AIMPOINT: Interview with Blackbelt Ammunition Founder & Author Irvin Gill

         

                              

 

By Mick Michaels





Cosmick View: Hello, Irvin! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It's greatly appreciated.
Irvin Gill: Thank you for this opportunity!

CV: Let's talk a bit about the genesis of Blackbelt Ammunition. What had you making the leap to reloading ammo for yourself to expanding things into a small-batch manufacturing company?

IG: Great question. I started reloading at the age of 16. That was 52 years ago. The sole reason was economy. This was the cheapest way that I could keep shooting. As Kipling wrote in his book "Kim", "What use is a gun unfed?"

But as time elapsed, I became more and more involved and interested in the process of reloading all types of center fire rifle and handgun ammunition. 

As the decades passed and I grew more experienced, the thought did occur that I should look into starting up a business; however, nothing ever came of it. Usually some well-meaning friend would talk me out of it, saying how difficult the business end would be; how difficult it would be working with the governmental agencies that regulate aspects of the firearm and ammunition industry; that I would take a hobby that I love and turn it into a drudgery that I would hate. 

So far, they were wrong.

CV: What challenges did you face right out of the gate with the start-up of Blackbelt Ammunition, and how were they overcome?

IG: To start, we had to deal with all the issues that any start up business has. There was local zoning to be dealt with in order to create a location to operate the business, although that was one of the least painful. Our local zoning office was so much more that helpful. 

There was licensing through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (aka BATF & ATF). They were most helpful and courteous.

There was insurance to be found. This was a bit of an issue as most insurance companies will have NOTHING to do with ammunition manufacturers. But that hurdle was passed.

I was lucky to have the "recipes" for various products. Contacts had to be developed for procuring the necessary components, such as powder, primers, casings and the projectile or bullets. But there was another challenge. We made the decision to start business in 2020. Unfortunately, COVID really was a real pain in the posterior. There was no ammunition to be had, so it seemed like a great time to start up. But there were no components to be had either. Waiting time for delivery ranged between 6 - 14 months. That hurt. Then after 2 years of stuttered starts, we finally decided to try online/ direct to consumer sales. That is where we are today.

Then the last and greatest hurdle has been getting the word out there that we are here, making great ammunition and sending it directly to you the consumer.

CV: Starting a business is always an uphill climb at any time and in any economy. Blackbelt Ammunition was launched during the COVID pandemic. Were there any reservations as to the timing initially? Why then? 

IG: No, at first there were no reservations. We really did feel that this would be a great time to start up. Demand for ammunition…as well as items such as toilet paper, milk & meat…you remember, was sky high. Our myopia was not realizing that there would be such a lack of the necessary components too. 

Looking back, that was to be expected.

CV: What do you see separating your product line from the big name ammunition companies? What sets you apart...what do you believe is your company's edge in this industry?

IG: Again, great question! I was at the range last week, shooting with my daughter and another friend. It was a great day. As I usually do not shoot recreationally since the company started. Most of my range time is devoted to developing new products, testing the batches of ammunition or helping friends grow as shooters. I was talking a little shop to my daughter, Allye, mentioning what new ammunition projects were in the works and why they were such potentially great ideas. She finally just looked at me and said, "Dad, I don't really care. I just like to make the gun go bang and hit the target"…which, by the way she was doing rather well, I might proudly add. Gun people, if you are interested in helping a female friend decide on their first handgun purchase, do NOT assume that they need some teeny little gun. Allye proudly shoots a full sized 1911 45 ACP and a S & W 45 Colt…with Dad's full power ammunition.

                         

Most of us shoot what we have at the range for practice and recreation. The primary consideration is price. Our ammunition is made for serious social encounters. When you are staring down your barrel at a 300 pound wild boar only a few scant feet away, pissed off at you for ruining his afternoon nap, you are NOT going to be wishing you spent less on your ammo.

What makes us different is that humans touch the ammo at every stage of production. This is small batch production. We take pride in giving you the best value for your money. Think of us as a micro-brew for your gun.

CV: They say the clothes make the man. Does the right ammo make the shooter? Is there a difference in ammo quality? 

IG: Yes there is. First, I must state that the American ammunition manufacturers are making some of the absolutely best products out there ever. The "cheap" range ammunition performs well and is reasonably priced. The more serious stuff performs as advertised. There is some foreign made ammo that is on the market that does go bang and the bullet flies out as desired. 

But we wanted to make a premium product. We found a producer of consistently performing bullets - GT Bullets…visit them at GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets, This is another small, family operated business. They take great pride in the quality of their products. I was using them myself before we started the business for defensive and hunting handgun bullets for my family, friends and myself. I trust their products. 

We reached the highest velocity for each load possible, meeting or exceeding usual speeds. This allowed the bullets to do what they do, but better. Accuracy was top notch.

