Day: April 6, 2010

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 28 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round will include: 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 …


Letter Re: G.O.O.D. Vehicle Preparation and Maintenance–Is Your Vehicle Up to the Task?, by Barry B.

In a “Schumer hits the fan” (SHTF) scenario where you need to get out of Dodge (G.O.O.D.), will your vehicle be up to the task? Is your cooling system robust enough to handle unusual demands? Are your fancy new wheels hurky enough to withstand off-road conditions? Is your vehicle ready to tow a trailer over rough terrain and for long distances? Is the trailer ready? We don’t get to pick when the SHTF, so keep your vehicle ready! Here are some of my suggestions based on over twenty-five years in the automotive maintenance and repair business. Catastrophic failures often begin …


Letter Re: Advice on Rifle Flash Hiders

Hi, I’ve seen your posts about the L1A1 rifle and I’m asking you for some help. I would like to change the original flash hider, for a new one like the Vortex. But they make only 9/16 x 24 threaded devices with left hand threads [for Metric FALs]. Where can I buy an adaptor, or do I have to transform the barrel? Thanks for your help. – Philippe JWR Replies: The original L1A1 military-issue flash hiders are actually quite efficient. (The only exception is the short Papua New Guinea (“PNG”) variant flash hiders, which has about 20% more flash than …


Letter Re: Dirt Time–Learning Practical Tracking Techniques

Jim, I really enjoyed the article on tracking by James K. Actually, I have enjoyed all of the articles in Survival Blog. I try to test my tracking skill whenever I get the change and have been doing it for almost 60 years now. Besides the ones mentioned in the article another guide that I have found to be valuable is: Mammal Tracks & Sign: A Guide to North American Species, by Mark Elbroch. It was published by Stackpole Books in 2003. Unfortunately it was printed in China but of very high quality. (I prefer U. S. made products when …


Letter Re: Spokeo and OPSEC

Greetings, This is in regards to the recent letter about the web site, Spokeo: T. in Oregon was right to be annoyed and worried about such a site. But, following their directions to “remove” your name from their DB is not accurate. The privacy link is merely a phishing link to verify your e-mail and your existence. Yes, once you do that your name will not show up for the free search, but it greatly expands their ability to gather info about you and anyone with $30 can get that information. On a side note, I want to thank you …


Economics and Investing:

M.A. sent this one: Jim Grant Wonders When People Will Wake Up And Realize That Currency Is Based On Nothing? Gary Dorsch: Greenspan Signals Warnings For Bubble-Maniacs From GG: Today’s ISM Manufacturing Report Screams Inflation Items from The Economatrix: Geithner: Disparity in Recovery “Deeply Unfair” Next Meltdown Will Be Driven By “Big Collapses In Emerging Markets”


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader F.J.R. liked this piece over at the Lew Rockwell site, that includes some great audio clips: Gerald Celente: What to Do in a Crisis. The video clip includes his account of surviving the recent earthquake in Chile.    o o o Felix wrote me to mention that Michael Bane’s The Best Defense: Survival! television series from 2009 is now available on DVD. The series features a number of subject matter experts, including SurvivalBlog’s own Editor At Large, Michael Z. Williamson.    o o o Mike Williamson spotted this: Hunt fraternity has new quarry in sight: a Conservative government.