Year: 2013

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.)


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Many are overcome, because they allow their zeal to grow cold, and run off in self-flattery. Others, on the contrary, become so alarmed when they do not find in themselves, the strength they wish, that they get confused, and give up the struggle altogether. What then is to be done? Arouse yourself to meditate, as much upon the promises of God, which ought to serve as ladders to raise us up to Heaven, and make us despise this transitory and fading life, as upon the threatening, which may well induce us to fear his judgments. When you do not feel …


Notes from JWR:

Now that BHO has trotted out the kiddies to pull America’s heart strings, it is a good time to again contact your elected representatives, and insist that they draw the line in the sand on semi-auto rifles and full capacity magazines. Modern battle rifles are our rightful militia weapons, and without full capacity magazines we’d be at a disadvantage when going up against foreign invaders or domestic despots. The Second Amendment is not negotiable. — Today we present another entry (this one quite lengthy and detailed) for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …


Marksmanship and .308 Battle Rifles, by Ulysses in Montana

Like a lot of guys I did some shooting and hunting while growing up, only to set it aside in early adulthood as the frantic task of making it in life overcame interest in such ‘boyish’ pursuits.  When I returned to shooting later on it was with an emphasis on self-defense, particularly pistol shooting, which provided a fresh and stimulating way to ease back into it, as I had previously never fired a pistol.  I quickly settled on the Glock models in .45 ACP, keeping it simple and relatively inexpensive, and have kept at it steadily ever since, wanting above …


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

Dear Jim, Over the last 4 years, I have read your blog almost every day! As a committed “prepper”, most of the advice found herein is good to excellent. Likewise the recent comment by a public safety officer regarding his concern that he not be lumped into a category of untrustworthy “guvmint” agents. My professional work as a physician and my recreational pursuit of shooting activities put me into contact with many, many local policemen, sheriff’s deputies and even Federal agents, e.g., FBI and ATF. In my opinion, based on conversations with these folks, most are good guys who are …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. suggested this New York Times article: Life in the Red Items from The Economatrix: 128 Million Americans Are Now On Government Programs-Can America Survive As The World’s Superpower? Brussels Fears “Poverty Trap” For Half Of Europe As North-South Gap Widens This Is About To Rock The Financial World 


Odds ‘n Sods:

There are peaceful marches  to stand up for our rights on every state capitol planned for January 19th.    o o o 3D Printed magazines for ARs. Yes, they are experimenting with it. A thicker floorplate retainer is a the next logical step.    o o o The UK government is now “in consultation” on requiring licenses for air rifles in Scotland. (“Careful, you might put your eye out!’) Thanks to Jonathan B. for the link.    o o o Some sad news from the Land of The Dutiful Boot Lickers: Dinas Powys gun arsenal found in flat. Oh well, …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"It is a commonplace that the history of civilization is largely the history of weapons. In particular, the connection between the discovery of gunpowder and the overthrow of feudalism by the bourgeoisie has been pointed out over and over again. And though I have no doubt exceptions can be brought forward, I think the following rule would be found generally true: that ages in which the dominant weapon is expensive or difficult to make will tend to be ages of despotism, whereas when the dominant weapon is cheap and simple, the common people have a chance. Thus, for example, tanks, …


Notes from JWR:

CampingSurvival.com has announced a Paracord 10% off coupon code for SurvivalBlog readers. You can get a 10% discount on paracord with coupon code jwr. Also, be sure to put the word “survivalblog” in the comments section of your order. This coupon code is not valid with any other offer. Camping Survival has a wide variety of paracord colors available from US makers, in both hanks and full length spools. — 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 …


SurvivalBlog Archive 2005-2012 DVD — Now Orderable!

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The expanded SurvivalBlog 2005-2012 archive has been selling at a fast pace, via digital download. The DVD version of the archive has now been tested and is available to order! The DVD is priced $2 higher than the digital download. This new archive collection has expanded bonus material (a digital copy of my book Rawles on Retreats and Relocation–normally $28 in hard copy–12 Firearms Manuals, and 14 U.S. Military Manuals), an improved user interface (with the same look and feel of the SurvivalBlog web site), and of course one more year of the blog content. The digital download and DVD …


MYDS: My Resolution For 2013, by J.L.

What is MYDS? It’s not prepping, it’s not hoarding, it’s not a disease or even a mental condition and it certainly isn’t unpatriotic or terrorism.  What is it about, then? It is about being provident. Actually, MYDS stands for Make it Your Darn Self!  That is my Philosophy and Motto for 2013! Provident means to prepare for the future.  Why?  Why take the time, the effort, or the expense to be provident?  Look around us.  Look at the world we live in.  Look at the economic and political climate.  There seems to be no rhyme or reason to anything.  Everything …


Letter Re: Many Police and Firefighters are The Good Guys

Dear Mr. Rawles, First, I want to take a moment to tell you how much we love your blog site.  The amount of well thought out information that you have available is a great resource for all of us.  I would however like to discuss a disturbing trend I am seeing on your blog.  While your distrust of the policies and actions of the government may be well founded I am worried about the anti law enforcement sentiment that is popping up is troubling.  I would never tell anybody to blindly trust or follow any one person or group of …