TFB Review: Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm

Jacob Grey first turned heads here on TFB back in 2023 when James Reeves affectionately stated rocket scientists are building their guns. This being somewhat true, Jacob Grey has been slowly growing a cult following for their magnificent 2011-style pistols that carry an equally magnificent price tag. Today, we are going to take a deep-dive look at another new model in the  Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm. Is this pistol clear for takeoff and meteoric success? Or, will it fail to clear the atmosphere? Let’s dive in!

Jacob Grey @ TFB:

• TFB Review: Jacob Grey Firearms Black
• Jacob Grey Firearms Unveils The New Black
• TFB Review: Jacob Grey 9 – A High-flying 2011
• Rocket Scientists Built this 1911 (Basically): Jacob Grey -9

Specifications - Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm

The Jacob Grey Hex comes in a couple variants depending on how you want to build out the package. You have your choice of barrels (Black Nitride or Rose Gold), and 10-Round or 17-Round magazines depending on how restrictive the regs are where you live. Additionally, you can pick your curb appeal with Midnight Black, Duty Green, and Battle Brown frame options. The specific pistol we are looking at today has an MSRP of $3,499 with a Rose Gold barrel, Midnight Black frame, and shipped with 17-Round magazines.

• Cartridge: 9mm
• Barrel: TiN Coated Rose Gold
• Frame: 7075 Aircraft Grade Aluminum with Mil-Spec Hard Coat Anodize
• Grip: 7075 Aircraft Grade Aluminum with Mil-Spec Hard Coat Anodize
• Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 7.75" x 1.45 x 5.5" (Grip width 1.287")
• Trigger: Fully CNC Machined, One-Piece, 3.5 Lb Controlled Radius Trigger™
• Weight: 30.98 Ounces (Unloaded, No Magazine)
• Recoil System: 12 lb Variable Recoil Spring over DLC Tool-Less Guide Rod
• Magazines: Two 17-Round Steel, Double-Stack 1911 Magazines

A Word from Jacob Grey on the Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm

Design

“The Hex is a masterclass in modern firearm aesthetics, drawing inspiration from the strength and symmetry of the hexagon. Its bold lines, premium finishes, and purposeful details reflect Jacob Grey’s commitment to creating a handgun that looks as exceptional as it performs. High-performance ports in the barrel and slide have been meticulously designed and rigorously tested to minimize muzzle flip, offering smoother handling and faster follow-up shots. Every element is designed to combine innovative form with practical function, resulting in a firearm that stands out at first glance and impresses with every use. From the patent-pending, one-piece aluminum trigger to integrated optic plates and suppressor-height sights, the Hex blends precision engineering with bold design for unmatched performance and style.”

Quality

“Built to exceed the highest standards of reliability and performance, the Hex represents the pinnacle of Jacob Grey craftsmanship. From the fully CNC-machined grip module and frame to the precision-fit stainless steel barrel, every component is meticulously engineered for durability and consistency. Our AS9100 certification highlights our unwavering commitment to precision manufacturing, guaranteeing every firearm meets stringent aerospace-level quality standards. The Hard Coat Anodized finishes provide exceptional durability against wear and tear, while the patent-pending aluminum trigger delivers unmatched crispness and reliability. The Hex embodies uncompromising quality and a relentless pursuit of perfection."

Features - Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm

Some of the more prominent features you will notice on the Hex versus competing 2011 pistols are the ported bull barrel coupled with its attractive finishes, the pinned grip safety, Hex pattern/styling throughout, and the flared magazine well.

• 4.25” Ported Bull Barrel constructed of 416R Stainless Steel with Rose Gold TiN Finish
• Pinned Grip Safety
• Hexagon Pattern Grip Module
• Flared Magazine Well for Fast Reloads

What’s the Upsell? What’s the 30-Second Elevator Pitch? - Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm

A lot of people are reading and staring at this pistol like, “What’s the upsell? What’s the 30-second elevator pitch for why this thing costs $3,500?” Well, I’m glad you asked. Some things need to be experienced to believe, but these are the points that Jacob Grey really wants to drive home about this pistol:

•  Engineered for speed, the ported barrel and slide on the Hex reduce muzzle flip, enabling faster, more accurate follow-up shots.
• Fully CNC Machined - With Jacob Grey having roots in the aerospace industry we set out to fully CNC Machine the Lower Grip, Frame, Trigger, and Beaver Tail from Aircraft Grade 7075 Aluminum.
• Accuracy Delivered - Stainless Steel Bull Barrel 4.25" and 3.5 lb one piece fully CNC Machined Trigger for unmatched accuracy.
• Controlled Radius Trigger™ (CRT) - The CRT is a precision-machined, single-stage 3.5 lb trigger with minimal take-up, a crisp break, and aesthetics that perfectly complement the Hex grip, all finished in durable hard coat anodizing.

