Jacob Grey TWC Black Review: The 2011 Meets Aerospace Engineering

Image	Product	Price
	Jacob Grey TWC Black	Check Price

Jacob Grey Firearms was born from a lifelong passion for firearms by third-generation machinist ​​Jacob Grey Brackett. Having been preceded by the well-received 2023 release of the TWC 9, Jacob Grey Firearms returned to work immediately implementing feedback from shooters, resulting in the late 2024 unveiling of the TWC Black.

The TWC series is a 2011-style double-stack 9mm featuring precise machining, elegant design, phenomenal accuracy, and an effortlessly fast-paced shooting experience.

Because this handgun is made by a company that specializes in manufacturing close-tolerance aerospace components, quality, and attention to detail are self-evident right out of the box.

Jacob Grey Firearms sent me the TWC Black to review. When they found out I love to shoot suppressed, they didn’t hesitate to include their new 1/2×28 threaded bull barrel. As a commander model, I plan on carrying the TWC Black concealed and putting it through ranch duty on my range. But make no mistake: This is a racecar, and the gun begs to compete if you’re willing to oblige.

The TWC Black lands somewhere in the middle of the pack price-wise, comparable to popular 2011s on the market like the Staccato P.

However, starting at $2999.99, unique to the TWC Black is its CNC machined aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum grip module, a feature typically reserved for more pricey 2011s, leaving the firearm without an ounce of polymer and already punching above its weight class.

This beautifully machined grip frame is wrapped in a diamond pattern texture and capped off with a nicely flared magwell.

The TWC Black is visually distinct, with a bullet-shaped lightning cut symmetrically machined into the front of the slide and full-length dust cover. The aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum frame features a Picatinny accessory rail up front and a high-cut beaver tail and ambidextrous thumb safety at the rear.  

The 416R stainless steel slide of the TWC Black is machined in the front and rear with larger diamond pattern serrations and topped with a blacked-out serrated suppressor height rear sight and matching high-visibility front tritium sight courtesy of XS.

The slide is also optic-ready and the TWC Black ships with C&H Precision plates that facilitate mounting of RMR, RMSc, ACRO, and Delta Point footprints.

While personal history with 2011s reminds me of USPSA competition long since in my rearview mirror, I’ve seen law enforcement agencies approve brands for duty use in recent years, and the TWC Black has held up without malfunction on the ranch for approximately three months and over 1000 rounds.

The TWC Black has been updated with a larger, squared-off trigger guard, making it more compatible with existing 2011 holsters. Additionally, silver accents have been swapped for more subdued black stainless fasteners.

However, the most notable update over its predecessor is the 360-degree grip texture that early adopters suggested as a replacement for the smooth-sided design of the TWC 9 that engineers initially believed might be more comfortable for concealed carry.

The TWC Black shares all the ergonomic advantages of a well-made 2011, especially with its crisp single-stage 1911-style trigger.

While tolerances are exact enough that you will not find even a nanometer of wiggle, the action manipulates by hesitating right from the battery and remains smooth as silk throughout.

But Jacob Grey didn’t design the TWC Black only to look and feel great. This firearm has been dependable both suppressed and unsuppressed, and highly accurate using either the threaded or non-threaded bull barrel.

I set up at 10 yards out, a common engagement distance for a handgun scenario to shoot a pair of 10-shot groups, but believe me when I tell you the TWC Black is likely much more accurate than I am.

On the left is my unsuppressed target, which I threw a couple shots on, and on the right is a group with my Gemtech Lunar 45 attached.

As accurate as the TWC Black prints, don’t get too caught up with shooting groups. Find some steel and take this gun to the races as soon as you have the opportunity because that’s where it really shines.

With ample grip, balance, and refined action, recoil mitigation is excellent and keeps the TWC Black on target for quick follow-up shots with confidence.

I’m at a loss here. I made sure to put oil where it belonged when the TWC Black first arrived.

