To learn more visit https://www.waltherarms.com/handguns/creed/.
To purchase a Walther pistol on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=walther%20pistol.
In late 2015, Walther filed for a trademark on “Creed”. In October of this year, word started to tease out of Walther in Fort Smith, Arkansas, that they were going to be launching the new Creed pistol. My first view of the Creed was a few months ago at the Walther HQ in Fort Smith. I was impressed while looking at the pre-production sample, and was shocked to hear the suggested retail of $399.00! I even asked if they were concerned by the price/value relationship with their other guns. They assured me that they would be fine.
The new Walther Creed bring top-notch quality at a sub-$400 price point.
SPECS
- Chambering: 9mm
- Barrel: 4 inches
- OA Length: 7.3 inches
- Weight: 26.6 ounces
- Grips: Integral polymer
- Sights: Three dot
- Action: Double action
- Finish: Matte black
- Capacity: 16+1
- MSRP: $399
I Got Mine
My test sample of the Creed arrived from Walther in a rather plain black plastic case. Inside was the Creed, sealed in a plastic bag with two 16-round magazines. I had already been told that the Creed would only be offered in 9mm at launch; I am quite sure that Walther, along with most other pistol manufacturers, are seeing that the .40 S&W is in rapid decline, with no change in sight. My model was almost identical to the pre-production model I had handled. When you move past function and reliability, the two most important features to the pistol-buying public are grip and trigger pull. People want a smooth, reasonable trigger pull and a grip that feels natural when shooting the gun. The Creed appeared to offer these right out of the box.
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The Creed sports high-quality steel three-dot sights.
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The frame has an integral Picatinny rail, and the slide has forward cocking serrations.
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The Creed comes nicely equipped with metal sights, which have two white dots in the rear and one dot on the front sight. I point this out because many guns come with plastic sights these days. The Creed is also equipped with a Mil-Std 1913 Picatinny rail for mounting lights and lasers. There are only four external levers to be found: trigger, magazine release, slide release and takedown lever. The Creed features a pre-cocked double-action trigger system and a bobbed hammer. It has a very smooth and consistent trigger action. The stated trigger pull is 6.52 lbs.; The sample I had measured 4 lbs., 3.6 oz. on my digital trigger pull gauge. The trigger travels about 5/8 of an inch from resting to stop. The magazine release button is a traditional American-style thumb button, configured to accommodate a right-handed shooter, but it is reversible for left-handed operation. I know that there are a few hardcore Walther fans screaming at their screens right now about the advantages of the trigger guard paddle magazine release; sorry, this is a gun focused on the American market. The slide stop is located on the left side of the slide, and is operated with your right-hand thumb. This will be an adjustment for those not accustomed to a slide release this far to the rear, but Sig shooters will feel right at home.
The slide stop is located on the left side of the slide, and is operated with your right-hand thumb.
The gun frame is shaped in a very ergonomic way. The grip is comfortable to hold and shoot without biting and pinching, but is not slippery due, in part, to the cross-directional grip surface (stippling). The slide has front and rear serration that leads up to a tri-cut top, with the Walther ribbon logo cut into it. The slide, barrel and action parts have a matte Tenifer finish that protects against harsh conditions.
Accuracy Testing
I took the Creed to the range, hoping to discover whether all the promise could be delivered on. The basic standards must be met by any gun for it to have value. The alternative to valuable (cheap), is not acceptable when your life is at stake, and who wants to buy a gun that can’t protect their life? These key measures are: reliability, accuracy and ease of operation. I selected three different types of ammunition for my testing, seen in the below table.
In addition to meeting the key standards above, a gun should also deliver accuracy, at rates of fire both slow and rapid. The controls of a defensive weapon should allow for rapid reloads, and its sights should allow the user to acquire them quickly after the gun is drawn from the holster. These standards must be applied against a realistic target for proper testing.
To evaluate these metrics, I set up a course of fire on an IDPA target with a range from 7-10 yards. The Creed needed to deliver on these counts to be a true value.
On the Range
The author put the Creed through its paces and came away very impressed with the results.