Handmade…Precision made…Accurate…Potent. That's what our goal is.

CV: Speaking of quality, how would you define quality when it comes to ammunition manufacturing, and how does Blackbelt Ammunition address quality? What should shooters be looking for?

IG: When I was shooting with my daughter, I got the chance to do some practice myself. As a rule, I use what I am carrying. In July here in southeast Pennsylvania where the temperature was in the 90's and the humidity approached 100%, it is shorts and T shirt weather. My carry gun is a Springfield 911, a mini 1911 in .380 auto. As I warmed up and started practicing one hand shooting, right and left side, I got into the groove. Allye looked at my target. There was one big hole made from 3 magazines and she commented that she thought the one big hole was cool.

That's what the customer should expect. Cool accuracy. Not all ammunition performs well in all guns. Statistically, this just cannot happen. But we expect the best performance in most modern firearms. We expect top velocities and maximum bullet expansion with adequate penetration of the target.

CV: Blackbelt Ammunition brands itself as "the ultimate in self-defense ammo." Can you elaborate more on that statement?

IG: As we tested our various products using high speed photography and Clear Ballistic Gelatin blocks…check them out here at Clear Ballistics, we confirmed one thing….uur ammunition featuring GT Bullets  products always performed. They expanded at least as well as any factory round, usually better with as high or higher retained weight. 

Above Left to Right. a GT Bullets 165 grain HP top view, then a factory 158 grain HP captured in the Clear Ballistics Gelatin. Next is  an expanded 165 grain GTB HP. last is a side view of the GTB 165 grain HP.

Let's take a step back for a moment. How many of you out there shoot? I bet it is a huge number. Statistically, almost 1/2 of the citizens of this great country are firearms owners. Around 10% have a concealed weapons permit. That's a lot of shooters.

Do you realize what is happening in the handgun at the moment of detonation? Let's take a 9mm…lots of them out there. In the average 9mm, when the hammer falls, the primer detonates and ignites the powder. The powder turns from a solid in a gas extremely quickly. The bullet then accelerates from 0 mph to over 800 mph in a distance of some 4 inches. Beat that NHRA. The bullet must withstand the pressure of acceleration and the heat of friction in the barrel.

Once you get that done, the bullet flies through the air for some distance to the target. We will not discuss that here. 

Then impact. For peak performance, the projectile must decelerate completely within the target but still penetrate enough to do maximum tissue damage. The bullet should travel straight through the target, not veering off to the side and consequently not hitting the intended spot…we have videos of this happening. 

The bullet must expand so that it can dump the potential energy into the intended target area. All expansion is good. All of our products expand. The more potent rounds, 9mm and up, all exceed 50% and retain over 95% of their weight. 

Ours is on the right…more expansion and equal weight retention.

CV: What's next for Blackbelt Ammunition? What can we expect to see in the coming year?

IG: There are more products planned for the next quarter and for the ensuing year. For this coming quarter, we will expand into hunting rounds for the fall. Compare the standard 9 mm 125 grain load at 1,100 feet per second to these offerings below.

There will be a 180 grain proprietary hollow point bullet (PHPB) loaded in a 357 magnum at 1,350 feet per second; a 220 grain PHPB in the 41 magnum at around 1,350 - 1,400 feet per second; 275 grain PHPG loaded in the mighty 44 magnum at 1,350 feet per second; and 2 more loads for the 45 ACP, our Sledge Hammer and Hog Hammer. The Sledge Hammer has a 255 grain polymer coated semi-wadcutter loaded to 850 - 875 feet per second.

                           

The 45 ACP SledgeHammer

Above is the Hog Hammer. This load features GT Bullets 255 grain HP moving at 875 feet per second.

We are in the final testing phase of this product.

They both feed.

The Sledgehammer does not expand. It just drives straight through its target.

The Hog Hammer expands.

They just work.

Lastly we plan to dive into the first rifle round which will be the oldest commercially produced smokeless powder cartridge in the USA. Every deer camp has one or two around…the immortal 30-30 Winchester. Winchester has made over 10 million since 1895. Other manufactures such as Marlin, Henry, the former Thompson Center, Harrington and Richards (et al) have and do produce rifles every year in this cartridge. We plan to offer our PHPB in a 160 grain version, loaded to 2,400 - 2,500 feet per second. 

Reviews of these products will be coming out in August.

CV: Thanks again, Irv, for taking the time to share with our readers. We wish you all the best and continued success.

IG: Thank you for having us here and giving us the opportunity to address your viewers. If anyone has further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at blackbeltammunition@gmail.com. Check out the blogs!

Check out Blackbelt Ammunition at
Official: www.blackbeltammunition.com

***Cosmick View Readers can get 10% off their purchase at BlackbeltAmmunition.com by using the exclusive discount code COSMICK10

Discount code good until September 15, 2023***

 

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word.  Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.

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