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Letter Re: Canadian Gun Shows--Behind The Power Curve
James,
Just sending this letter as a quick update to the situation with ammunition
and "black
guns" or defensive weapons in Canada. Contrary to what many people think,
Canada does allow citizens to get licensed and own firearms of most types.
Basically anything except full auto weapons unless you previously owned one
years ago and were grandfathered after that particular portion of Nazi legislation
was implemented.
This last weekend I was fortunate to attend Canada's largest gun show in western
Canada located in Cow Town, Calgary, Alberta. This gun show is nothing compared
to the big shows across many of the US States (about 500 tables) however, none
the less, it is an opportunity to meet with all the big vendors from across
the country and pick up ammo and supplies with cash for OPSEC reasons,
while you still can.
Its interesting to note that like the USA, supplies are rapidly drying up as
far as defensive firearms, loaded ammo and reloading components but not yet
reaching the levels of devastation as seen in the USA., yet.
What we are seeing is this, because of the lag time with bureaucratic red tape
processing of ammunition
and firearms coming into Canada
from the USA, there are a number of good-sized stockpiles of ammo and firearms
that are still trickling through Canada Customs and into the local guns shops
six months after the orders were placed which was about the time the supply
runs began in the USA. I fear however that this will very soon no longer be
the case due to the supply issues south of the border. For those in the know,
we recognize that our window of opportunity to purchase such items is rapidly
coming to a close. Massive supply runs have not yet begun, however supplies
are drying up rapidly as preppers and those ahead of the ball are consuming
the majority of the common calibers and associated reloading components.
Also very interesting: The vast majority of gun shop
owners and vendors up here are completely asleep at the wheel where the supply
issues are concerned. Many of them actually think that the delivery trucks
will always be there to bring stock for their shelves. I've actually heard
comments
from such people as this "The government will not allow this to happen
as it will hurt the firearms industry". What have they been smoking?
When I was at the show in Calgary this last weekend, it was rather humorous
to approach many of the vendors who had the only significant quantities of
the major calibers of ammo at this show (.45 ACP, .40 S&W , 9mm , .223,
etc) and simply walk up to them, ask them how much for case lots of ammunition
and then actually haggle with them and eventually purchase it at a much lower
price than they were originally asking. If these folks knew that their supply
was near complete extinction they wouldn't even be selling it or would at least
jack the price in accordance with the principles of supply and demand. But
it was great for me, though. No complaints.
It was a good show where Canada was concerned, mainly because we mopped up
what the golden horde was willing to trade for soon to be useless paper dollars
(big laughs over that) and we were able to get the supplies that we know will
soon be gone. We have reason to believe that the last of those cross-border
ammunition imports might be done and over with and we will shortly see panic
hit the regular gun crowd in Canada who will be left to fight over the odd
box of shotgun slugs and pistol rounds at best.
Thanks for all you do. I hope this information is of interest to fellow Canadian
SurvivalBlog readers.
-
Luke
Duke
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Letter Re: Knob Creek Report on Ammunition, Magazines, and Parts
Jim,
I just got back from attending the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot near Fort Knox,
Kentucky. I have never seen the ammo situation as bad there as it was on April
3rd to April 5th. I took four other people that have never been there and told
them that they would
be able to satisfy their needs at this show over any other. Boy, was I wrong!
Supply on certain items was either non existent or had decreased dramatically.
Several nationwide ammo dealers didn’t even show up and I have seen them
there for 10 consecutive years.
9mm +P+ Israeli SMG ball or tracer – last November.was $100 now $150 per thousand
(Pat's Reloading told me that they had gone through four Semi-trailer loads
of the stuff and this was nearing the end of it.) I loved this stuff because
I
couldn’t
even touch the components for $100, especially tracer.
.223 Israeli ball was $375 per thousand at Pats reloading
.223 Israeli tracer was oddly less expensive than
ball at $149 per 500. I looked through mine and about 10% appears to be Lake
City (early to mid-1990s). Purchased
at Pat's Reloading
.223 Federal 2008 production XM193 was $450 per 500. Don’t even think
about what that equates to, "per case".
9mm was in somewhat short supply. I heard one supplier tell a customer that
he brought two pallet loads with him, but the dealers bought it all before
the show even opened.
7.62x39 Last November Golden Tiger was $180 a case. I didn’t see one
single case of the stuff and Wolf was $300 a case.
7.62x54R was holding steady at $160 for two sealed tins (about 880 rds)
30-06 Greek sealed tins of 240 rds was up from $59 to $100.
.308 South African $90 per battle pack of 200 rds.
While there was some pistol ammo, it was not stacked up by the pallet load
as usual and self defense loads were either in short supply or exorbitant in
price. I did somehow manage to stumble into some Blazer nickel plated case
165 grain solid point 40 S&W ammo for $15 per 50 and some .223 IMG (Guatemalan)
that was boxed but tarnished for $375 per 1,200 round case. Time to dig out
the reloader and supplies.
On the Magazine front, nearly all [of the once inexpensive and plentifull magazines]
now have jacked up [prices].
DSA still had nice metric FAL mags for $7 and 30 round [.308 L4] Bren gun mags
that fit FALs (inch and metric) for $30. I would have bought some but I am
still
mad at them at playing "the DSA waiting game" for some [FAL] receivers. I have
waited on two of those receivers now for going on a year, continually being
promised that they
"have
them in stock", and being sent my money back twice. This is my
forth go around with them 1997, 2001, 2003 with only one [order] being successful.
[Minor rant snipped.]
AK magazines: still some around for $12
G3 aluminum mags $5
[HK] G3 steel and CETME were all $15 except for one guy who still had them
for $5
Cope's Distributing was completely out of the used (law enforcement trade-in)
Glock and SIG magazines that they formerly had for $10 each. They did have
some KCI Korean Glock
magazines
for
$12
that looked respectable and see to have a good reputation so far.
SVD and Romak 3 mags had dropped from $100 to $60 (for a 4-pack) in November.
Now back up to $85.
AR parts kits were in short supply. Model 1 sales sent a reduced table and
barely had anything. a FFL dealer behind me at the Doublestar/J&T Distributing
table told me he had bought 55 full kits from Model 1 Sales and he would be
sold out in 2-3 weeks so he was buying more from J&T. The owner of J&T
told me that she ran out of stuff before the show even opened to the public
and had to send a van back to load up with more stuff. J&T’s cheapest
kit was $555 without a chrome bore. They sold out of kits by noon and were
going to have to send another van back for more.
On the AR-15 lower receiver front, a FFL dealer friend of mine there told me
that the log jam for receivers appeared to have eased as he was able to buy
them
for
$88 wholesale once again and take delivery in a reasonable amount of time.
On the whole, the current situation seems to favor those moving into the AK-74
realm. AK-74 kits were $495, receiver flats were $12, transferable receivers
were $60 and the ammo was $300 per 1,300 rds (in sealed tins). There never
seems to be much competition for that ammo. I am thinking about getting a 5.45mm
AK.
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My Initial Experiences with Concealed Carry, by AceHigh
As I started my journey into preparedness, one of the areas I pursued was getting
my Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) license (sometimes called Concealed Handgun
License (CHL) or Concealed Carry License (CCL)). I thought it might be helpful
to Survival Blog readers to share my recent experiences related to obtaining
my CCW license and getting to a point where I felt comfortable carrying a
concealed weapon in public. I know there is some concern regarding obtaining
a license that puts you on record as a gun owner/carrier, but that is the
trade off of being able to legally defend yourself and is a decision each
of us must make.
In a full TEOTWAWKI situation, concealed carry is likely not much of an issue,
as most everyone will be carrying openly. However, it is possible, if not likely,
that a less than full TEOTWAWKI will occur where there is increasingly more
crime and yet some semblance of law enforcement is still in place. This limbo
between where we are today and complete lawlessness may last a long time. You
could be considered a criminal by illegally carrying a concealed weapon for
self protection.
First, a little background regarding CCW. Most states are either “shall
issue” or “may issue” in regard to CCW licenses (nice of
them to offer something already provided for by the Second Amendment). Both
Illinois and Wisconsin do not allow concealed carry at all and a few other “nanny” states
(California, New York, New Jersey, etc.) are “may issue” and only
provide licenses in very limited circumstances. There is a complicated set
of state reciprocity (which states will honor another states license), especially
considering that many states offer non-resident permits and a few states only
honor resident permits. The best source I have found to understand the laws
pertaining to individual states is the HandgunLaw.us
web site. Even though
there are sporadic attempts to nationalize concealed carry, I do not believe
this
will
happen which is probably a good thing (the federal government, especially the
current one, would likely make things much worse).
I applied for and subsequently received my CCW license about 18 months ago
in Idaho, my state of residence. My first several months of carrying a concealed
weapon was limited to having my gun in the car (in a somewhat hidden spot)
anytime
I left the house. My concern was that, even though I had some experience shooting
handguns and rifles, actually carrying a weapon in public carries a high level
of responsibility and I did not have enough confidence in my ability in handling
the weapon or in having the proper mindset as to how to respond to the variety
of situations that could present themselves.
I made one of the best decisions of my life when I attended the Four
Day Defensive Handgun class at Front Sight. Not only did those very intense four days enable
me to gain familiarity and confidence in handling my Glock 23 but started me
down the road to good marksmanship. The range work (about 75% of the class)
focused on gun handling safety, proper mechanics for drawing the gun and shooting,
and shooting accuracy. Just as important was the classroom work at Front Sight
where they discussed a wide range of topics related to self defense, including
the legal ramifications of even a justified shooting and the color codes of
awareness. The most important thing presented was that you should only present
your weapon if you are in fear for your life or grave bodily harm and, if you
do present your weapon, you should be prepared to shoot until the threat is
stopped. This may sound simple but there are many shades of gray here that
each individual must come to grips with.