What’s in the Box?

One of the most common and recurring questions I receive reviewing firearms and their related products is, “what’s in the box?” Meaning, what do you all get with your purchase. This is important because what you do and do not get will dictate what type of accessories you need to additionally buy depending on what you want your end-product or hunting setup to look like. All this being said, this is everything that you will receive:

• Owner’s Manual, Cable Lock, and Chamber Flag
• Pistol + 2 Magazines
• Padded, Nylon Range Case
• Cardboard Box
• Mounting Screws & Hardware for an RMR Footprint optic
• Optic Footprint Compatibility Chart & Opportunity to Receive Additional Mounting Hardware for your Desired Optic

***Trijicon RMR & Surefire X300 are NOT included***

Mounting an Optic - Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm

With your Hex 9mm, you are going to receive a set of various screws and mounting hardware to mount any RMR footprint optic you like. If you don’t own an RMR-type optic, you can reach out to Jacob Grey for different plates of your choosing plus some free swag. If you don’t care for the free swag, you can simply request more and more plates (to an extent). This is all outlined in the manual, but they get you off the ground and running with some RMR hardware, which is pretty universally popular.

Within the owner’s manual there is a table or flow chart of sorts telling you that if you choose Optic A, you’ll need plate B, and the C screw package. It’s a lot of part numbers, screws, and things, but it makes sense if you take your time.  

I used my Vortex Optics Pro Torque Wrench, but that wouldn’t save me from my own stupidity. I torque most all handgun optics at 14 Inch-Lb and that proved to be utterly wrong.

I snapped one of the fasteners before I even sent a round down range. That, flatly, blew my mind because 14 Inch-Lb isn’t that much. So, I delved deeper into the owner’s manual - and sure enough - Jacob Grey only recommends 12 Inch-Lb (lesson learned). Thankfully, Jacob Grey plans ahead for ogres like me and you get 3 fasteners with your pistol. So, I finished mounting my RMR, correctly this time, and was set to head to the range.

Range Use - Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm

To put the Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm through a more thorough test, I ran a bunch of Remington’s Range 9mm 115 Grain Full Metal Jacket. I’ll gladly give Remington a shout-out quickly because I’ve been running this ammo for awhile and it’s been reliable, clean, and consistent. All good attributes you’d want and expect from your range ammo. So, thank you to Remington for providing that ammo.

• Remington Range 9mm 115 Grain FMJ | 1,145 FPS | R27778 | MSRP $24.99

While shooting, this pistol was buttery smooth in its cycling. It's glaringly obvious that they meticulously pour over these pistols with everything they’re got in gun bench magic. The Hex was flat shooting and had a low, flat, recoil impulse.

The porting surprisingly helped quite a bit on this 4.25” 2011 platform. That’s not to imply I thought this pistol was going to recoil tremendously; rather, this was just an incredibly flat shooting handgun.

Surprisingly, hollow-points sprayed a large pattern of 4” to 5” at only 7 yards, which I might be willing to attribute to the ammo itself because I could empty an entire magazine of cheap ol’ Remington Range 115 Grain FMJ into a tattered 1 ½” to 2” singular hole on paper (with a couple Monster energy drink induced flyers). The hollow-points I ran cycled just fine, but it was a hodge-podge fistful I had stolen from my gun bench. So, the inconsistent groups could be attributed to the random collection I fired.

Final Thoughts - Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm

So, what are my final thoughts on the Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm?... Overall, this thing feels, shoots, and reacts like some rocket scientists made it. For its price tag of $3.5K, it is other-worldly. My only quips, points of constructive criticism, or advice to prospective owners is to maybe get a larger-windowed red dot than an RMR so you have a “bigger screen TV” to see your red dot. Also, while mounting your red dot, don’t be in a rush or prideful. Read the instructions, don’t assume the Inch-Lb, and everything will be groovy.

For anyone who is looking for a Swiss watch of a 2011, the Jacob Grey Hex runs amazingly. The only real question for gun buyers is whether you want to spend $3,500 or not. That’s a big hit to most everybody’s gun budget. So, while they are not cheap, if you can afford one, they are likely worth it.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Jacob Grey for allowing TheFirearmBlog and myself the opportunity to try out their Jacob Grey Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Jacob Grey  Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm is something worth spending your money on? Shoot a league or competition? Keep it as a nightstand gun for home defense? Carrying it as a new EDC pistol? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Jacob Grey and their Hex 4.25” Ported 9mm in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.