Note from JWR:

I’m pleased to report that SurvivalBlog is rapidly approaching the 30 Million Unique Visits milestone. We now have more than one million unique visitors per month. It is gratifying to see to SurvivalBlog readers in so many countries. Please keep spreading the word about SurvivalBlog, to family, friends, co-workers, and a fellow church congregants. Adding a link to SurvivalBlog in your mail footer “.sig” or on your web page just takes a minute. Thanks!




Pat’s Product Reviews: AK-47 vs. AK-47 vs. AK-47

I’ve received quite a few e-mails from SurvivalBlog readers, asking me to write an article on AK-47s. Well, here’s my take on the AK line-up. First of all, I only write about guns I actually own or have personally tested. I don’t take a press release and write an article based on that, like some writers (that I’ve heard have done.) There are so many different variations of “AK-47s” out there these days, it would cost me a fortune and a lot of time, to obtain samples of ’em all to test and evaluation. The question always arises, which is …




Letter Re: Observations on the Recent Tornadoes

Dear James, As most of your readers know, on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, one of the worst tornado outbreaks in history hit the Tennessee River Valley area of northern Alabama, northern Georgia and south central Tennessee as well as parts of north central Alabama such as Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Over 140 people were killed in northern Alabama alone and the final death toll from these storms will probably exceed 350. Hundreds of people in these areas lost their homes and are suffering greatly as a result. Please pray for these families as they cope with the loss of property and, …




Economics and Investing:

I called this one right: Silver struggles again after futures market raises margin requirements. (Back on April 21st, I had written: “Also, be forewarned: The COMEX Governors are soon likely to slam on the brakes on the precious metals markets by changing their trading rules. (Most likely by raising margin requirements.) Prices will get very volatile. Be ready to take advantage of any steep sell-offs.”) D.B. in Seattle suggested this piece by Niall Ferguson: Sticker Shock. It begins: “The Fed may deny it, but Americans know that prices are rising. In this week’s Newsweek, Niall Ferguson takes a look at …




Odds ‘n Sods:

Steve M. sent this interesting article link: Special report: As pirate attacks grow, shipowners take arms    o o o Humor Mode On: When planning your food storage program, don’t overlook your dog. (A special hat tip to B.B. for the link.)    o o o Greg N. suggested this: Thoughts after the devastation.    o o o K.A.F. mentioned that the American Prepper’s Network offers free downloads as well as “at cost” CD-ROMs of dozens of survival and self-sufficiency books.







Letter Re: Observations on the Recent Tornadoes

Mr. Rawles, I just finished reading the letter from R.A.  “Observations on the Recent Tornadoes”.  I live in the northern Alabama area also, less than five miles from the path of what has just been reclassified as an EF – 5 tornado. (For your readers in non-tornado prone areas, an EF – 5 is the most powerful category of tornadoes with winds in excess of 200 mph, completely tearing even substantial concrete and brick buildings from their foundations), and I can agree with the author’s points.  A few additional comments: 1)      Have a good radio handy that includes both a …