One of these gray areas involves protecting others. Of course, there is no
question regarding protecting my family who would get a higher priority than
even myself. My personal decision is that I would also use deadly force to
protect my friends. Here is where it starts to get gray. Do you protect acquaintances
or strangers? While it would be very difficult to stand by and let someone
be harmed or killed when you could have done something to stop it, the real
issue is: Do you know enough of the circumstances about the event? How do you
know for sure who the bad guy is? Is the person holding the gun seeming to
threaten someone an off duty cop or even another CCW who is restraining a bad
guy? You certainly cannot count on presenting your weapon to get everyone to
stop until it can be sorted out. Chances are pretty good that the bad guy (or
the off duty cop) holding the gun will not surrender and you will either be
shot or have to shoot them.
Another gray area is: how far do you go to protect your stuff? You are only
legally able to shoot someone if you are in fear of your life or grave bodily
harm. In most states, you cannot legally shoot someone who is just taking your
stuff. For example, if someone pulls a gun (or knife) on you and demands your
wallet, you could shoot them if you were in fear for your life. However, if
you see someone stealing you car and you shoot them while they are driving
away; you are likely in deep trouble. An exception (in most states),
called the Castle Doctrine, is that you do not have to be in fear for your
life if
the bad guy is inside your house. Be sure to check your state
laws on use of force!
Prior to the class, I had begun to read the defensive handgun forums primarily
regarding hypothetical and actual defensive scenarios. I highly recommend these
forums. My favorites are: Defensive
Carry Forum, Concealed
Carry Forum,
and the Glock
Carry Forum. Even though there are many different
opinions expressed on these forums, hearing them helps to solidify your own
mindset
as to what you would do in a variety of situations. It is important to think
this through thoroughly prior to carrying a weapon because there will likely
not be time to do so when a situation arises.
The main point is that you need to go out of your way to avoid a gunfight.
This is illustrated by the fact that in a gunfight, you risk everything (including
your life) and don’t win anything. The ramifications to your life of
even a good shooting are such that it is something to be avoided if at all
possible. Those ramifications can include financial ruin, losing your job,
tarnishing your reputation (at least among the non-violent types), or even
incarceration. Now that I am armed, I am more able to resist the macho urge
to stand up to someone because I know that escalation could be deadly. It also
doesn’t hurt to have witnesses that say you tried to walk away or de-escalate
the situation in case the unavoidable does happen.
After attending the Front Sight class, I made the leap and started carrying
in public all of the time. This is where you start to figure out the type and
manufacturer of holster which is going to work best for you. Most people end
up with a drawer full of holsters since it is difficult to evaluate a holster
without wearing it with different clothing options and sometimes in different
positions for some period of time. Again, the defensive handgun forums can
provide a wealth of opinions regarding the variety of holsters available. Some
holsters are adjustable for height and/or cant, which make them more versatile
but also extend the time to figure out the most comfortable concealed position.
I could write many pages on all of the options and types of holsters available
since I did considerable research and tried many of them personally.
To simplify, the most common holsters are either OWB (outside the waistband)
or IWB (inside the waistband). They can be worn in various positions (usually
described but referencing the numbers on a clock with straight ahead being
12:00). Many people carry “behind the hip” at 4:00-5:00 (for right
handed people) or 7:00-8:00 (for left handed people) with some amount of forward
cant (grip of gun forward and barrel angled toward the rear). That cant (typically
10-20%) allows for a more natural grip on the gun for drawing from that position
as well as provides better concealment than a straight drop. I could never
get comfortable with this behind the hip position, maybe because I am not very
limber and I have bad shoulders making it difficult to reach behind my hip
both for getting the holster positioned initially and for access to the gun
when needed.
The 3:00 position allows for a straight draw and is the most comfortable, even
when sitting. Since it is on the apex of your hip/waist, it is a little more
difficult to conceal but is a good option in winter when jackets and coats
are common. You just need to make sure that you won’t be put into a position
where you will need to remove your cover garment. I have found that a fleece
vest works very well to conceal a handgun at 3:00 and you can still wear and
remove a heavier coat and keep your weapon concealed.
I have gravitated toward “appendix carry” at about 1:00-2:00 using
an IWB holster, especially in the summer. It allows for excellent concealability
and access and can be concealed with just a light shirt. This position also
allows you to be able to visually make sure you are not “printing” (outline
of the gun showing through your clothes). There are a large number of IWB holsters
available and some of them allow a shirt to be tucked in between the pants
and the top of the gun if you need to have your shirt tucked in. I did have
to go up one size in pants to accommodate the holster and gun being inside
the waistband.
Cross draw is another option and works well for people who spend a lot of time
driving. Other options that have drawbacks but may be useful for some people
include SOB (small
of back) holsters, shoulder holsters, and ankle holsters.[JWR Adds: As
previously mentioned in SurvivalBlog I consider SOB holsters too much of a
risk for back
injuries, particularly for anyone on horseback, or that is riding motorcycles
or ATVs.]
I use a fanny pack (worn in the front) sometimes, especially when hiking.
A
fanny
pack
in
public
tends
to scream “gun” to
most law enforcement and some bad guys. For women, carrying in a purse is an
obvious
choice. However,
you have to be very careful not to set it down anywhere where someone else
could get access to it. A purse can also be the target of someone trying to
snatch it, which not only deprives you of your means of self defense but gives
your weapon to your attacker. There are other options that each individual
should look into to meet their specific need.
To maintain and even improve the level of proficiency gained at Front
Sight, there are a few approaches. The obvious one is to do a lot of shooting.
With the cost of ammunition these days, this can be very expensive. A .22 conversion
kit for your carry gun will help to minimize the cost of putting a lot of rounds
down range. An alternative is to mix in dry practice. Personally, I like to
try to maintain 10%-20% of my practice time as live fire but sometimes that
is even difficult to achieve. Dry practice can help to maintain muscle memory
for drawing, sight acquisition, trigger pull, and even malfunction clearing.
An obvious important safety concern when dry practicing is to absolutely
insure that the gun is unloaded. I know that sounds pretty basic but a clear delineation
of
starting
and stopping
dry practice will help to eliminate a very bad experience of a
negligent discharge. Unload the gun and double check that it is unloaded. Then
remove all ammo from the dry practice area. Check again to make sure the gun
is unloaded. Even then, make sure you dry practice target has a good backstop
and make sure you never point the gun at anything you would not want to destroy.
At the end of the dry practice session, remove any dry practice targets, load
and holster the weapon, and go as far as to say out loud, “The weapon
is loaded and dry practice is over.”
I have applied for and am awaiting receipt of my Utah non-resident permit which
will make me legal in more states (33 states in total). I am also planning
to attend Front Sight again in a few weeks and take the Four Day Practical
Rifle class to gain more proficiency with my battle rifle. I even talked my
wife
into taking the Four
Day Defensive Handgun class at the same time. - AceHigh in Idaho
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Letter Re: Lessons Learned by the Victim of a Home Burglary
Jim,
I’m writing you today after our rural home/retreat was broken into while
we were at work. I thought it would never happen to me, Oh, was
I so very wrong. First things first, thank you for convincing me to purchase
a safe and after reading the suggestion many times in you blog I eventually
bolted it down. This is the only thing that saved me from losing the
safe and all of its contents. The Sheriff told me of another burglary
where the didn’t have his very large ("they can’t
move it--its too heavy") safe bolted down and they took the whole thing.
After much thinking, online research and discussions with the local locksmith/safe
dealer with 40 years of experience, I have some suggestions that may be of use
to my fellow SurvivalBlog readers:
ANCHOR YOUR SAFE!!! I cannot stress this enough. I had a fairly
low end safe and they were not able to get into it (they almost did) nor were
they able get it out of the house. The Sheriff's deputy estimated they worked
on it for two to three hours to no avail. These thieves tore a wall out to try to gain more access to it.
I have decided that a safe is my final line of defense from a burglar.
First thing, put gates at the entrance to your retreat and lock them as I now
have. Put all tools out of sight as the thieves used my hammers, pry bars to
work on the safe. Reinforce the door jambs in your home. I have added 3-inch
screws to the door hinges and a steel plate behind the striker plates with
3 inch screws. If your budget permits add an alarm with an outside strobe light.
This may or may not help depending on where your home is located. We are on
a paved county road with our retired neighbor who has a line of sight to our
home a quarter mile away. If it would happen again our neighbor would be there
in short order. As for dogs, I don’t know, I have three and they did
not stop them. From what I have gathered unless you have a trained security
dog they don’t help
much, they just kick them out the door and go about their business. Don’t leave
keys/combinations in your home while away. They opened every cabinet door,
drawer, trunk, dresser, night stand, picture frames and closet in the house
and emptied them. There was only one cabinet door they didn’t open which
was the one with my truck keys in it which was in the driveway.
Don’t put anything in or under the beds, ours were all flipped upside
down. Don’t leave any firearms out and loaded while away, you don’t
want to come home and be confronted by your own weapon in the hands of a criminal.
Do what you can now before a burglary to make your home less inviting
to a thief. If they want in they will get in
given enough time. I feel bad saying this but if your neighbors’ home is less secure than yours they will go visit your neighbor. My worry now
is they have been in my home, will they be back since they know I may have
something worth getting.
After a lengthy discussion with the locksmith/safe technician. The strongest
way to secure to concrete is the Powers/Rawl brand wedge bolt +. Don’t
use the lead "bullets" or drive in anchors. He told me a story of removing
16 safes for a chain of stores that were bolted down with these style anchors.
If you can get a pry bar started under one corner you can pull them right out. The wedge bolts cut threads in the concrete with no inserts.
He stated you will pull the floor out of the safe before the anchors pull out.
If you’re anchoring to a wood floor and you have an unfinished basement
you should use a steel plate. Use 1/8” or 3/16” [thick] flat steel
plate large enough to catch at least three floor joists. Screw the plate to
the bottom
of the floor joist. Use an extra-long drill bit to drill down from the safe
thru the steel plate. Get hardened bolts long enough to be installed from the
bottom, cut a piece of pipe slightly larger than the bolt but shorter than
the floor joist is tall and slide it over the bolt as you are installing it.
This will make it very difficult to cut the bolts as the pipe will spin freely
on the bolt. Be sure to "double nut" them inside the safe. The last step is to weld the bolt heads to the steel
plate.
