Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things.
It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out – it’s the grain of sand in your shoe.” – Robert W. Service

Notes from JWR:

An appeal from your editor: We’ve recently had another denial of service hacker attack. My apologies for any inconvenience. To make SurvivalBlog more resilient to denial of service attacks or to governmental censorship orders, I am seeking some inexpensive offshore server space. The plan is to “push” data to several mirror sites each night. If you have some server space available, preferably in a country that isn’t buddy-buddy with the U.S. government, then please let me know. Each mirror server must be able to handle the following:

  • 2GB of Storage Space
  • SSH & FTP access
  • 15 Mbps Data Link
  • 5TB Monthly Bandwidth

Thanks!

—

Today we present another two entries for Round 41 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), and F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo.

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 41 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

TEOTWAWKI Blacksmithing for Beginners, by Jodier

For many of you blacksmithing reminds you of your father or grandfather, it takes you back to the smell of the coal forge and the hum of the blower pumping oxygen into the nest of the forge. I’ve met many of people who are interested in blacksmithing, mainly for fun and to make Christmas gifts for their loved ones. Not many of these people actually obtain a forge and anvil and use it. Many of people have their grandfather’s anvil sitting unused in their shed or barn. My father has been blacksmithing for the majority of his life and has passed the trade down to me. The trades that can be expanded into after the basics of blacksmithing are many, from knife making, to fabrication, and tradition tool making are just a few of the trades that can be expanded into.

In the first years of my father’ blacksmithing, he used a old, rusty elevator weight as an anvil. Anvils today are sometimes few and far between, I recoil in horror every time I see Wylie Coyote try to drop a anvil on Road Runner. The anvil is one of the most important pieces of the blacksmith’s tool set. There are many brand of anvils that were once produced. Two of renowned anvils made were Peter Wright and Hay-Budden. A person can purchase a brand new anvil from a farrier supply company, of course those can cost in upwards of $300. Then again a Hay-Budden can cost $7 per pound! At a 150 pounds that would be $1,050. If your lucky you can find someone who does not know what they have and pick it up for $200. I am sure that many people through out the years have used something other than a anvil, such as my father and the elevator weight. A piece of railroad track would work great in a TEOTWAWKI situation. If you insist on having an antique anvil then there are certain things for which you should look. The recoil test, a good anvil should have some recoil to it, meaning that when you drop a ball bearing on it the bearing should bounce up and leave the anvil with a ring. An anvil without this quality has either been modified or lack true quality. Look at the markings on the anvil, the markings are so many that a person could write a book on it, I highly recommend that you do research on this aspect of anvils. A book concerning the types and manufacturers of anvils is Anvils in America by Richard Postman. Another thing to look for is gouging or other intended harm done to the anvil.

The second most important tool to the blacksmith is the hammer. In a TEOTWAWKI situation a basic claw hammer could be used to push metal around, but a more blacksmith designated hammer would be more beneficial. A person can pick up a blacksmithing hammer at a farrier supply center. Ball peen hammers also have their place in a blacksmith’s arsenal, I mainly use them for shaping ladles and spoons but they can be used as a general hammer. Most people overlook the importance of how to use the hammer. I use a push and pull method, which means I push the metal forward and pull the metal backwards, using firm but not overly brutal strikes to the metal. Many beginners make the mistake of striking the metal so hard that they punish themselves. Another item that is just as important as the hammer is a pair of gloves. A good pair of leather roping gloves made of goatskin, are for me, the most comfortable. The third piece of equipment for the blacksmith is the forge. There are many antique forges on the market, but there are also many do it yourself alternatives such as brake drum forges. Brake drum forges are a excellent entry level forge for beginners. It uses a basic forge design, using a (You guessed it!) a brake drum and some sort of fan, to provide oxygen to the nest. I use a simple rivet forge for my small needs such as S-hooks, spoons, nails, and knives. One thing to keep in mind when choosing a forge is how hot it gets. My rivet forge will sometimes reach temperatures in excess of 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Now that is hot enough to smelt metal. Another thing to consider is what are you going to burn in your forge? I have been struggling to find coal for some time now. Our wonderful Government has decided to put even more restrictions on some of the coal mines. Even the mines with permits are selling their coal to China. You can still find coal today at some farrier supply centers, though it is low in quality it is still coal. I burn a 5 gallon bucket in two days of heavy blacksmithing, So it really does not take a lot of coal to work on a project.

To go with your forge you will need a blower. A blower is a simple piece of equipment which pumps oxygen into the nest of the forge, it is a vital piece of equipment as it raises the temperatures in the forge by several hundred degrees. Again your blower can be a rare antique or a home brew, do it yourself project. Some of your major blower makers were Royal, Tiger, Champion, and Buffalo were just a few of the many blower manufacturers. On the antique blowers I have seen them run anywhere from $40 to $300 at flea markets. Now as far as home brews go people have converted squirrel cage fans into blowers as well as car heater fans. You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to building your forge and blower.

A vise is a invaluable piece, it works as a second set of hands and a rock solid anchor point for grinding and welding. If there is a piece of vintage equipment that I recommend you buying it is a blacksmith’s vise. The blacksmith’s vise is designed to be open and closed quickly, so that you spend more time working the metal and less time letting the metal cool. the vises vary in size and price, they usually start right at $50 and go up into the hundreds.

If you manage to collect all the pieces of recommended equipment I highly suggest that you learn how to use them.

Fire, as most preppers are familiar with, is a simple task. A coal fire is slightly different, one must first start with tinder (I generally prefer newspaper, as it holds a flame longer) and kindling in the nest of the forge. Get a small fire going, but not blazing. Before it is blazing you must pile coal or coke, the byproduct of burnt coal, on the kindling, make sure there is enough on to absorb the heat, but not too much as to smother it. Keep supplying a large amount of oxygen to the fire via the blower and voila you successfully crafted a coal fire.

The one thing people ask me a lot is, “Where do I get the steel?” There are quite a few commercial steel yards across the U.S. One of the major ones is King Architectural Metals. Of course if the balloon goes up you won’t be able to run out to the store and get whatever you need. Scrap yards are a fantastic place to go and find steel, most of them will sell you useable steel at a little above scrap iron prices. I have seen many fine knife blades out of spring leaf steel. [JWR Adds: SurvivalBlog reader C. Mike recently sent me this: Turning a Railroad Spike Into An Awesome Knife. It shows how even a home barbeque ca be turned into a forge with a brief service life.]

As I stated earlier you must learn to push and pull the iron, much like working clay between your thumb and index finger, your index finger being the anvil and your thumb being the hammer.

