Issue with Lone Wolf 3.5lb Connector for Gen3 Glock 19

[Chris17404]

Hello all,

I'm sorry that my first post here on Pistol Forum isn't a more productive/informative one, but I thought I'd turn to a knowledgeable forum first for insight. I've learned quite a bit since first joining.

I recently purchased a Lone Wolf 3.5lb connector for my Gen3 Glock 19 and installed it. When working the slide, I immediately noticed it took a bit more force to pull the slide back out of battery (the first 1/2 inch or so was tough), and the slide travel in general was much more "gritty" than normal. Almost like something was grinding along the slide when it should not have been. I also noticed the trigger pull was much more gritty than before, particularly when the connector is engaged.

I have not shot the pistol yet with the new connector in place, but I was concerned enough to take it out of the pistol and put the factory connector back in. It just doesn't feel right. I called Lone Wolf and discussed my concerns. The nice lady on the phone did say there is a bit extra material on the connector than normal to facilitate a positive and reliable reset, which does cause a more gritty feeling in the trigger pull. But she did not say the gritty feeling in the slide travel was expected.

What experience do other people have with the Love Wolf 3.5lb connector on Gen3 Glocks? Thanks.

(Yes, I did install it correctly.)

Chris

[JHC]

I recently ordered two. Put on in a Gen 4 G19 and one in a Gen 3 G17. In the Gen 4 I sense more of the "rolling break" that Todd described. In the Gen 3 G17 it replaced an OEM minus connector. In that Gen 3 I'd just say it feels like a good minus connector, but not radically different. But certainly not gritty. I haven't noticed the gun being harder to manually cycle but I'll pay closer attention.

[Byron]

I purchased one back in 2007, so take that for what it's worth given the amount of time that has gone by.
My experience was similar to yours: mine would create a noticeable drag on the slide for a small portion of the cycle. In fact, I found that pointing the muzzle straight upward (so that gravity could not assist the closing of the slide), the new connector was enough to keep the slide out of battery if I still had the trigger depressed.

Here's what I wrote on another forum at that time:


...after installing and testing it, I can tell you that I won't be using the LWD 3.5# connector. As you can see in the first picture below, the connector is able to prevent the slide going into battery if I have the trigger depressed and ease the slide upwards. Even with a brand new recoil spring in the gun, there is still enough resistance to keep it out of battery unless I release the trigger or jolt the gun. You could certainly counter that the slide won't be moving forward under such gentle pressure in actual use, but this is a general function test I always do. Bottom line is that I am not comfortable using a part that creates more drag on the cycling action of my Glock, especially right at the point of going into battery.

I got a Glock 3.5# connector and the problem is gone: no matter how slowly I let the slide ease upward into battery, it never hangs now. It's true, the LWD 3.5# did make the trigger pull slightly better than the Glock 3.5# does, but I'll trade that difference for the peace of mind that function is not being inhibited, even on a small scale.

I got a few different responses. Some people were running LWD connectors with no issue, but others reported similar issues:


That reset was posted as being a know issue with the older version of the LW 3.5 connector. I thought that had been addressed by LW...


Byron,
I had this same problem with the newest LWD 3.5# connector.
Two of them actually.I tried them in several guns then returned them to LWD who was at my local gun show.
I posted about it on GT and it caused a stir.
I had problems with other LWD 3.5 versions in the past but wanted to give these a shot...no dice.
A friend who bought some at the show had the same out of battery problem as us.

Again, this was back in 2007, so I don't know how much has changed since then. Even then, it's not as if this was happening to everyone who bought one, but neither did it seem to be an isolated incident.

[Chris17404]

Thanks for the corroboration of my story, Byron. I'll most-likely be sending this back to Lone Wolf.

Chris

[GNiner]

It may in fact be a bad connector. But there is one other thing that you could check before sending it back. Make sure the connector is "seated" all the way into the trigger housing. Sometimes when just using your finger to push it in, the base of the connector doesn't go all the way into the slot. Put your punch at the base of the connector, and push it in completely.

The connectors are spring steel, and the top of the connector should hang out away from the trigger housing slightly, but the base should be all the way in. If it is not, it will cause slide drag along the "disconnector" tip and cam on the slide because the leverage on the connector is too strong if it is not seated all the way.

[Chris17404]

GNiner, thanks for the info. Yes, it was quite a snug fit installing the LW connector inside the trigger housing. But I did seat it all the way in.

Chris

[gringop]

I have no issues with my LW "-" connector in my 3Gen G-19. If you have a caliper you could check the width of the LW and the factory connector at the top where they contact the slide. If the LW is too wide it would give you those symptoms.

Re. gritty trigger. Almost any new connector that has not been polished will feel gritty compared to a used one.

Gringop