Thanks for all the good information on your blog. I hope maybe someone reading
your blog my find some of this info useful and maybe prevent someone from entering
their home. I didn’t sleep well for a week, the
wife and I are still a little on edge and everyone who drives by is suspect!
This makes you feel very insecure knowing someone has been in your home and
went thru all your things. I wish I would have made our place more secure before
and maybe this would never have happened! The Sheriff told me this is getting
much more frequent and I agree it will get worse. God Bless, - Jason in Missouri.
JWR Replies: Thanks for that letter, Jason! Hopefully it
will motivate folks to up their level of home security and vigilance. I agree
that the home gun safe should be the last line of defense. One intermediate
line
of
defense
is concealment.
Burglars cannot attack a safe if they don't know it exists. See
the SurvivalBlog archives
for a variety
of articles and letters that discuss hidden rooms, such as this
one, or this
one, both from
2007.
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Three Letters Re: The Feeding Frenzy Continues--Gun Store Shelves are Depleted
JWR:
I saw the article on how Cabela’s shares surged based on gun sales.
Let me tell you, we are in the midst of a feeding frenzy here in Colorado.
First, its not just guns, its all of the accessories as well. I had to return
some items from Christmas to Sportsman’s Warehouse and found that the
whole gun department was basically empty. They only had some black powder firearms
and a couple of shotguns. Nothing else. I had run into this before Christmas
when I bought my two oldest boys new elk rifles – and got the last .308
bolt action and the last .30-06 bolt action to be had. But I figured after Christmas things would be better. Well, they
are not. So unless you shoot something
odd like a .22-250 forget getting ammunition right now let alone a gun. And
the cleaning kits were sold out as well. And holsters, ammo belts – you
name it and if it was shooting related it was gone.
Now in my wanderings in the store I also found that communications
gear is also disappearing off the shelves. I had a brief conversation with the kid
that was working there and it turns out that this is another trend they are
seeing. Basically all of the walkie-talkie units that can take ear buds or
microphones are gone. The only things left are some cheap FRS units. The same
thing was at work with the flashlights – all of the better units (like
the Surefire models) were gone. I begin to wonder what is at work here – am
I being paranoid or is this the next run on “near tactical” equipment?
Now I shoot as much as I can when I am in country so I go through a lot of
reloading supplies and bulk ammunition. I have been told by some of the national
dealers that I buy from (in bulk lots of 10 cases per caliber per order) that
they are almost all sold out as well. One sales person related to me that they
had run through over 10,000 cases of .223 that week alone and could not keep
any in stock. Common calibers are gone – 9mm, .45 ACP, .38/.357, .223,
.308, 7.62x39 – and less common ones such as the .40 are hard to get.
So unless you happen to be shooting something that is very uncommon, keep your
eyes open. I did however with a week of scrounging manage to come up with
one box of 7.62 match grade ammo – the 175 grain M118 loading. Fortunately
my long range precision gun likes this ammo so I bought it.
This is one trend that if you were not way out in front and loading up on ammunition,
guns, and accessories, you would not be able to catch up now. - Hugh D.
Hi Jim,
FYI, just got done shopping at Midway [for ammunition handloading components]
and all of the .308 150 grain soft nosed bullets priced at $25.00/100 and
under are
gone.
All
gone!
This
includes
all round
nose and flat point for 30-30. Only some of the
premium stuff is available. The next best
deal is a Lapua 150 grain at $42.00/100. Guess I'll have to top off with
the only decent spitzer, a 125 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter at $22/100 if I can't
find 150 grainers
elsewhere. I suppose these can be reliable through a[n M1]
Garand and are
certainly adequate for deer. I've also shopped all over for loaded 9mm Luger
JHP and
it's all gone as well. Yes I shoulda got the XD-.45 instead,
yet common ammunition that can be shared with the rest of the family and
in case the gun fails
the ammo would not be wasted. I have plenty, but more would be nice. The
same can be said for the cheap 7.62x39 and M2 ball (.30-06). All gone, everywhere.
There does appear to be some 7.62 NATO out
there.
Cabela's seems to have a fair selection of all .308 spire point bullets
and 9mm/.45ACP
JHP,
and a very limited amount (500 rounds) of the cheap 7.62x39, and limited
quantities
of .223 and .308.
The run on ammunition continues and is amazing. A report from the latest
gun show in our area described [buyers with] dollies stacked with cases
that emptied the place within
three hours. What is the most shocking is that reloading components are also
disappearing. - E.L.
Jim:
News of the [U.S.]Attorney General asking for renewal of the Assault Weapons
ban (on behalf of Obama) went out across the Internet last night [Wednesday,
Feb.
25th.] Here was the result I saw: There was a line of about eight guys
in front of my local gun shop this morning, waiting for the doors to open.
This was at 9 a.m. on a Thursday morning, mind you. I was one of them.
Most of the guys looked to be in their 30s and 40s--so we were taking time
away from work to be there. (In my case, it was a "dental emergency".
Obama has
me grinding my teeth at night!) We got in the door, and I immediately saw there
wasn't much left on the shelves--mostly just pump [shot]guns
and
bolt-action
[rifle]s.
There
were
just
two centerfire semi[automatic]s in the rack: some POS no-name
AK that
looked like it was built from a beater parts kit, and one of those woosie S&W AR[-15] clones
with no flash hider on but with the Mossy-Breakup camouflage
paint job. Those both sold in the first few minutes. The owner said that he
doesn't
expect
[to
receive] any more black
guns for three or four months!
One thing you definitely
had nailed: They did not have a single high-cap magazine
left in the store,
except the
one
that
came
in the
mag well of the AK I mentioned.
I cleaned out the last of their .45
and .308 ammo--just a few boxes. There was not a round of 9mm, .223, of
7.62 [x39mm] Russian to be found. Those was some slim pickin's! I wonder:
What will they have
left by
Saturday night? - Ray H. in Virginia
« Letter Re: Real World Observations on Fighting Crime and Criminals |Main| Note from JWR: »
Depression Proof Jobs for a 20 Year Depression - Part 2: Developing a Home-Based Business
Yesterday, in Part1, I discussed the "safe" and counter-cyclical occupations
for the unfolding economic depression. Today, I'd like to talk about one specific
approach:
self-employment
with a home-based business.
I posted most the following back in late 2005, but there are some important
points that are worth repeating:
The majority of SurvivalBlog readers that I talk with tell
me that they live in cities or suburbs, but they would like to live full
time at a retreat in a rural area. Their complaint is almost always the same: "...but
I'm not self-employed. I can't afford to live in the country because I can't
find work there, and the nature of my work doesn't allow telecommuting." They
feel stuck.
Over the years I've seen lots of people "pull the plug" and
move to the boonies with the hope that they'll find local work once
they get there. That usually doesn't work. Folks soon find that the most
rural jobs typically pay little more than minimum wage and they are often
informally
reserved for folks that were born and raised in the area. (Newcomers from
the big city certainly don't have hiring priority!)
My suggestion is to start a second income stream, with a
home-based business. Once you have that business started, then
start another one. There are numerous advantages to this
approach, namely:
You can get out of debt
You can generally build the businesses up gradually, so
that you don't need to quit your current occupation immediately
By working at home you will have the time to home school your children and
they will learn about how to operate a business.
You can live at your retreat full time. This will contribute to your self-sufficiency,
since you will be there to tend to your garden, fruit/nut trees, and livestock.
If one of your home-based businesses fails, then you can fall back on the
other.
Ideally, for someone that is preparedness-minded, a home-based business should
be something that is virtually recession proof, or possibly even depression
proof. Ask yourself: What are you good at? What knowledge or skills
do you have that you can utilize. Next, consider which businesses will flourish
during bad times. Some good examples might include:
Mail order/Internet sales/eBay Auctioning of preparedness-related products.
Locksmithing
Gunsmithing
Medical Transcription
Accounting
Repair/refurbishment businesses
Freelance writing
Blogging (with paid advertising) If you have knowledge about a niche industry
and there is currently no authoritative blog on the subject, then start your
own!
Mail order/Internet sales of entertainment items. (When times get bad, people
still set aside a sizable percentage of their income for "escape" from
their troubles. For example, video rental shops have done remarkably well
during recessions.)
Burglar Alarm Installation
Other home-based businesses that seem to do well only in
good economic times include:
Recruiting/Temporary Placement
Fine arts, crafts, and jewelry. Creating and marketing your own designs--not "assembly" for
some scammer. (See below.)
Mail order/Internet sales/eBay Auctions of luxury items, collectibles, or
other "discretionary spending" items
Personalized stationary and greeting cards (Freelance artwork)
Calligraphy
Web Design
Beware the scammers! The fine folks at www.scambusters.org have
compiled a "Top 10" list of common work-at-home and home based business scams
to beware of:
10. Craft Assembly
This scam encourages you to assemble toys, dolls, or other craft projects
at home with the promise of high per-piece rates. All you have to do is
pay
a fee up-front for the starter kit... which includes instructions and parts.
Sounds good? Well, once you finish assembling your first batch of crafts,
you'll be told by the company that they "don't meet our specifications."
In fact, even if you were a robot and did it perfectly, it would be impossible
for you to meet their specifications. The scammer company is making money selling
the starter kits -- not selling the assembled product. So, you're left with
a set of assembled crafts... and no one to sell them to.
9. Medical Billing
In this scam, you pay $300-$900 for everything (supposedly) you need to start
your own medical billing service at home. You're promised state-of-the-art
medical billing software, as well as a list of potential clients in your
area.
What you're not told is that most medical clinics process their own bills,
or outsource the processing to firms, not individuals. Your software may
not meet their specifications, and often the lists of "potential clients" are
outdated or just plain wrong.
As usual, trying to get a refund from the medical billing company is like trying
to get blood from a stone.
8. Email Processing
This is a twist on the classic "envelope stuffing scam" (see #1 below).
For a low price ($50?) you can become a "highly-paid" email processor
working "from the comfort of your own home."