There many blacksmithing techniques, so many as I cannot cover them all in this one article, but I will go over a couple of them.

Drawing a point out seems simple, but to do it fast and efficiently is another story. Start out by bringing your round stock to a red hot temperature, which is about 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Rest the steel on the far side of the anvil and lock your arm into place. Strike once pushing the metal away from you, rotate the steel 90 degrees and strike again, pushing forward. Rotate back to your first strike and repeat the process. Keep in mind that you should only be striking on to sides of the steel. Repeat the whole process until you come out with a needle sharp point.

Forge welding is a slightly more advanced process, but would be well worth the difficulty in a TEOTWAWKI situation. First start out by bringing the rod to a again red hot temperature and rest it on the face of the anvil. Slightly flatten the steel and and sprinkle a good amount of flux onto the metal. Many farrier supply shops carry commercial flux, but for many years we have been using plain old borax, that is used for laundry. Reheat the metal to a not just red hot, but a glowing orange temperature. When the steel hits the sparkling orange range that opens the window to forge welding. Start the fold over on itself and proceed to strike the steel with force, but not with brutalizing strength. Through this process Damascus steel can be made, fire pokers can be crafted, and metal mended. With these simple tools and equipment you can start blacksmithing on your very own.

A Different Kind of Silencer, by K. in Illinois

The topic of obstructive sleep apnea and CPAP machines has been mentioned regularly in SurvivalBlog. These references were mostly related to how an alternate power supply could be used to keep CPAP machines functioning. In a TEOTWAWKI situation or lengthy grid down scenario persons suffering from sleep apnea, especially severe sleep apnea would worsen and probably die without an alternative power source or alternative type of treatment.

As a dentist who is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and treating snoring and sleep apnea for almost 15 years I thought I would give the members some insight into the condition, its possible treatments and implications for long-term survival particularly in TEOTWAWKI. One of the recent blogs referred to a web site. If anything I say sounds similar to information on that site is because the developer is my dear friend, personal mentor and one of the foremost experts in the country.

Snoring
Snoring is the focus of humor in countless movies, jokes, videos and family stories. There are people whose snoring has decibel levels as loud as a steam locomotive. My own father could bring down the house, not just with his singing or jokes, but unfortunately with his snoring. Over the years he had developed severe obstructive sleep apnea. He was also the first sleep apnea patient that I treated.
All joking aside, snoring is no laughing matter. It’s the reason for many lost hours of sleep for bed partners, husbands and wives having separate bedrooms and sometimes even divorce.

What is Snoring?
Snoring is the sign of a breathing problem, in other words a blockage in your airway. The sound is typically caused by the tongue falling toward the back of your palate and throat. As your airway constricts it creates a negative pressure or pulling on your soft palate. This creates a vibration and sound like a reeded instrument, although much more annoying! If you snore loudly and often, you know the social implications of your problem. It’s bad enough when your spouse can’t sleep in the same room with you, but when your travel companions schedule a separate room because they can’t get a decent night’s sleep, it may be time for you to do something about it.

Even if you have become accustomed to sharp pain in your ribs at night (your spouse’s elbow), a lot of bad jokes, snoring is as serious as a heart attack or even worse a stroke. It is a signal that something is wrong with your breathing during sleep. It means that the airway is not fully open and the bad tunes you are playing could kill you. According to recent sleep studies, approximately 45% of the general population, 30% of men and women over age 30, 40% of the middle-aged population, and 6% of children snore on a regular basis. Studies show that 45% of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Sadly, these statistics are on the rise with rising obesity approaching epidemic proportions.

Problem snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons. It usually grows worse with age. Although obesity is a major factor for snoring and sleep apnea people that are “as thin as a rail” can have these issues. Generally these are people that have narrow jaws, tall (high) palates and or deep bites and are more prone to having or developing airway issues.

Is Snoring Dangerous?
During the days of the Wild West a famous gunslinger shot a man in the same hotel for snoring too loudly. Ouch! It has also been shown that of males over the age of 45 almost 50% have some form of sleep apnea.  An Australian study found that the prevalence of blockage of the carotid artery (which can lead to strokes) was 20% for mild, 32% for moderate and 64% for heavy snorers. According to the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), snorers have three times as many motor vehicle accidents as non-snorers..

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

 According to the experts at www.ihatecpap.com, snoring can be a strong indicator of the condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea patients that snore are actually lucky that the condition manifests vocally, so the condition can be treated early, before it becomes life threatening. Partners with concerns are often the ones to bring this problem to light and ask the snorer to seek sleep disorder/sleep apnea treatment. Because of the intermittent periods of stopped breathing, patients do not get the amount of oxygen needed and health risks are increased. Recent studies have led many leading clinicians to state that they believe that snoring will lead to sleep apnea 100% of the time. Sleep apnea has been linked to cases of heart attack, stroke, hypertension, high blood pressure and other dangerous conditions. If you notice heavy snoring in your loved one, ask him or her to see a sleep apnea professional.

How Snoring Affects Others

According to a Mayo Clinic sleep study, it is estimated that snorers cause their partners to lose an average of about an hour of sleep each night. For the average American that is almost 20% of your night’s sleep. Even if sleep apnea is not indicated, the disruption of the sleep cycles of family members can create a hazard. Bed partners of snorers also reports high levels of fatigue, sleepiness and possibly even hearing loss. Recent studies have indicated that repeated disruption of sleep patterns can cause sufferers to perform motor skills at or below the levels of individuals who are legally intoxicated! So even if your snoring is not a sign of sleep apnea, it is likely that your snoring could be a real threat to your loved ones because impaired reaction behind the wheel of an automobile can lead to disaster regardless of the cause. The whole family can suffer when any family member has a sleep problem.

What is Sleep Apnea?
Apnea is a Greek word that means shortness of breath. An apnea episode is the absence of breath for 10 seconds or more repeatedly during the normal seven hour sleep cycle. During an apnea event, the oxygen level in a person’s blood drops(while the carbon dioxide increases), the blood becomes” thicker” and more difficult for the heart to pump throughout the body. This puts a strain on the heart (which can show signs of enlargement) as well as the entire cardiovascular system. Coughing or choking sensations, which force you to wake up or get elbowed by your partner, are also common signs. Untreated sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, shortens life, and diminishes your quality of life.
What are the common signs of Snoring and Apnea?
Sleep apnea can reveal its presence in a number of ways, and each patient may have a unique combination of symptoms. If you or a loved one experiences any of the following recurring symptoms, please speak with your family physician or a dentist that has experience with treating OSA.

