Odds ‘n Sods:

Seniors Arm Themselves In Record Numbers

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Reader H.L. alerted us to the latest from Nanny State Britannia: Animal rights group calls for Shooting Times and The Field to be classed alongside porn. Meanwhile, in Nanny State Nebraska: Grand Island Deaf Preschooler Asked to Change the Sign for His Name in School. (Thanks to Mike Williamson for the latter link.)

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G.G. sent this video link:Wal-Mart Status 48 Hours Pre-Hurricane

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I had to chuckle when I saw the Bourne Legacy Shoulder Tote Bag is now a “featured item” on eBay. It comes with a Toshiba laptop computer. But I think that the bidding would be a lot stronger if it instead more authentically included a dozen passports, a SIG P226, six spare loaded magazines, and wads of Swiss Francs, Dollars and Euros.

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From F.J., this Instructables piece: Re-curve Bow from Skis

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"It is alleged by men of loose principles, or defective views of the subject, that religion and morality are not necessary or important qualifications for political stations. But the Scriptures teach a different doctrine. They direct that rulers should be men who rule in the fear of God, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness…" – Noah Webster. Value of the Bible, 1834, #302

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 42 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and G.) A $200 gift certificate, donated by Shelf Reliance.

Second Prize: A.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. B.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. C.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, D.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials, and E.)Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value) and F.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value).

Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value.), and E.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.

Round 42 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Lentils: The Super Food of the Prepper, by Brad H.

This article is about a food that I have become familiar with just recently.  The nutritionist at my chiropractor’s office has me on a detoxification program.  One of the things I am “allowed” to eat during this detox is a portion of lentils each day.  I had never had lentils before this detox, but became a fan rather quickly.  The more I looked into the details of this small but mighty food, the more impressed I became that it would be a great addition to my emergency stockpile.  The lentil is a cousin of the bean, and both are in the legume family. These are not just “beans,” they are what you might call a “super food.”  I know that term gets tossed around quite a bit on television shows, but I am really sincere when I give it this title.  I believe this will be a vital part of your survival planning if you grasp the benefits of this small legume.

I hope to convince you of why you should be stocking up on lentils.  I believe this should be your “go to” bean for stockpiling.  Being a pastor/preacher, I will cover this in outline form, which is the way I think best when writing.  So now the question – “Why should I consider lentils for stockpiling and prepping?”
Well, here is why . . .

1.  FAST COOKING TIME.
Lentils only take about 20 minutes to cook.  Most lentil bags say 15-20 minutes.  A big plus is that unlike most dried beans, they don’t have to be soaked ahead of time.  This is perfect for the meal needed quickly or the meal on the move.  When I used to imagine stockpiling beans, I always thought of pinto beans; but the pinto beans need to be soaked for some hours to get them ready to cook.  The best way to cook the lentils is to get the water boiling and just toss them in, and then simmer for 20 minutes or until they reach your desired consistency.  Use a 2 to 1, or 3 to 1 ratio of water to lentils.  If you don’t need to cook them quickly, you can still make a hearty bowl of lentils in a slow cooker as well.  Either way, just cook until they are as soft as you like them.

2.  LONG SHELF LIFE.
Lentils have the same shelf life possibilities as other beans.  You can seal them at home on your own with Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers, or you can buy them already sealed in pails (40 lb. plastic buckets).  Even if you never use them in an emergency, you will probably only have to replace them once in a lifetime for a fresh supply.  Beans just keep well.
            Also they are easily portable.  What I mean by this is that you can move them, pack them, or stuff them in a full bag without having to worry about smashing or breaking them.

3.  NUTRITIONAL VALUE.
Now we get to the good part, the details of these little giants.  I was surprised when I found out what was in these lentils.  The following stats are from Wikipedia:

“With about 30% of their calories from protein, lentils have the third-highest level of protein, by weight, of any legume or nut, after soybeans and hemp.  Proteins include the essential amino acids insoleucine and lysine, and lentils are an essential source of inexpensive protein in many parts of the world, especially in West Asia and the Indian subcontinent, which have large vegetarian populations.” “Health magazine has selected lentils as one of the five healthiest foods.”

