Pistol: Lone Wolf Distributors Timberwolf TWC-C frame with Rival Arms slide (MSRP: $224.95 [frame], $470.99 [slide])
We’ve covered this setup previously on “I Carry,” but wanted to revisit today with a red-dot sight mounted. To recap, the frame is a new release from Lone Wolf Distributors, the Timberwolf TWC-C frame. It’s a complete, serialized frame that only needs a slide for completion, and it fits Glock G19-based holsters. The two biggest differences between the TWC-C and the G19 are the triggerguard, which is rounded on the TWC-C, and the grip angle — the TWC-C offers a slightly different angle than the G19, although no change in magazine design is needed.
The Rival Arms Precision Upgrade slide offers the ability to add a red-dot sight, in this case one based on the RMR optics cut, while offering lightening cuts, forward cocking serrations and Glock style sight setup. This particular slide has been finished with a Rival Arms threaded barrel and suppressor-height sights in addition to a Lone Wolf slide finishing kit. While it’s a more expensive way to add a red-dot sight to your everyday carry than having an existing slide milled, it’s both faster and allows for some upgrades should you be so inclined.
We’ve had the opportunity to run about 400 rounds through this slide-and-frame combination, and found it to function well. The trigger is pretty much a standard 5.5-pound Glock trigger, with all the associated takeup and reset. Controls are slightly oversize without being so large they catch on clothing or gear, and are quite easy to activate. The grip texturing is more aggressive than standard Glock, but not painfully so. It’s a great choice for a non-Glock Glock, if you’re looking for something outside the ordinary.
The real nice thing about the Timberwolf TWC series, as we pointed out previously, is that with the removal of a small space, it can be used with either Gen3 or Gen4 Glock slides. The Rival Arms slide is a Gen3, while the Brownells slide we’ve also featured on I Carry is a Gen4. To swap between the two, the space stays in for the Gen3 or is removed for Gen4. It’s a simple solution to the intergenerational dilemma in the Glock family.
Optic: Holosun HS407c V2 (MSRP: $282.34)
Holosun’s line of optics has been emerging as a solid line of affordable red dots. We tested one of the carbine-mounted optics a few years back, and not only did the optic perform fine in testing, but it has remained on the same carbine for nearly 3 years now. It has maintained zero as expected, and the battery is still going strong. Holosun’s line of pistol-mounted red dots has proven to follow the same guidelines for reliability and durability.
The HS407c V2 mounts with the same footprint as the Trijicon RMR, and offers a 2-MOA dot with 10 brightness levels. There’s a solar backup function, what Holosun calls “Shake Awake” when the dot turns on via motion and a side-access battery drawer for the single CR1632 battery. Up to 50,000 hours of battery life are possible on brightness level 6. Holosun even includes a Picatinny mount if you want to use the HS407c V2 with a carbine or shotgun. That is an awful lot of utility for a sight that retails under $300 MSRP and can be found online under $250.
Holster: PHLster Skeleton (MSRP: $54.99)
Rounding out this kit is PHLster’s Skeleton holster for the Glock G19. We’ve chosen it primarily to highlight the compatibility of the Lone Wolf Timberwolf TWC frame with Glock holsters, but also because the Skeleton is an all-around great holster. It’s super minimalist yet offers complete protection, excellent retention and works with suppressor-height sights and most red-dot optics. It has a single pull-the-dot-style loop to attach to a 1.5-inch belt, which can of course be swapped for a number of different attachment methods if so desired.
Two additional points about the Skeleton: First, it’s completely ambidextrous. Since there’s only a single attachment point, one need only swap the hardware to the other side to change the “handedness” of the Skeleton. Second, it’s tuckable. While tucking a shirt over a holstered pistol does increase the difficulty in retrieving the gun under pressure, it also provides additional concealment that might be necessary depending on your situation. Personally, I prefer to leave the shirt untucked and draped over the rig, but I have been in situations where I needed to tuck things in, and it does come in quite handy.