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Morning headaches/migraines (may also signify a jaw joint problem known as TMJ/TMD).
  • Short term memory problems
  • Altered human growth hormone secretion at night contributes to decreased metabolism leading to weight gain and difficulty in weight loss
  • Tiredness
  • Dosing off in front of the television
  • Gastric reflux(GERD)
  • Dry mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Slow metabolism
  • Inability to lose weight
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Severe Anxiety
  • Memory and concentration difficulties
  • ADD and ADHD symptoms
  • Intellectual deterioration
  • Mood swings/temperamental behavior
  • Poor job performance or problems in school
  • Mouth breathing
  • Restlessness and tossing and turning during sleep
  • Impotence
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Difficult nose breathing
  • Sudden shortness of breath, choking or gasping sensation that wakes you up
  • Insomnia
  • Inability to sleep through the night
  • Heavy snoring (more common in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, rather than central sleep apnea)

Pediatric Apnea

Chronic breathing problems during a child’s sleep have been shown to affect children’s physical, intellectual and emotional growth. Heavy snoring in children may be a sign of pediatric apnea. Pediatric apnea causes children to have paused breathing events during sleep and can be dangerous if left untreated. Children with untreated apnea may experience daytime sleepiness, or signs of ADD/ADHD such as lack of concentration and mental capacity, trouble in school, and hyperactivity. A thorough ear, nose, and throat exam are a priority. Any asthma and allergy concerns need to be diagnosed and controlled. Often a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy may be needed to eliminate airflow obstructions.

Apnea and Childhood Development
Visit the web pages from sleep apnea dentist Dr. Brian Palmer. He has given international, national and state presentations on the importance of breastfeeding for the proper development of the oral cavity, airway and facial form; infant caries; why tight frenulums need to be addressed; the signs and symptoms, cause and prevention, and treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea; and basics of dentistry not taught in dental schools.

Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment

I will briefly list some of the treatments for sleep apnea, but will focus mainly on the most TEOTWAWKI pertinent answers.
First and foremost, your physician or dentist will examine your living habits and make recommendations for behavioral therapy, such as avoidance of alcohol or sedatives, or sleep positioning devices. Use of pillows to alter your nighttime breathing habits may also be suggested. Your sleep physician and dentist with appropriate training in sleep apnea will help you decide which dental sleep medicine treatment or combination of treatments will work best for you.

Depending on each patient’s diagnosis, sleep apnea treatment may be as simple as a lifestyle change such as weight loss or change in diet. Other patients may benefit from the help of a specially designed oral appliance, which prevents airway blockage. Some more severe cases of apnea may require surgical intervention to prevent upper airway obstruction. Jaw surgery, tongue surgery, palatal implants and removal of the soft palate (UPPP, LAUPP,) are among these techniques. Some work well (jaw surgery) and others not well at all (UPPP, LAUPP). 

Nasal Vents
ProVents are a new as a treatment option. The results from the initial studies are promising. They do have a significant impact on lowering the number of apnea events a patient experiences, but they are not adjustable. Any one that is prescribed these by the doctor should insist on a full night sleep study while wearing them to verify that they are working sufficiently. Just because you feel better after sleeping with them doesn’t mean you are getting the best results possible.

CPAP
Mechanical therapy in the form of a mechanical device called a CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, uses a mask with an air blower to force air through the patient’s upper airway, assuring constant inhalation of adequate amounts of oxygen. are positive air pressure machines with various types of masks and hoses designed to force air past the main obstruction in the airway which in the vast majority of patients is the tongue. It inflates the airway like a balloon and hose.

CPAP has been considered ” the gold standard” of OSA treatment for many years and is incredibly effective for alleviating symptoms, avoiding the health risks discussed earlier and achieving a restful sleep. These benefits can only be realized when the CPAP is actually worn and worn for the fully prescribed amount of time. Sadly, study shows that 2/3 to 3/4 of people given a CPAP cannot tolerate full compliance. The list of problems encountered by CPAP users is lengthy. Many of these can be overcome, but the ones most pertinent to us on this blog are loss of power and portability.

Alternate power sources can definitely be one solution when these are available and when OSA patients want to use them. The majority of OSA patients who cannot tolerate the CPAP or want a non-powered solution and oral appliance should be considered.

As Seen on TV
You’ve probably seen dental appliances advertised on television that claim to handle your snoring problem. These have a few problems. If you snore but have not been tested for apnea and you wear one of these devices you may not snore, but if you have sleep apnea it is still killing you. If you have been diagnosed with OSA these devices are not being adjusted (titrated) for optimal effect and they are not FDA approved to treat OSA. The principle is the same, but as they say: ” the devil is in the details”.

Dental Appliances
There are dozens of these devices with varying designs, patents and trade names, but they all work on the same principle, basically they move the lower jaw forward in order to open your airway. Since your tongue is attached to your lower jaw basically behind your chin, moving the jaw forward (mandibular advancement) moves his tongue forward, opens the airway front to back, as well as side to side and prevents the tongue from falling to the back of the throat.

The best devices are custom fit and extremely adjustable so that your airway is opened enough to drastically reduce the number of apneic events and ideally eliminate snoring. This adjustment or titration is done in close collaboration between you, the dentist and the sleep physician. When looking for a dentist, be sure they are a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and ideally one who is a diplomate of that academy. Unfortunately, over the years I have seen dentists treat patients for snoring without knowing whether the patients have obstructive sleep apnea and use devices that are not approved to treat OSA. I’ve also seen lack of knowledge and follow-up with patients both of which are extremely important for optimizing treatment and avoiding unwanted side effects.

Some physicians shy away from this treatment, but quite honestly in my opinion this is due to what they are taught or not taught in medical school. There is a great deal of research that shows the effectiveness of these” low-tech” devices in treating mild, moderate and even severe sleep apnea. As preppers and survivalists you should appreciate that they are generally very durable, relatively inexpensive and could be repaired without a lot of sophisticated equipment. They are easily cared for and stowable in a tac bag, glove compartment, briefcase and purse or bug out bag. I would suggest speaking to your dentist about making several appliances . . . for a discount (or barter) of course. Remember: one is none and two is one.

One point that I would like to emphasize is that it is extremely important for you or your loved ones to be evaluated and treated regardless of whether a TEOTWAWKI situation ever occurs. This is a life-threatening condition is often ignored or minimized. It is a silent or not so silent killer. For those of you that are trying to maximize your health and your families health as a part of preparedness is crucial to consider seeking treatment. Everyone will sleep and function much better.

For more information on snoring, obstructive sleep apnea and treatment you can visit www.ihateCPAP.com and www.aadsm.org.