Naturalnews.com says this, “Though hardly used in Western diets, lentils are perfect for high nutritional yields on a budget.  They are so high in protein and energy producing nutrients that a Canadian firm is working on putting a lentil sports energy bar together.  Canadian studies on athletes proved they performed better with more endurance after eating lentils dishes than pasta.”

Green lentils have a fiber concentration of 31%.  Fiber is good for you in a great variety of reasons.  This fiber acts like a little scrub brush that cleans out the digestive system.  This also helps with glucose and cholesterol levels.  Think of this too.  We all know fiber keeps you from getting constipated.  If the world as we know it ends, at least you can endure it regular and healthy!  Lentils are also a good source of iron.  Folic acid is an important nutrient also found in lentils.  Studies show that one cup of lentils has 90% of the recommended daily allowance of it, more than any other unfortified food.  This is especially helpful to expecting mothers.
      And now, here are the nutritional facts for those who want to know the specifics.
            –Nutritional value of lentils per 100 g (3.5 oz)
                        Carbohydrates………60 g
                        Sugars…………………2 g
                        Dietary fiber…………31 g
                        Fat……………………1 g
                        Protein………………26 g
                        Water………………10.4 g
                        Thiamine (vit. B1)…(76%)
                        Folate……………..(120%)
                        Calcium………56 mg (6%)
                        Iron………..7.54 mg (58%)
                        Magnesium…122 mg (34%)
                        Phosphorus…451 mg (64%)
                        Potassium…..955 mg (20%)
                        Sodium…………6 mg (0%)
                        Zinc………..4.78 mg (50%)
                   –Percentages are relative to U.S. recommendations for adult daily consumption–

What do all these numbers mean?  For one thing, it means they are a good source of protein, especially when meat or eggs are in short supply.  Also, they are a much better alternative than Ramen Noodles which are outrageous in sodium content.  They are a great energy food.  They are also easily digestible.  I have just scratched the surface of the nutritional benefits of lentils.  If you research them more, you will be surprised at all you find. “Surprised by a lentil?” you say. Oh, yes.  Some of the simplest things of God’s Creation are the most amazing

4.  PRICE.
            One word describes it best – Cheap.  Lentils, like other beans are very affordable.  I have purchased mine for no more than $1.10 per 1 lb. bag in the supermarket.  You may ask, “What about buying in bulk?”  They can also be bought in bulk.  We are going to start getting ours through a co-op we are in with some friends through Azure Standard.  Sam’s Club sells a 40 lb. can for $51.12 on their web site.  Mannaharvest.net sells 25 lb. for $24.70.  I’m sure you can find more if you just look online.  If you are like me, cheap is good!  With a family of six, like we have, it doesn’t take long to go through the vittles.  We need all the bang for the buck we can get. 
            Lentils do come in brown, black, orange, yellow, red, and green.  Most of the ones you will find here in the U.S. are brown and green.  This is because these ones retain their shape better when cooked.

5.  TASTE.
            I would say they taste very much like pinto beans, in my opinion.  They are not strong or overpowering.  The way I have been eating them (in allowance with my diet restrictions) is to salt them, pepper them, and a few drops of Louisiana Hot Sauce.  That’s all, and they taste great.
            Of course, as with other beans, the ways you can spice them are unlimited.  Oh, and I almost forgot. Since they soak while they cook, they soak up a great deal of the flavor of the water they are cooked in.  Therefore, you could flavor the water too any way you like. For example: bullions, broth, hot sauces, herbs, spices, etc.  A smoked ham bone is hard to beat in a pot of beans. 

6.  FILLING.
            The high protein in lentils keeps you full longer than other foods. Another great thing I have found is that they don’t give you gas like pinto beans do.  Of course, if you are outdoors or are a teenage boy, you may not care about gas!  When times get tough, you will want to get as full as possible on as little as possible.  You want your food to last a long time.
            You can also mix in lentils with other foods to make them more filling.  You can extend meats and meals with them.  If meat is being rationed, you can mix some lentils into sloppy joes, meat loafs, chili, burgers, casseroles, soups, and such.  You could do this even if meat isn’t being rationed.  Those of you who may cook a rabbit or squirrel because it’s all you have could make a stew go farther with lentils.
            For example, when I process my deer in the fall, I always save the necks and sometimes the rump bone.  I will cook the neck in a big slow cooker with a mess of beans and spices.  The next time I do this, you can be sure I’m going to use lentils.  Cooking this way makes the meat tender and makes it go farther for a very small cost.

