Lone Wolf Distributors TWF-F Lower/G34 Upper 9mm Luger

We liked the grip, which made the LWD feel more like a thick 1911. The trigger offered better consistency and break than the Glock OEM trigger. Accuracy is excellent. Think of this as a custom gun at production-gun cost.

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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.

Action TypeLocked breech semiauto, short recoil, striker-fire
Overall Length 8.5 in.
Overall Height 5.4 in.
Maximum Width 1.2 in.
Weight Unloaded27.0 oz.
Barrel Length5.3 in.
Capacity 17+1 (double stack)
Slide Matte stainless steel
Slide Retraction Effort 13.0 lbs.
FrameBlack, polymer
Frame Front Strap Height 2.2 in.
Frame Back Strap Height3.5 in.
GripCheckered polymer, backstrap inserts
Grip Thickness (max)1.1 in.
Grip Circumference (max) 5.2 in. (flat backstrap); 4.3 (swelled backstrap)
Front Sight Fixed 1-dot night sight post
Rear SightNotch, 2-dot night sights
Trigger Pull Weight 6.0 lbs.
Trigger Span2.7 in.
Magazines 3; polymer
Manual Safety Trigger
Warranty None written
Made In U.S.A.
Website LoneWolfDist.com

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 Lone Wolf TWF-F lower sits down in the hand and has a straighter grip angle compared to a Glock.

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.

We liked the Lone Wolf’s rear XS Sight RAM sight. The edges were knocked off and the two dots contrast with the large front-sight dot. Notice how the dot’s contrast and your eye tends toward the center of the notch.

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.

The Lone Wolf TWF-F field-strips as easy as a Glock. The LWD extended slide lock gives you more leverage when disassembling the pistol.

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.

The LWD’s magwell is flared and offered easy access for a fresh magazine during reloading. The magazine release is large for better access.

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

Hornady Sub Sonic 147-grain XTPCZ Shadow 2LWD Timber Wolf TWF-FColt Gold Cup
Average Velocity 986 fps978 fps979 fps
Muzzle Energy317 ft.-lbs.312 ft.-lbs.313 ft.-lbs.
Smallest Group1.32 in.1.54 in.1.63 in.
Average Group1.95 in.2.09 in.2.18 in.
Defender Target/Practice 115-grain RNCZ Shadow 2LWD Timber Wolf TWF-FColt Gold Cup
Average Velocity 1153 fps1160 fps1171 fps
Muzzle Energy340 ft.-lbs.344 ft.-lbs.350 ft.-lbs.
Smallest Group1.08 in.1.45 in.1.80 in.
Average Group1.69 in.1.92 in.2.07 in.
Armscor 124-grain FMJCZ Shadow 2LWD Timber Wolf TWF-FColt Gold Cup
Average Velocity 1106 fps1101 fps1109 fps
Muzzle Energy337 ft.-lbs.334 ft.-lbs.339 ft.-lbs.
Smallest Group0.69 in.1.43 in.1.90 in.
Average Group1.50 in.1.75 in.2.01 in.
Handload 115-grain JHPCZ Shadow 2LWD Timber Wolf TWF-FColt Gold Cup
Average Velocity 1268 fps1263 fps1281 fps
Muzzle Energy411 ft.-lbs.407 ft.-lbs.419 ft.-lbs.
Smallest Group1.09 in.2.10 in.2.20 in.
Average Group1.85 in.2.30 in.2.26 in.

VALUE GUIDE: COMPETITION HANDGUN RANKINGS

GUN NAMEISSUEGRADECOMMENTS
Walther Q5 Match Steel Frame 2830001 9mm Luger, $1277Nov. 2019A-We liked the grip, which made the Q5 a soft shooter. The ability to mount a red-dot sight makes it versatile.
Springfield 1911 Range Officer PI9129LP 9mm Luger, $744Nov. 2019A-In our opinion, this would be a good, inexpensive option for certain shooting competitions.
Arex Rex Alpha REXALPHA9-01 9mm Luger, $999Nov. 2019F/AThe slide sheared off the hammer. The retest in the November 2020 issue went very well.
Colt Gold Cup National Match O5870A1 45 ACP, $1190May 2019AOur Pick. The National Match Colt is the most accurate handgun tested by a considerable margin.
SIG Sauer Traditional Match Elite 1911T-45-TME 45 ACP, $1050May 2019DThis pistol needed a little help out of the box. That said, the SIG is accurate and handles well.
Glock G34 Gen5 MOS PA3430103MOS 9mm Luger, $710Apr. 2019AThe Glock 34 has good features, and we feel that the Gen5 guns are the company’s best yet.
Springfield XD(M) 4.5 9mm Luger XDMT9459FDEHCE, $505Apr. 2019AOur sole complaint was we had trouble loading the magazines to capacity.
CZ-USA CZ P0-9 91620 9mm Luger, $402Apr. 2019BBest Buy. This isn’t the competition pistol you are looking for, but it is a good personal-defense handgun.
FNH FNS-9L Longslide 66725 9mm Luger, $570Apr. 2019BHeavier trigger. Accuracy wasn’t as good as the other handguns in the test.
Glock G35 Gen3 PI3530103 40 S&W, $560July 2018ATested with a Double Diamond Threaded Barrel, $160, and Magpul PMAG 27 GL9, $22.
S&W PC M929 170341 9mm Luger, $1189Sep. 2017AHad all the bells and whistles one would expect in a S&W Performance Center competition revolver.
Springfield Armory 1911 RO PI9129LP 9mm Luger, $704Sep. 2015AFor the dedicated target shooter, we think the Range Officer is the better choice.
Springfield Armory Loaded T’gt PI9134LP 9mm Luger, $873Sep. 2015AFor the tactical shooter, the practical advantages of the stainless Loaded Target make it a better buy.
S&W Champion Model 625-8 JM 160936 45 ACP, $979Jan. 2015A-We would not hesitate to purchase the 625-8 JM and use it in competition. It was a pleasure to shoot.
Ruger GP100 Match Champion Revolver 1754 357 Mag., $899Dec. 2014A-The double-action trigger as delivered was smooth and light enough to satisfy most competitive shooters.
S&W Pro Series 686 SSR 178012 357 Mag. Revolver, $999Dec. 2014B+The 686 SSR is pretty much ready to go for IDPA Stock Service Revolver competition.
H&K P30L Variant 3 Long Slide M730903L-A5 9mm, $1108June 2012A-The “light” LEM Variant 1 would be our choice for competition use.
Glock G34 Gen 4 9mm Luger, $649June 2012A-The grip frame provided greater stability, in our view, and felt recoil seemed more consistent, too.
S&W M&P 9 Pro Series 178010 9mm Luger, $670June 2012B+Overall, we liked the natural point and handling characteristics of the M&P9 Pro Series pistol.
CZ USA SP-01 Shadow Custom No. 91029 9mm Luger, $1200Feb. 2012AWith the DA trigger all but melted into the single-action chain of fire, this is an exciting gun to shoot.
CZ USA 75 CTS LSP 91710 9mm Luger, $1450Feb. 2012AWe would have liked this pistol more if its DA trigger felt as light as the one on our SP-01 Custom.
Springfield Armory XDM 5.25 Competition 9mm Luger, $865Feb. 2012A-Friendly grip, great sights, easy-to-work-on recoil system, a bag full accessories, a great value.
Glock Model G34 9mm Luger, $679Feb. 2012B+The G34 fits perfectly into the Practical Shooting scene.

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