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1. Commander Zero is not someone I’m familiar with but his comments on the usefulness of precious metals during certain phases of an economic crisis ring true. People who use the phrase “You can’t eat silver and gold!” are missing very important truths that are borne out in almost every financial crisis, including Venezuela. Precious metals are useful when fiat currency is losing value and goods are still available, and becomes less useful as the supply of goods dries up – or those selling food and other necessities demand other forms of payment. I suspect government retrictions on the possesion or use of PMs also shortens the windows of opportunity to use them unless one is willing to deal with black market trading. I’ve done some study on this subject and PMs have their place in the beginning of a financial crisis (before it peaks) and during the recovery phase as long as posession of metals isn’t restricted. There are also regional considerations which I won’t get into here. My opinion – routine purchases of PMs as prices dip should be a part of everyone’s preparedness plan. A roll of dimes or quarters one month, perhaps a tube of eagles the next, or maybe infrequent purchases of gold eagles, buffalos or small bars. It adds up over time.

   1. PM’s are always your hedge, In times of crises the “black market” becomes the norm, this is where you get the food, medicines, and other goods you need to survive. All one has to do is look at history and any national crises, drought, famine, evil governments, war, plague etc. I remember my father talking about how hard it was to get some goods during WW2 with rationing, but he also said if you knew someone that knew someone etc. you could find that tire you needed for your car outside the ration system. An other example, while working in Costa Rica many years ago there was a national flour shortage. The Government didn’t have the money to pay for a ship load of flour, it sat for about a month awaiting payment all the while incurring demurrage. You could still find flour but at 3 times it’s normal price. I had a friend who owned a restaurant and smuggled 50 lbs of flour in for her. The take is that the black market is always with us but becomes far more important when a society is stressed, Barter becomes king, Zimbabwe dollars find their way to the outhouse.

2. “The one metric that matters for electric cars.”

   No such animal.

   It’s a ‘coal/nuke/oil/natural gas’ powered car…

   …unless you have a wind farm or a few acres of solar panels in your backyard.

3. Move to the country. Relying on modes of transportation is only a critical consideration in a logistically dependent supply chain society.
   ie. path of least resistance:
   Shop with your bank card at MalWart

   1. Where or from who do you get your metal, fabric and medical drugs in the Country?

      1. From the local builder’s supply and the mom and pop pharmacy. They exist.

         1. And These get it from where or who?

      2. Excellent points. It is important for city people to stay in the city where they are safe, protected, comfortable and well supplied by the systems.

4. RE: WWII rifles; Just got back from the Tulsa show. I don’t doubt JWR’s 2025 price predictions at all. Even now these rifles have climbed, especially the M1 carbines as these are not available from the CMP. There were a lot (100s) of M1 Garands at the show, but most were priced between $800-$1200, with the more collectible ones over $2k, and higher, some over $3k. You could still get a ratty ‘shooter’ M1 carbine for $600, but most were priced $800+ with the ones with early sights, no bayonet lug and flat bolts going for $1600+, add Winchester to that and it’s a $2500 gun. There were a lot less of the M1 carbines there. I did not check the FN-49s. Both guns were selling, as our table is near the exit and saw some leave the show with the little green (sold) sticker on them.

5. Sears was purposely driven to bankruptcy(they were the biggest of the mail order houses,bigger than amazon at the time),they are the juggernaught of the retailpocolypse. Great deals if one closes on your area if you know how to shop a firesale.

6. What is your recommendation for a respirator mask for a pandemic or nuclear attack? Thanks to all.

   1. You want something that says P100, which is for particulates. This will keep out viruses and radioactive dust. However, this will do absolutely nothing for chemicals. Cannot stress that enough.

      Paper ones will work fine for short term, full-face piece are more $ but have the advantage of keeping stuff out of your mucous membranes.

      As I consider the risk for either to be pretty low, pick up a pack of paper P-100 at Home Depot, or N95 if you can’t find P-100. N95 doesn’t filter as finely, but you’re still talking virus levels of filtration.

7. RE: the Walmart article. Every once in awhile I order something from Walmart online that I cannot order from Amazon or Costco. I live a several hours drive from any of these stores, so I order online when I don’t want to do the drive since shipping is “free”, altho we know it’s just baked into the price. It’s worth a tank of gas to me. And I will tell you that Walmart has done a fantastic job in the last couple of years improving their delivery service. Years ago it took weeks to get a box. The last couple of years the time went down to 2-day delivery, but their packaging was horrible resulting in broken products. This year, I was surprised to find that they were using heavy duty boxes, great packing techniques, etc. Their packaging was better than Costco’s! That upped my interest in purchasing from Walmart online. While I rail against buying anything from a big box store, there are just some things I can’t get elsewhere at the price point I want. I will continue until it’s impossible to do so.

   1. Our Shopko closed last year.The K Mart is closing next month. The mall had two anchor stores,now there is only Penney’s and it doesn’t look good for them.
      WalMart has lost their nerve so there’s no reason for me to go there.That is what is happening in our little corner of the Redoubt and all over the country.
      If at all possible give your business to Mom and Pop.They need us and we need them.

8. RE: M1 garands and Cali patriots – bingo! I am aware of some folks who bought them last year. There’s actually, most probably, although I wouldn’t personally know… more guns in Cali than any other state save Texas. Woe to the politicians who dare to tread further.

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