the gun ridiculously easy to operate as well, perfect for shooters with weaker hands, much like the S&W M&P Shield 380 EZ.
The gun is literally the standard CCP with a .380 barrel and a different recoil spring; dimensions are exactly the same. While that makes it a bit large for a .380 pistol, the extra barrel length and ease of operating and shooting compared to micro pistols make it well worth looking at.
Walther PDP Compact
The Walther PDP Compact includes virtually every improvement that people usually like to a modern pistol. Forward cocking serrations, an improved trigger, and a milled slide for using an optic.
That's why a lot of people think it's the best out-of-the-box pistol you can get right now. It's already gaining a following in LE and in competition shooting, so there's definitely something there.
The PDP is for all intents and purposes an updated PPQ; the only actual parts that are changed besides the slide and frame are the trigger and sear assembly, the extractor and a few other small parts. Other than that, it remains the same; a 4-inch barrel, 15+1 of 9mm, and outstanding accuracy and ergonomics out of the box.
Walther P38
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Walther PPS M2: One Of The Best Walther Guns For Easy EDC
Among the Walther guns, there is a subcompact single-stack for those who prefer them, the Walther PPS, which is well into its second generation which is always dubbed the M2 in Walther's nomenclature.
Most people pretty much know the score with guns of this type. Capacity is 6+1 with a flush-fit magazine, and 7+1 with the extended magazine, and there is an 8+1 magazine with a longer extension. Barrel length is 3.2 inches, and overall dimensions are pretty much right in line with the S&W Shield, Glock 43, Springfield XDS Mod 2 and others.
What sets Walther's apart from all the others? Better ergonomics and a better trigger, which means in many respects it's a better gun.
Walther Q4
Image credit: Walther Arms
Let's say you liked the feel of Walther pistols and loved the trigger, but wished they had a full steel frame gun. And let's say you'd pay extra to get one.
That's the Walther Q4. It has a steel frame and a brushed stainless finish. It shares most parts with the PPQ (including the trigger, sear, striker assembly and barrel) and today is only made in an optics-ready configuration with LPA target sights.
It's compact, but easily competition ready as the steel frame soaks up a lot of recoil. It's easily the softest-shooting Walther compact and a gorgeous gun to boot. If you like the Walther pistols, but wanted something with a little more class…the Q4 is an amazing pistol. You'll pay for the privilege…but it will be worth it.
Walther PPK And PPK/s: The Walther Guns That Started It All
The first commercially successful Walther gun is still a viable carry gun - the Walther PPK and it's slightly larger variant, the PPK/s. Yes, it's James Bond's gun, but the PPK was made for use as a detective's or officer's pistol, and worked so well that it established the Walther brand. It's been in production almost continuously since 1929.
The PPK is a single-stack blowback-operated subcompact, today offered mostly in .380 ACP. The PPK is hammer-fired with a double/single-action trigger system and a frame-mounted decocking safety, a design that was copied by Beretta, Smith and Wesson and others.
Granted, the PPK and PPK/S come with some baggage. They are very ammunition sensitive, the DA trigger pull on a pistol with a small grip makes life interesting, and the only thing you can say about the sights is that they exist. Oh, it's iconic...but there's a difference between appreciating classic cars and using one as your daily driver.
That said, it's a classic for a reason. While not a bed of roses to shoot, they are reliable, reasonably accurate, and - let's face it - still the most stylish pistol...pretty much ever.
Walther CCP: Modern Classic Among Walther Guns?
Everything that's good about the CCP 380 is good about the CCP M2 in 9mm. It's soft-shooting for a gun of its size and ergonomically excellent. Some may bemoan the low capacity relative to size, but frankly the PPQ already exists if you're that hung up about it.
It's easy to carry and conceal, it isn't a complicated pistol to live with, and it's easy to shoot it well. If that doesn't make it a good choice of concealed carry gun, nothing is a good concealed carry gun.
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