Closing thoughts:

  • You can find lentils in your Bible (KJV) in Gen. 25:34; 2 Sam. 17:28; 2 Sam. 23:11 and Eze. 4:9.  They are always mentioned as a good food. 
  • I hope this has given you some insight into a food you may not know much about.  My goal of this article is to help others like myself who are looking to provide for their family in a cost effective way.  It wouldn’t take you long to build up a supply if you bought just a couple pounds each week when you did your grocery shopping.  Or if you just want a “get it and be done” solution, you could get a big sealed bucket.
  • As the saying attributed to Napoleon goes, “An army marches on its stomach.”  Part of keeping your wits when society falls apart is having a full stomach.  You may be able to think good even when you are hungry, but you will think better when you are full.  It may sound crazy to some, but many know how true this is.  Most anyone will trade anything for food when they are starving to death.  Don’t get to that place; plan ahead.
  • I know this article is primarily about stockpiling lentils, but I hope this inspires you to make them a part of your normal diet.  The health benefits are such that you should really take a closer look at them.  They are good for your heart and your whole body.
  • As a Christian and a beginning Prepper, I hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and ultimately trust my God and Savior.  God bless!

JWR Adds: Lentils can harden in long term storage, just like beans. This limits their practical shelf life to about eight years. But even hard lentils can be softened if you cook them in a pressure cooker, or grind them to a fine paste before cooking.

I have read that you should not add salt before or while they are cooking, since this can cause lentils to harden. Just wait until after they have cooked through, then add salt.

Also keep in mind that unless they have been irradiated, lentils will sprout. As with other sprouts, this provides a great nutritional multiplier effect and can help break up the monotony of a storage food diet.

Letter Re: Personal Debt Implications of an Economic Collapse

Jim,
Just a pondering I hoped you might be able to give me some insight on, I’m either to young or didn’t know it because we were too poor to notice, but I’ve never experienced a significant economic decline in my life.  My wife and I are both doctors and have borrowed heavily to set ourselves in a great place.  Right now we have no difficulty making the bill payments but should the banking/finance system collapse, will we still have to pay the bills; how do we pay the bills; and/or is there any hedge to anticipate how we’ll make those payments?  I don’t doubt that we’ll still make ‘something’, be it cash or barter, but what exactly do the banks expect from you at that point?  Do they just foreclose on everyone…?  Is there something we should be doing now asset wise if the US dollar were to collapse we could still meet our loan requirements…?  I’m just not quite sure what would be necessary.  Most of the articles/publications I read take you all the way to that point but fail to point blank say how you keep those things that someone else has a lien on, even if you have a currency collapse.  Thanks for the thoughts and all the insight.  SurvivalBlog.com is my home page. – E.A.

JWR Replies: In essence, if we go though a deflationary depression, creditors will be chasing their clients, but if we go though a inflationary depression creditors will practically be hiding from their clients, saying: “Oh, just keep on making your monthly payments.”

In a total collapse, all bets are off. If it is hyperinflationary, you can simply pay off your creditors in depreciated dollars.  And I would advise doing so in the midst of it all, before a major currency reform.  Just be sure to get a notarized “satisfaction of mortgage” document (or similar), so that you can prove that you stand free and clear.

In the end, possession in nine tenths of the law.  The many people now squatting in foreclosed houses are evidence of that.

Letter Re: Advice on Refinancing

Dear James,

I’d like your advice. We live in a house on five rural acres in Wisconsin. It’s both our year-round house and a sorta retreat. We now have the chance to refinance our mortgage at a lower interest rate. (Just 3.88%, as oppose to the 5.2% on our existing mortgage.) Our outstanding balance is about $210K. Should we re-fi, or stand pat? Any special considerations, given the perilous economic times, these days? Thanks in advance for your advice. – Hal K.

