Vern Evans
I’ve been a little late getting into the 2011 resurgence that the industry has been experiencing in the last few years.
Until 2024, I had not even laid hands on a 2011 since my days of shooting USPSA matches, and I’ll keep that timeline private since aging isn’t in my best interest. Needless to say, having worked for firearms companies and now in media, I’ve tried just about everything the industry has to offer but often stick to those “old faithful” guns, like a Glock. Some 1911 guy just fell over in his seat.
Anyhow, as I finally came along when everyone said pistol-mounted optics were the way forward, so would I dip my foot in the water trying out some of today’s 2011s. Every one I’ve tried so far has been great, and you really can’t beat that 1911-style trigger. But when Jacob Grey Firearms asked if I’d like to review their TWC Black, the thought of a 2011 made by an aerospace company was too good to pass up. And so it goes.
Jacob Grey Precision Machining, specializing in close-tolerance aerospace machined components, was founded in 2012. Having earned a Gold Star Supplier designation in the aerospace and defense industries, the time came for founder and CEO Jagob Grey Brackett to pursue his passion as a lifelong firearms enthusiast.
The company has produced AR-15, AR-10, and AR-9 platform rifles, but in 2023, Jacob Grey Firearms stepped into the world of 2011s, with the TWC 9 earning itself an all-around positive reception. Unwilling to hang the proverbial hat, the company listened to customer feedback and returned in late 2024 with an evolution in the series, the TWC Black.
Jacob Grey TWC series firearms feature CNC machined Aircraft Grade 7075 Aluminum frames and grip modules, so you won’t find any polymer on this 2011. The same materials and machining process are used to produce the TWC Black’s beaver tail and updated skeletonized one-piece CRT trigger. The double undercut trigger guard has also been updated with a square profile to facilitate compatibility with existing 2011 holsters on the market, and former silver accents have been replaced with black stainless fasteners.
Among the updates to the TWC Black, perhaps the most noteworthy is the addition of a 360-degree grip texture, as its predecessor was critiqued for having smooth-sided grips that engineers thought may be more conducive to concealed carry. The frame is completed with an ambidextrous safety, Picatinny accessory Rail, and flared magazine well.
The TWC Black’s 416 stainless steel slide is beautifully machined with simplicity and functionality in mind. It features front and rear diamond-pattern serrations that make slide manipulation a piece of cake, although the action is so buttery that I’d bet you could work it without serrations and with wet hands. I find it remarkable that a firearm with tolerances as exacting as the Jacob Grey TWC Black demonstrates such silky operation immediately upon cycling it out of battery. Seriously, there is not a fraction of a shimmy in this gun.
The slide is optics-ready, and the TWC Black ships with mounting plates made by C&H Precision that support RMR, RMSc, ACRO, and Delta Point footprints. Up top, the Black is fitted with XS suppressor height sights, the rear being serrated and blacked with a high visibility ring and tritium insert in front.
Internally, a tool-less one-piece guide rod makes for effortless field-stripping and maintenance, while a slick black DLC-coated 416 stainless 4.25” bull barrel ensures laser beam accuracy. As a guy who enjoys suppressed shooting of any kind, I was fortunate enough to receive Jacob Grey Firearms’ new threaded bull barrel as well, and it was equally impressive, but quieter thanks to my Gemtech Lunar 45 modular suppressor.
For this review, ammunition was provided by my good friends at HOP Munitions who sent me some more 147gr Poly Flat Nose 9mm and 147gr Poly Round Nose 9mm that I’ve become extremely fond of shooting on my range. I have yet to experience any malfunctions with either ammunition or any of HOP’s other calibers, and paired with the TWC Black, these shot very clean and consistent both suppressed and unsuppressed.
I also wanted to thank my friends at Griffin Armament, who sent me their enclosed emitter ACRO footprint Griffin Micro Sight to use for the review. The optic will eventually get its own coverage after I use it on several platforms, but for now, I can tell you that it has been durable without any issues and features a 50,000-hour battery life with 10 brightness settings. Its performance so far tells me that someone forgot to remind this optic that it only retails for $199.95.
With ammunition, optic, and suppressor squared away, it was time to do what the Jacob Grey TWC Black does best. Off to the races! Having spent some time now with the gun, I have approximately 1000 rounds through it without a single malfunction. Both the threaded and non-threaded bull barrels have easily been more capable than I am when it comes to accuracy, making the TWC Black a joy to shoot and a boost to my ego. I keep the threaded barrel on the gun full-time now because I’m always reaching for a suppressor, and this Jacob Grey 2011 eats it up.
With the average handgun engagement being between 7 – 10 yards, I set up at the latter and shot groups suppressed and unsuppressed, with the results posted below. Both are 17-round groups because why not? The unsuppressed group is on the left, and I’m not shy about showing you the two embarrassing fliers. Don’t judge me! I tightened myself up for the suppressed group on the right, keeping things pretty respectable.
The TWC Black is a bad influence on my group shooting as everything about it just eggs me on to go faster and faster, almost to the point of poking fun at me when I take things too easy. From the ample grip texture to the fine action, recoil mitigation is effortless, and although I have been shooting for years and like to think I’m pretty decent, this gun made me feel like I could run with Taran Butler, which I can tell you first hand I’m nowhere near. Regardless, it was nice to walk away from the paper and go absolutely berserk on some steel. One word: liberating.
Reloads are quick and sure, thanks to the TWC Black’s flared magazine well. I was forced to do some of my shooting wearing gloves because of the frigid winter temperatures during early testing which wasn’t a problem at all as the trigger guard allows ample space.
Jacob Grey Firearms ships the TWC Black with two 17-round Check-Mate magazines, meaning availability and compatibility are standard across other 2011 platforms, and magazines with even more capacity are readily available. The TWC Black isn’t an inexpensive handgun, but the price is reasonable relative to competing 2011s that are manufactured with all metal grip modules and similar feature sets, not to mention the fit and finish. With the market for 2011s seeing the saturation we have at the moment, the Jacob Grey TWC Black strikes me as unique, not only for some of its design aspects but also for the gun’s aerospace pedigree. Base MSRP will hit you at $2999.99, and options for a rose gold or threaded barrel are available that can stretch that figure to $3149.99.
If you’ve made it this far, it probably comes as no surprise to you that I’m keeping the Jacob Grey TWC Black in my personal collection, which is not much of a “collection” at all since I tend to only keep the guns I want to carry and train with. For a gun writer, you’d be surprised by how few firearms I own, placing this 2011 in good company. Jacob Grey released the next evolution of the TWC earlier this year, called the HEX, with a redesigned and admittedly handsome grip module. I’m sure that firearm is as nice as my TWC Black, and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Jacob Grey Firearms TWC Black and the 2011 resurgence in general. Are you a fan? Do you have a favorite? What do you look for in a 2011? Let us know in the comments below and thanks for reading.
For more information about Jacob Grey Firearms and all their products, visit jacobgreyfirearms.com.
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