I just did that mod. Cut the zip tie, as Jeff stated, and remove the leather cover. The actual handle comes out by your "helping it." I took a flat screwdriver and a hammer. After a couple of hits, it slides off.
As Rob told me, "they don't use vaseline when they put that thing on. You have to pretty much mangle it." (Thanks, buddy, by the way.)
Good luck. Great looking mod!
Juan