Letter Re: The Role of Nickels in a Barter Economy

James Wesley:
I understand saving gold and silver for preservation of wealth but I’m not sure of copper pennies or nickel five cent pieces. Gold and silver have been used for thousands of years as stored wealth but I’m not sure I could convince anyone to take pennies and nickels that are made with industrial metals. The copper value of the coin may be greater than the value marked on the coin but who is going to have a desire to gather up copper and nickel over silver or gold? Thanks for the great blog and the help. – Mark in Minnesota

JWR Replies: In a post-Dollar Collapse economy, when $1 in silver coinage again becomes the equivalent of a day’s wage for man (just as it was before WWI), people will still need to make change for small purchases. I believe that real “Nickel” nickels (still being minted, as of this writing) will fill that role, nicely.  (However, if silver zooms up in value in the midst of a Depression wherein most heavy industries are shuttered, then it may take 100 or 200 nickels to equal the value of $1 in pre-1965 90% silver coins.)

Free markets always find equilibrium, regardless of trying circumstances, and with surprising speed. We call this The Invisible Hand.

Letter Re: Effective Germ Fighters

JWR,
In his recent SurvivalBlog article, Don H. incorrectly stated that alcohol will not kill MRSA or Staph.  I want to set the record straight on this, as working with bacteria is my career.  Any bacteria that does not form spores will be contact-killed by a 70% Isopropanol (or other alcohol) treatment.  This includes MRSA (and other staph bacteria, as MRSA is Methycillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). 

The only commonly encountered bacteria that will certainly not be killed with alcohol are Clostridium species (the source of botulism [C. botulinum] and gas gangrene [C. perfringens] and Mycobacterium species [M. tuberculosis].  C. difficile is another Clostridium species that infects humans, but in a situation where antibiotics are unavailable, C difficile (C. diff) will most likely never appear.  Being an opportunistic pathogen, it can only infect patients that have had their intestinal flora (gut bacteria) wiped out by rounds of antibiotics.  

Until a collapse occurs, I suggest hospital patients and their family members rip into staff that use only the alcohol foam instead of washing their hands before working with a patient.  Most of these infections are spread by lazy hospital workers who don’t wash up between patients. – J.R.M.

Letter Re: A Low Cost Source for Powerful Magnets

Jim:
Several years ago I was looking for some hi power magnets for a project, and found them, inside microwave ovens. Not wanting to get the wife mad, I placed free want ads for junk microwave ovens and got more than I expected.  As a side benefit each oven netted a small bit of aluminum and some copper wire. 

Getting to the magnets was almost too easy.

DISCLAIMER:  Don’t hurt yourself.  Sharp metal may be encountered, and a bit of electrical knowledge would be helpful.  Do not attempt repair to broken ovens without proper training and equipment to check for leakage. You are ‘on your own’ with this project.  For information only.

First thing, make sure the oven has sat unplugged for several days, so as to allow any stray voltage/current to dissipate [more for piece of mind-just do it], then remove the power cord-I usually just cut it off.
Remove the glass tray if it is still on the inside, then the metal cover.  Looking behind where the controls are located you will find a [usually] square looking electrical ‘thing’-the magnetron, with some aluminum fins.  Disassemble this and you will usually find three or four magnets inside. (No, there are no residual microwaves to harm you!) [JWR Adds: According to SurvivalBlog reader “NoName”: Magnetrons contain Beryllium Oxide ceramics. If this ceramic is crushed or begins to break the resulting powder is a hazardous carcinogen.]

CAUTION:  The magnets are powerful and will pinch fingers and other body parts if caught between a magnet and metal or another magnet.  You have been warned!

My originally-planned project bombed, and I still have numerous magnets around, holding papers, retrieving dropped items, etc. I always keep a few magnets inside a heavy plastic bag near my drill press to catch the dross.  The plastic bag makes it easy to separate the magnetic field from the dross, allowing the dross to fall into a collection can. [dross=drill shavings]

Happy hunting.  Oh, and the case, and rest of the microwave? Recycle it if possible. Otherwise just give it to the trash service. That is where it was headed in the first place. Regards, – Greg L.

Economics and Investing:

Several readers have written to ask about the recent slump in precious metals. This can be attributed to the ongoing sovereign debt and derivatives crisis in Europe, where there are wholesale liquidations of everything. Folks are scrambling to raise cash to settle CDO contracts and to meet margin calls. The crisis will keep the price of metals down until perhaps October. It doesn’t mean that the bull market in metals is over. Far from it! Just look at this as a good buying opportunity.

Like a Hollywood set, housing inventory looks to be low only because that is what is being presented. Orange County foreclosure pipeline twice the size of non-distressed MLS inventory.

AmEx sent us this: Forecast: Taxmageddon Would Cause Another Recession

G.G. flagged this piece: One on One with John Williams of ShadowStats

Items from The Economatrix:

Fewer Americans Than Forecast File For Unemployment Claims

US Service Industries Grew Less Than Forecast In June

Are Global Central Banks In Panic Mode?

Odds ‘n Sods:

AmEx (American Expat) sent this report: One Year Later: Lessons from Recovery After the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake

   o o o

Authorities give 41 guns and 100,000 rounds of ammunition back to militia member after he is cleared of conspiring to overthrow government.

   o o o

New Hampshire enacts jury nullification law. Hopefully this will be the first of many “informed juries” laws, nationwide.

   o o o

Mike Williamson wrote to mention that the Armed Citizen Alliance (ACA) has announced their first National Armed Citizen Challenge, which will be held September 21-23, 2012, at PASA Park near Barry, Illinois. Unlike other organized shooting competitions, the ACA events emphasize practical concealed carry, rather than exotic “race” guns in speed holsters. Mike notes that this will be a great event to get involved in and support.  

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“No one can say when or where the first war for the Revolution began. Ten years before the fight at Lexington, Americans came out of their cabins in the valley of the Conocheague, and stormed and took Fort Louden. One by one, Americans walked the trails of the Green Mountains, and came down to the lake and took the King’s fort at Ticonderoga”. – Rose Wilder Lane (Daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and originator of the term Libertarian.)

Note from JWR:

There was another hack attempt on SurvivalBlog, beginning on July 4th.  We have been forced to change servers. We are presently re-building the blog site’s content and features gradually. The Search box, permalinks, and the RSS feed have not yet been restored. I will post the new dotted quad address as soon as it is available. Thanks for your patience.

Home Inverter Comparison: Off Grid and Grid Tied, by L.K.O.