JWR Replies: Yes, this might be an advantageous time to re-finance. A 3.88% rate is excellent. Just beware that though we are still in a deflationary overhang, it isn’t likely to last much longer. Once inflation kicks in, then variable interest rate loans will become a killer. So I recommend that you ONLY take a fixed rate mortgage, and that you make sure that the terms of the new mortgage agreement allow you to pay off chunks of the principal with no prepayment penalty.

News From The American Redoubt:

A recent article that mentions the American Redoubt movement: Secession: Who WILL Be First?

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Dawn Wells (of Gilligan’s Island fame), now semi-retired in Driggs, Idaho, shows how to peel potatoes, Idaho style.

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Were your cows really bred? A lab in Moscow, Idaho can let you know: Biotracking

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I just discovered that more than a year ago, Ken at ModernSurvivalBlog spent some time researching and creating a quite useful graphic: Northwest Survival Retreat Ideal Population Map

Economics and Investing:

Reader Rex S. suggested: Why You Always Want Physical Everything

Sue C. sent: Republicans tease with gold standard, but idea seen full of bugs. [JWR’s Comment: The biggest “bug”–and the statists’ real objection to gold–is that a gold standard wouldn’t allow the government to spend beyond its means and create money out of thin air.

G.G. flagged this: When a 401(k) Is Locked in the Freezer

One way of looking at the current monetary paradigm: The Rot Runs Deep 1: The Federal Reserve Is a Parasitic Wealth Transfer Machine

Items from The Economatrix:

Nearly 1 In 5 Americans Have No Money To Put Food On The Table

US Incomes Fell More In Recovery Than In Crisis

Data Point To Slow Pace Of Healing In Economy

Odds ‘n Sods:

Retreat Security: The Urban Speedball For Preppers. JWR’s Comments: For anything other than very short term caching, it is crucial that water and ammunition be stored in separate waterproof containers. If stored together, all it would take is one leaking bottle (such as one ruptured by freezing or one with a pinhole from rough handling) to destroy the stored ammunition. One .30 Caliber ammo can with bandoleers of ammo paired with one “Tall .50” filled can with water containers would be about the right ratio, for defending against anything short of a human wave attack. They can be attached to each other with bungee cords to make carrying the pair with one hand more comfortable and less noisy. The ideal padding for inside the can stocked with water bottles would be earth tone socks, earth tone underwear, and/or an olive drab or brown hand towel. These items have multiple uses (hygiene, camouflage material, weapons cleaning, padding, water pre-filtration, et cetera.) OBTW, If you’d like to use 5 gallon plastic buckets as shown in the video, food grade kelly green buckets with matching lids are available from BayTec.com and other Internet vendors. These can be lightly bead-blasted or sanded with a palm sander to kill the gloss. Sanding will also make paint adhere better. Then apply just a couple of quick blasts of flat olive drab and flat brown spray paint in large splotches to create more of a natural color and to break up the outline, and you’ll be all set.

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My old friend S.C. sent this: More about Bluffdale and the compartmented codeword project Stellar Wind.

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Is Going Off the Grid Practical?

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New Jersey city of Camden to scrap police department amid budget woes.

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Some very inexpensive resources for homeschoolers: The Homeschool Curriculum Company

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The religious atmosphere of the country was the first thing that struck me upon my arrival in the U.S. In France, I had seen the spirits of religion and freedom almost always marching in opposite directions, in America, I found them intimately linked together and joined and reigned over the same land…" – Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

Notes from JWR:

By way of Tom Gresham of Gun Talk Radio we heard that Mark Craighead, founder of Crossbreed Holsters, just passed away. It is reported that he was 43 and died of a heart attack. He was a Christian and ran a Christian company (hence the company name and logo.) It is very sad to hear of this fine Christian gentleman passing. This serves as a reminder that life can indeed be much shorter than we anticipate. Get right with God, today!

—

On August 27, 1883 an explosive volcanic eruption beneath the island of Krakatoa obliterated most of the island and resulted in regional tsunamis that took the lives of more than 36,000 people.

Mike Williamson’s Book Review: The Book of Blacksmithing

The Book of Blacksmithing (Setting Up Shop, Essential Skills, and Easy Projects to Get You Started), by Michael Cardiff.
ISBN-13: 978-1610045773

I’ve known Mike Cardiff for a couple of decades, and can vouch for his competencies as a smith.  He moves surely, wastes no effort, and turns out functional tools, blades and accoutrements in short order.  I helped him find a publisher for this work, and am very glad to see it in print.
 