Upon arriving at the range, I placed my IDPA target and target stand, and loaded the first round into the chamber, followed by a full magazine. I then fired all 17 rounds at the center of the zero in the center scoring area. It was a nice to see that the gun supported a dead center zero, as opposed to the 6 o’clock zero that some European guns are calibrated for. I repeated this with each of the three different rounds I was testing. The net result was 51 rounds, without lubricating or inspecting the pistol, going down range without a misplaced round, or a single malfunction. This was a welcomed harbinger of things to come. I next began to work on drawing and rapid fire, to see how the gun handled when pushed. I noticed that I was finding myself doing some re-gripping with my support hand during the rapid-fire shooting. Out of this next 51 round volley, fired from 7 yards, four rounds were thrown out of the center 8 inch scoring zone.
It was time to begin working the gun on reloads. This would involve the loading of 10 rounds: one in the chamber, five in the magazine inserted into the gun, and four rounds in the second magazine. I managed to fumble the magazine insertion on the first reload, but eventually got the gun reloaded. I was required to actively look at my thumb on the slide release, as it was a little further back than I have habituated myself to with other polymer service pistols. The second bout of reloading went remarkably smoother, and by the third iteration the process just seemed to flow naturally. The next 30 rounds were reloaded following the same methodology, except that I used the overhand tug method of reloading. This was easily accomplished with the nicely-appointed serrations on the rear of the slide.
Next, I began working on both strong and weak hand shooting. I again found that the gun was easy to shoot and accurate. I will confess that reloads when shooting weak-handed would have been expedited greatly had I taken the time to move the magazine release to the right side of the pistol. The feature was available; I just didn’t take advantage of it.
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The hammer of the Creed is a compact bobbed unit that is extremely low-profile.
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The takedown lever is located forward of the slide stop and above the trigger guard. Note the American-style mag release button.
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The trigger was a bit longer, and this was noticeable on the first few rapid-fire volleys. However, about half way through my range time I was not even noticing the longer stroke of the trigger. The reset was easily detectable when allowing the trigger to return, and feeling the click became very intuitive.
The Creed feeds from steel 16-round magazines that performed flawlessly for the author.
As the time for accuracy testing approached, I began to appreciate the smooth, consistent pull of the metal trigger. The center lever present on many of today’s polymer pistols was absent, so the tactile sensation was much more like a precisely-tuned revolver trigger than that of a traditional polymer pistol. The accuracy delivered from 10 yards, with all three types of ammunition, was simply outstanding.
I fired about 400 rounds through the gun without a single malfunction of any sort. I ran a grab bag of leftover self-defense rounds that had acuminated from previous tests through the gun. These ranged from standard velocity to +P, and bullet weights up to 147 grain. I just randomly loaded these into the two included magazines. The recoil was not noticeable, nor was functionality or accuracy impacted with this cornucopia of ammunition. Nice.
The Bottom Line
The definition of Creed is this: A set of beliefs or aims that guide someone’s actions. Well, if Walther is bold enough to tell us what their creed is with this gun, then this is one that I can get behind. This gun is reliable, accurate, easy to shoot and a real bargain.
The new Creed in 9mm from Walther Arms offers American shooters a lot of bang for the buck.
I predict that you’ll see this gun retailing for $369.00 every day, and very soon. This pistol punches above its weight, and I have no problem recommending it. In fact, I will recommend it: I recommend the Creed. There you go! You should try this gun out and see for yourself what it has to offer. I believe it’s a real game-changer, and I hope that other manufactures will take note of what can be delivered for under $400.
To learn more visit https://www.waltherarms.com/handguns/creed/.
To purchase a Walther pistol on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=walther%20pistol.
Looks and sounds great
Has anyone compared the Walther Creed to the Remington R51? I would welcome any and all thoughts and opinions.
