Today's feature is from our companion service, The Tactical Wire.
Do you remember the great government ordered lock down? During this time frame, I started to build what are known as “Gucci Glocks,” guns either partially or completely constructed with after- market components. I did this just for something to do, it was never a money-making endeavor. In the end, I built 13 guns, everyone a little bit better than the last. I learned a lot about the Glock design and came to realize it is the 1911 of the 21st century, you can make a sizable number of personalized modifications (enhancements?) to the pistol without affecting reliability.
While I utilized components from a number of manufacturers, as the lock down dragged on they became harder and harder to get. I relied on Lone Wolf Arms as my “go to” source if they had what I needed. Founded in the late 1990’s as an aftermarket source for Glock parts, Lone Wolf has expanded into not only a parts supplier, but a builder of Glock clones based on customer desires. I have a long history with Lone Wolf and have had several of their Timberwolf pistols which were all solid performers. One of my most prized possessions is a custom engraved Timberwolf given to me by Lone Wolf’s Zack Carlson when I retired and closed my training company. It is a truly prized possession.
As good as the Timberwolf was, the folks at Lone Wolf felt they could make an even better pistol, again based on customer feedback. Enter the DUSK-19.
The author views his DUSK-19 as a factory pistol with a few personal enhancements designed to increase performance. Isn’t this the goal of any EDC pistol?
I think it’s fair to say the folks at Lone Wolf incorporated everything they have learned over the years into their new G19 sized pistol, including features customers want at a fair price. They started with a close look at the frame, which is one of the most modified parts of a stock Glock pistol. The DUSK frame has all of the popular frame modifications currently undertaken by custom gunsmiths. The original Timberwolf incorporated a 1911-style grip angle and this was also built into the DUSK. Like the Timberwolf, the DUSK comes with interchangeable backstraps, a flat version replicates the 1911’s 19-degree angle, while a rounded one is more like a 1911 with a curved mainspring housing. I didn’t like either.
The DUSK comes in a wide variety of configurations to meet customer needs and desires, but I had my sights (pun intended) on something more conventional. While I can accept many features built into a factory gun, hand to grip fit just isn’t one of them. As a matter of fact, one of the things I like about the factory Glock grip is you can make it into any configuration you like, provided you don’t mind parting with it for a while and can afford the modification. I want the back strap to be flat like a 1911, but with the front and back straps to be parallel. This configuration keeps my hand tight into the tang for enhanced recoil control while creating a natural point for me.
To get the feel he wanted, Spaulding sent the frame to Bowie Tactical Concepts to have the back strap void filled and shaped to his specifications. Below, the author smoothed and squared the trigger guard on his DUSK frame.
I sent my DUSK frame off to David Bowie of Bowie Tactical Concepts and asked him to fill the back strap void and create the configuration I wanted. I also had him add a bit of material behind the magazine to assist reloading while enhancing my grip purchase. In addition, the rounded swells of the side grip panels on the DUSK are a real asset in filling your hand and eliminate the “brick” feeling that many complain about with stock Glock pistols.
I am also not a fan of hooked trigger guards. Simultaneously, I really like the look of square trigger guards. Yes, I know that both hooked and square were intended to be used the same, but the square just does not look as “hokey” (old guy term) in my eyes.
I decided to “convert” the hooked trigger guard on my DUSK frame and square it off, smoothing the face. A little thing, I know, but I really like this look much better. Other factory enhancements to the frame include a significant trigger guard undercut and integrated thumb rests on both sides of the frame, just above and forward of the trigger guard. For smoother reloads, the mag well is flared, and the magazine release button is enlarged like a Gen 4 Glock. Additionally, the dust cover has two Picatinny slots instead of the factory single.
The back up rear sight was mounted forward of the Holosun MOS SCS carry optic. The Ameriglo CAP Sight was used for back up duties. The lime green front did not blend with the green front dot.
While the slide I used is a DUSK slide, it was a special order on my part. If I had wanted a slide with all types of grooves, fish scales or ports and an RMR optic footprint cut, it would have been easy, but that is not what I wanted. I wanted a traditional slide with forward and rear cocking serrations, rounded edges and a Glock MOS optic cut so I could mount the Holosun MOS SCS optic. I have come to really like this compact, low mounted optic that allows factory height sights to be used as back up. Direct mount is the way to go, if possible. The Holosun SCS is also quite concealable, which is an important feature to me. It took several months but the slide I received was certainly worth the wait.
Because of the longer optic dovetail, the fixed rear sight cut had to be forward of the optic. This is another thing that is debated in some circles. If I can see the sights, I am good to go. I opted to use my Ameriglo CAP sights as my backup irons. At first, I thought a lime green front sight might be optically confusing when using a green dot optic, but this proved not to be the case. In truth, the green front sight is easier to see when viewing through glass.
The author’s small hands prevent a need for a large beavertail, so a reduction was in order. The new DUSK-19 shown with its big brother the Timberwolf. This pistol was given to the author on the closing of his training business and subsequent retirement.
The internals are also from Lone Wolf as I wanted this gun to be a DUSK pistol just as if I had bought it from the factory. I did, just in individual components and not as a whole gun. I ended up with the Lone Wolf pistol I truly wanted. My first range session proved to be most satisfying. I was able to zero the Holosun at ten yards, off hand, in just a few rounds and then go back to 25 and do the same. The gun is probably more accurate than I am capable of being, which is quite reassuring. The back strap that David Bowie built proved to point just where I wanted it, meaning I get on target (and “into” the optical sight) faster and with greater reliability.
I guess you could say that I built 14 guns, but the Lone Wolf DUSK-19 is not really like the rest. It’s more like a factory gun with a few personal “touches.” This gun fits me like a glove. It will be seeing a sizable number of rounds down range soon.
— Dave Spaulding