Off-Grid Origins

Residential power systems – particularly the inverters that provide more popular Alternating Current (AC) voltages, standards and connections – are a far cry from their primitive ancestors of only a few decades ago, when hobbyists and off-grid home or cabin owners needed a fair amount of electrical expertise, as well as tolerance for not-quite-ready-for-mainstream technology and performance. Increased world-wide demand, dramatic improvements in the semiconductor and microprocessor industries, economies of scale, improved safety standards, regulations, plus diligent and competitive engineering have all contributed to the superb home inverter offerings available today. From it’s infancy as an inferior, pioneering substitute to grid power systems, usually chosen only out of necessity for off-grid installations, the technology has matured to the point where pure sine inverters can typically offer cleaner, better regulated, and more stable power solutions than utility grid power companies can offer. An added benefit of the precise sinusoidal waveforms is the extra longevity that most computers, consumer electronics, motors and other electrical devices with inductive loads gain as a result of lowered internal friction from surges, spikes, blackouts, brownouts and other voltage irregularities in utility-supplied power.

On-grid Evolution

The lure of a potential market many orders of magnitude larger than strictly off-grid customers encouraged inverter manufacturers to address the technical hurdles of allowing inverters to use both local – e.g. photovoltaic (PV) solar, wind, small hydro, etc. – sources and imported grid-supplied AC to power both consumer loads and backup batteries. An on-grid inverter must synchronize the AC output of the inverter with the incoming AC power from the grid, be able to immediately supplement any outages or drops in grid power with power from the batteries, solar panels, wind generator, etc., and adjust its phase instantaneously when outside utility power is restored. Today’s class of pure sine wave, synchronous inverters do all this and more, while meeting and/or exceeding all the needed safety and regulatory requirements such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the National Electric Code (NEC). These ‘best of both worlds’ inverters can often dramatically reduce the need for backup generators, fuel and having to oversize collection (such as PV panels, wind turbines) and storage (battery) components. The caveat with this approach is that it presumes that extended utility outages lasting many days or weeks will be very rare. However, if one wishes to build a self-sufficient home energy system in stages, this is often a good compromise. Backup generators and fuel can be added as budgets allow, with grid-tied systems still providing immediate benefits for both new construction and retrofitted homes. Since the vast majority of inverter applications have access to grid power, this article will focus on these modern grid-tie pure-sine inverters.

Power Buy-back

Because grid-tie inverter systems can frequently generate more electricity than is being used, utility meters will actually run backwards or sometimes a second meter is installed to measure the power delivered back to the utility company. The home becomes (at least in those moments when household supply exceeds demand) a net energy producer rather than a consumer. Some more progressive states and municipalities allow home-generated power to be sold back to the utility company at their retail power rates; Ashland, Oregon, for example, even pays a 25% premium (1.25 times the highest residential rate) for home-generated power for the first 1,000 kiloWatt-hour (kWh). Here is a net metering map for USA locations which shows how 42 states, at the time this article was written, support some form of net metering. Check with your local utility. In some cases, power is bought back at wholesale rather than retail rates, reducing the cost-effectiveness of an alternative energy system for those locations. In either case, there are self-sufficiency and ecological gains, and often economical gains, with effective break-even strategies.

Self-sufficient ideals for any home

One important benefit of looking objectively at home energy consumption, in addition to reducing ongoing monthly utility costs and the corresponding environmental benefits, is the potential for scaling down the size, cost and complexity of an inverter-based power system. Typically, the largest energy ‘gluttons’ include space heating (and cooling), water heating, cooking, clothes drying, and refrigeration. If you can, find non-electric or high-efficiency options for these needs, such as wood-fired cookstoves, gravity-fed water supplies (since well pumps often draw significant current) ceiling and exhaust fans, solar water heating, clotheslines and drying racks. Judicious use of these technologies can reduce ongoing power needs and system design costs to a fraction of what they might be otherwise. Plus, these strategies work equally well for both grid-tied and non-grid homes. This is most easily done with new home construction, taking advantage of microclimate factors, daylighting, prevailing breezes, site location for PV panels, wind generators, small hydro stream/penstock siting, etc. However, even retrofits can gain considerable benefits by careful planning and appliance selection. It behooves one not to overlook the benefits of a conservation-oriented lifestyle. Unplugging not-in-use phantom loads like battery chargers, and turning off unused lights, computer peripherals, etc. can make a significant difference. Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency LED and/or occupancy-sensed lighting, timers and a vast assortment of other energy-saving devices can simplify the effort for this lifestyle. Another ‘elephant in the room’ – specifically the garage – is the enormous potential (fuel) energy savings of a home-based business instead of a commute-intensive and fossil-fuel dependent livelihood and community. Here’s a list of some energy conserving ideas and resources that might be helpful in scaling down your inverter, battery and power source needs. The Department of Energy (DOE) tip web site for Money and Energy Savings is another useful resource.

Older inverters paired with a UPS (off-grid only)

If you have access to an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) that meets your power needs and can handle less than pure sine wave inputs you might be able to economize by using an older, second-hand non-sine-wave inverter with modified sine wave or other coarsely stepped output waveforms. Just make sure to carefully check the manufacturers specifications and then make an explicit inquiry to both vendors about the specific combination to avoid any safety or device/system longevity issues.

Small Inverters

There are numerous small wattage inverters for automotive or small load applications with outputs of 1 kW (kiloWatt) or less. When selecting inverters of this type, make sure both the nominal (rated) and peak or surge wattage ratings are a good fit for both the intended load and the inverter being considered. Keep in mind that these less expensive inverters often use a modified sine wave output that is a poorer approximation to ‘pure sine wave’ inverters. This may work fine for incandescent bulbs and other purely resistive loads (although an audible buzz is a classic artifact), but efficiency, performance and device lifespan may suffer with computers and home electronics that require cleaner power. Consider using a UPS as noted above. Anything with reactive (capacitive or inductive loads) such as transformers and motors tend to ‘fight’ dirtier power and waste more energy in heat with correspondingly compromised life spans and reduced efficiency.

