Month: September 2014

Scot’s Product Review: Otis Technology Tactical Cleaning System and Ripcord

Otis Technologies is a U.S. firm based in New York State, where they make all of their products. That’s good for them and good for us. The company was founded by Doreen Garrett in 1985 after a bad experience on a hunting trip. She took a fall into some cold mud with her rifle, which wound up with a plugged bore. She wasn’t able to clear it and had a long, wet walk back to their cabin. Making matters worse, it was her grandfather’s Model 94. As she sat warming up, she started thinking about something that could have saved …


Recipe of the Week: Survivor Taco Bean Soup, by J.M.

Here is a recipe that has wowed people for a few years now, including the hardest group to please– little ones. I prefer to use a large crock pot, as it is cheap to use. Brown 2 to 3 lbs of hamburger adding salt, pepper, onion salt, et cetera. When the meat is well done add 1/4 cup (or more) of taco sauce (not salsa), and simmer for another 10 to 20 minutes. Let the sauce change to a deep red color with the burger juices. You want the flavor in the meat. Combine the cooked burger in the crock …


Letter Re: Observations of a Shopkeeper

I did not enjoy logging on to Survival Blog this evening and reading about how ignorant we are according to “R.R.” Can’t he just educate their customers about the safe handling and proper cleaning of a firearm. I just can’t imagine why R.R. would continue selling such deadly weapons to us imbeciles. Please publish the name of your shop so we can know never to bother you there again. Thank you ever so much, – D.R. HJL Responds: I think you have missed the concept that R.R. was trying to portray. I was a scoutmaster for 11 years as my …


Economics and Investing:

What $1 Used to Get You vs. What It Buys You Today. – G.P. HJL adds: Bear in mind that this infographic does not indicate the relative “value” of the items; it only addresses their worth as designated by the U.S. dollar. The relative value of the items has not decreased much at all when you use a denominator that is generally not affected by inflation (such as precious metals). o o o Labor Participation Rate Drops To Lowest Since 1978 o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Most People Don’t Believe It, But We Are Right On Schedule For …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I was thrilled to hear that Scotland might soon regain its independence. This is the chance “just one chance” to set things right and establish an independent nation with a sound currency and perhaps the right to keep and bear arms. The people of Scotland deserve it! – JWR o o o The West Without Water. – JMC o o o This guy is an old hippie but has some good information on stealth camping.  Also, it’s obvious that he’s read a couple of military manuals that apply. Video: Secrets of Stealth Camping. – J.H. o o o A massacre …



Notes for Sunday – September 07, 2014

September 7th is the 99th birthday of Richard Cole, one of just four living Doolittle Raiders. He was General Doolittle’s co-pilot. This is also the birthday of novelist Taylor Caldwell, who was born in 1900 and passed August 30, 1985. Today is also the birthday of Dr. Ludwig Vorgrimler, who was born 1912 in Freiburg, Germany and died in 1983. Vorgrimler was the designer of the Spanish CETME rifle, from which sprang a plethora of roller-lock descendents from HK, including the G3, HK21, and MP5. His bolt design was also copied by the Swiss for their excellent PE57 and SIG …


An Essential Prep: The Outhouse, by KMH

A car I did not recognize drove up the long, bumpy, dirt driveway to the camper trailer that was our home. We had not been there a week yet, but we were gradually making things comfortable. My husband and I, with our four children and an old friend of ours, had decided to go off the grid. We bought five acres in rural Tennessee, purchased a camper trailer out of a farmer’s field for $100, and started living on our land. We had set up a table made of pallets under a tarp-style pavilion and cooked our meals on a …


Letter Re: Observations of a Shopkeeper

Hugh, This is very helpful information. Some of the comments made me think of something I learned from another person. In everyday life, we deal with three kinds of information. Level 1: Things that we know and are familiar with and do without giving it any thought, such as brushing our teeth. Level 2: Things that we do, but we suddenly realize we need help, so we ask for help or use a manual, such as when changing a part on a vehicle. Level 3: This is the one that will get you killed. Information that we don’t know, and …


Economics and Investing:

Currency reform in Ancient Rome . – A.D. An excellent read! One of the most remarkable things about Rome was that as her currency was debased, there were reformers that attempted to bring back the stability and glory to the Roman status. Every one of them was assassinated after a short reign, due to their unpopularity, either from the masses who no longer got “free stuff” or from the generals who were held back from war. It sounds hauntingly familiar to me. ~HJL o o o Financial System Upside Down-Blame Game on Coming Crash-Bill Holter. – J.W. o o o …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Family security? The buck stops with you. – Avalanche Lily o o o Well said! An Open Letter To My Friends In Law Enforcement . – P.H. o o o Would Russia’s president really be willing to start World War III? . – D.S. Note: A “free” registration is required to read this article. SurvivalBlog has no affiliation with Foreignpolicy.com. Sign up at your own risk. o o o For Sale Soon: The World’s First Google Glass Detector. – T.P. o o o Judge Sets Hearings for Illegal Alien Minors–4 Years From Now. – T.P. If that is a speedy …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 39-43 (KJV)


Notes for Saturday – September 06, 2014

Today, we present another entry for Round 54 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,100+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), 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, DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hardcase to go with your …


Musings of a Law Enforcement Paramedic – Part 5, by a LEO Medic

This is the conclusion of this five-part article, and this section contains information about gear selection, some tips and tricks that I learned along the way, as long as some links to some training videos. Gear Selection I am a huge believer in redundancy. Things break, get dropped, tear, and get lost. When your car is in the shop and you are driving the rental is when you will need the first aid kit you usually keep in the back. Murphy is alive and well. On My Person On my person, pretty much everywhere I go whether on duty or …


Letter Re: Fears for the Future

Hiya Hugh! The letter addressing the changes in people in recent years highlights what has just recently happened in my family. For the last four years, I have been the “Chicken Little” prepper in my family, sounding the alarm, trying to show the warning signs of the impending crash hurtling our way. My family is a conservative family, but they were still asleep when it came to the reality of just how bad things will be for the unprepared. I remember a debate I had with my dad, where he said that if it all went down and people were …