Dead Air went over the can and did find an issue with the relationship of the alignment and mount. This prompted them to do something I hadn't expected.
Earlier in the year, DA announced that they were releasing an updated version of the Wolf called the Wolfman. The Wolfman is very similar to the Wolf but has differing construction methods, baffle configuration and different mounting interface while retailing the same mounts used in the Wolf. DA also changed from the grey Cerakote that I loved to a nice black Cerakote. The result of the update is that the Wolfman should be more sturdy and quieter in it's short configuration. The former allowed DA to rate the Wolfman for a variety of calibers from 9mm and 300 BLK to 5.56, 7.62x39, 9x39 and the new 350 Legend. Their website says these calibers require what they call KeyMicro which is a QD mount for the Wolfman that uses the KeyMount muzzle devices. I have been able to use the direct thread mount on my bolt action pistol in 300 BLK without issue but haven't tried 5.56 yet. All these cartridges I am extremely interested in so I was excited to hear about the Wolfman but buying a new can is not in the cards for me at this time. I'm also looking to the option of using it on a 30-30 level action. It may work with 30-30's peak chamber pressure at 42,000 PSI.
Turns out that DA had plans for my can. When I reached out during it's visit with DA for an update, they had completely replaced the baffle stack and converted my Wolf to the new configuration while retaining the original serialized part! Very impressive work! I still have a Wolf but the man made it better.
The new specification has left me both excited and a little sad. The improved strength is great since it gives us these different calibers to allow the Wolfman to have multiple rolls within the enthusiasts armory. You can build any number of AR's in different calibers to play around with and this suppressor will work for it. I'm very excited.
I'm sad because I miss the short configuration of the Wolf. I loved running the short config on my Shield and .22s for the reduced length and weight. While, the short config on the Wolfman still weighs less than the full length configuration, the Wolf's short config was very short while still being hearing safe. The upshot to the Wolfman's longer short config allows for a quieter package by comparison and still be fairly short.
The sad thing is that while my life is changing for the better, I will have to slow down on the R&D projects. I've been focusing on the things that are most important, like a working anything in.300 BLK and youth training rifle and less on the more interesting but obscure projects like a 9x39 AR. I've been working on getting a fun but good hunting weapon setup for the upcoming deer season! I have plans to use this suppressor for hunting deer on a firearm in form of .300 Blackout but if the project doesn't go the way I want then something in 350 Legend or .30-30 Winchester will be in my future.
I may work to pick up a Marlin or two such as the 1894 CST or the 336 Dark to fill my lust for a suppressed lever action rifle. I'd be more inclined to go for the 1894 CST.
So far, the re-weld has proven to be great. I need to get back to the range but I think some of the issues I had such as point of impact shift on pistols has been worked out.
I'm looking forward to spending more range time with my new buddy, the Wolfman.
Update!: I found out that Dead Air is willing to make limited runs of the Wolf config for folks like me who really like the shorter K config!
Update 2: I have been told that the KeyMicro system should be ready by end of the year. I'm now a huge fan of Dead Air. I'm thinking about migrating all my muzzle devices in .300 and 5.56 over to the KeyMount system to use their Nomad30 instead of Surefire's SOCOM series.
Update 3: I got to test very briefly during a range visit with a client where I was able to shoot the Wolfman on my P09 at distance and found that the massive point of impact shift is no longer a problem. The re-weld was fully successful and put it on target. I could not be happier with Dead Air's customer support.
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