By Graham Baates
YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video and product review of the Walther Creed Handgun.
U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Walther Arms changed things up a bit this year by giving a handgun an actual name instead of an abbreviation.
They define a creed as, “A set of fundamental beliefs”, and although the Walther Creed Handgun will cost much less than other Walthers, in fact even less than more run-of-the-mill makers it remains fundamentally Walther.
For most who have shot a Walther before those fundamentals include an incredible trigger, great ergonomics, and the same level of engineering and manufacturing we admire in German-made automobiles. The Creed delivers on all three of these and by carefully trimming the fat the Creed is delivered without the price tag “Made in Germany” is usually accompanied by.
Walther Creed Handgun
Walther Creed
| Finish Color | Tenifer Black |
| Barrel Length | 4" |
| Trigger Pull | 6.5 lbs |
| Trigger Travel | 0.3" |
| Capacity | 16 |
| Overall Length | 7.3" |
| Height | 5.6" |
| Width | 1.3" |
| Safety | 3 Auto |
| Weight (Mag Empty) | 27 oz. |
One of the cost-saving steps taken that raised some eyebrows is the use of a multi-piece barrel. Another feature that pops at the eye immediately is the mirror-like polish of the feed ramp. The apparently-cast hood may cause doubts, but only to those who aren’t familiar with the “CIP”. The Permanent International Commission for Firearms Testing (CIP) is an international body comprised of 13 nations, but not including the United States. NATO standards are used, and as a handgun sold in the United States it must also meet SAAMI standards; effectively making the CREED’s barrel twice-certified.
The apparently-cast hood may cause doubts, but only to those who aren’t familiar with the “CIP”. The Permanent International Commission for Firearms Testing (CIP) is an international body comprised of 13 nations, but not including the United States. NATO standards are used, and as a handgun sold in the United States it must also meet SAAMI standards; effectively making the CREED’s barrel twice-certified.
Ergonomics are what the late-model PPQ M2 and PPS M2 are known for and the stippling and comfort are still in the CREED. Additionally, the magazine well is cut and magazine baseplate augmented to make stripping the magazine easy and intuitive.
The Creed’s trigger is smooth to the touch with fine serrations to aid in memory and feel. Like all Walther handguns the break is clean and reset definitive.
Critics point out the blocky rear end of the gun, but in shooting no edges are felt and the breadth of the slide and grip center nicely for a proper shooting grip.
After handling and shooting the Creed impressions were surprising in multiple ways. If Walther was looking to create a gateway drug to their brand their mission is accomplished. New and budget-conscious shooters will find an attractive price but will be spoiled with the joys of shooting a Walther that other brands struggle to replicate.
What shooters looking to advance their collection or shooting will find is that in addition to the Creed, the PPS M2 and PPQ M2 offer a lot of the same ergonomics in addition to precision without compromise. Graduates looking for even more control can learn why the P99AS has remained a staple in select circuits for decades.
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel and blog on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube.