What You Need to Know About the Timberwolf 17 (Before You Buy)

Q: Is the Timberwolf 17 ready for optics?

Yes. The slide comes cut for RMR, SRO, and most Holosun optics (non-K). No gunsmithing needed.

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May 1, 2025

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Timberwolf 17 pistol with optic shown on split firewood background — The Timberwolf 17 is optics-ready and built for performance—right out of the box.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I trust and use myself.

Is the Timberwolf 17 the Glock Killer We’ve Been Waiting For?

Lone Wolf Arms sent me their Timberwolf 17 to test. After 1,500 rounds and one user-caused hiccup, here’s how it performed—and why it impressed me. This isn’t hype. It’s what works, what doesn’t, and why this pistol might finally give Glock owners something better out of the box.

TL;DR On The Timberwolf 17

You can buy the Timberwolf 17 here: Timberwolf 17 (affiliate link)
Timberwolf 17 delivers Glock compatibility with major upgrades.
Comes with a flat-faced trigger, RMR-ready slide, and better grip angle.
Trigger breaks clean around 3 lb 8 oz—no Glock wall, just a smooth pull.
I caused one failure to fire by not cleaning it. Aegis Gun Care fixed that.
Uses Gen 4 frame + Gen 3 slide with adapter—lots of part options.
Feels better in hand and shoots flatter than a stock Glock.
Save 10% at trb.fyi/go with code TRB10 (Gideon Optics)
Grab some Aegis Gun Care at trb.fyi/boomlube and save some money with code Boomlube

Why Did I Want To Test The Timberwolf 17?

I used to run an FFL. Lone Wolf’s aftermarket parts were solid. When they started offering complete pistols, I had to find out if they were just slapping parts together—or actually building something better. The Timberwolf 17 looked like their serious answer to Glock’s weak points.

What’s the Timberwolf 17?

It’s a full-size 9mm with a 4.49″ barrel and a 17-round mag. But this isn’t just another Glock clone. Lone Wolf built this from scratch using everything they’ve learned in 20+ years of building aftermarket parts. It’s not just compatible—it’s refined.

What Makes The Timberwolf 17 Slide Different?

Lone Wolf machines the slide from 17-4 stainless and finishes it with black nitride. Serrations on top, front, and rear make press checks easy. It’s optic-ready out of the box, supporting RMR/SRO and Holosun 407/507/508 (non-K) footprints.

I mounted a Gideon Optics Granite RMR, zeroed it, and it stayed solid through every round. Like most RMR-cut slides, this one uses 6-32 screws for mounting, so make sure you’ve got the right hardware when you install your optic. You can grab one at trb.fyi/go and save with TRB10.

Is The Timberwolf 17 Barrel Any Good?

Yes. It’s made from heat-treated 416 stainless with a shallow crown and a fluted hood. The feed ramp has solid chamber support, and I ran FMJ, JHP, and even sketchy reloads with no issues. It held tight groups at 15 yards, even when shooting fast.

How Does The Timberwolf 17 Frame Feel?

Lone Wolf used a Gen 4 frame and paired it with a Gen 3 slide using a removable adapter. The frame itself is a big upgrade over Glock. The grip angle is closer to a 1911, and it points more naturally. They undercut the trigger guard and relieved the beavertail, which lets you choke up higher and gives the gun a lower bore axis. That makes it easier to control.

The backstraps swap out cleanly, and the magwell is flared just enough to speed up reloads. The controls are slightly enlarged, but they stay out of the way.

How’s The Timberwolf 17 Shoot?

Controllable. After 700 rounds, I was still comfortable pushing it hard. I had no fatigue in my hands and wrists. You don’t need a comp, but I bought the Strike Industries Mass Driver for testing.

Any Reliability Issues With The Timberwolf 17?

At 400 rounds, it failed to fire. That was on me—I didn’t clean it out of the box. After I hit it with Aegis Gun Care, it ran perfect through the next 1,100 rounds.

I use Boomlube now for everything. It keeps the internals slick without gumming up. You can grab it at trb.fyi/boomlube and save 10% with code TRB10.

Where Does The Timberwolf 17 Fit?

Competition: It’s fast, flat, and optics-ready.
Self-defense: Reliable, easy to aim, and runs any quality 9mm.
Training/Range: Comfortable for long days without hand fatigue.

Does The Timberwolf 17 Fit My Holsters?

Yes. I ran it in all my Glock 17 holsters—Kydex, leather, OWB, IWB. No issues.

What’s the Trigger Like?

The Enhanced Flat Trigger (EFT) is one of the best stock triggers I’ve run in a Glock-pattern gun. There’s no typical Glock “wall” here. You just get a smooth, constant pull that breaks cleanly around 3 pounds, 8 ounces in my testing. Reset is quick, and it feels solid. No reason to replace it.

What Parts Can You Swap On A Timberwolf 17?

Here’s where Lone Wolf really nailed it. You can run either Gen 3 or Gen 4 slides depending on your setup. It uses a Gen 4 frame with a removable adapter, so it’s flexible.

Most Gen 3 Glock 17 parts drop right in—barrels, triggers, springs, etc. But honestly, you won’t feel the need to change much.

Timberwolf 17 vs Glock 17

Feature	Glock 17	Timberwolf 17
Optics Ready	No (stock)	Yes (RMR/SRO, Holosun cut)
Trigger	Spongy	Flat, crisp break
Frame Angle	Steep	More natural
Grip Customization	Yes, swappable backstraps	Yes, swappable backstraps
Out of Box Ready	Needs upgrades	Fully equipped

What Stood Out During Testing?

That failure to fire could’ve shaken my trust, but it didn’t. I cleaned it, ran 200 more rounds that same day, and it didn’t flinch. That kind of quick recovery matters. I trust it now.

Pros

Optics-ready with solid sights
Flat trigger that doesn’t need replacing
Natural grip angle and lower bore axis
Fits all my existing Glock holsters
Comes ready to go with smart upgrades

Cons

Only ships with two KCI mags—Magpul would be better

Should You Buy A Timberwolf 17?

If you’re still running a stock Glock and thinking about upgrades—don’t. Just get the Timberwolf 17. It comes with everything Glock should’ve done and works right out of the box.

You can buy the Timberwolf 17 directly from Lone Wolf Arms here: Timberwolf 17 Complete Pistol – Black Slide, Frame, and Barrel

To see more of their parts and pistols, visit Lone Wolf Arms.

If you’re still running a stock Glock and thinking about upgrades—don’t. Just get the Timberwolf 17. It comes with everything Glock should’ve done and works right out of the box.

FAQs About The Timberwolf 17:

Can I use Glock parts with the Timberwolf 17?
Yes. It’s based on a Gen 4 frame with a Gen 3 slide. Most Gen 3 Glock 17 parts like barrels, springs, and triggers will drop right in.

Is the Timberwolf 17 ready for optics?
Yep. The slide comes cut for RMR, SRO, and most Holosun optics (non-K). No gunsmithing needed.

How’s the trigger feel compared to Glock?
Way better. The flat trigger breaks clean, resets quick, and doesn’t need upgrading.

Did it ever jam or fail?
It failed to fire once at 400 rounds—but that was my fault for not cleaning it first. After a quick wipe-down with Aegis, it ran clean through the next 1,100 rounds.

Should I buy this instead of upgrading a Glock?
Absolutely. If you’re about to dump money into a stock Glock to make it shoot better, skip the hassle. This gun comes ready.

If you’ve been trying to make a Glock do what it should’ve done from the start—save yourself the trouble. The Timberwolf 17 runs smoother, feels better in hand, and gives you more right out of the box. After 1,500 rounds, I trust it enough to keep it in my regular rotation.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments or hit me up through TRB.fyi. I’m always down to talk gear that actually works.

If you’re still running a stock Glock and thinking about upgrades—don’t. Just get the Timberwolf 17. It comes with everything Glock should’ve done and works right out of the box.

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Original Content by The Rogue Banshee / My Rogue Solutions LLC.
Credit: Jason Schaller
Email: jschaller@trb.fyi

About the Author: Jason Schaller is a former FFL holder and founder of Eagle Eye Shooters Supply in Helena, MT, where he provided professional gunsmithing services and guided customers on all aspects of firearms ownership. Today, he teaches DIY gunsmithing at The Rogue Banshee and serves as a Chief Instructor at Freedom Crew University. With over a decade of hands-on professional experience with firearms and nearly 30 years in IT, Jason also holds top cybersecurity certifications including CISSP, CISA, and CRISC. When he’s not geeking out, he’s helping others build self-reliance, critical thinking, and firearms proficiency through real-world content.

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