Carl Walther GmbH, the famous German gunmaker located in the city of Ulm and part of the Arnsberg (Germany) ‒ based PW Group, which also comprises the UMAREX Sportwaffen firm, announced the launch of a new polymer-framed, hammer-fired semi-automatic pistol at the 2012 NASGW ‒ National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers expo and annual meeting that took place on November 6th to 9th at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando (FL., U.S.A.).
Waltherʼs new pistol, dubbed the PPX, has been showcased at the NASGW expo in its first functional prototypes, and will be launched on the market early next year.
The PPX offers a pre-cocked DAO trigger with a 29 Newton trigger pull at 7 mm trigger travel. Perfect fit and ergonomics of the pistol grip together with constant trigger action for any round fired provide fast and precise shooting. The double-stack magazine holds 16 rounds in 9x19mm caliber, although a .40-caliber version is planned to be introduced in the near future. The PPX’s magazine release is reversible for either left or right side operation, changing from Walther's ambidextrous pull-down lever system used on P99 pistol variants all throughout the past decade to a more standard push-button release. When swapping magazines, the shooter will use a conventional push-button style magazine release. The way the bottom of the grip is cut out on the sides of the magazine well allows for quicker and easier mag changes under duress or while not looking at the pistol.
Safe handling of the gun is ensured by automatic internal safeties (firing pin safety, two drop safeties) in combination with a loaded chamber indicator.
The frame is manufactured as a single piece out of a block of black-colored, glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide. Grip surfaces are patterned on a no-slip texture; all parts subject to a high degree of mechanical stress or friction, such as the slide guides, feature hardened and corrosion-protected
steel inlays. A MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail is integrated into the front end of the frame and allows for the installation of any commercially-available tactical accessory.
The slide is milled out from one solid piece of forged and cold-drawn special gun-quality steel, ensuring maximum precision and durability. The new TENIFER® QPQ coating provides a matte black, wear-proof, corrosion-resistant and extremely durable finish, reducing maintenance costs. Wide slide serrations on both ends of the slide permit easy and safe manipulation of the slide when loading or unloading. Sights can be adjusted for windage only through the use of a special tool, so that they may not be inadvertently moved from their optimal position and that unauthorized persons may not alter the setting.
The Walther PPX pistol will be launched on the international market in March 2013 at the IWA expo in Nuremberg (Germany). Introduction for the U.S. market will take place at the 2013 SHOT Show.
A duo-tone pistol with black polymer frame and stainless steel slide will also be launched, distribution starting in April 2013. All Walther PPX versions feature a 4” (102mm) barrel with six RH, 250mm grooves. A specialized version of the PPX for military and Law Enforcement will be also distributed, featuring a threaded barrel to allow the quick use of sound suppressors.