Now... what do you suppose an email processor does? If you have visions of
forwarding or editing emails, forget it. What you get for your money are instructions
on spamming the same ad you responded to in newsgroups and Web forums!
Think about it -- they offer to pay you $25 per e-mail processed -- would any
legitimate company pay that?
7. "A List of Companies Looking for Homeworkers!"
In this one, you pay a small fee for a list of companies looking for homeworkers
just like you.
The only problem is that the list is usually a generic list of companies, companies
that don't take homeworkers, or companies that may have accepted homeworkers
long, long ago. Don't expect to get your money back with this one.
6. "Just Call This 1-900 Number For More Information..."
No need to spend too much time (or money) on this one. 1-900 numbers cost money
to call, and that's how the scammers make their profit. Save your money --
don't call a 1-900 number for more information about a supposed work-at-home
job.
5. Typing At Home
If you use the Internet a lot, then odds are that you're probably a good
typist. How better to capitalize on it than making money by typing at home?
Here's
how it works: After sending the fee to the scammer for "more information," you
receive a disk and printed information that tells you to place home typist
ads and sell copies of the disk to the suckers who reply to you. Like #8,
this scam tries to turn you into a scammer!
4. "Turn Your Computer Into a Money-Making Machine!"
Well, this one's at least half-true. To be completely true, it should read: "Turn
your computer into a money-making machine... for spammers!"
This is much the same spam as #5, above. Once you pay your money, you'll
be sent instructions on how to place ads and pull in suckers to "turn
their computers into money-making machines."
3. Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)
If you've heard of network marketing (like Amway), then you know that there
are legitimate MLM businesses based on agents selling products or services.
One big problem with MLMs, though, is when the pyramid and the ladder-climbing
become more important than selling the actual product or service. If the
MLM business opportunity is all about finding new recruits rather than selling
products or services, beware: The Federal Trade Commission may consider it
to be a pyramid scheme... and not only can you lose all your money, but you
can be charged with fraud, too!
We saw an interesting MLM scam recently: one MLM company advertised the
product they were selling as FREE. The fine print, however, states that
it is "free
in the sense that you could be earning commissions and bonuses in excess of
the cost of your monthly purchase of" the product. Does that sound like
free to you?
2. Chain Letters/Emails ("Make Money Fast")
If you've been on the Internet for any length of time, you've probably received
or at least seen these chain emails. They promise that all you have to
do is send the email along plus some money by mail to the top names on
the list,
then add your name to the bottom... and one day you'll be a millionaire.
Actually, the only thing you might be one day is prosecuted for fraud.
This is a classic pyramid scheme, and most times the names in the chain
emails
are manipulated to make sure only the people at the top of the list (the
true scammers) make any money. This scam should be called "Lose Money
Fast" -- and it's illegal.
1. Envelope Stuffing
This is the classic work-at-home scam. It's been around since the U.S. Depression
of the 1920s and 1930s, and it's moved onto the Internet like a cockroach
you just can't eliminate. There are several variations, but here's a sample:
Much like #5 and #4 above, you are promised to be paid $1-2 for every envelope
you stuff. All you have to do is send money and you're guaranteed "up
to 1,000 envelopes a week that you can stuff... with postage and address
already affixed!" When you send your money, you get a short manual
with flyer templates you're supposed to put up around town, advertising
yet another
harebrained work-from-home scheme. And the pre-addressed, pre-paid envelopes?
Well, when people see those flyers, all they have to do is send you $2.00
in a pre-addressed, pre-paid envelope. Then you stuff that envelope with
another flyer and send it to them. Ingenious perhaps... but certainly illegal
and unethical.
From all that I've heard, most franchises and multi-level marketing schemes
are not profitable unless you pick a great product or service, and you
already have a strong background in sales. Beware of any franchise where you
wouldn't have a protected territory. My general advice is this: You will probably
be better off starting your own business,
making, retailing, or consulting about something where you can leverage
your existing knowledge and/or experience.
---
In closing, I'd like to reemphasize that home security and locksmithing are
likely to provide steady and profitable employment for the next few years,
since hard
economic times are likely to trigger a substantial crime wave. After
all, someone has
to keep watch on the tens of thousands of foreclosed, vacant houses. (If not
watched, then crack cocaine addicts, Chicago syndicate politicians, or other
undesirables might move in!)
« Letter Re: It Looks Like the End is Beginning |Main| Note from JWR: »
Letter Re: Gun Show Report--The Full Capacity Magazine Feeding Frenzy Continues
Mr. Rawles:
I took your
advice you posted last year and have been investing in some high cap
magazines. I've bought about $2,000 worth since the [November 2008 presidential]
election,
and I haven't had any second thoughts. Thank you sir, your advice is making
me a tidy profit. The 75-round
Romanian [RPK]
drums that I bought for $135 each the day after the election are now going
for $250
each.
And the
31-round
Glock 9
milly magazines
that I paid $33.50 each for are now going for $65 each. Oh, I found +2 [magazine
floorplate extension]s for those, so now they are all 33 rounders. I figure
those mags will
be over $100 each in a couple of months.
My real coup de largesse was this past weekend, when I went to a
local gun show here in Texas. (There is a gun show just about every weekend,
somewhere
in Texas. Some just take a day of driving to get to!) The place was a mad house. It
took 30+ minutes to stand in line just to pay to get in the door. People were
buying mil surplus ammo and magazines like crazy.
Basically the ammo and mags were all sold out by noon on Saturday. And most
of the "black guns" were sold
out
buy
the
time they closed the doors Saturday night. Prices on magazines have basically
doubled since the election.
Anyway, just after the show opened,
I was scanning the tables, looking for high cap magazines--what else--when
I spied
a Mini-14 GB
stainless, with an original Ruger-made 30-round magazine tucked up next to
it. I was about to ask [the seller] if he'd sell the magazine separately, when I glanced
at
the
gun's
price
tag:
$400! I just about died of an infarction on the spot. That is a great price
on a fairly scarce model. (The "GB" is the LEO-sales
model, with factory-installed flash-hider.) The seller--a nice old gentleman
and
a Korean War vet--said that
he had put
less
than 500 rounds through it. The rifle's looks matched the story, so I whipped
out
four Franklins and a copy of my driver's license to show I was
"Free, white and 21". Anyway, we got all set (private party sale--my only way
to business) to get the gun out the door, and the old timer says, "Oh
wait, don't forget the [factory shipping] box, and the magazines, they come
with
it." He
reaches under the table and lifts up a shoe box full of original Ruger 20s
and 30s,
some of
them
still
in
the white boxes! I nearly had a second heart attack. There were
11 [magazines in the box, of which] six were 30 rounders. That's like $900
worth of magazines,
these days! Later at the show I also scored four 20 round Beretta M92 "Robocop"
mags, two [Steyr] AUG 42-rounders
for $30 each, five AR-10 mags
(for just $40 each--I've seen them advertised on Buddy's board for $80 apiece!),
a
half-dozen
"Okay
[Industries]" M16 mags,
and big box of nearly new [Austrian] STG[-58] FN/FAL magazines--which
for some weird reason are still around $15! I bought
23 of those. I talked the guy down to $12 per, since I cleaned
him out.
Speaking of FAL .308 mags, my next purchase (already agreed, by phone) will
be a DSA [FN/]FAL clone. I have to drive 115 miles each way to pick it up.
I found it private party, [listed] on GunsAmerica.com.
I'm now tapped out, but my dad
is
lending
me the cash. I explained the situation, and he says that it is wise to buy
it. [He said:] "We'll have a good chuckle about the price, in a year or two!"
Here is my strategy on mags: Buy what you can, while you can--while
prices are still halfway reasonable. I don't own a Beretta
92, an AR-10, or an AUG, but I figure I can always trade [for what I need] later.
And I practically had to buy that FAL, since I found all those magazines.
(What a great excuse to buy a gun.) My only regret is that I didn't have
the cash to buy more magazines
at the show.
At
the rate
prices
are zooming,
Beta [C-MAG]s will pretty soon be back to $750 apiece, just like during the
[1994 to 2004 Federal "Assault weapons" and 11+ round magazine]
ban. .
Thanks again for your advice, sir. Your were right about silver. You were
right about magazines. And for that matter you were right about derivatives,
too. The world seems more and more like the first chapter
of "Patriots"
every day. (What, were you psychic?) I'm taking [your novel] to heart. I got
all my "beans", and "bullets" in hand, now I just have to work on the "Band-aids".
Thank
You,
Sir!
- Matt
E. in Texas
(Soon to be a 10 Cent Challenger and an Appleseed qualified rifleman.)
JWR Replies: I'm glad to hear that you stocked up. You won't
regret it. Those extra magazines will make fine barter items, both before and
after a "Crunch." OBTW, I'm not the only that is one advocating investing in
magazines. The following is
from
a
recent
e-newsletter from firearms training guru Gabe
Suarez:, advocating preparedness: "...Then get as many magazines
as you can justify. Glock magazines are going for about $35 now. A year ago
they
were
under $20, and dealer price two years ago was about $12! At the height of the
assault on freedom known as the Crime Bill, they were selling for $125. Forget
Ameritrade, buy magazines."
« Odds 'n Sods: |Main| Letter Re: Do-It-Yourself FIFO Canned Food Storage Bins--Made From Cardboard »
Two Letters Re: How to Approach Shooting
Mister Rawles,
My husband and I have two editions of "Patriots",
both heavily highlighted. I shudder to think that your books sounds all too
prophetic
about
now.
I've seen you reference The
Appleseed Program [of rifle matches and clinics]
on your web site, but I can't determine if you have ever been to one of our
events.
If you haven't,
it is
truly worth
the time, since we are about more than just marksmanship. That is just the
hook
to get people to come.
We teach the history of the beginning of the Revolutionary War and the mindset
of the people involved. Somehow Appleseed changes people. It gets people off
their rears to come and it gets prompts many to take up the call to spread
the word of involvement. It gets people thinking. Appleseed has given me hope
that there are good committed people out there and that with them, not all
of America is lost. It has also proven to be an excellent way to meet like
minded people. If the worst comes to pass, I have the marksmanship skills to
survive and I now know many others who do as well.
