Freedom Wolf first Impression

by Hawkeye » Thu Sep 15, 2022 7:28 pm

Had to get back into my shop and get started on some new builds. My first Freedom Wolf build has now stared.

Well, I have three I bought over a year ago and while building I thought I would do them all now.

First) on one kit, I had two left side rear plugs.

It is not a big deal for someone who is planning on doing mods and sanding the whole pistol, but it is one of those things that bugs me. I don't mind fixing my mess-ups but from the start having to fix there's, not happy

SECOND) out of three kits only one had glue that wasn't dried up. Again, not a big deal, so from the start I had to order new plug kit from LW and some Loctite 380 black max from amazon.

THIRD) when the frame comes, it is in the jig covered with a plastic bag to protect it, good! but the frame fits tight which it should, but the frame was forced into the jig and broke the rear rail area.

This is what it is supposed to look like.

We will see just how good the glue is because I plan on fixing this with a lot of glue when I install the rails.

Next, I'll talk about the frame itself and what's good about it in my opinion.

Let's talk about what is good for someone who plans on doing mod to this frame and what can be done safely.

1)

it looks like there is enough stock in this area to extend to the trigger for a finger guide. I really don't know what the advantage is for this, maybe if you wear gloves, but it does look cool. (My thought)

2)

I really hate this mag well, not only does this look unfinished (my opinion) it puts a square edge on your little finger that is uncomfortable to me. I thought i might sand a radius on it but there is no stock there to work with, so you really don't have an option, ether use as is or not at all.

1&2)

I really like this trigger guard, it's big and thick with plenty of stock for whatever type of mods you want to do.

I plan on putting a radius on both bottom and front. I all so want to try my hand at doing a cut out in both bottom and front. Still working out my plan but will be posting on this build for those that are interested.

3)

One thing that a custom build needs to do is match slide to frame. What I mean here is the width of a slide should match the width of the frame and the front-end radius or chamfer should match the frame. For me this is one thing that will make a custom build look custom and not a parts gun. (Just my thought) so the way LW did this area looks like a good idea but when sanding you need to make sure you don't sand this away or it will not match slide.

1)

Again, I like this trigger guard, on most of my builds I narrow this for a more factory aluminum frame look, but on at least one of these Freedom Wolf builds I plan on putting a cut out so I will leave it wide.

2)

I am not sure if I like this or not. I will sand off all the grip for stippling but my leave this. It feels good but I am not a fan of the look. It's to plain and may not match the rest of the build I am planning.

Next, I'll talk about some of the things to look out for when using glue on rails.

I glued in all the rails so here is what I found.

Fist before you glue in the rails you need to make sure there are not any little plastic burs that could hold the rails off so look for spots like this.

These are makes made by injection pins that push the frame out of the mold. The older the mold the worse these marks show up. Sometimes the pins are made a few thousands small for gas build-up in the mold to escape but in any case, they are a blemish in my book. Make this type of blemish flush so that they will not push the rail out and not flush with the frame.

This is odd to me; this is on every frame but only in this spot on each.

I can see this being done for holding the rail tight or maybe allowing glue to get all around the rail and frame blank but why only in this spot and not on the other side. I have no idea on this one?

So, glue is cured and I'm getting ready to start mods and sanding.

we will see how this sands up but as is would drive me nuts seeing the lines from the glued in rails.

I used Loctite 380 black max which matches the black frame perfect. I used a lot of glue but made sure I wiped off the insides before it could set up. On the label it states instant adhesive, but it is not that instant you have time for a cleanup.

Final thoughts on Lone Wolf freedom Wolf:

Even thou I had problems with the kits over all I kind of like these.

There is more stock on these frames for mods that is a plus and the frame feels solid.

I am afraid that the lines from putting in the rail plugs are going to show up when painted.

I am not a fan of the jig that comes with this frame, you really need to put it in a vise for drilling pin holes.

These are the only LW frames I have built and probably will not get any more, but I could change my mind after I finish my builds.