Guest Post: Is This the End of 80% Receivers? by Timothy Priebe

While the rest of us were enjoying our own post New Year’s Day activities, BATFE Director B. Todd Jones was approving his department’s latest ruling. On January 2, 2015, ATF Ruling 2015-1 was approved. The ruling was a clarification of ATF Ruling 2010-10. That ruling advised licensed dealer-gunsmiths that they may legally perform certain firearm manufacturing activities on completed firearms if certain conditions were met. However, since that ruling in December of 2010, it appears that issues surrounding “incomplete” or “80% receivers” have moved to the forefront of the ATF’s purview. For those not familiar with “80% receivers”, “blanks”, or …


Scot’s Product Review: Mauser 98 Rifle

As part of my continuing investigation of old military rifles for prepping, I have come to the products of the Mauser boys– Paul and Wilhelm– who are best known for their bolt action rifles. While they didn’t invent bolt actions or the box magazines that came to be one of their signature features of the bolt gun, their rifles, particularly the Model 98 (that’s for 1898) pattern, are still considered to be in the top tier of the type. Versions are made to this day. As best as I can research, the first bolt action rifle was the Dryese needle …


Recipe of the Week: Tuna Pie, by G.B.

For those who enjoy canned tuna sandwiches but despise tuna casseroles, here is the answer to your prayer for canned tuna, extraordinaire. Try it, you’ll like it. Ingredients: 1 unbaked pie shell 1 (7 1/2 ounce) can of tuna in olive oil, drained and flaked 3 stalks green onion, diced (or use equivalent of any onion on hand ) 1 cup finely chopped celery 2 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoons finely chopped bell pepper, any color (or use jalapeno from your garden) 1 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 cup toasted bread crumbs, reserve 2 tablespoons for topping 1 cup …


Letter Re: Mushrooms

Hey Hugh. I would like to add some personal information to the interesting article on mushrooms. A few years ago my wife was diagnosed with asthma. We quickly learned that the standard medical treatment was not going to work for her. Our friend at a natural foods store suggested she try a commercially available product called “Breathe”. The capsules contain a combination of mushrooms that apparently help to better or more completely utilize the available oxygen. What sold me was that high altitude climbers use these mushrooms when training for their climb in the thin air. My wife began to …


Economics and Investing:

Video: Will China Pull a “Switzerland” on the U.S. Dollar? – B.B. o o o The minimum wage economic recovery– 44 percent of jobs added since recession ended come from low-wage industries paying $10 an hour or less. o o o US retail sales fell in December – RBS o o o How Much Punishment Can Russia’s Oil Industry Take?


Odds ‘n Sods:

Which apps protect against Verizon and Turn’s invasive user tracking?. – RBS o o o Agency will confiscate infant if entire family doesn’t get flu shots. – H.L. o o o Trillions Laundered Thru CitiBank For Saudi Arabia?. – K.W. o o o What to do if you are shot. – T.P. o o o Majority of U.S. public school students are in poverty. – B.B.



Notes for Sunday – January 18, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 56 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 …


Letter: Flying

Hugh, I have to fly to the east coast soon for work. I am already feeling naked with the thought of not having a good pocket knife and pistol on my person. Is there a good tactical pen or something along that lines that I can legally carry on a plane? Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks! – M.B. Hugh Responds: The airlines will let you fly with both pistol and knife in your checked baggage. Check with each airline for their requirements. Usually, it consists of a checked, hard-sided, and lockable case. You are not required to have …


Economics and Investing:

U. S. Mint American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Purchases Soared to Record High in 2014 – J.W. o o o No Inflation Unless You Eat Food, Use Water, Live In A House Or Apartment, Heat Your Home, Get Sick, Travel, Pay Car Insurance, Go To School, Mail Letters, Or Do Your Taxes. – RBS o o o Wall street banks trying to secure themselves for the collapse? . – A.M. o o o Price of Electricity Hit Record High in U.S. in 2014. – G.G. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: IRS Threatens Service Cuts as First ObamaCare Tax …


Odds ‘n Sods:

For those who miss the Great Revivals of the past, R.G. sent in the link to a powerful message on YouTube. It is well worth the six minutes of your time required to listen to it. It is a huge regret of mine that my children have not experienced the spiritual revival of a church in their lifetime. o o o Civil forteifure seizures to be halted without proving a crime has occurred. – RBS Of course this is Eric Holder we are talking about here. Did anyone else have that instinctive urge to reach around and feel for the …



Notes for Saturday – January 17, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 56 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 …


Letter: Crises of Faith

Hugh et al… First off – I am an avid reader and fan of SurvivalBlog and have been following it for several years now. I’d like to share my story in brief and ask a question of the readership. My story (digest version): I was born and raised in the LDS (Mormon) faith and had good values about work and family instilled in me from an early age (thanks to mom and dad). I religiously followed the “program” and went to BYU for a year after high school, served and full time mission, got married in the temple and had …


Economics and Investing:

Despite Decline in CPI, Food Index Increases in December. – G.G. o o o First National Bank of Crestview fails: branches will reopen Tuesday under New Orleans bank. – G.G. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Venezuela Lacks A Lot More Than McDonald’s French Fries Venezuela’s Future? ‘Barbarity and People Looting’ – This is from December but worth posting still. Obama Said to Seek 7% Budget Boost, Setting Up Fight With Congress Bullard’s Back (But Stocks Ain’t Buying It… Yet)– This was the same Bullard who lifted stock with a hint that QE wouldn’t end; however that proved wrong …