My husband and I are new instructors, as we have taken up the call. We are
involved in teaching in the Southwest, but there are classes around the country,
so everyone should be able to find one relatively close by. The training is
highly effective and I have yet to see anyone, even experts, leave without
some new skills.
Sincerely Yours, - G.F.in New
Mexico
Hello Jim,
A little follow up to MJM's article on basic marksmanship. He is 100% spot
on. The fundamentals and basics of marksmanship are the foundation that all
shooting is built on. I would recommend seeking out NRA high
power competition to improve their rifle shooting skills. High power shooters
are
always looking
for new people and welcome them with open arms and are willing to teach.
Plus the matches are just plain fun and gives you goals to strive for and
measure your progress against. Also don't forget Fred's Appleseed program
as well. Take care, - Jeff in Ohio
« Letter Re: Survival Gardening: Growing Food During a Second Great Depression |Main| Letter Re: Advice on Two-Way Radio Communications »
Preparing for Another Battle Rifle Ban, by Michael Z. Williamson
As many people will remember from the last "Assault Weapons" Ban (AWB) [in
the US, which was effective from September, 1994 to September, 2004] there
was a time window before the law took effect. Once it took effect, however,
pre-ban purchased receivers could not legally be built into "assault weapons" unless
they were in AW "format" before the ban took effect. So what does
one do to get around this? It's a rather silly technicality, but so are a lot
of other legal issues. In this case, your stockpiled receivers need to be in
AW "format" before
any ban takes place. If you can't afford to buy full kits for every receiver, you have to find other ways to meet the letter of the law.
Remember that while you are innocent until proven guilty, government agencies
often play by different rules, and of course, legal fees are expensive if you have to prove your innocence.
In the case of AR-15s or other firearms with sectional receivers, this means
you need one complete upper with all the allowable evil features--bayonet
lug, threaded muzzle or flash suppressor. Install a proper trigger kit into each receiver, and then attach the upper to it. Document
this with photographs. You want one photo that clearly shows the serial
number and one that clearly shows the attached "Evil features" on
that receiver. (This also applies if you have already
built a weapon from a stripped receiver and need to document that it was done
before the cutoff date.)
It is acceptable to use digital photos for this purpose, but do not edit them
in any way--experts can tell, and any edits call into question the credibility
of the entire photo. Ideally, have the photos or the actual shoot witnessed
by a lawyer or notary, although friends you can trust to step up and testify
on your behalf will suffice. You need to "place" the photos, which
means to add matter that documents the time and location of the shot. Set the
camera clock for a proper timestamp and date on the photos. Consider adding
a [dated] newspaper banner under the weapon and/or using a notable background
such as your house or vehicle (if you can shoot outside) to add additional placement.
To increase the continuity between the close-up and the overall photos should
they ever come to court, place items in the setting that are obvious placers--a few long matchsticks resting on the weapon,
or a trail of string over it, that would be hard to replace exactly for a different
photo. Do not move or disturb the object(s) between the two shots. Print hard
copies and archive CDs on your premises and at least one place off premise--a
trusted friend or relative, with a lawyer or in a secure box under a different
name that cannot be seized--since dishonest law enforcement have been known to do that to prevent
any evidence for the defense.
Once you've created and documented your AWs, you can defer buying other upper
receivers/features until your budget permits. You did create that
receiver into [a complete] AW format [rifle] before the ban. Therefore, by
the letter of the law, it [demonstrably] is always an AW. (This assumes that
future bans are similar in construct to prior bans at state and federal level).
If your local culture is gun friendly, be seen at ranges and gun shows with
your
legal AWs often. If any legal question arises, you want lots of local
citizens, range officials and law enforcement who will testify that of course Joe Preparedness has AWs. He's had them for years, all
legal, long before that ban took effect.
The photos are also useful if you decide to sell an AW at some point in the
future--you can clearly document that it was in fact [built as] an AW before
the cutoff date. They can also serve for insurance purposes. - Michael
Z. Williamson [with additional input from his wife Gail
Sanders, She is an honor grad of the Defense Information School, and a
combat, forensics, and public affairs photographer.]
JWR Adds: I'm not a fatalist when it comes to re-enactment
of an AWB. By all means contact your representatives numerous times,
by multiple methods (mail, phone,
and e-mail) and express most vociferously, your estimation
of the Constitutionality of a new ban, especially in light of the recent D.C.
v. Heller Supreme
Court decision. With that said, I must also state that I am a realist:
We all saw what happened last year when the congresscritters were deluged with
phone
calls, running by
some
estimates at a ratio of 25-to-1 opposed to the TARP Bank
Bailout Bill, yet the majority of our so-called representatives still voted
for it. This demonstrates
that the congress is now no longer responsive to the electorate. So I can only
conclude that given political expediency and the nature of quid pro quo dealings
inside the DC Beltway, there will be more "Change" made than the American people
want. There is a very high likelihood that some flavor of "Assault Weapon"
and full capacity magazine ban
will
be enacted
during
the first three month "honeymoon" period that will be enjoyed by the BHO Administration
and
the Democrat-dominated
congress. There may also be a separate importation ban, via an executive order,
perhaps in first two weeks that BHO is in office.(One BHO camp insider told
me that he'd heard talk of "more than a dozen January Surprise executive
orders".)
My advice: Take the
appropriate countermeasures: Stock up, especially
on magazines, and "cover
your tail in
paper" using the
method
that
Mike Williamson
suggests. Someday soon, you may be very glad that you did.
« Letter Re: Comparing the Big Three Battle Rifle Chamberings in the United States |Main| Letter Re: A Company Layoff Underscores the Need to Be Well Prepared »
Letter Re: Speeding Coyote Hunters Arrested in Illinois
Jim,
I enjoy reading your blog and have improved my preps exponentially since I
began following you. I don't know how many dozens of [telephone] consultations
you do annually, but you and I spoke for an hour earlier this year. I live
on
Long
Island,
if that
rings a bell. I feel that it was money well-spent.
The post on vehicle stops was informative. You mentioned Boston T. Party's "Boston's
Gun Bible" as a reference source. I have read all his books, fiction and
non-fiction alike, and found him to be both entertaining and informative. If
I may, I suggest letting your readers know that he has a book devoted solely
to interactions with law enforcement. His book is entitled "You and
the Police" and can be found on Amazon.com for as little as $10.88 at last
glance. This book covers all phases of dealing with law enforcement including
traffic
stops,
roadblocks, airports etc . It also tells you what the police are allowed to
do and what your rights are during a "contact", "detention" and "arrest".
I have purchased copies for myself, family and friends. As the cover of the
book states :If you don't know your rights, you have none!"
Thanks for the blog. It's my first stop each morning. God Bless, - Ken B. in
New York
« Odds 'n Sods: |Main| Letter Re: Hunt Packs Available at Cabela's »
Five Letters Re: Full Capacity Magazine Price Increases are Already Here
Jim,
I wanted to contribute this the following to your ongoing discussion on high
capacity magazines.
Selling high capacity magazines is normally a small part of our business, but
that changed last week. Between October 31 and today, we have sold more than
I normally sell in a year.
I had stocked up anticipating increased demand, but was nowhere near prepared
for the huge surge in sales that we experienced. A normal order was 3 to 6
magazines, now it is 12 or more and we have had several customers buy in quantities
of
100+.
As a result, we are completely sold out of AR-15 magazines.
I have had 400 on order since before the election, hopefully to arrive some
time later this month, but many
are already allocated to back orders. I could use 1,000 more magazines, but
I have no idea how long it will take the manufacturer to produce them, where
I will be on their waiting list, or how much their price will have increased.
I sold out of Glock Model 23 magazines and am very low on Glock 19 magazines.
I was able to re-order, but my supplier was out of a couple of varieties and
the price has
increased
$2 each on the rest, so we had to raise prices. My profit margin was only
$5 on Glock magazines, and one of my other suppliers is now quoting wholesale
prices that are equivalent to what my retail price was.
This feeding frenzy should be an example to everyone who has delayed some
of their preparations. Don't wait until the panic starts -- buy your long
term
storage food now. Get a water filter and grain mill while you still
can. Buy your silver during the current dip. Survival supplies are tight,
but things will
get worse
before they will get better. I have been in the survival business since before Y2K. (BTW,
I have a 1997 edition of [your draft edition novel] TEOTWAWKI in its three
ring binder on my bookshelf) and this is the busiest we have been since
early
1999. - Dave (of Captain
Dave's)
Mr. Rawles
I found this online - it is at an AR15.com forum where folks are presently discussing
who is raising their magazine prices and who isn't: Stay safe. - David B.
JWR,
Brownell's has still
not raised any of their prices, as of this week. I have an account with them
and bought a bunch of mags (AR and AK). Most of these
are going to be traded off to my brother and some other contacts. Brownell's
AR mags are still $12.50. These are good quality and I have never had a problem
with them. FYI, - Sarge
Sir,
I've seen similar goings on here in Memphis. General threat of mob violence
on the night of the 4th and after if The One lost the election, so I went
to pick
up some
extra buckshot and I figured a couple extra boxes of .45 while I was at it.
First went to Sportsman's Warehouse, but they were out of just about everything
in the major pistol calibers except the exotic and high-dollar loads. The
mountain of 9mm ball they'd laid in planning to put on sale this weekend was
reduced
to less than a mole hill.
They were also pretty much out of buckshot, too. Bear in mind that this is
an outdoor sporting goods "big box" and not a gun store per se. I
left there empty-handed and headed over to Guns & Ammo, my usual stop for
same. I knew something was really up when a guy coming out as I went in had
two black Glock cases and a blue SIG box in his arms and his son was carrying
a double-arm-full of handgun ammo boxes. Once I got inside the store, it looked
like Christmas Eve in there; people lined up three deep at the counter, which
is about 50 feet long. All six employees were going like mad trying to keep
up with the sales. I got the last half-dozen boxes of Hornady TAP buckshot
and a few boxes of Winchester Ranger .40 and high-tailed it. Looks like everybody's
a bit worried, and with good reason. "May you live in interesting times," indeed.