Vulnerabilities of the On-grid Only Approach

Aside from the smaller (typically for mobile or portable application) inverters, there are three main inverter configurations: On-grid only, off-grid only, or systems designed to work either way. The ‘on-grid only’ option, while becoming the most common, is the most vulnerable, due to complete dependency on the grid. To be fair, there are a few advantages to this approach, but these don’t do much for a preparedness-oriented home. Most of the long term cost pay back calculations are based on grid-tied systems without batteries. Most tax credit and tax rebate plans apply only to grid-tied systems. However, after two years, the owner can usually reconfigure their systems legally, to make them truly off-grid, but only if the inverter is designed to work off-grid also. This is a must to keep in mind when choosing an inverter, which is one of the most expensive system components. An “Achilles Heel” design flaw of many grid-only systems prevents them from operating in the absence of grid power. There are plenty of mechanisms for grid failure. You have probably experienced your share of blackouts and brownouts. There are also probabilistic mechanisms that threaten the grid as well as the more common situations that trigger these events. The utility grid – in some respects analogous to a giant antenna – could be knocked out by an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) from massive solar flares or high-altitude nuclear detonations. The resonant wavelengths needed to disable power systems are minimized by relatively tiny wiring runs from PV panels to inverters and batteries in typical home power systems, compared with miles or thousands of miles of grid wiring. The longer the cable runs, the longer the unintentional antennas for EMP resonance. Rather than wait for the next power failure, try (with advance preparation) living without utility power for a day – or a week – and make careful note of what you will provision yourself with if/when this becomes a permanent (or even semi-permanent) situation.

The ‘Total Off-grid’ or ‘Best of Both Worlds’ Decision

The other two inverter topologies that mitigate grid frailties are the ‘total off-grid’ approach and the ‘best of both worlds’ configuration that allows for grid-tie benefits and complete functionality when the grid is down. Both approaches use batteries or some form of energy storage. The cost of off-grid systems are substantially higher, and the pay-back period is much longer. Despite some encouraging developments in battery technology, sulfation and other intrinsic longevity issues with lead-acid batteries (the most commonly chosen type) require purchase of new battery banks at roughly 6 to 8 year intervals. Other battery types tend to be more expensive, which outweighs typical lifetime advantages.

Some inverters are designed to work strictly on-grid, which ties the system to the grid’s vulnerabilities; for the ‘both’ approach, make sure explicitly that the inverter you select keeps on running regardless of whether the grid is up or down. The automatic grid power detection circuitry should disconnect the inverter from the grid and switch over to batteries within a few milliseconds, and then reverse that automatically when (if) grid power is restored. Caveats and cons for this “both” approach include the extra expense for a system that handles both grid and home-generated power; the synchronous part of the inverter and the switching logic and circuitry. Advantages of the ‘both’ approach include the greatest flexibility and source versatility, and possibly lower initial cost, since batteries (and additional panels and/or turbines) could be added later after budgets allow. Check with your inverter/PV consultant to make sure a staged approach like this is designed optimally for future expansion.

The advantages of the total off-grid approach include lower inverter costs, lack of expense and regulatory involvement needed for the synchronous circuitry and disconnect switching. Disadvantages include the considerably larger system size, complexity and expense of a system that must rely on strictly on-site power, which usually must be purchased at installation, rather than added later in stages. If the local supply fails (no wind or sun for extended periods or component failure), often equally unsustainable fossil-fuel based backups require additional expense and design considerations. The psychological benefits in terms of self-sufficiency may outweigh these issues.

Sizing, Options and Selection

Regardless of the type of system selected, proper sizing is always important. Buying more wattage (and complexity) than you need is often a result of not being thorough in a realistic, yet vigilant review of conservation lifestyle and appliance changes noted above. If you have the luxury of designing a new home, carefully plan to include primary non-electric (preferably on-site generated) alternatives for space heating/cooling, water heating, cooking, clothes drying, and refrigeration (such as a SunFrost brand refrigerator). This might make the difference between a system that uses 4 dozen pricey PV panels or half that. With a very frugal lifestyle, design and carefully solar orientation, etc. it’s sometimes possible to cut the needed system size – source, storage and conversion components (e.g. PV collectors, batteries, and inverter) in half again. While retrofits are usually more challenging to realize savings of this magnitude, there are still many opportunities to explore and an abundance of energy conservation resources online. Keep in mind that the idle current draw (a.k.a. wasted ‘phantom load’ power) is proportional to the size of the inverter. This is yet another reason to think through the big picture, all major power loads and size the inverter (and panels, batteries, etc.) for an optimal match between sources and loads.

Despite the tremendous advances in inverter technology, simplifying installation tremendously, there are still a number of choices to be made for a given power system installation. These often include (but aren’t limited to):

  • Rated output power in Volt-Amps (VA) which is related to Watts (W); here’s an article on the difference between VA and W ratings. Rated output power is often different for different output voltages, such as 240VAC or 208VAC output.
  • Output voltage(s); typically 240VAC.
  • Input voltages; AC (grid) and DC (PV panels, wind generator, etc.) input voltages.
  • Peak efficiency; typically 90% or higher. The lost efficiency is converted to heat.
  • California Energy Commission (CEC) weighted efficiency; a measure of average efficiency.
  • Maximum input current
  • Maximum output current

Online Comparison Chart

Once you have defined your power needs and selected the parameters above, here is a handy interactive comparison chart tool that allows comparison of these vendors (at the time this article was written): Advanced Energy, APS, Blue Frog Solar, Carbon Management, Chint Power, Delta Energy, Diehl AKO, Emerson Network Power, Enasolar, Enecsys, Enphase, Eversolar, ExelTech, Fronius, Growatt New Energy, KACO, KLNE, Kostal, Motech, Power-One, PVPowered, Refusol, Samil Power, Samlex America, Satcon, Siemens, SMA, Solar Bridge Tech, Solar Edge, Solar Energy Australia, Solectria, Sunpower, and Xantrex. You can group inverter comparisons by size (Wattage ranges in kW brackets) to make selection easier. This chart tool has a wide range of inverters for both off-grid and on-grid applications.

Installation

Both off-line and grid-tied inverter systems generally require licensed electrical contractors as well as applicable inspectors from your local jurisdiction(s). Always check all pertinent requirements, net metering regulations, and use UL, CSA and NEC certified components to pass safety, inspection, insurance, and other requirements before beginning an inverter-based power system project. When in doubt, consult a professional solar/inverter installer. It’s also a good idea when you’re not in doubt, too! Electrical equipment has safety as well as economic considerations, so always play it safe. Often solar/wind/inverter/alternative energy professionals can eliminate significant research time investment and quickly guide you to a suitable system tailored to your location, budget and specific needs.

Vendor Contact Info

Here are some of the more popular grid-tie inverter (GTI) manufacturers (click on the links to visit their web sites):

– L.K.O. (SurvivalBlog’s Central Rockies Regional Editor)

Announcing SurvivalBlog’s 19 New Book Review Editors

In just the first few hours after I posted my Volunteer Book Reviewer solicitation a week ago, I received more than 150 e-mails. The response was so overwhelming that I had to take down the post to avoid being deluged with additional volunteers. There were so many well-qualified candidates that it was difficult making the selection. I chose the new editors based primarily upon their education, experience, and time available to devote to editing. My sincere thanks to everyone who responded!