I’m quite impressed by the outcome.  Mike’s writing style is simple, clear and straightforward, and the illustrations by his brother are likewise very easy to understand and follow.  This slim but surprisingly dense book first addresses safety, setup of a smith including choices of forge types, anvils and tools.  It then does a detailed breakdown of various types of hammers, tongs, punches and chisels, shaping tools, and accessories like drills and grinders.  Each major tool is accorded a description on how to select and use it, across a panoply of striking, gripping, bending, punching and abrading tools.

He covers buying and scrounging material for different purposes, and finding tools, or items that can be converted into tools, from various sources.

Then it’s on to how to build a fire (coal, gas, and charcoal, possibly the most versatile and available fuel for grid down or economic crisis scenarios), maintain it, heat and work steel.  How to control the hammer, the shape, how to heat treat and temper for tools, and how to weld ferrous metals with a forge.  He does not cover horse shoeing, which is the specialty of a farrier. He does cover the manufacture of basic hand tools.

Next, there is an entire chapter on problems and how to troubleshoot them—misshapen metal, split, cracked or twisted stock, and problems judging metal mass.

The last part of the book is devoted to very clear, beautifully illustrated instructions on making various items, including shop tools (hammers, punches, hardies, tongs, nail forming tools) and several small household items that will give the beginning smith a good workout in the essentials of shaping metal.

The Book of Blacksmithing is available from Paladin Press, from Amazon.com and and other outlets.
 
Disclosure and Disclaimer (per FTC File No. P034520): I was furnished a free (damaged) copy for review.

A T.M. in Arkansas Book Review: 7 Deadly Scenarios

7 Deadly Scenarios: A Military Futurist Explores War in the 21st Century by Andres F. Krepinevich
Bantam Dell, New York, 2009. 334 pages including a thorough index.
ISBN 978-0-553-80539-0
 
The author of this book is the president of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, and a former US Army officer with a Ph.D. from Harvard University.
In this book, he asks the hard questions most people choose to ignore. Being prepared is an ongoing task based on anticipation of something bad occurring. Planning for those occurrences is best done by utilizing scenarios to figure out your response, and what supplies are needed to insure your survival.

Although published three years ago, this book is still timely in the disasters it anticipates in Iraq, Pakistan, China, Israel, the global economy, and a pandemic.
The author explains how to create disaster or crisis scenarios for anyone from the military, civil authorities, and private citizens. He explains the dangers of not believing the results you may achieve from acting out your scenarios. The author explains the importance of keeping an open mind and remaining flexible during a crisis. If your plan is too rigid, you will probably fail. Have a plan B, C, and D for each eventuality. Share your plan with a trusted prepper and let them look for ways to improve your options. Return the favor with an open mind.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was war gamed by the US Navy in 1932 and filed away. The second and successful attack on the World Trade Towers was forewarned before the first attack by a security officer. The messenger was ignored. The French Army possessed a copy of the German Army plan of attack years before WWI began in 1914. They bought it from a German turncoat and filed it away.

The scenarios in this book include a collapse of Pakistan. Al Qaeda is actively working today to destabilize that nation both militarily and politically. What happens if they succeed?
A pandemic on the scale of the 1918 Flu will create havoc as our health facilities are overloaded, millions will die, and the global economy devastated in the process. Scientists and medical experts have told us for years that this monster is not a question of if, but a question of when. A pandemic can be seen coming, so do you have your flu shot, yet?
What happens if China decides to flex its’ military muscles in the South China Sea or the Pacific Ocean? Does our military and its’ allies have the power to win the struggle?
What happens in the event of an EMP? The favorite scenario is the collapse of the USA from terrorists or a rogue nation, but how about the case of a solar caused EMP in Europe or Asia? The economic devastation to the global economy will affect all of us.

What happens if the record setting drought of 2012 continues for another two to three years? Are you prepared for further food shortages and higher prices?
This book is well written, thought provoking, and will hopefully spur you to action to turn your disasters into inconveniences.