- Booth
Jim:
A recent post said that Cabela's in Texas was out of ammo. I live in central
Indiana and my local Gander Mountain store is (by now) out of .223 and other
popular Battle Rifle calibers so I thought I would buy on-line like I usually
do. What a shock. Able Ammo, MidwayUSA and Cheaper Than Dirt are out of just
about everything in Battle Rifle calibers. I've never seen anything like
this ever. Most
are not even
accepting back orders. I stopped by a local but out of the way gun store
and had trouble finding a place to park. The employee's said you could not
move around in the store on Saturday and the owner said he was thinking of
going out of business after the first of the year. Interesting.
Friday, before work, my wife and I stopped by our local police department to
request Concealed Carry permits. We got there Friday morning, 10 minutes before
they opened.
I was
first in line and the lady asked me why everybody wants gun permits? Apparently
it
was a busy week for her. By the time I was fingerprinted and left the lobby
was full of people, mostly couples, all seeking similar permits. These were
all professional people. I live in a bedroom community where we have the highest
per household income in the state. Something interesting is happening on in
our country and intelligent hard working professional people feel the need
to be able to protect themselves.
At a local outdoor shooting range, which was very busy despite 38 degree temps
and wind, I talked to as many people as I could. They are mostly male in their
late 30's to 50's. I ask them how long they have owned their weapon and the
usual answer was "Since Tuesday!" There are a great many new shooters out there
and they are not hunters. While they were not seeking training, at least they
know if their weapon will fire if needed. I rarely see the same people again.
Apparently, if the gun works, it works and that is the end of it. - Russ in
Indiana
« Letter Re: Deflation Possibly Followed by Mass Inflation? |Main| Notes from JWR: »
Letter Re: A Suggested Checklist for Preparedness Newbies
Here's a beginner's list I made for my [elderly] father today:
Food
{Brown pearl] rice does not store well. Neither does cooking oil so that needs to be fresh.
No, Crisco doesn't count.
Coconut oil would be your best bet.
Wheat berries - 400 pounds - bulk order at your local health food store
Beans - 400 pounds - bulk order at your local health food store
Mylar bags
Spices
Salt
Country Living grain mill
propane tanks, small stove and hoses to connect
freeze dried fruits, vegetables, eggs and meat if you can find them.
Water
500 gallons
of water [storage capacity. Rainwater catchment is a common practice
in Hawaii]
Water filter
Cooking
Cast Iron Cookware
Firearms
FN PS 90
10 PS 90 magazines
5.7 handgun
10 FN 5.7 handgun magazines
5.7 ammo
Training: Front Sight four day defensive
handgun course. (Note: eBay sometimes has
course certificates for $100!)
Body armor: Nick at BulletProofME.com
Medical
Personal medications
Augmentin antibiotic
Up to date dental work
Painkillers
Bandages
Iodine
Anti-fungal spray
Finances
$10,000 cash in small bills
100 one-ounce silver coins (GoldDealer.com or Tulving.com)
Transport
Gasoline in 5 gallon cans or better yet, this.
Gas stabilizer
Mountain bikes
Air pump
Miscellany
Flashlights
Rechargeable Batteries
Battery
charger
Hand held walkie talkies
Topographical map of your area
Spare eyeglasses
Shortwave radio
Home generated power
12 volt battery system
Good backpack
Good knife
Good compass
Good shoes
Bar soap
Toothbrushes
Dental floss
Toilet paper
Fishing kit
Salt licks
Connibear traps
Regards, - SF in Hawaii
JWR Adds: The following is based on the assumption that SF's
father also lives in Hawaii: Because of the 10 round magazine limit for handguns,
I recommend that Hawaiians purchase only large
bore
handguns for self defense--such
as .45
ACP.
Both the
Springfield
Armory XD .45 Compact or the Glock Model 30 would both be good choices. The "high
capacity" advantage of smaller caliber
handguns
is not available to civilians in Hawaii, so you might as well get a more potent
man stopper, given the arbitrary 10 round limitation.
« Odds 'n Sods: |Main| Letter Re: Saving Your Life and Saving Your Relationships--Don't Drive Your Loved Ones Away »
Letter Re: Advice for an Unprepared Greenhorn
Jim,
I'd recommend that "Greenhorn" should take a look at your "Profiles" page.
I learned as much reading them as I do reading the blog! As you say, starting
a "List
of Lists" is invaluable to preparedness. It is the only
way I can keep track of what I have on hand, whether it be too much or too
little. And, just because I know it is a weak spot with everybody, more medical
supplies is always a good thing.
Also, most gun shops have a layaway program, so it's possible to at least start
paying on another rifle or handgun. When you get one of these items, make sure
the ammo to feed it is your very next purchase! I'd rather have just a couple
of good, solid guns and lots of ammo, than a lot of cool-guy stuff and only
one
magazine
of ammo for each.
Make a habit of checking eBay, Craig's
List and the local papers for good deals
on things. If there is a sale at the local department store, I strongly recommend "buying
ahead." Meaning, buying children's winter clothing in the spring when
the stores are trying to clear it out, and buying a couple of sizes up. Same
with
shoes. Another great investment. This is one of those tangible investments
that Jim speaks of all the time!
Most of all, stay calm! Breathe! Even having a few extra cases of beans and
rice will put you ahead of most of your neighbors. Make sure the whole family
is involved, and especially that your wife is your partner in everything you
do. Take care. - SJC
« Odds 'n Sods: |Main| Letter Re: West Virginia as a Retreat Locale »
Four Letters Re: Pistol Holster Recommendations for Women
Jim,
Bill from Ohio has a number of great observations about carry issues for females.
Among the issues he mentions about hip holsters built for men:
1) Because of a woman's hips they tend to cause the butt of the weapon to dig-in
to a woman's waist
2) Because women have hips, upon which they wear their belt they have less
room to lift the weapon before it impinges into their armpit.
3) Because of factors 1 and 2 the FBI cant further complicates a natural draw
for women.
I'd like to mention a
holster made by Blade-Tech that addresses all three of these issues.
The offset allows for a normal vertical weapon carry by offsetting the distance
from waist to hip. The drop isn't a dramatic drop like a thigh rig -- it just
gives the woman a holster to armpit distance more comparable to what a man
experiences. Finally the cant is fully adjustable to include straight drop,
FBI, and even muzzle forward.
I have no financial relationship (other than being a customer) with Blade Tech.
Just wanted to point out this groundbreaking product. - Keith in the Inland
Northwest
Jim,
As a follow-on to Pistol Holsters for Women, my wife had good luck with
a Galco Lady Gunsite for a full-size 1911. This holster has an angled belt
attachment, holding the gun vertical with the grip away from the body. This
is not an effective concealment rig, as the gun sticks out from the body.
It can get in the way until you get used to it. And of course, they don't
make 'em anymore. - Simple Country Doctor.
Sir,
In the recent letter regarding Holster Recommendations for Women, I found
that I could understand that there is a problem, but was having a hard time
visualizing it. A quick Google turned up an
article on the subject. It does
not offer the exact same solutions to the problem, but it does have diagrams.
As a guy, I found this very useful to understanding the problem. It is probably
a lot safer than harassing the next female police officer I see with endless
questions about her firearm. Somehow I doubt the officer--or my wife--would
appreciate
me pointing/shifting/tugging on the officer's gear and person just to satisfy
my curiosity about this problem. - Jeff
James:
Bill in Ohio brings up nearly everything I was going to write about
yesterday (but killing blackberries and renovating the spring got in the way).
His descriptions of the various holsters and how they fit on women is spot
on and
I doubt I could have described them as well. Everyone needs to read
them very carefully, and learn!
Unfortunately, I learned all that the hard way. For over 30 years, I have carried
a pistol when horseback riding, and I can assure you that as a 5'3" woman,
with hips and breasts, it is no easy thing. And over the years I have come
to the
conclusion that the traditional thigh-tiedown type holster works best. The
cowboys had that one right!
There are a couple of reasons why I use this set up. First off, it's easy and
comfortable, even if you carry a good-sized pistol (in this case, a Dan Wesson
.357 with a 6.5-inch barrel.) The only problem I ever had with it was that
the Pachmayr grip rubbed a hole through the lining of my long riding coat.
So
I covered that place with Cordura.
The second reason is that while I was trying out various ways of packing that
pistol, I had that big pistol at the small of my back. That worked okay, once
I worked out how to get rid of the "bounce" when going faster than
a walk. (I had to wear the belt so tight it was uncomfortable) But that wasn't
the worst part. The worst part was taking a bad fall one day, and landing on
the damn thing! Ouch!
So, I nixed the belt/small of the back idea, and went back to the thigh holster.
I do sometimes carry a smaller pistol (9mm Ruger with a 2-inch barrel) at
the small of my back. I rigged a fanny pack with a synthetic holster, and that
works
well.
I have often wondered if anyone has tried to modify (or if someone already
makes) a holster integrated with one of those neoprene back support belts.
It would seem to me that this would work very well. Something like a pancake
holster sewn onto the belt at the small of the back. It would be comfy, wouldn't
bounce, and if done right shouldn't be too difficult to draw. So, unless someone
comes up with a better idea, I'm sticking with my thigh tie-down.
Oh, something else in regards to packing a weapon when riding. You should always
keep your weapon on your person! If you get dumped (or your horse takes off
while you are taking a leak.) you do not want to be without your defense.
I also carry water, a couple power bars, a small first aid kit, and a Leatherman
in my fanny pack as well.
Many of my riding friends have made fun of me over the years because of all
the stuff I carry with me. I have big saddlebags, stuffed with everything I
might need. But all that teasing sure stops in a big hurry when someone needs
something that I happen to have! ( Like toilet paper, a tampon, a shovel, or
even my gold pan!) I also take a lot of flak for usually riding
the smallest horse with the most gear.