I anticipate that the new editors will periodically post detailed book and movie reviews. Most of them will probably post three of four per year.

For the privacy of the editors, I am announcing neither their names nor their street addresses. Each of them will select a nom de plume for their reviews.

Publishers and self-published authors should send review copies directly to the following addresses:

Farming, Ranching and Apiary Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 280
Briggs, TX 78608


Gardening, Aquaponics and Permaculture Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 408
Pomeroy, WA 99347

Food Storage Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 781546
San Antonio, TX  78278

Cooking and Recipe Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 140602
Garden City, ID 83714-0602

Economics and Investing Book Review Editor
 Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 44
Hollidaysburg, PA  16648


Libertarian Book Review Editor

Selected, but P.O. Box not yet established

Firearms, Optics, and Retreat Security Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 264
Marengo IA 52301


Medical, Health and Wellness Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 101
Germantown, Ohio 45327

Outdoor Survival Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 378
McLouth, KS 66054

History Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
Boxholder 431 Kera Drive
Mountain View AR 72560-8761

Biography Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 10
Ponce de Leon, MO 65728

Military Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
223 West Bulldog Blvd.
Box 556
Provo, UT  84604

Amateur Radio Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 118223
Carrollton, TX  75011

Computing Technology and Encryption Book Review Editor

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 970
Fortuna CA 95540

We also now have five new Fiction Book Review Editors. Fiction publishers should select any of the following addresses at random:

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 134
Dupont, Indiana 47231

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 26
Ravensdale, WA  98051

Book Review Editor
P.O.Box 872
Bethel, Alaska 99559

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 9671
San Diego, CA 92169-0671

Book Review Editor
P.O. Box 659
Warner, NH 03278

Note: For e-book reviews, you can e-mail me a PDF of the book, or a link to the book’s web address. I will then forward it to the appropriate book review editor.

John Hawkwood’s Book Review: Apache Tactics 1830-86

Apache Tactics 1830-86 by Robert H. Watt. ISBN: 978-1849086301 

Battles between Europeans and Native Americans in North America started with the first landfall and continued until the late 19th Century. Typically, the wars were limited in duration as the mass of European immigrants expanded into and pacified new areas.  Tribes decimated by war and disease had few alternatives.  In most parts of what is now the United States, peace followed settlement by not too many years.

The deserts of the West were another story. Vast distances and non-arable land meant that for many years more people transited the land than settled in it. What the land lacked in agricultural potential, it made up for with mineral wealth. That is what brought first the Spanish, then the Mexicans, and finally the Americans to the land of the Apache. Their range extended from Arizona to West Texas and from Southern Colorado to Northern Mexico.

The Apache may have remained in active conflict with European settlers longer than any other family of tribes. Coronado visited the area in 1540 and subsequent parties of Spaniards in that century reported raiding back and forth with the Apache. This continued after Mexican independence in 1821 and the eventual arrival of the Americans. It’s generally recognized that 1890 was the end of the Apache Wars, but there were certainly incidents past that time.

An Apache warrior was minimalist and efficient.  Reflecting the harshness of their land, the Apaches had none of the splendid head dresses, painted tepees, or beaded parfletches of the Plains Tribes. Additionally, there was no cult of the horse; Apache saw horses as tools first and food when necessary. Even on foot, an Apache warrior could travel 70 miles per day in the harsh terrain they called home.  Given their numbers, they were arguably the most effective guerrilla warriors in history. At the time of the Geronimo campaign, one-quarter of the U.S. Army (5000 men) were deployed looking for 50 Apache warriors.

Apache Tactics by Robert N. Watt is a thorough introduction to the strategies and tactics of the Apaches in the final stages of their wars. Although there are many scholarly books about the Apaches and their battles, few readers find the time to devote to an in-depth study. The virtue of this volume is the author’s distillation and categorizing of the various engagements, enriched by abundant maps, illustrations, and period pictures that lend a feel for the combatants.

Watt gives a good background of the Apaches and their milieu before getting to the meat of the book. One anecdote from 1876 is informative. In 1876 the Chiricahua reservation was to be closed and the tribe was divided on whether they should peacefully go to a new reservation, or leave in armed rebellion. Lacking agreement, it escalated to an armed battle and the “peace faction” literally shot down the more militant tribesmen. All members of the tribe had to be tough and capable of hard travel in austere conditions. Men were warriors and Apache boys were trained from an early age to fight and apprenticed in war as adolescents. Apache society was a meritocracy. Leaders were successful guerrilla fighters who exhibited and inspired toughness and patience. For that reason, many renowned Apache chiefs were in their 50s or older. Success was valued, but risk taking was not.  

Categorizing Apache tactics and presenting each area as case studies, Watt first covers raids. A raid is simply a surprise attack against an immobile target. The attacker chooses the time, and the location is fixed. Apache raiding was largely to procure livestock and other booty. This was not warfare for the Apache. Raiding was to gain property and warfare was to take life. Studying their engagements show this clearly. Northern Mexico suffered more from Apache raiding than did the Americans. Inevitably, on both sides of the border, Apache raids caused pursuit and attempts at reprisal. In response, the Apaches would seek to evade or ambush their pursuers.

In an ambush, the attacker chooses the location, and the time is whenever the target enters the kill zone. It is in describing the ambush tactics of the Apache that this book excels. Watt breaks Apache ambushes into several categories. The planned ambush required real-time intelligence to establish patterns and find “exploitable weaknesses.” Many of these attacks were to capture livestock. Other categories of ambushes are:  the killing ambush, seeking retribution against the enemy; ambush by decoy, using false trails/simulating panic/etc.; and ad hoc ambushes (or what Watt calls the Apache “roadside bomb”). These quick ambushes relied on Apache tradecraft to hide where there seemed to be no concealment and spring a deadly trap at close range. Often these would be set before or after a perceived danger area when the enemy was less alert. Watt makes the case that the Apaches understood psychological operations and used it to their advantage. In one instance an Apache war party was particularly brutal. This incensed responding miners and the Apaches goaded them on with distant gunfire. Thinking another attack was taking place; the miners ran pell-mell into an ambush and were killed.

Like all great guerrilla warriors Apaches avoided direct attacks and were famously risk adverse. Disparity of numbers and technology led to the inevitable failure of the Apache resistance, but students of guerrilla war can learn much from their efforts.

The author of Apache Tactics 1830-86, Robert N. Watt, is a lecturer at the University of Birmingham in the UK and this book is published by Osprey Publishing of Oxford, UK. They have a great list of books at OspreyPublishing.com. Apache Tactics was published in 2012 and is available through Amazon,com, BN.com, and other major Internet booksellers.