if you want a reliaible defense gun don’t buy a walther creed bran new out of the box it jammed up repeatedly sent it in for repair and found out they didn’t put the ejector spring in it three weeks with no gun when i got it back i didn’t even shoot it i sold it before some thing else happens to it
My experience with Walther… P99Cas, ppq, ppx, pps and ppk. I now have a creed. It is 110 percent as good, if not better than any other walther with the exception of the P99. It has the feel of the ppq and trigger of the ppx. I personally prefer the ppx trigger over the ppq. It is absolutely dead nuts accurate right out of the box and eats every type of ammo you feed it. It’s not tiny, but it’s easily concealed. The trigger and ergonomics are such that you should will feel like you are in the 700 dollar range. I have owned several Glocks, and this really does out perform them…but that’s just my opinion. Anyway, take it for what is worth, I’ve been a handgunner for about thirty years and tried most of them. I got rid of my last Glock after buying this creed and I do not regret it. I feel I have a better quality pistol, better accuracy, and way way way better trigger and ergonomics than any glock for a couple hundred dollars less! Think of it line the sig sp2022. It’s a SIG and a damn good one. This is a Walther…….and a damn good one. It will be the gun snobs who shy away or talk trash before they ever give it a chance.
Is it just me, or does the Creed look like a nicer Hi-point? Damn that’s one ugly gun.
Like the person you’re pointing it at is going to give a shit what it looks like. Moron.
I am a retired PO, involved in a number of shootings as the shooter or as a pack up officer. In terms of knock down 45 ball wins that hands down, It will knock a bad guy on his ass every time, as well as terminate them. A 40 or 10 MM is just a wast of time and money, they do not do as well as a 45, and a 9MM performs just as well as a 40 or 10MM in the terminate the threat real life shootings. A 9mm can carry more ammo, and the shooter can control the shot group better. Again I prefer ball over hollow point,, more weight equals more energy on target. However they will penetrate your background (walls etc) which is a consideration for Law Enforcement.
Mr Rabe’s comments are balderdash. .45 does not have any more stopping power than any other modern handgun round. Numerous studies bear this out. “It will knock a bad guy on his ass every time.” Yeah, right. Also, how does 124 or 147 grain ball ammo put any more weight on target than 124 or 147 grain JHP?
Your post has so many wrongs. God forbid you were ever a LEO.
Can you say CZ p-01 or p-10
As a Dealer I was looking for a nice 9MM because of surgeries I don’t normally carry concealed, but instead in a standard holster, but if going shopping or places where there will be nervous people I will change to a pocket pistol. I ordered this Creed awhile back based on reviews, and listening to the sales rep at one of the wholesalers. I am a very happy man that I did. It shoots almost dead center out of the box, with such a small recoil that the first time I shot, I had to check the target to make sure. This lightweight Walther in not only reliable, and accurate, your hand may actually give a sigh of relief because the strain is almost non existent. I’ve had two people try to buy this off of me already after I let them try it, but I’ll order on for them instead, I do believe this one stays with me.
I can’t agree with you more. I was looking for another 9mm. I already have the Glock 43 and the Shield both I love and carry. I do favor my MPShield 9mm as the one I carry the most . Visiting my gun dealer to look at a Sig P320 which was recommended by my uncle (retired LE) as a nice addition, I saw the Creed. It was love at first sight, the look, the handling,weight. In my opinion better than the P320. Well ..yup bought it even under the retail price of $399.00 . My wife even loves it. Now to find a Yaqui paddle holster.
Thank you.
I’m currently driving myself crazy trying to decide what 9mm pistol to buy very soon. I think this new Creed would do the job nicely, but I really wanted a Paddle Mag Drop. Now, is this a valid reason not to consider the Creed or not? Plus I would like a few more Bells & Whistles that the Beretta Px4 Storm Sub Compact has. This has been going on for months now. That Skyscraper falling on my head hasn’t helped my reasoning skills to much.
I think Walther has come out with just what I was looking for. I will test it before I purchase it but I don’t believe I will change my mind. For the ” more knockdown power” people I have 380,9mm,40S&W,45acp and 10mm. I haven’t absolutely no qualms about carrying a 9mm. With the advancements is defense ammo I trust them all to do the job. I suspect when I get the new Walther it will be my everyday carry. Oh No!! I hope it knocks em down!
‘For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’ – Isaac Newton. So if a pistol round ‘knocks ’em down’ it will also knock YOU down. You watch too many movies.
I hate, hate, hate a thumb magazine release. These devices are stupidly driven by competition, where an inadvertent mag release will not kill you. That is, irrelevant to the needs of the defense market.
