Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 27 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $350 value.), and D.) A 500 round case of Fiocchi 9mm Luger, 124gr. Hornady XTP/HP ammo, …




Survival Fire Safety, by Mr. F.

In our preparations, we’ve all made an in depth survival plan.  We have stocks of food items and a means to hunt or grow more.  We know where we’ll get water and how to treat it and have solutions for cooking, heating and lighting.  Perhaps some will operate gasoline or propane-run electric generators and some may distill alcohol or use wood gasification for fuel.  We also have adequate supplies of medications, vitamins and first-aid items.  We’ve thought of everything, planned for any contingency.  Right? What about Fire Safety?  Our plans mostly or entirely rely on fire for cooking, heating and …




Letter Re: Making Change in a New Precious Metals Economy

JWR, I did some research after reading the recent “Making Change in a New Precious Metals Economy” article. The following will make it easier to determine the metal value of coins. Thank you for your great blog. Ounces of silver in pre-1965 coins: Silver bullion coin = 1 ounce Pre-1965 silver dollar = .77344 (90% silver, 10% copper) Pre-1965 silver half dollar = 0.36169 (90% silver, 10% copper) 1965-69 silver half dollar = 0.1479 (40% silver) Pre-1965 silver quarter = .18084 (90% silver, 10% copper) Pre-1965 silver dime = 0.0715 (90% silver, 10% copper) There is no silver in most …




Economics and Investing:

Stock Market Analyst and hedge Fund Manager Barton Biggs: Stock A Safe Haven With Food And Firearms To Protect Against Doomsday Pillagers Here comes inflation! Reader Justin B. pointed us to this: January wholesale prices jump 1.4 percent. Justin notes: “That equates to a 16.8% annual wholesale price inflation rate!” And now, news that the ratcheting-up has begun: Fed bumps up rate banks pay for emergency loans. Greg C. sent us this: National Debt, Budget Deficit Scary Forecast for Taxpayers: Obama to Sign Fiscal Reform, Economists Predict Cutbacks, Tax Increases El Jefe Jeff E. forwarded this little red flag news …




Odds ‘n Sods:

Yishai alerted us to this clever set of plastic kitchen products: Jar Tops: Universal Lids for Mason Some Jars.    o o o J.B. mentioned this: Finns propose ban on handguns after shootings. Who do they think that are they kidding? In a nation with 5.4 million people and an estimated 4 million privately-owned guns, I suspect that the only one of the panel’s recommendations that will actually get implemented will be raising the age threshold for owning handguns.    o o o Reader R.S.R. wrote to mention that Wal-Mart stores are presently offering a “killer deal” on Coleman dual …