Month: October 2021


Quality Products for Prepping, by 3AD Scout

Having to stop in the middle of a project to go to the hardware store for something is extremely annoying to me.  For one it wastes time; two it is an insulting indication that I have a hole in my preps.  Post-TEOTWAWKI, going to the hardware store, or any other store for something you forgot will probably not be an option. Having stuff on hand in my stores for any project is important to me as a gauge for my level of preparedness.  Recently, while building stalls and pens inside my barn, I was enlightened to another annoying lesson, that quality is sometimes …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. Simon in England passed along this instructional video link: BaoFeng Ham Radio From Noob to Skilled in 60 minutes. o  o  o Andre reminded me to mention this, about the Cumbre Vieja volcano, in Spain’s Canary Islands: La Palma’s volcanic eruption is going strong three weeks later. o  o  o This reporting runs contrary to the “Fauci wisdom”: Amish Covid. …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 26, 2021

Today is the birthday of Henry Deringer (October 26, 1786 – February 28, 1868). He was an American gunsmith. He is best known for inventing and giving his name to the very compact Deringer pistol. Pictured is the Philadelphia Deringer that was carried by John Wilkes Booth. October 26th is the anniversary of the death of American-born RLI Trooper Joseph Patrick Byrne, in Rhodesia, in 1978. Edward Wilson Very (born October 26, 1847, died March 1, 1910) was an American naval officer who adopted and popularized a single-shot breech-loading flare pistol that fired flares that bear his name. — SurvivalBlog …


Consider a Shotgun as a Gift, by AJS

My shotgun and I have been together a long time. I received it for my twelfth birthday about 70 years ago. I was raised in a farming community. It was expected that a young man would contribute to the food supply whenever possible. My family considered a shotgun to be a piece of precision farm equipment that you used to get food. When I lived with my grandfather on his small farm in rural Midwest he positioned a firearm at each downstairs window. When we looked out in the morning if there was a critter poaching from our garden we …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we look at proposed changes to Montana’s wolf trapping and snaring regulations. (See the Montana section.) Region-Wide Fall color in the Inland Northwest. o  o  o Some fascinating data: Sources of Energy, By State. Note how much hydropower is produced in the Redoubt States. o  …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — October 25, 2021

A Special Note From JWR: I have some sad news. Reader Pam B. wrote to mention that Judge Steve Vandiver is reported to have passed away. Yes, the Steve Vandiver whom you know from SurvivalBlog. At least that is what I’m assuming — since his obituary matches several things he referenced in the article. If so, then we have lost a great patriot. Our condolences to his family. If you haven’t already done so, then please read his two-part article, that just ran this past weekend:  Part 1 and Part 2. — This is the birthday of explorer and pilot …


Glock 19 – Gen 5, by Pat Cascio

Glock has been running ads in firearms publications for many years stating “Glock Perfection” and of course, that is their hype. When it comes to firearms – and I don’t care who makes them, there are no “perfect” firearms, they all have their various quirks. Still, Glocks are largely about as perfect as they come. I remember purchasing my first Glock. It was called the “Glock 17” and many folks believed it was called that because it held 17 rounds of ammo. Not true! That came from the 17th patent that Gaston Glock applied for, so he assigned “17” to …


Recipe of the Week: Gwen’s Sazon Spiced Soup

The following Sazon Spiced Soup recipe is from SurvivalBlog reader Gwen. She writes:  “This is based on a recipe that was given to me but I changed four elements so I would say it qualifies as an original one. Ingredients 1 lb ground hamburger 1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables 2 – 32 oz Swanson Vegetable Broth 1/2 cup dry macaroni noodles 1 can of red beans 1-2 packages of Goya Sazon seasoning found in the Mexican aisle Directions Brown your hamburger or ground meat of choice and drain the fat. In a saucepan heat the broth to boiling and …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at Joe Biden’s inflationary policies. (See the Inflation Watch section.) Precious Metals: Video interview: From ‘dead money’ to a breakout: Silver’s fortune is about to change. o  o  o Video: Why Silver Could Spike To $80 Or Higher. o  o  o “Gold Suppressed, Shelves Empty, Out-of-Control Fed” – Ron Paul. Economy …



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — October 24, 2021

October 24th is the anniversary of the firing squad execution of Norwegian traitor Vidkun Quisling, in 1945. His ignominious place in history was to have his surname become a noun. “Quisling” is now a moniker synonymous with treason and alliance with an invading army. The popularity of “Vidkun” as a boys’ natal name in Scandanavia dropped precipitously after he took power. Ditto for “Adolf”, in Germany, and “Benito”, in Italy, after 1944. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 97 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic …


Our Trying Modern Times – Part 2, by Steve Vandiver

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) “Firearms stand next to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence… The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that is good.” (Often spuriously attributed to George Washington). Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership report that Tyrannical governments always disarm their victim citizens. Disarmament happened in Turkey, the Soviet Union, in the German Weimar Republic, in Communist China, in Uganda, in Cambodia and in too many other lands. Genocide so often followed disarmament during …