Take care, and my thoughts are with your family. I hope Memsahib is on the
mend! - Mrs. JD
JWR Replies: Like you, I am not an advocate of "small
of back"
(SOB)
holsters. They are particularly risky when riding a bicycle, motorcycle, ATV,
or horse! You are fortunate that you didn't take a harder fall, or you might
have suffered a
spinal injury.
I have
read
accounts
of a
few law
enforcement
officers that had severe injuries because
of SOB holsters. I'm not willing to take that risk.
« Letter Re: Pistol Holster Recommendations for Women |Main| Note from JWR: »
Letter Re: Controlling Your Inner Gun Nut--Balanced Preparations are a Must
Hello Jim,
Like many readers I have always been somewhat of a gun nut. Back when I was
young and single I spent a lot of money on guns and ammo including items I
didn't really need that have since accumulated over time. I was single and
had money to spend. Fast forward to the present with wife and kids and money
is tight. There is not much left for prepping. So I decided
to take stock of what I really need for my core battery of weapons/ammo and
sell the rest and use the proceeds for prepping. Here are some lessons learned:
It's important to have balance in your preparations between weapons and everything
else. An M1A battle
rifle is no more important than a Troy-Bilt tiller or a good pair of Danner
boots. Ammunition has appreciated greatly in value and
been an excellent investment (although [that was] not my original intent).
My stocks of 7.62x54r, 7.62x39 and .303 British have at least doubled or tripled
in value.
A friend recently stated that Portuguese 7.62 NATO [ammunition in sealed battle
packs] would have been a much better investment than gold. It would be nice
to hold onto this ammunition longer and allow it to appreciate some more but
there are other critical supplies that take precedence. You are correct when
you state "tangibles, tangibles, tangibles" as a store of value.
Hope this provokes some thought. - Jeff in Ohio
JWR Replies: Your observations are spot on. Prioritizing and logistical balance are crucial.
I can personally
attest that Portuguese 7.62 NATO battle packs were indeed a great investment.
Because of the Memsahib's recent large hospitalization expenses, I've been
forced to liquidate many of my tangibles. For example, I recently sold two
cases of "Port". (Each wooden case has 1,000 rounds, packed in 200
round battle packs. Each case weighs about 65 pounds.) These cases cost me
$180 each
in 2001. I just sold them for $475 each, and I've seen them recently sell for
as much as $500 each. It is notable that there are very few bonds, stocks,
or other investments that have appreciated so well
in
four
years.
My
only regret
is that I couldn't afford to buy 30 or 40 cases at $180 each! As some of the characters
in my novel often lament: "Oh well. Hindsight is 20/20."
« Odds 'n Sods: |Main| Survival Medicine and Ditch Medicine, by Josh in Montana »
Letter Re: Some Storage SNAFUs
Jim:
Why do the incredibly robust "cheap" imported AKs have chrome lined bores ,
yet some of the expensive and finicky American-made ARs not chrome
lined? Well, if you live in a humid climate, it makes a difference. I
made
the classic
error of storing my guns in gun cases. In fact, that's the worst way to store
them as the humidity accumulates inside. One of them had nearly rusted
solid in three years.
Thanks to the ministrations of another firearm enthusiast, all my guns are
being de-rusted, dipped in preservative oil and mylar bagged along with oxygen
absorbents, rust inhibitor tabs and desiccants.
I don't want to talk about what happened to the barrel of my M21 so just don't
ask. If you live in a humid climate, then consider the PS90. Mostly plastic,
hi capacity, very ergonomic.
I also learned about the weight limitations of gamma seals. I just noticed
that when I put ammo in five gallon buckets with Gamma seal ls on them, if
I go over three buckets high, the bottom seal breaks and falls into the bucket.
Now I limit it to two high and only lightweight buckets on top. - SF in Hawaii
JWR Replies: Thanks for being so frank. Perhaps other readers
learn from your mistakes and avoid some costly problems.
A humid climate
dictates
extreme vigilance for gun storage. Here is my general guidance:
1.) Clean thoroughly, lubricate heavily, an a inspect frequently.
2.) If storing guns in a vault or a wall cache, invest in a Golden Rod dehumidifier.
But don't expect it to be a miracle panacea. Mark your calendar with reminders
for
monthly inspections!
3.) Never, ever use a muzzle cap for more than an hour or two. They are for use
in the field, not for storage!
4.) R.I.G., silica
gel, and and VCI
paper are your friends.
5.) If you use grease or a heavy coating of oil in a gun bore and/or its chamber,
then be sure to tag the gun with a prominent reminder to yourself
to remove the
grease
it
before
firing.
(Not doing so can be a safety hazard!)
5.) Do NOT use oxygen absorbing packets for gun storage!
These are designed specifically to kill insect larvae in stored food. These
packets
use
a chemical reaction of moisture, salt, and ferric oxide (rust!) to consume
the oxygen in a confined space. These packets can be bad news for stored
guns.
Instead, I recommend that you use silica gel to prevent rust. Silica gel packets
also
have
the
advantage
that
they
can
be re-used many times if you dry them out in an oven or a dehydrator overnight.
(Since they employ a chemical reduction process, oxygen
absorbing
packets
can only be used once.)
« Odds 'n Sods: |Main| Two Letters Re: The Shenandoah Valley as a Retreat Locale? »
Letter Re: Holster, Sling, and Web Gear Recommendations
Jim,
Long before the current trend in drop-leg holsters, we used some in Army
Aviation to clear the armor on the seats in some specific aircraft. The one
I flew had
more armor coverage, and frankly even a drop-leg wasn't going to work, so
the shoulder holster was the way to go for me. Tanker wear shoulder rigs,
as well
as desk jockeys for the very same reason. Your pistol needs to be out of
the way to do your primary job. That's the Army though. Just because Big
Army does
it, or uses it, it doesn't mean it's really a good idea for you as an individual.
There's a lot of junk the Army uses to great effect that is just useless
for the individual or small-group survivalist. Don't ever base what you need
on
what you see the Army, or even contractors, using. The missions are entirely
different.
Buy and use what you need.
That being said, drop-leg rigs are great for wearing directly on your belt,
or a dedicated gun belt, along with a knife. If you remember Trasel's post
a while back about gear he mentioned keeping your knife, etc. on your trouser
belt, so you always have it with you, if you ditch, or just don't have your
web gear. Sage advice there. A drop-leg, or even a shoulder rig, does this
for you. By using the right holster (that's key there), you can have it attached
to your person, and clear your web gear. If you have to ditch your web-gear,
your gun and knife are still with you.
While most schools frown on shoulder holsters because of safety concerns,
and the complexity of sidearm retention, in many cases it's a good choice.
Pilots
have used them forever, and it's unlikely you'll face a retention situation
in your own cockpit. Same with tankers. I remember a picture of a P-38 pilot
in the Pacific that had the usual USGI WWII shoulder
rig, with the shoulder strap also going through a mag pouch and survival
knife. Not a bad set-up
for his use, and worth thinking about for a lot of reasons. Not the perfect
rig
for a night on the town, but it obviously worked for him. Even what's perfect
in a schoolhouse training environment might not be perfect for you. The key
is to go with what works for you.
Whatever holster you choose, if you have more than one try to keep to one
system. If you're using a Safariland
6004, look at a holster with the self-locking system (SLS)
for concealment,
or go without [secondary] retention. What you don't want is different retention
systems to deal with. Using a 6004 with SLS on your leg, then using a thumbsnap
for
concealment, and using a level three retention holster for belt use isn't
a wise move. [For the sake if kinesthetic memory] you want to make the
same movements each time to get the gun out.
Sometimes you can modify stuff to work. The Safariland 6004 is often the
subject of some surgery which allows it to ride higher and much more comfortable
for
many. Sometimes you can get holsters that do many things. The USGI M12 [aka
Bianchi UM-84 series] holster can be adapted to many different types of carry.
I frankly
don't think too
highly of that holster, but many think USGI means it's the way to go. They're
cheap enough I suppose. I currently use an Eagle brand drop leg that the
drop leg flap can fold over so you can use it both as a conventional belt
service holster
as well as a drop leg. It rides high enough to be out of the way in drop-leg
mode, and low enough to clear gear. The full flap, with Fastex fastener means
it's secure no matter what I do, and the full-flap velcros out of the way
to allow an open top configuration with a thumbsnap retention as well. It
pretty
much does it all for me from admin to tactical and it's all the same holster,
so training is simplified and it's cheaper to buy one good holster than several
different ones (though I always seem to buy several anyway). It's doesn't
do concealed carry well, but most CCW holsters
are either non-retention, or thumbsnap, so
again there's nothing to re-learn in a fight.
As for slings, I said before the Israeli type has a lot going for it, and
that's what I use. You can beat it in specific tasks with other slings, but
for all
around lugging a rifle around and still be effective with the sling, they're
great.
While I agree on having different sets of web-gear for each rifle, I don't
agree on caliber/weapon specific. I think they should be universal for what
you're equipped with. That way all that needs to change is the magazines,
and not the whole set of web gear. Weapon-specific web gear is too specific,
in my opinion. Regards,
- Doug Carlton
« Letter Re: A Reminder to Readers About Botulism |Main| Jim's Quote of the Day: »
Letter Re: Rampant Inflation in Steel Products
Hey Jim,
I used to make my living as a construction electrician and had several big
steel Greenlee
brand tool boxes with my tools. There is usually one in the back of my
truck all the time.
Price of gun safes has continued to rise, so I took one of my boxes and cut
out a plywood rack for my guns, then filled in around the rack with polyurethane
foam. After it was set and cured, I painted the urethane foam flat black.
The fit and finish on my Greenlee tool box/gun safe is good enough to protect
my weapons, keep them locked and secure. It also has the advantage of handles
and skids so it can be loaded into a pickup or bug out trailer to get to the
remote retreat in a hurry. If necessary, I can load it with a forklift, or
a chain hoist, or muscle it on with three other men.
Anyway, I thought you might be interested in my improvised gun safe.
The steel tool boxes can still be bought from Lowe's [hardware store] for $199.
