New Walther mini-pistol coming soon?

[MattyD380]

Someone on the Walther forum was snooping patents...

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230022273A1/en?assignee=carl+walther&oq=carl+walther&sort=new

This one, specifically, is for a new slide/frame interface where the rails run through the center of the frame (as in, not on either side). That's pretty neat. I guess it allows the gun to have a thinner profile overall.

You can also see what looks like side-by-side feed ramps in the frame (so, maybe some kinda dual-feed mag?), a manual safety and a striker-fired mechanism. If you dig a little deeper in Walther's list of patents, you'll see a design for a new extractor (which appears to be "special" in some way--though my eye for schematics is lacking) and some kinda VP9ish slide-rack-assist nubs. There's also a design in there for new space-efficient mags (which don't appear to be dual feed?).

While patents certainly don't definitely mean there's gonna be a new gun... what's there all seems to be oriented around this idea of a small, slim, hi-cap pistol. So, I feel like we'll see something. Eventually.

Here's a link to thread on the Walther forum: https://www.waltherforums.com/threads/potential-pps-m3-micro-9-carl-walther-gmbh-patents.130536/

[spyderco monkey]

Great find. Hopefully a Walther P365 future Bond Gun.

https://i.ibb.co/tszNvnG/Screen-Shot-2023-03-11-at-6-10-11-PM.png

https://i.ibb.co/6ZXXdqV/Screen-Shot-2023-03-11-at-6-09-57-PM.png

[wmu12071]

Great find. Hopefully a Walther P365 future Bond Gun.

https://i.ibb.co/tszNvnG/Screen-Shot-2023-03-11-at-6-10-11-PM.png

https://i.ibb.co/6ZXXdqV/Screen-Shot-2023-03-11-at-6-09-57-PM.png

Is that basically a slide rail down the middle on the back of the side below the strike channel???

[Lex Luthier]

Is that basically a slide rail down the middle on the back of the side below the strike channel???

I would say "yes".

That is an unusually functional-looking patent drawing.

[wmu12071]

I would say "yes".

That is an unusually functional-looking patent drawing.

Agreed, I was trying to figure our how the striker is engaged and why these things would be a benefit. I have some ideas but none that seems to really solve a problem other than dropping the bore axis a very small amount.

[MattyD380]

Agreed, I was trying to figure our how the striker is engaged and why these things would be a benefit. I have some ideas but none that seems to really solve a problem other than dropping the bore axis a very small amount.

My guess is the center-mounted rail system is supposed to allow for a thinner slide… while possibly allowing for a wider mag?

[Totem Polar]

Great find. Hopefully a Walther P365 future Bond Gun.


Seems apropos, now that 007 has all the bits needing sliding lube on the inside too.
;)

[WOLFIE]

I think the one piece slide rail in the rear of the slide also has the function of pushing a round out of the magazine and into the chamber. The frame rail that mates with this slide rail will be located at the rear of the frame- at the very rear of the frame. The sear will be in front of this frame rail.

[gc70]

The patent for a Loading Aid of a Firearm (https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230029097A1/en?assignee=carl+walther&oq=carl+walther&sort=new) shows the same pistol, but obviously with an optic-mounting plate and a manual safety.

[spyderco monkey]

My guess is the center-mounted rail system is supposed to allow for a thinner slide… while possibly allowing for a wider mag?

Thats what the patent seems to be saying - the goal is for a thinner slide then normal.

https://i.ibb.co/k3Z4fjT/Screen-Shot-2023-03-12-at-5-13-15-AM.png

[willie]

Impressive design. A quick couple questions are (1)will the overall height from heel of grip to top is slide be less and (2)will the single rail contribute to more lateral movement of slide that would occur with conventional two rail designs?

[YVK]

My guess is the center-mounted rail system is supposed to allow for a thinner slide… while possibly allowing for a wider mag?


Thats what the patent seems to be saying - the goal is for a thinner slide then normal.



I am trying to understand how a rear monorail will help with that. The front part of rail system is conventional. Slide's internal dimensions are determined by the external dimensions of a chamber and I doubt they would thin out the walls there. I am confuse.

[Jim Watson]

Yawn.
If they bring it to market it will be the usual 90 day wonder, then it will be assimilated into the sea of hideout guns.

[MattyD380]

But… looking closer…

I think the rounds feed on either side of the central rail in the rear—you can the see the tandem ramps right/left of the centralized rail thingy in the overhead view of the frame.

As to “why?”…

I can only guess it allows the mag well to be opened up more allowing for this higher-cap, dual-feed (apparently) mag.

And yeah—the frame/slide interface in the front looks “normal”—with rails on the sides. Maybe only the rear portion matters for opening up the mag well?

[YVK]

But… looking closer…

I think the rounds feed on either side of the central rail in the rear—you can the see the tandem ramps right/left of the centralized rail thingy in the overhead view of the frame.

As to “why?”…

I can only guess it allows the mag well to be opened up more allowing for this higher-cap, dual-feed (apparently) mag.



I was thinking that if they don't have to use a tapered mag and keep rounds stacked all the way up, mag capacity will be larger for any given size.

[WOLFIE]

I was thinking that if they don't have to use a tapered mag and keep rounds stacked all the way up, mag capacity will be larger for any given size.

If the mag is not tapered, can it be loaded similarly as an ar-15 mag is loaded? That might be cool.

[Polecat]

Walther has some great ideas! I can’t wait to see what the trigger system is like.

[MattyD380]

I was thinking that if they don't have to use a tapered mag and keep rounds stacked all the way up, mag capacity will be larger for any given size.

I kinda think that's what this entire design is intended to achieve. But... just speculation from a random dude looking at schematics online.

[MattyD380]

If the mag is not tapered, can it be loaded similarly as an ar-15 mag is loaded? That might be cool.

I think that's the intent.

The Steyr GB had mags like that--and you got 18 in a mag. In 1981. So... if they're after max capacity in the smallest possible footprint, seems like a dual-feed mag would be the way to do it.

[awp_101]

MattyD380, are you going to buy one for the collection when they come out or wait 10-15 years and then track one down when most everyone else has forgotten it? ;)

[MattyD380]

MattyD380, are you going to buy one for the collection when they come out or wait 10-15 years and then track one down when most everyone else has forgotten it? ;)

Hahaha.

Maybe I'll buy one when they come out... sell it... THEN buy it again a decade later when it's out of production and 200% the price--but way cooler.

[awp_101]

Hahaha.

Maybe I'll buy one when they come out... sell it... THEN buy it again a decade later when it's out of production and 200% the price--but way cooler.

Solid planning. I like it!:cool: