Year: 2015

Odds ‘n Sods:

There has been an uproar on the Internet (and a significant market rush) caused by the BATFE’s proposed ban of “green tip” M855 5.56mm NATO ammunition, even though it is not truly “armor piercing”, and even though less than 1% of AR-15s are built as pistols. If you oppose this rule change, then please politely send a comment to the ATF. ATF will carefully consider all comments, as appropriate, received on or before March 16, 2015, and will give comments received after that date the same consideration if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be …



Notes for Tuesday – February 17, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 57 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ 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 hard case to go with …


The World of Bug Out Bags, by D.M. – Part 2

Common Gear to Bring in Your Bag Now the type of bug out bag I have been addressing is one that you might have to use to travel a great distance and spend the night, depending upon only the gear that you have with you. Each situation is different, and each geographic region and season brings different challenges. In some of the articles I have read, I am amazed at what some people list as “survival” or necessary items, like a heavy, solar charger (remember that you are carrying this on your back!), but they forget to pack other important …


Letter Re: Milsurp Ammo

Sir: There has been some back and forth about the utility of milsurp rifles lately. Without regard to the rifles themselves, one of the advantages often given is that ammunition for some calibers can be relatively inexpensive when bought in bulk. Folks should be warned that some of this ammunition is military surplus and may not have been manufactured to Western standards, and it may have been subjected to improper storage conditions as well. It’s surplus for a reason, you know. Case in point: Some years back, I bought a spam can of 7.62x54R, opened the can, and transferred the …


News From The American Redoubt:

Idaho senator to introduce mandatory civics test bill for students. – RBS Just make sure Chris Cuomo doesn’t take the test. o o o Another county has sent a message to the legislature opposing any attacks on 2nd Amendment rights. Malheur County has crafted a letter making it clear that they support gun rights and warning the legislature not to overstep its bounds. As each new county steps up, the hopes of the gun grabbers grow more complicated to realize. o o o Gun bills emerge in Idaho legislature. – RBS o o o Many oppose GOP senator’s plan to …


Economics and Investing:

If Fed raises Interest Rates… will create the greatest economic collapse in modern times o o o Is Washington Fabricating the Economic Data? o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Stockman: Slap Handcuffs on the Fed Before It’s Too Late Japan Q4 Annualized GDP +2.2%, Worse than Expected How Truly Free Markets Help the Poor Pharmacy Shelves Care in Venezuela


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cometh the Censor – Birth of What Will Prove a Short Siege – K.M. o o o The FBI’s Plan To Collect Everyone’s DNA Just Got A Huge Boost From Congress. – RBS o o o So sad. Have we learned nothing in the last 100 years? Video: A Jew Harassed on the Streets of Paris. – P.M. o o o Call For End To Foreign Aid To Argentina As It Buys Fighter Jets From China. – T.P. o o o Video: Nation’s Top Teacher Drops Resignation Bomb: “I Can’t Drill ‘em and Kill ‘em”. – H.L.


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Over the years, Americans in particular have been all too willing to squander their hard-earned independence and freedom for the illusion of feeling safe under someone else’s authority. The concept of self-sufficiency has been undermined in value over a scant few generations. The vast majority of the population seems to look down their noses upon self-reliance as some quaint dusty relic, entertained only by the hyperparanoid or those hopelessly incapable of fitting into mainstream society.” ? Cody Lundin, When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes



Learning From Washington’s Huge Background Checks Mistake

The American electorate has once again proven itself to be easily manipulated by the mass media. Late last year, the voters in the State of Washington foolishly voted in favor of I-594. This ballot initiative fundamentally changed the status of gun owners in the state– treating everyone like suspected felons. Now, the centuries-long tradition of free intrastate commerce in used private party guns has been criminalized. In Washington, it is no longer legal to sell a used gun to your neighbor or even to your cousin. The law has only a few exceptions, such as transfers between immediate family members …


Scot’s Product Review: MRE Depot Food Products

I recently wrote about the Yoders meats sold by MRE Depot, one of a number of vendors that sell storage foods aimed at preppers. As well as MRE’s and Yoders meats, they also carry a number of other items of interest. While MRE’s are useful and everyone should have some, the other items are, in my view, more important. A diet of MRE’s is going to get old pretty quick. This review is on some of the other food products they offer. They were kind enough to send several different items for me to review. Since I think readers deserve …


Recipe of the Week: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Halupkies), by OkieRanchWife

I am now living west of the Mississippi, but when I was growing up in a northeastern state, these were present at weddings, fire company (hosey) picnics, church functions, and family holidays in various Eastern European traditions. Called halupkies, cabbage rolls, stuffed cabbage, blind pigeons, or Hunky Hand grenades, they were staples of Eastern European cooking. They are packed full of protein, whole grain goodness, Vitamin C, and they are filling! I only use the dark green, outer leaves of the cabbage head. They are easier to roll and have more nutrients than the pale, inner leaves. You have to …


Letter Re: E-readers: My Personal Alexandria, Now Less Flammable!

I was excited to hear of someone else besides myself using an eReader as a repository for info, which would be handy after TEOTWAWKI. I had arrived at the same conclusions just a couple weeks ago and bought one myself. I’m very happy with my decision. I’d like to shine a light on a few of both the advantages and caveats of of using these devices for this purpose that weren’t covered in the original post. I should mention that I am not connected with any eReader company. The only dog I have in this fight is as a consumer …