Regards, - Lawrence, editor of SurvivingTheDayAfter@yahoogroups.com
JWR Replies: Thanks for that cost-saving suggestion. Just
keep in mind that "portability" works both ways. It is essential that you secure
your vault, box, or chest to a floor or a very sturdy wall, to prevent
burglars from hauling off "The Whole Shebang." Be sure to use heavy duty lag bolts!
« Odds 'n Sods: |Main| Notes from JWR »
After 10 Years--Some Observations and Lessons Learned by a Y2K-Era Prepper
It was June, 1998. Y2K was
a salient topic of conversation. It got my attention. When the electricity
went off and there would be no water to drink, and no
fuel to move food to the JIT grocery
stores, I could see things getting very ugly. I had been willing to fight
for this nation as a member of the US Army.
Now it was time to fight for my household. I bought a Springfield Armory
M1A. I bought a safe to store it in. I bought another M1A (for
the spousal unit of course!) I bought ammo. Lots of it. I bought gear. I
bought food.
I became awakened to the idea of being self-reliant.
That was 10 years ago. Y2K didn’t cause a global melt down. (Although
I have a friend in the service that sat in a command bunker holding his breath
at Y2K – the
government didn’t know what was going to occur.) I
have not had to live through or endure Hurricane
Katrina. No participation
in the 9/11 attacks.
In fact, I can’t claim a campaign ribbon for any
disasters. Am I upset or sorry that I have changed my life to follow a path
of self-reliance? Most definitely, absolutely not!
Let me share with you the good and the bad of what I have done in the last
ten years. So often, people new to self-reliance are like ants at the foot
of a mountain staring up with their head touching their back wondering how
in the world they will ever be able to replace modern society and be able to
take care of themselves WTSHTF.
Well, truth be told, you can’t do it
overnight unless you’re Warren Buffet. I am walking, talking living proof,
however, that you can make significant progress. Let me show you!
In order to show you that you do indeed have cause for hope, let me share
a
few of my screw-ups. How about the initial purchases I made
while in a state of “marked concern” when I became “self
aware” with
regard to self – reliance. The money I invested in self-reliance was
my spousal unit’s “down payment on a house”. Do you think
this view of “my nest” versus “the world may end” led
to some intense “discussions”? You bet your last dog flea it did.
For much of the intervening 10 years I have been the one prepping while my
wife harbored a severe grudge against the entire topic because I spent our
money for the house down payment on crazy self-reliance materials. A grade
of “F” to
me for consensus building. She is just beginning to come around in the last
two years. Poster child example of a bucket of wet sand. (If two guys fight,
they belt each other like two crazed wolverines. Eventually they realize they
were stupid for fighting, shake hands, forgive and are back to being friends.
Kinda like a cow urinating on a big flat rock – big splash and splatters,
but it dries up pretty quickly. Get in an argument with a gal and it is like
pouring water into
a bucket of sand – the surface may dry after a bit, but it stays wet
down in that bucket for a long time.)
I very religiously squirreled away Gillette Atra razors because that is what
I used each day. The handle that you click onto the blade cartridge gave up
the ghost after many years of faithful service. The stores don’t sell
them anymore! Now I have three dozen packs of five cartridges with no way to
use them to shave! Fortunately, I did find a second/spare handle in my stores
and
will
be able to use them up. Did I re-learn some valuable lessons? You bet!
Two is one, and one is none.
You need to see what you have (inventories!)
Store what you Eat/use – I did great on the cartridges, but forgot
spare handles!
In the run-up to Y2K I bought a dozen 6 volt golf cart batteries to be able to
set-up some kind of power system in the house. Great intent. No photovoltaic
panels No wiring until last year. They have been “stored” sitting
on pallets in a friends storage building for 9 years because I have not been
able to get
to the replacement power system yet. I could have used that money for a higher
priority item.
The spousal unit and I built our home last year. We did many things very right.
Some learning experiences occurred, however. Maybe chief amongst them is my
underestimation of the massiveness of the size of this endeavor! I joke with
friends about not being free from the To Do list to be able to get into trouble
for at least five years! Fix the septic pond berms. Sort out the “scrap” lumber.
Put a deck on the back of the house so the [building] code Nazis will give
us the permanent occupancy permit. Fix the leaking pressure tank in the basement.
Fix the DR
mower. Mow. Clear 30 trees dropped to get the septic pond clearance (not done
with that one yet). Cut and split and stack firewood. The list goes on. Don’t
get me wrong – I would not trade my homestead back for city living for
anything. Was I able to foresee the "second & third order effects” of
the change to a country homestead? Nope. Not even having read Backwoods Home
magazine for 8 years. Thank God I listened to my in-laws and did not try
to finish the upstairs interior construction while living downstairs!
Prior to Y2K I tried very hard to create a group. It failed in many ways. Had
Y2K caused the feared problems, we would have been road kill. Okay, we would
have been the third or fourth critter on the highway run over by life, but
we were
nowhere near ready to deal with WTSHTF/TEOTWAWKI.
The Yuppie Queen and her husband went right back to spoiling their princess/daughter,
buying Jaguars, clothes,
and hair implants. You know - living the typical American city life. The other
couple moved out onto 20 acres in a very rural county and raise goats and chickens.
I am on 20+ acres and moving in a self-reliant direction. Two out of three
ain’t
bad!
I endured the gauntlet of multiple careers trying to find a fit for who I am.
Thankfully, my spousal unit was trained well by her farmer parents. We never
carried any debt other than the mortgage. One thing we did do smart was under-buy
on our home with a condo (sixplex) in town. No car payments. No credit card
payments. We kept 3-6 months of expenses in savings. One business venture was
as a franchisee for Idiotstate. Massive mistake. Four years with no income
for me and a net loss of $60,000 overall. What preps could you get done with
an
extra $60,000? I am certainly not happy I put one in the “L” column.
I am not proud of failing. I am proud of jumping into the fight and giving
it my 110%. As they used to tell me in the military, “What an opportunity
for character building!” Learning lesson for me was that I should never
have stopped Soldiering. I simply have green blood. I have returned to the
Army by working as a tactical/leadership contractor at a nearby Fort and getting
reappointed into the National Guard. Will a deployment take me away from directly
protecting The Lovely Spousal Unit (TLSU)? Yes. Does staying employed doing
what God designed me to do mean we’ll have a steady income? Likely. Does
a pension check from age 65 on make us better able to care for ourselves? You
betcha. The world may not disintegrate in 30 days. It may actually remain fairly
normal. One has to prepare for that contingency as well.
By now you have to be thinking “What a knothead! This guy couldn’t
find his fourth point of contact if you put one hand on a cheek!” Well,
not so fast there Skippy! I have a thing or two that should go in the “W” column.
I should give you a massive dose of hope! Let me describe to you in a quick
overview where I have come to in my 10 year quest to become more self-reliant.
First, about our home…
Home
Your home is your castle, right? Well mine actually kinda is. It sets on a
chunk of land that is 20+ acres. The terrain is rolling and 95% wooded. It
butts up against a cemetery to the north, a 900+ acre conservation area to
the south, a river to the west, and a section line to the east. The home is
an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF)
structure. The walls are 1” of concrete
fake rock veneer, 2.5” of foam, 8” of reinforced concrete, 2.5” of
foam, 5/8” of sheetrock. It is “round”, being made up of
12 wall sections each 8 feet in width. Two stories with a basement. About
1,800 square feet of living space. (2,700 with the basement, however, that
area is not finished yet.) Geothermal heating/cooling and a soapstone wood
stove.
Metal roof. No carpeting – oak floors and tile. The wellhead
is inside the home so I don’t have to worry about winter breakdowns or freeze-ups,
nor losing access WTSHTF. We are running at top speed towards the 20% equity
checkpoint in order to get rid of the bankster-invented Private Mortgage Insurance
(PMI) extortion racket. (We have a credit rating of 804, so the “risk” the
bank incurs by carrying our note is a freaking joke!). It suits our lifestyle
very,
very
well. Our intent was to have a very low maintenance home. Having lived here
one year in two more weeks, it looks like we have a very big check mark in
the “W” column. More details on the design/floor plan in a future
article!
Weapons & Training
We have an M1A set-up for combat, and one set up for long-range precision work.
The Glock 21
[.45 ACP] is the base pistol for the household, with one for each of us and
a G30 [compact Glock .45 ACP] as back-up. The Lovely Spousal Unit (TLSU) doesn’t
carry a rifle or carbine, just the pistol. (More on that later.) Training for
both of us
includes Defensive
Handgun 1 and Team Tactics with Clint and Heidi Smith at Thunder Ranch. I have
also had General Purpose, Urban, and Precision Rifle with Clint. I completed
a special symposium at Gunsite (pistol, rifle, shotgun, carbine). I am an NRA Certified
pistol, rifle, and home defense instructor. I have several other weapon platforms
as a “Dan Fong” kind of guy. The two rifles with
accoutrements, and the four pistols with same were certainly not cheap. Nor
was the training. I do, however, know how to properly employ them now.
Food & Supplies
The spousal unit & I could stretch the on-hand food to cover two years.
Canned freeze dried is 45% of it, bulk buckets is 45%, and “normal use” food
is the last 10%. We have built a rolling rack set of shelves for the 3rd part
to ease rotation of the canned goods with each grocery store trip. No, I haven’t
found the secret spy decoder ring sequence on how to rotate the bulk and freeze-dried
stuff with our normal, both of us work, lifestyle. The sticking point for this
area I see is that WTSHTF, Mom & Dad in-law, Sister-in-law, Brother-in-law
with wife and two princesses (one with hubby), and my Mom & her husband
will
show up on our doorstep. That makes for an even dozen mouths to fee
Security
Now for a bit more detail. First topic up, IAW my military training, is Security.
The base of everything here is God. I have chosen to bend my knee to Jesus
Christ as my Lord and Savior. I can amass all the weapons, ammo, food and “stuff” you
can imagine, but He is the one ultimately in charge. I am charged to be a prudent
steward of His possessions - my family, property, vehicles, food, weapons,
ammo, etc.. I am definitely striving to be the ant storing things for the winter.
If y
