OK, I couldn’t resist making a rhyme, even a dumb one, but it does describe the 9mm Creed. Mechanically, it’s not like all those striker-fired pistols seen elsewhere. Visible at the rear of the slide and frame, there’s a pivoting hammer. The way it works is very different, too.

This firing system was first used a couple of years ago in the briefly made PPX. It works like this: When the slide is cycled, the hammer is fully cocked, but the sear does not hold it there. Instead, the sear arrests the hammer strut (spring guide) and keeps the spring compressed.

When the slide closes, the hammer returns to an “at rest” position, powered by a light little spring. Thus, when you start the trigger pull, the “take-up” part you are compressing is only that spring and also a light trigger spring. As this occurs, the hammer will emerge slightly at the rear.

Walther calls this unique trigger system a “Double-Action-Only.” Actually, it’s a single action, with a nice, long take-up. The actual distance, measured at the center of the trigger, is 3/16 inch to the let-off point. There, the crisp pull is between 4 and 5 pounds on my Lyman electronic gauge, with practically no overtravel.

The trigger itself is marvelous. It is about 5/16-inch wide and the vertical grooving so light it is not annoying. And it does not have one of those “flipper” safety levers. There is also no magazine-disconnect internal safety. So in case of a lost or damaged magazine, you can still fire a chambered round.

There is a firing-pin-block safety, and it is always in the “on-safe” position. You clear it in the last bit of trigger pull. No separate manual safety. You don’t need one. When you pull the trigger through its complete travel, expect it to fire.

The slide latch and the magazine-release button on the left side have good thumb access, the magazine catch is reversible, and its small protective rail can serve as a thumb rest on both sides. Sorry, left handers, but that’s it.

At the front of the grip frame, there is a standard rail for mounting a light or laser. Just to the rear of that is a nice surprise: The front of the triggerguard has no hook, no serrations, it’s nicely rounded. Nothing to snag during reholstering. As for the grip itself, the contour at the rear is perfect, no “inserts” required. At the front, shallow recesses for all three fingers.

The low-profile sights are steel, not polymer (hey, it’s a Walther!). Square-picture, with three white dots. The rear sight can be drifted laterally, and its notch is nice and wide. Both sights are available from Walther in different vertical dimensions and are easily changed. On my test gun, the rear sight is marked “2,” the front “4.”

The Creed performed well at the range with both of the loads used. These were the 115-grain DPX CorBon and the new 125-grain HoneyBadger from Black Hills. Firing was standing with a 2-hand hold. On the Champion VisiShot targets, groups were centered well. At 25 yards, 5-shot groups were between 4 and 5 inches. At 7 yards, one was just over 2 inches, most around 3.5 inches.
Functioning was flawless. The Creed had no functioning problems with either load. Even though the pistol is relatively light at 27 ounces, the felt recoil is quite mild. I attribute this to the superior ergonomics of the grip frame. When considering a new pistol, always see how it feels in your hand. The Creed is right for mine.

Another good point of the Creed design is the easy takedown. Lock the slide open, remove the magazine and turn the lever downward. Firmly grip the slide, release the slide latch and ease the slide assembly off toward the front. Take off the recoil spring unit. It’s a captured assembly and won’t fly away. Lift out the barrel and you’ve done it.

On the steel parts, the finish is durable Tenifer, in matte-black. The Creed is meant to be “affordable,” with a suggested retail price of just $399, but it’s still a Walther. No corners cut here. It’s a full-sized pistol, not one of those deep-concealment babies. But for home, or car, or police duty, it’s perfect.

Walther Creed
Maker: Walther Arms
7700 Chad Colley Blvd.
Port Smith, AR 72916
(479) 242-8500
www.waltherarms.com

Caliber: 9x19mm
Capacity: 16
Barrel length: 4 inches
Weight: 27 ounces
Length: 7.47 inches
Height: 5.50 inches
Sights: 3-dot drift adjustable rear
Width: 1.25 inches
Grips: Integral polymer
Finish: Tenifer
Price: $399

Black Hills Ammunition
P.O. Box 3090
Rapid City, SD 57709
(605) 348-5150
www.black-hills.com

CorBon
1311 Industry Road
Sturgis, SD 57785
(800) 626-7266
www.corbon.com

Champion Traps & Targets
1 ATK Way
Anoka, MN 55303
(800) 635-7656
www.championtarget.com

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