Month: January 2013

Letter Re: Advice on M1A Rifle Assembly and Disassembly

Mr. Rawles, Great information, as always.  I read with considerable interest the article on 308 battle rifles by Ulysses in Montana, and it made me think once again of my M1A and the one dilemma I have with it; how to break it down for cleaning.  I come from an M16/AR-15 background, having spend some years in the Army.  It is also very easy to find a wide variety of videos on the AR-15 platform,  many with great video closeups of how to break down and clean that weapon.  Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a similar video for …



Odds ‘n Sods:

Dr. Cynthia J. Koelker, SurvivalBlog’s Medical Editor, wrote to mention that registration is now open for her Survival Medicine classes to be held next week in Georgia, and another in March, in Ohio. Details can be found on her web site: ArmageddonMedicine.net.     o o o   Doc Cindy also recommended “Get doxycycline while you can.  There is a nationwide shortage with pharmacies already running out.  Price increases up to 2000% are expected.”       o o o For those who love white papers, futurism, and conjecture, reader A.D.K. suggested this heavily link-laden U.S. Air Force web site: Future Conflict Studies    …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:10 – 13 (KJV)


Notes from JWR:

This is the birthday of the late Carla Emery (born 1939, died October 11, 2005.) She is well known in self-sufficiency circles as the author of The Encyclopedia of Country Living. (Which was just re-released in a new 40th Anniversary edition.) Carla is greatly missed by preparedness and self-sufficiency-minded families. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice …


Functions, Not Lists!, by Travis K.

This blog has endless resources for researching the needs and goals of a person preparing for an anticipated event.  Whether that event is unemployment, extended backpacking, or a SHTF scenario, you are likely to develop a “to-do list” for that event.   These lists might be compiled on loose paper, on a computer, or lodged in your brain.  Most of us make lists in one form or another since they are invaluable for organization.   While a “to-do list” is convenient for simple events such as going to the grocery store, they tend to be detrimental to a project such as “prepping”.  …


Letter Re: A Lifetime Gun and Magazine Purchases in Just a Few Months?

Brother Rawles, Thank you to you and Ulysses in Montana for the detailed article on .308 battle rifles.  The current political environment kicked me into high gear, buying one.  Ulysses information helped me out tremendously.  It will help me save time and money on getting familiar with a new caliber and rifle.  In the beginning hours of the Gun Grab I picked up an Armalite AR-10 lower receiver and mags. I’ve got a number of 5.56 AR’s but have been putting off getting my “dream” rifle for a couple of years.  Depending on what happens in Washington DC, I might trade it toward a FAL …


Economics and Investing:

Bernanke Playing with Fire-Laurence Kotlikoff Peter Schiff: Congress Can’t Fix The Post Office, How Will They The Fix Deficit? Reader H.L. sent: Hotel Mama: Bad Economy Has Young Europeans at Home Items from The Economatrix: Gold & Silver Set Up For Explosive 2013 Silver Will Soar 100s Of Dollars Higher Long-Term Unemployment Highest Since WWII


Odds ‘n Sods:

Easier Flashlight Mod Increases Run Time 3.6X    o o o Fascinating! How a Canadian history buff (may have) solved a Second World War ‘pigeon-code mystery. (Thanks to Karl H. for the link.)    o o o How to Make Batteries From Spare Change    o o o Gregg P. sent: Search of DNA Sequences Reveals Full Identities. In First World nations, law enforcement agencies are busily building huge libraries of blood and tissue samples (cheek swabs.) If eugenics ever regains popularity, or if “genetic profiling” for a family criminal tendency or psychological abnormality ever emerges, then this is very …



Notes from JWR:

Tomorrow, Saturday January 19th, 2013 will be National Gun Appreciation Day–a great day to attend a gun show (and make a private party gun purchase), go to your local shooting range, or buy some ammo. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) 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 …


Skis for Creating Winter Survival Options: The Norwegian Edge, by 60 Degrees N., in Norway

Norwegians know winter. It’s ingrained in their culture. In 2002 this country of under 5 million ranked first in Olympic gold medals and third overall. Imagine Colorado, and only people born in Colorado, doing this and you begin to realize what an accomplishment this is. Ask a Norwegian to name the top items needed for a winter emergency and they will likely not mention skis (cross country skis). The reason for this omission is obvious, at least to a Norwegian. With skis, a situation would be far less likely to be considered an emergency.  On moving to Norway 10 years …


Two Letters Re: Many Police and Firefighters are The Good Guys

Captain Rawles: Having read the two opposing viewpoints on this topic, I would like to weigh in and offer some insight for what it’s worth.  It is always hard not to put people in a category, especially the protectors of our society, police and soldiers.  I am also a retired peace officer and a military veteran, from a central California medium sized agency.  I have relocated to the American Redoubt because California’s politics and downward spiral into the gutter was more than I could bear, especially as a civilian.  Apparently thousands of my fellow retired officers agree because they live …


Economics and Investing:

Economics and Investing: Peter Schiff Reveals CPI Propaganda By Calculating Real Price Inflation Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me: US taps pension fund to avoid passing debt limit Why The Entire Bond Universe Looks Toxic In 2013 Items from The Economatrix: Moody’s Threatens To Downgrade US AAA Rating 20 Facts About The Collapse Of Europe Everyone Should Know Economic Collapse!  A Leading Indicator Of Better Times To Come


Odds ‘n Sods:

Marine: .223 May Not Be Lethal Enough for Civilians. (Kudos to Jim W. for the link.)    o o o F.G. mentioned a new music video from South Africa: Tyd Om Te Trek? (The Time to Emigrate?)    o o o Australians restock the gun racks.    o o o Gun maker backlogs are building! The Stag Arms web site now mentions: “We would like to thank all of our customers for your support. Currently we have approximately two years of backorders for rifles, upper halves, and lower receivers.” (Thanks to F.G. for the tip.)