Pat’s Product Review: Kahr PM 45 Pistol

I’ve always been a big fan, of little guns – that pack some serious knock down power. I remember first reading about the (then) new Kahr Arms 9mm pistol, and whoever wrote about it claimed the double-action only trigger was butter smooth. Well, it wasn’t until about five years ago, that I actually saw my first Kahr in a gun shop. For some reason, all the gun shops I regularly haunted, never had a Kahr in-stock – new or used. As soon as I felt how good the Kahr K9 felt in my hands, and the super-smooth trigger pull on it was, I was sold – I walked out with the gun and a holster for it that very hour.

There has been a big tread the past half dozen years or so, for very small concealed carry guns. While I seriously applaud this, and the gun companies are finally listening to the consumers, most of these guns in the past few years have been in .380 ACP. Anyone who follows my writings know that, I’m not a big fan of the .380 ACP cartridge as my first-line of defense – as a back-up, yeah! However, over the past couple of years, ammo makers have been giving the little .380 ACP a real boost in power, and with JHP ammo that actually expands, and penetrates. However, I still, personally only carry a .380 ACP as a back-up to my main handgun. A lot of folks think that it’s over-kill, to carry two handguns, I don’t! You never know when your main gun might malfunction, run out of ammo, or actually break – when you need it the most. And, I believe this comes from years of being a PI and a cop – I always carried a second gun – never know what kind of trouble you might run into, and need the second gun, or to arm a loved one or friend, who might be able to aid you.

Well, since purchasing my very first Kahr Arms pistol several years ago, a number of their outstanding firearms has passed through my hands, some in .380 ACP, some in 9mm, some in .40 S&W and the winner is, the grand ol’ .45 ACP. A couple years ago, I got my hands on the Kahr CW45 – and it was (and is) and outstanding handgun for concealed carry – with 6+1 rounds on-tap, and a spare mag on my belt. However, it just wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, for some strange reason. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the Kahr CW45 – nothing! Several months ago, I contacted Frank Harris, who is Kahr’s head honcho in the Marketing department, and requested a Kahr PM45. And, as usual, Kahr was backed-up with orders, and I had to wait a month for my sample PM45 to arrive – but the wait was well worth it.

The PM45 is what I was looking for in a Kahr, for a concealed carry handgun. At only slightly more than 19-oz unloaded, with an empty mag, the PM45 feels like the gun will float out of your hand. The CW45 carries 6+1 rounds, the PM45 is 5+1 rounds, but in my humble opinion, it’s worth sacrificing that one round for the added concealability and compactness the PM45 affords. With a stainless steel slide, and a 3.24″ Bbl, and black polymer frame, we are talking about a super-small .45 ACP handgun. The polymer frame is heavily textured, so much so, that I took some extra-fine sandpaper to it, to get the “points” off the texturing – they were sharp, to be sure. I’m sure, over time, the points would have wore down a bit, but I planned on doing a lot of shooting, and didn’t want the sharp texturing abrading my hand.

The PM45 comes with bar-dot sights – and the sights are steel, on the CW45, the front sight is polymer and pinned in place. On the PM45, the front and rear sight can be moved for windage adjustments – no adjustments were required – and I’ve never had to adjust the sights on any Kahr handgun – they are dead-on from the box. The PM45 also comes with a spare magazine – the CW45 doesn’t. The PM45 also has nicer contours to the slide than the CW45 does – I like the look and feel of the PM45 a lot.

We have an overall length of only 5.79″ and a height of only 4.49″ and width of only 1.01″ – so we’re talking about a very compact .45ACP carry gun, to be sure. You can also order your PM45 with night sights, too – I elected to just go with the standard sights for some reason. The barrel on the PM45 is a bit better than the barrel on the CW45 – not that there is a lot of difference when it comes to accuracy, but it is slightly better in the accuracy department than the CW45 is. You can read all the differences between the various .45ACP models on the Kahr web site, and they make quite a few variations in all calibers.