Since then I’ve been a bit neglectful when it comes to cleaning, and by that I mean I haven’t done any at all. After approximately 1100 rounds, I’m feeling a little bad because the firearm has treated me better than I’ve reciprocated.

Between its reliability, accuracy, handling, and devilishly good looks, I’m going to have to contrive some form of gripe lest I seem unfairly biased, so here it is.

Jacob Grey Firearms ships the TWC Black with a pair of Check-Mate 17-round magazines, which is great. Still, a third magazine with a higher capacity and extended base plate might be a welcome addition to the package and could help it stand out that much more over more well-known competitors.

That’s it. I can’t reach beyond that on a firearm that has behaved so flawlessly for me. Look, it’s an expensive gun, but in my experience, you don’t want an inexpensive 2011. The headache will cost you more than the bill.  

I’m not going to say the TWC Black is meant for the more experienced shooter, but the training wheels do not exist here. This handgun will make you feel like a better shooter than you are, and while that may be good for some, the ease with which proficiency can be achieved here may not provide a realistic barometer of where you are as a shooter.

That being said, I would carry the TWC Black cocked and locked as an everyday concealed carry without hesitation, and I do carry it open in a Safariland ALS holster daily on the ranch. I also wouldn’t pause to use it in a competition setting.

Aside from carrying the TWC Black every day, I’ve been finding every excuse to get out and put as many rounds through it as I could.

With the snow melting away, that count has been rapidly increasing in the last week. One bit of abuse I put it through is the addition of my Gemtech Lunar 45 silencer for more than half the rounds I’ve fired, skipping the cleanings other than a wipe-down for photos.

I don’t spend a lot of time on paper, as I’d rather play a tune on steel instead, one with a higher tempo if you will. I guess I’m saying I like to shoot the TWC Black fast as much as it likes to be shot that way.

I do like the new grip texture and how flat the gun shoots. The square trigger guard has also come in handy when wearing gloves in the frigid winter.

If you’re still here, then you know I’m a fan, and I find this 2011 to be a unique keeper from a company that I expect to see even more great products come out of. That’s what being content sounds like.  

Ammo Used

When I first received the TWC Black, I had a few boxes of Remington 115gr range ammunition that I shot through pretty quickly.

While it was a flawless experience, the remainder of my ammunition was provided by HOP Munitions. I ran their clean shooting 147gr Poly Flat Nose and Round Nose without a single malfunction and with excellent consistency and accuracy.  

[gm-product-table=https://www.gunmade.com/search/?keyword=850040696264]

Reliability (10/10)  

Zero failures over 1100 rounds with over half of those suppressed without cleaning.

Ergonomics (9.5/10)

Excellent overall with a small ding because an aluminum grip can get cold very quickly.

Customization (10/10)

Compatible with optics (plates included), lights, and most common 2011 holsters.

Appearance (10/10)

Simple and elegant, letting the performance do the talking.

Value (9.5/10)

The TWC punches above its weight class, easily making it a 10 when more people know.

Surefire X300

This is the only light I run on a handgun. I know there are other great ones out there but when it comes to proven reliability and performance, why hassle? The X300 is also compatible with many popular holster configurations.

Griffin Armament Micro Sight 

My good friends at Griffin Armament sent me their new enclosed emitter Micro Sight that features a rugged construction, ACRO footprint, the option of a red or green dot, and an MSRP of only $199.95.

I chose green and the sight has worked great for me throughout all my testing over the last couple of months.

If you’re in the market for a 2011 and want something a little more polished and a lot less assembly line, I recommend the Jacob Grey TWC Black. I think you’ll find it a reliable carry companion and great company at the range. The fact that it makes you look like a better shooter than you are can be a little intoxicating, so don’t let it go to your head while you’re out there having a blast. Until next time, stay safe and train hard.

Let us know your thoughts on the Jacob Grey TWC Black in the comments below, and for more information on all Jacob Grey Firearms products, visit jacobgreyfirearms.com.