I got the PPQ M2 (because I couldn’t find an M1). I fixed the mag release problem by switching the button to the other side and getting a holster that would cover it. I release the mag with my index finger, and it doesn’t matter how hard or weird my grip is, I’ve never accidentally bumped that button. It might cost me .5 seconds in the extremely unlikely event of needing a mag swap in an extremely unlikely defense event, which I don’t care about. It’s way less expensive than dropping the mag when you don’t want to!
I hate, hate, hate a paddle magazine release. It leads to inadvertent dumping of magazines. Ever wonder why the thumb release is on 99% of pistols while the paddles and heel releases are relegated to the dumpster?
I love the 9mm. My ccw is a browning hi power. I also carry a colt .45 Light commander.
Both would do in a pinch, but the .45 is undoutabley the cartridge of choice. More knock-down power.
No, since if a round knocked down your adversary it would also knock you over. Study Isaac Newton.
How is this any different from my PPX that cost even less?
Better looking and better trigger it would seem. Looks like a way lower bore axis.
It’s a 16 shot not 10
??? Capacity is the same on both the Creed and the X. I keep the X (which is just an amazing weapon and with an incredible trigger)at home, and it appears to be a bit bigger and heavier. The Creed would be for carry. For thirty years I carried a PPK/S, and it just felt a little under-powered, which I know is all in my head. Looking forward to picking up this Creed.
What a nice gun. Bring it out in a 40 ( or 45!) & I’ll probably buy one, Walther.
One wonders if they will have 10 round mags available for shipment/sale to Neanderthal states like MA and MD.
he said in the video it comes with 16 or 10 round mags.
I’m with Jimmy, I’ll wait for the .40 S&W. Why? Because of all the things already mentioned, but a very important part for us here in CO is that this gun is a no-go with a 16 rd mag.
The Walther web site is showing a 10 shot version as well as the 16 round gun discussed in the article.
You guys in Colorado were one vote short of repealing that stupid sixteen round and up magazine ban. Most police I hear will not enforce the magazine ban in most parts of Colorado. You are just prohibited from buying the magazines in State. Go out of State to buy whatever purchases you want.
I had a ppk many years ago. 8 am going to order the Creed . great write-up thanks.
I may be one of the few on here but ill wait for the .40s&w.
If you go toe to toe with basic nato type round ball or flat nose ammo the 40 will out perform hands down.only sacrafice 1-2 rounds if any depending on make and model of weapon.
To match the 40 basic performance in the 9mm you will have to buy the high dollar +p match grade hollow point stuff. Then what you pay for 20 you can get a box 50 of the basic stuff for the 40 with most times a little money left over.
Then with that your still left with the issue of undo stress like the “FBI”(obamas librals) is claiming from high end 40 cal rounds
When basic 40 ammo in the begining of the cal didnt have till they started using the high end stuff.
Ok rant over. Lol
Why shoot 40 when you can shoot 45 that’s more plentiful and at the same cost.
Because with .40 Smith & Wesson you get more rounds in your magazine when compared to .45 Auto. I like the .45 Auto round, but I like the .40 S&W more.
why would you compare 9mm+p hollow points to .40 ball? 9mm HPs will perform far better, and not over penetrate like ball ammo (of any caliber) will.
and why would you carry ball/flat nose ammo? literally no competent instructors, police, etc. carry, or would instruct anyone to carry ball.
also, pretty much all of the real world data we have show that there is just very little (if any) difference between 9mm, .40, and .45 in terms of terminal ballistics, despite what common sense would imply. this is why pretty much everyone is switching to 9mm (it’s cheaper, you can hold more round, more variety of guns and ammo, more ammo availability, and most importantly, less recoil and faster follow up shots, which is far more important in a fight than caliber.
Steve, I respectfully think that you are mistaken on the terminal ballistics of the 40 vs the 9mm.
I like to alternate Ball to Hollow point , I want penetration if I have to shoot through a car door.
Me Too! I spent many years in Law Enforcement and preferred the 9mm S&W Model 59. I felt that most hollow points at the time wouldn’t penetrate a car door. So I bought the heaviest ball ammo I could find for that reason and alternated them with good hollow points. This was before you heard of +P+’s. Fortunately I never had to find out.
this is it, nothing else needs to be said about the 9MM Creed