First thing I did with my Kahr PM45 was mount a Crimson Trace (CT) laser on the gun, and in my humble opinion, there isn’t a better laser for the Kahr line of handguns than the Crimson Trace line. I’ve been using their lasers almost since day one, and they are top-notch in all respects. The CT laser for the PM45 fits onto the trigger guard, and when properly attached, the CT laser looks just like it was actually a part of the PM45. And, the best part is, CT lasers are easy-on, and easy-off. Just take a proper grip on the gun, and the laser is activated – just that simple. And, CT has a new policy, in that, they will supply you with batteries for your CT laser, for life. How can you beat that deal? And, in my opinion, the CT laser is a worthy investment for the PM45. I’ve used CT lasers forever, and I’ve only had a problem with one, and returned it to the factory and it was repaired and returned inside of a week – how’s that for customer service? To be sure, CT manufactures their lasers for many of the Kahr handguns – as well as most popular handguns, check out their web site.

Now, most people will be led to believe, that a .45ACP pistol, as small as the Kahr PM45 is, will “kick” a lot – well, to be honest, there is some recoil there, but not nearly as much as you might think. I had my usual assortment of .45ACP ammo on-hand for testing. From Buffalo Bore Ammunition. I had their 185 grain Barnes TAC-XP all-copper hollow point +P, 200 grain JHP +P, 230 grain JHP +P and their 255 grain Hard Cast FN load – also +P. From Black Hills Ammunition, I had their 230 grain FMJ, 185 grain JHP, 185 grain Barnes TAC-XP +P load. And, a couple fairly new loads, their 185 grain JHP steel-cased load, and their 230 grain FMJ steel-cased load. Now, don’t get these steel-cased confused with the dirty-shooting Russian-made steel cased loads – they are worlds apart. Black Hills started using steel-cased ammo because they couldn’t find enough of once-fired .45 ACP brass cases for making reloaded ammo. Their steel-cased new ammo is priced right, and there is no comparison between this steel-cased ammo and the Russian stuff – Black Hills wins, hands-down. From Winchester, I used their white box USA-brand 230 grain FMJ ammo – always a good shooter for plinking or target practice – as well as self-defense.

Okay, so how did the little Kahr PM45 shoot? Well, I had no problems with any of the ammo – the PM45 never missed a beat. Kahr recommends that you shoot at least 200 rounds through their guns before you can consider them reliable enough for self-defense. My PM45 never skipped a beat – with any of the ammo. I put well over 500 rounds through the little Kahr, and there wasn’t a hint of a functioning problem. I kept my shooting at 15-yards or closer – which is what this little pistol was meant for – close-up and dirty self-defense work. However, it is capable of really good accuracy out to 25-yards if you do your part. As for accuracy – the winner was the Buffalo Bore 200 grain JHP+P load – if I did my part, I could keep the groups at 2-1/2 inches at 15-yards. However, the Black Hills 230 grain FMJ load was right on the heels of the Buffalo Bore load. I’ve found that the Black Hills 230 grain FMJ load usually provides me with match-grade accuracy – and it is not a match load!

Kahr recommends that you steer clear of steel-cased ammo, but I didn’t have any problems with feeding or extraction, using the Black Hills 185 grain JHP or 230 grain FMJ steel-cased loads – no problems at all. And, I was really surprised at the accuracy from these steel-cased loads. The Buffalo Bore 255 grain Hard Cast FN +P load – needless to say, that hummer really “kicked” the most. This is a round you load-up, when you’re out hiking in the boonies, and you might encounter some serious threat from a 4-legged critter, like a black bear. This round will make that black bear wish they were some place else, to be sure. I didn’t do any penetration tests with this load, using the Kahr PM45, but I’ve tested this load in other .45 ACP chambered handguns, and it penetrates like your wouldn’t believe.

I burned-up a lot of Winchester USA white box 230 grain FMJ ammo in my testing. I’ve always liked this load, for target practice and just plain ol’ plinking fun. It’s affordable and very accurate. I probably put 200 rounds of this ammo through the little Kahr, with no problems. I liked the 185 grain Barnes all-copper +P load from Buffalo Bore and the same Barnes load from Black Hills for self-defense, but neither one of these loads proved to be the accuracy winner – and I was surprised. However, my wife wanted a Kahr PM45 of her own – so she “borrowed” my sample…and I had to request a second PM45 from Kahr for myself – this one with the black finish on the slide. And, this sample really loved the 185 grain Barnes all-copper hollow point +P load from Buffalo Bore and Black Hills. Just goes to show, that not all guns are alike – even two identical guns, from the same maker – only difference was the finish on the slide – other than that, they were identical. But the black slide sample preferred the Barnes loads from Black Hills and Buffalo Bore for best accuracy – and they were in a dead-tied for accuracy in my second sample. Go figure? It really does pay to test different types and brands of ammo, if you are looking for the most accurate load for your guns. And, it pays to test different ammo for different tasks, too.

