Day: August 23, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 36 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round 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 $795, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) …


A Defining Moment, by The Indexer

I suppose that I have a “prepper” all of my almost 57 years. The oldest of four children, I was raised by my engineer father who would probably seem quite believable as the father in the bomb shelter in the movie Blast From the Past. My mother went along with my father’s seemingly odd ideas, but I don’t really believe it went past accommodating some ‘strange ideas’. This article is about the psychology of a perceived ‘survival’ event, at least. First you will need a little background: I was with my father on the way back from my uncle’s house …


Mike Williamson’s Product Review: Next Generation Arms X7 Rifle

Note: This post was updated on Oct. 18, 2011 to reflect ongoing tests.  I was furnished a loaner weapon and 500 rounds of ammo.  This is a neutral review, with no compensation discussed or received. The Next Generation Arms X7 Rifle is billed as extremely accurate, durable and low maintenance. To test this, the first thing I did was degrease it with brake cleaner. Upon examining this rifle, one realizes a lot of effort went into ergonomics. The VLTOR stock has Quick Detach (QD) swivel mounts on both sides, the receiver end plate has one and there’s one on each …


Letter Re: How To Butcher a Squirrel

Mr. Rawles,   I had been planning to get a pellet gun for some squirrel problems here at my home. But after reading Will T.’s response to “How to Butcher a Squirrel” I instead bought some Connibear 110 traps.  I got the traps via mailorder and set them last night following Will’s advice. I used paper towels coated with peanut butter as bait.  I came out this morning and to my surprise there was already a dead squirrel hanging in the trap.  These traps are very simple, discreet, and efficient.   Thanks! – Paul B.  JWR Replies: A key advantage of …


Letter Re: Roads and Infrastructure in Bangladesh

Dear Jim, Regarding the letter from M.Z. Williamson about water on the Bangladesh-India border leading to war (again) it is a good idea to remember that Jammu and Kashmir are fought over between Pakistan and India over water, rather than the Opium grown in Kashmir. Several rivers originate there and India has diverted at least one back across the border so they can grow grain to feed millions of people. This violates the 1960 water treaty, so fighting has resulted. Conflicts over water are very common. While the hard words between Pakistan and India are largely regarded by their populations as empty posturing, the water and …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent us this “must read” article: Wall Street Aristocracy Got $1.2 Trillion in Secret Fed Loans G.G. also flagged this item: Despite Economy, Ohio, U.S. Gun Sales Defy Gravity Also from G.G.: Social Security disability on verge of insolvency Loyal content contributor RBS sent this: Shoppers will see higher prices for back-to-school shopping, but stores aim to disguise them RBS sent this: The economic worries of a regular American consumer Will Hugo Chavez Touch Off an Epic Short Squeeze in Gold? Some interesting reading: Outlook: Gold, Stocks, Volatility, Euro & Bonds All US Mint Numismatic Gold Coin Sales Suspended. …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Huricane Irene appears to headed toward North Carolina. Please keep the folks living in the storm’s path in your prayers.    o o o Reader Paula S. sent this: The Cause of Riots and the Price of Food — If we don’t reverse the current trend in food prices, we’ve got until August 2013 before social unrest sweeps the planet, say complexity theorists.    o o o Dave B. flagged this: A Wireless Communications System That Works When Cell Phones, Internet are Down    o o o What we have here is a failure to understand the 1st Amendment: Long …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Most preppers have seen the British TV series called Survivors. It is a good show, all-in-all. But it’s absolutely preposterous, how they show so many people wandering around unarmed. (Without so much as a sharp stick.) Come on! Here they were supposed to have gone through something like a 98% die-off. Why wouldn’t they at least have the brains to take a crow-bar to the trunks of some police cars, to get hold of some guns? You don’t have to be a genius to figure out which cars are the ones they call ‘Armed Response Vehicles‘.” – SurvivalBlog reader F.C.L.