It’s A Walther, Of Course!

My story about how I became a “Walther Fangirl” has been an amazing full-circle journey! Years ago, when I was brand new to firearms and knew very little about the many brands and features of firearms when Walther firearms found me. In fact, a Walther brand firearm was the first 9mm gun I ever shot.

As a member of The Well Armed Women (now Armed Women of America), I was surrounded by like-minded women who would gather monthly to learn about firearm safety and personal protection. We would also meet on the range for live fire practice. I was brand new to firearms at the time and met a lovely lady named Sherry. She invited me to join her and her significant other for range time outside of our regular meeting times.

Because I was so eager to learn as much as I could about firearms, I said yes!

The very first time we met at the range, her friend brought several firearms with him and allowed me to fire each of them. I was shocked at his generosity, as he didn’t know me at all. Among the numerous firearms, was a Walther Arms PPQ M2 Q5 Match and I shot it. Bullseye on the first attempt! What stood out to me was that blue trigger…smooth, with a short reset. The ergonomics of the grip fit my hand perfectly, as if it were made for me. I shot several firearms that day, but I couldn’t get the Walther PPQ out of my mind.

As I began to try other 9mm firearms, I always compared them to the “feel” of the PPQ. I decided that I had to own it. I began researching the specifications and searching for the firearm. I could not find it anywhere. I visited gun stores, gun shows, and asked the gun communities. No one had it in stock. In the interim, I purchased two other 9mm guns, but I never stopped looking and hoping I would find my first true love, the Walther PPQ M2 Q5.

More than two years passed, and during the COVID lockdown, I decided to look online for that elusive PPQ M2 Q5, and in October 2020, I found it! I had never purchased a firearm online and was very leery. I researched the online company and found that it had excellent reviews and great customer service. I took the leap and made the online purchase. I asked A LOT of questions about their process and the online company answered every question to my satisfaction.

I was nervous and excited at the same time.

The firearm was sent to my FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee) and I waited a few days for the phone call telling me it had arrived. Upon receiving the call, I bolted to the gun club to pick up the “gift to myself” that I had waiting more than two years to receive. I remember the guy opening the case to show me its contents and he was very impressed. His EDC (Everyday Carry Gun) was the Walther PPQ M2 and had not seen the Q5 until then. I actually bought one box of ammo onsite and ran about 30 rounds through it before leaving the gun club. I couldn’t resist! I then began researching red and green dot optics and contacted Walther for the required optic mounting plate. I have since added one to my firearm, along with a light system. Walther’s customer service was superb!

Many of the women in my gun club couldn’t wait to try it out because I had constantly raved about it. When they tried it, they quickly understood my hype. I enjoy shooting this firearm to this day and have never had a malfunction. Of note, I only run Federal ammunition through it just because I like it and my PPQ loves it.

Fast forward to March 2021 and I was invited to attend the Shoot Like A Girl Instructors Summit. Unbeknownst to me, several firearm manufacturers had gifted the attendees a firearm. We drew numbers that coincided with a bag that contained the make and model of the firearm gift. To my surprise, and as fate would once again have it, I drew the Walther PDP-F Series!!! The firearm had not even been released to the public yet. Once I was notified that it had been sent to my FFL, I bolted to the gun club, once again, to pick it up. The same guy processed the transfer. He wondered how I got my hands on the brand-new release, as the gun club had yet to receive one in their inventory. I smiled and headed to the range. It performed as I expected…perfectly! Thank you for the gift, Walther Arms!

To complete the full-circle moment, in January 2023, I attended Shot Show Industry Day in Boulder City, NV as a member of the Shoot Like A Girl Pro-Staff.

As fate would have it once again, the Walther Arms station was directly across from the Shoot Like A Girl and Safe LivinG trailers. We were given the opportunity to choose two stations to visit and everyone knew where one of mine would be. I beelined directly to the Walther Arms tent. Once on their range, I chose the PDP-F and began to shoot it. I turned to speak to the person next to me and it was Gabby Franco, Olympian, Firearms Instructor, Competitive Shooter, Author, and one of the amazing women who provided input into the development and design of the PDP-F, with the female in mind. My circle was complete!

I was meant to own Walther firearms and I always will.

Read more about Walther and the original PDP-Performance Duty Series HERE.