The trigger-pull on the PM45 samples I had, were the best I’ve ever encountered on any DAO pistol – even better than some of the other Kahr handguns I’ve tested. To be sure, and without a doubt, the trigger-pulls were like driving a high performance sports car – and I’ve driven a few in my life. While the trigger-pull is a little long on the Kahr, there isn’t a glitch in it – just pulls like cutting through melted butter – I kid you not! I think what I really liked about the PM45 is that, the grip circumference – it’s the smallest around than any other .45 ACP handgun that I’m aware of – and this includes some 2-shot derringers, too. I’m not sure how Kahr was able to pull this off…my wife, who is like most women, has small hands, and she found the grip circumference to her liking – she couldn’t believe how great the PM45 felt in her hand. I believe that, the grip circumference on the PM45 also helped tame the recoil. While shooting the Buffalo Bore +P loads (that are hot) were attention getters, it wasn’t nearly as bad as one would expect from such a tiny pistol. That’s saying a lot in my book.

While I like the Kahr CW45, the PM45 is all that much better. Yes, the PM45 retails for a lot more than the CW45 does – the PM45 is $855 for the stainless steel slide version. However, if you ask me, I believe the PM45 is all that much more gun than the CW45. Now, don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the CW45 – but Kahr spoiled me with the PM45. So, if you’re in the market, for one of the smallest .45 ACP semiauto pistols on the market, take a close look at the Kahr PM45. It will serve your survival needs quite well – be it street survival or hiking out in the boonies – with the right load, this gun will take care of the job at hand. And, I’m betting you’ll also want to add a Crimson Trace laser to your Kahr, too. It is hard to beat this combo in my humble opinion. Be sure to check out Kahr’s webs site, they have a lot of accessories, clothing, holsters, spare mags, etc., for their handguns.

Two Letters Re: Getting A Mortgage After Relocating

The letter from the couple who moved to one of the Redoubt states and was unable to get a mortgage from a local bank reminded me of our experience.

We moved to a Redoubt state in 1993 after having sold our house in Pennsylvania for a tidy profit. We moved to our new location and put that “tidy profit” (which was more than half the down payment for a new place) into a local bank. My husband found work immediately. I was a stay-at-home mom. A few months later, we found a 5-acre piece of property and went back to the same bank that was holding our money and applied for a loan. They refused. The amount of the mortgage we were asking for was laughably small by today’s standards and we were putting more than 50% down. We had impeccable credit. They told my husband that they would not offer a mortgage to someone who was self-employed. We ended up buying our 5 acres through owner financing. When we built our house a few years later, one of the big banks gave us a construction loan and a mortgage, but my father-in-law had to co-sign for it.

A few years later we became friends with a couple who had just moved to our area from Maryland. The husband was an engineer and had just been hired by a local technology firm (a firm which was notorious for serially hiring and then laying off employees). They had not yet sold their home in Maryland. They rented for a few months and then found a nice upscale home to buy. This same local bank couldn’t move fast enough to give them a mortgage to buy their new house (they were still paying on their house in Maryland) simply because the guy was not self-employed. Interestingly, only about three months after they closed on their home, he was laid off and they ultimately had to move to another area.

We are still here. My husband is still self-employed. The local banks did try to follow some of the practices of the big banks and some went out of business as a result. They are now back to being as gun-shy as they were 20 years ago when we moved here. It seems to be a feature of the Redoubt’s tendency toward boom-and-bust economies.

Thanks for a great blog. – Janet S.

 

Mr. Rawles,
Many times you can get a loan at a local Credit Union faster than you can at a bank. Why give the “Too Big To Fail” banks your hard earned money? They already stole your money with fees, interest, and TARP.
 
Sincerely, – Joe in Spokane