Month: September 2024

Stoeger STR-9F, by Thomas Christianson

If I had to describe the Stoeger STR-9F in as few words as possible, I would say that it reminds me of a Glock 17 with a good trigger. It is roughly the same general shape as a Glock 17, holds 17 rounds like a Glock 17, weighs about the same as a Glock 17, and field strips in the same way as a Glock 17 into the same component parts as a Glock 17. I found the trigger to be better than any Glock 17 I have ever fired, and I was able to shoot it more accurately than …


Recipe of the Week: Callie’s Baked Ham and Cheese

The following recipe for Callie’s Baked Ham and Cheese is from SurvivalBlog reader Callie B. Ingredients 1 tablespoon of butter 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced 6 cups of bread cubes 1 cup deli ham, shredded 1 cup cheddar cheese 1½ cups of milk 3 eggs 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder 1 teaspoon parsley ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper Directions Preheat your oven to 350°F. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the butter to melt, and then add the onions and coat them in the butter. Reduce heat to low, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until the …


SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic: Population Density Change by U.S. county. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit and VividMaps.com, based on U.S. Census data) The thumbnail below is click-expandable.       An animated version of the map can be seen here. — Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.



Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 22, 2024

On this day in 1499, Switzerland became an independent state.  Here is a quote from a scholarly paper on the 1499 Swabian War: “At the end of the fifteenth century, Emperor Maximilian I of the Germany Empire was trying to unite his country. He also tried to force the Swiss Confederation to become closer members of the empire. This led to the Swabian War of 1499. In a series of battles and campaigns, the Swiss were successful in defeating the famous Swabian Landsknechte who had learned to fight in the Swiss manner. As an outcome of the war, the Swiss …


A Rifle is Not Enough – Part 6, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 5. This concludes the article.) The AKM Rifle If the rifleman is not well trained or is in no way mechanically inclined, this my favorite rifle that I know very well and will use exclusively in extreme cold weather. It is a rifle I can recommend to any one who would not be able to maintain the AR-15 rifle or any rifle. It is representative of the Cold War weapons and mentality. Again, the military spends about a week to train new recruits about how to maintain the AR-15 platform. The AKM (a modernized, stamped receiver AK-47) …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: A Safety Tip for Kackling Kamala: You Can Accept Dick Cheney’s Election Endorsement But Don’t Accept His Pheasant Hunting Trip Invitation News Links: TIL that the man Dick Cheney shot in 2006 still has 30 birdshot pellets stuck inside him, which has led to heart issues and a change in voice. Harry Whittington, longtime Texas GOP supporter shot by Dick Cheney in a 2006 hunting accident, dies. Dick Cheney Loves Commie-La. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 21, 2024

On September 21, 1931, Britain abandoned the gold standard. The Pound — henceforth a paper currency — was immediately devalued by 20%. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A Peak …


A Rifle is Not Enough – Part 5, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 4.) Barrel Length and Effectiveness The M4 Carbine with military 14.5-inch barrels and civilian 16-inch barrels were practical for the kind of police action tactics used in the Middle East where troops regularly deployed out of vehicles and in an environment where clearing buildings was necessary. And so their gear and weapons evolved to better suit those tactics. They did however discover that when in the open in the deserts of Iraq or shooting across canyons in Afghanistan their carbines were woefully inadequate. I will justify this opinion further and later in this article. The 20-inch barrel …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds …



Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 20, 2024

On this day in 1873, triggered by a bond default and a bank scandal, a panic swept the New York Stock Exchange. This railroad bond default and resultant bank failure shut New York banks for 10 days. — On this day in 1519, Magellan left Europe on his voyage of discovery. — We’ve just started a 3-week-long sale at Elk Creek Company.  Until October 11th, 2024, all of our Pietta brand blackpowder revolvers and all of our M1891 Argentine Mauser rifles have their prices deeply discounted. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the …


A Rifle is Not Enough – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 3.) Suggested Low-Cost Replacement Parts Here are some suggested low-cost spares/replacement parts, available from Palmetto Stae Armory  (PSA): PSA Classic Lower Parts Kit, FDE PSA AR-15 Bolt Carrier Group 5.56 Full-Auto Nitride MPI – 516446953 $69.99 Everything but the lower receiver and parts associated with the lower half that includes the butt stock: PSA AR-15 Upper 5.56 16″ Carbine-Lgth 1:7 M4 Nitride MOE w/ Rear MBUS, BCG, & Charging Handle, $319.99 This might be the lowest-cost way to acquire all the replacement parts without buying an entire rifle. This blemished build kit has everything except the lower …


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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we examine the Federal Reserve’s September 18th interest rate cut. Precious Metals: Gold price rallies to all-time high shy of $2,600 as Fed cuts 50 bps. Updates: Spot gold was at  $2,594.70 per Troy ounce on Thursday, in Asia. And silver jumped to $31.20. Platinum was also playing catch-up, rising to $1,004.50. (Up 1.4% in …