About The Reviewer: John Hawkwood (a pseudonym) is SurvivalBlog’s new Military Book Review Editor. He is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer who also served as a paramilitary officer with the CIA.

Pat’s Product Review: SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt

If there’s one thing I stress in my firearms classes, it is safety! Any instructor who doesn’t stress safety in their classes or on the range, isn’t doing his job. Students are always asking me about different ways they can practice without going to the range. Of course, one of the best things you can do is dry-firing. Needless to say, you have to make absolutely sure your firearm is unloaded, before undertaking dry-fire practice. More than one person has shot a hole in their wall with an “unloaded” gun.

When you dry-fire, you are accomplishing a couple of things. First off, you are learning trigger control and sight picture, as well as many other aspects of gun handling. A lot of folks are hanging lasers on their guns, for dry-fire practice, while this is a nice idea, it still isn’t quite up-to-par, if you ask me. Now comes the SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt. The SIRT is a great idea, and the concept is not restricted to ARs. Next Level Training manufactures several different SIRT lasers. They sent me the SIRT for an AR-style of rifle.

One of the first things I thought, when I opened the package containing the SIRT-AR Bolt was, “this is gonna be complicated to install…” Well, I hate to admit when I’m wrong, but I was. The SIRT-AR Bolt replaces the bolt/bolt carrier in your AR rifle. You simply remove your bolt/bolt carrier and place the SIRT-AR Bolt in the upper receiver. Okay, there is one other little thing you have to do, and it’s also easy. You have to place a little “filler” in the lower receiver, and this activates the laser when you pull the trigger on your AR. The instructions said it was easy, and you can also find a video on the Next Level Training web site that shows how simple it is to install the SIRT-AR Bolt and adjust it.

So, where does the SIRT-AR Bolt come into play? Well, you can safely train, with an unloaded weapon, with the SIRT installed. There is no way to introduce a live round into your AR – even if you mistakenly inserted a loaded magazine into the rifle. The SIRT-AR Bolt won’t allow this to happen. You can’t operate the charging handle on your AR, because you removed it when you installed the SIRT. However, what you can do is practice weapons manipulation, mag changes, presentation shots, etc. You can also practice trigger control. When you pull the trigger on your AR, the SIRT laser is activated, “firing” a red beam of light down the barrel, onto your target, so you know where you “hit” on the target. And, when you release the trigger, to “fire” the gun again, you simply release the trigger, just as you’d do with a live AR, and pull the trigger once again, and another last bean fires down your barrel, onto the target.

When using the SIRT, you safely train in the fundamentals of grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture, target transition, reloads, and above all, trigger control – all while handling a totally unloaded firearm. According to the Next Level Training web site, the red lasers (and you can get the laser in green, too) are safe to the eyes, so role players can realistically train without cumbersome safety gear. This is a good thing, if you ask me.

I have to admit, I was a little leery about how well the SIRT-AR Bolt would operate. It really only took me a few minutes to adjust the linkage between the bolt and the trigger that allows a trigger pull to activate the laser. I tried the SIRT in several different ARs, and it only took a slight adjustment to make it operate in different ARs – maybe a minute or two – that’s it! With each pull of the trigger, the red laser “fired” down the barrel, hitting my target, so I knew if my sight alignment and trigger control were working. I must have “fired” my AR at least a thousand times, and each time I pulled the trigger with the SIRT installed, the gun “fired” without fail. It was just a lot of fun, and it helps with your dry-fire practice.

More than anything, what I liked about the SIRT-AR Bolt was the fact, that you could safely operate the gun – and as I mentioned, there is no way to introduce a live round into the chamber of your AR with the SIRT installed. When lasers first came out for use on firearms, they were big and bulky, and there really wasn’t a good way to install them on your firearms and carry the guns – holsters weren’t made for handguns with lasers. Of course, a lot of that has changed over the years, and many holster makers are making holsters that will allow you to carry a laser installed on your handgun.

With the SIRT installed in your AR, you can set-up a target across the room, or from one end of your house to the other, and dry-fire all day long, without worry of a negligent discharge (NDs) into your wall, or through the wall, into a neighboring apartment or home, and wounding someone. If you look at the web site, you’ll also notice that Next Level Training, is also producing a Glock form factor SIRT pistol. This is a great idea, and it allows you to practice your handgun skills without worry of accidentally loading a pistol with live rounds.

More than anything, what really excited me about the SIRT was the safety factor. Any students who have trained with me will probably tell you how sick and tired they got hearing me preaching safety. As the saying goes, “safety is no accident” and we don’t want any accidents when we are handling firearms, on the range or in our homes. The fact that you can repeatedly pull the trigger on your AR with a SIRT-Bolt installed is great – just keep on “firing” with each pull of the trigger, without the need to charge the gun with the charging handle. Just pull the trigger, and a laser beam fires down the barrel. It can’t be any easier than that.

The SIRT-AR Bolt sample I received seemed very well made, and it should last you many years. I liked being able to watch how quick and easy it was to install the SIRT-Bolt on their web site. I believe that if you install a SIRT AR-Bolt in your rifle, and do lots of dry-fire practice with it, your next range visit will show that you improved your skills when you pull the trigger on a live-round, really! With the price of ammo these days, the SIRT is a darn good idea. And, it sure beats the heck out of having an accidental discharge in your home – none of us want that to happen.

So, if you’re looking to improve your trigger time, without the benefit of going out to the range a couple times per week, check out the SIRT from Next Level Training – I think you’ll be as impressed as I was, with the quality, and more importantly, at least to me, the simplicity of how the SIRT worked. I like it when something works as advertised. How many times have your saw something advertised on television or the ‘net, and when you got your own sample, the darn thing didn’t work as advertised? Yeah, I’ve had that happen way too many times myself.

Check out the Next Level Training web site, and watch the video on how easy the SIRT is to install, and then think about all the benefits of installing a SIRT in your AR, or buying the SIRT Glock, and doing some serious dry-fire practice. I think you’ll see the benefits of having a SIRT, and you’ll see the benefits on the range, from all that reactive dry-fire practice in your living room.

Retail on the SIRT-AR Bolt red laser is $150 and the green laser is a hundred bucks more. The savings in dry-fire practice alone is worth the investment. You also can’t put a price tag on the safety aspect of “firing” an eye safe laser, without fear of introducing a live round into your dry-fire practice. We can never be too safe, when we’re around firearms, and using a SIRT assures you that you have an unloaded firearm when performing dry-fire practice.