GUN TESTS GRADE: A

$1098

There are numerous Glock aftermarket manufacturers making parts to modify Glock pistols, and Lone Wolf Distributors has been in the business for decades. LWD uses the Glock platform and transforms it into a different and better shooting experience, especially for shooters with average-to-small-size hands. Our sample is a custom gun owned by one of testers and is made with LWD (LoneWolfDist.com) components: Timberwolf TWF-F full-size frame, $225; AlphaWolf slide G34 9mm Gen3 with Signature Series #20 pattern, $380; G34 stock-length AlphaWolf barrel, $140; LWD tungsten guide rod assembly, $20; and LWD trigger and other internal parts. Sights are a set of RAM Night Sights by XS Sights ($99; Brownells.com) and three Glock OEM magazines ($83; Brownells.com). The total cost was around $1075.

The LWD frame is unique because it is compatible with either a Gen 3 or Gen 4 slide. The difference between the two generations has to do with the recoil spring. Gen4 guns feature a double-nested spring that requires extra real estate in the dustcover. The LWD frame uses an adapter. Keep it in place to accommodate a Gen3 slide or remove it for a Gen4 slide. It snaps out with a small screwdriver and easily snaps back into place.

The frame features a very slim grip and an undercut trigger guard so you can get a high grip on the pistol. Plus the frame decreases the bore axis and grip dimension for a higher level of recoil control. The front gripstrap is flat and textured. The rear gripstrap is modular, with either an arched backstrap or a flat one. We liked the flat one better. Elsewhere, the gun has an oversized magazine release, extended slide stop, removable magwell, and extended slide lock.

While the matte-stainless slide is radical looking, it is also functional. It is LWD’s Signature Series pattern #20 and features an angled nose and open cut in the front and sides of the slide to reduce weight. The slide serrations are aggressive. While you can see the radical aesthetics, LWD was trying to make the serrations and cuts offer a good grasp when racking the slide or doing a press check.

The LWD field-strips like a Glock, so the process is easy and fast.

We like the three-dot XS Sights set up for a few reasons. The rear sight uses dots that are smaller than the front sight dot and a different color. The rear sight is tapered at the corners, which makes the eye naturally center in the groove, and the shooter-facing side creates no glare. The U-notch is large, so the front sight is easy to pick up. The front-sight dot is large and nearly 0.14 inch in diameter, so it is easy to find, even on a dark target. In our opinion, these sights are good for action-pistol shooting.

In hand, the LWD offers great balance, a high grip, and grip thickness that measures 1.1 inches. The Colt, by contrast, has a grip thickness of 1.3 inches. What is amazing is the LWD uses a double-stack magazine with the standard 17-round capacity while the Colt is a 10-round single stack.

If you are familiar with a Glock you will have no problem operating the LWD. They both work the same.

Going hot with the LWD, we found the slide, with less mass due to the cut outs, provided less felt recoil. The frame also made this a natural pointer for those testers more familiar with a 1911. Initially, we had a few failures to feed, but we lubed the pistol and ran extra handloads through it and it smoothed out with no jams. The XS Sights were a good call on this pistol. We liked that the front was a different size and color than the dots in the rear sight. We also liked that the corners of the rear sight were angled. This made our eye focus toward the front sight. The front sight wasn’t too large either, so it did not obscure the target at 25 yards.

Reloads were fast due to the tapered Glock double-stack magazines and the magazine well. Our best group came with the Armscor 124-grain FMJs, which measured 1.43 inches. On average, with all ammo brands, the LWD offered accuracy that ranged from 1.75 inches to 2.25 inches, which is good accuracy for an action-pistol gun. This was the lightest gun tested at 27 ounces, and we missed the rock steadiness of the heavier CZ and Colt at 46.5 and 40 ounces, respectively.

Our Team Said: The LWD combines a smaller-girth grip with great ergonomics and reliable Glock-like performance. For less than the other pistols, you can set the LWD up as you want it. We missed the added weight to stifle recoil, but this is a fine pistol for those who like the Glock platform.

Range Data

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