Pat’s Product Reviews: Rossi Rio Grande .30-30

Those of you old enough, like myself, who grew-up in the 1950s and 1960s, saw a lot of television Westerns. Today’s youth call guys who play sports “heroes” and many, not all, of them, give sports a bad name, for their behavior off the field. Two of the things I liked about television Westerns, and Westerns on the silver screen, were the ol’ fashion Single Action Army revolvers, and the lever-action rifles most gunfighters and good guys carried and used. I still remember my first lever-action rifle – it was a Daisy Red Rider BB gun, and I’m sure I …


Letter Re: Thoughts of Storm Shelters

James Wesley: When I constructed my home six years ago I decided to add a storm shelter in a surprising location (at least for me). I noticed the front stoop and porch already had a full foundation and adjoining basement wall and I only needed to add a single additional wall to create a reinforced concrete bunker with concrete roof, at minimal cost. I also included a 2’x3′ opening into the basement that provided access to the concrete bunker. Although the inside area isn’t large (4′ x 8′) it is completely surrounded by 8″ of reinforced concrete that could survive any tornado. I …


Two Letters Re: Maps Can Save Your Life

Two Letters Re: Maps Can Save Your Life Jim, My Topo is a web site where you can get custom topographic or aerial view maps centered on whatever point you want.  The laminated ones are good quality (I haven’t seen their other offerings up close).  Seems like it might be useful. Sincerely, – Colby M. Jim: At http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/ you can download a digital copy of  maps in whatever scale you want and with whatever information you want for free. You will need to print it out yourself or take it to someone who has a plotter to print the large …


Economics and Investing:

USPS warns of default on retiree benefits. Recession-proof waste management industry: Down in the dumps. (Thanks to Haiti Guy for the link.) Comin’ this summer… $5 gas Items from The Economatrix: US Consumers in Spending Retreat 20 Questions to Ask Anyone Foolish Enough to Believe the Economic Crisis is Over Second Biggest Weekly Drop Ever in Treasurys Held in the Fed’s Custodial Account as Foreigners Dump Why Gold is Going Higher


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Robert R. alerted me to this “must read” article: Guns Stolen in Violent Gilroy [California] Home Invasion Found. Robert noted: “The man was assaulted and bound as he arrived home at 9 p.m.  They struck when they could hide in the darkness near his home, when he was most vulnerable (exiting his vehicle/entering home).  One of the suspects knew the man and was his neighbor.  Good OPSEC and situational awareness are very important in preventing crimes.  Good lighting around the home and cutting down on any vegetation where someone could hide is a good measure to take to prevent …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 34 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) 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, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and …


Maps Can Save Your Life, by S.B.

How often have you heard yourself or others along with you on a road trip mutter four letter words when your GPS unit directs you to a road that isn’t there?  Or worse yet, you end up on a trail in the wilderness that your brand new hand held GPS unit does not have on it?  The next question that comes to mind is, where am I and how do I get to where I need to go?  In the best of circumstances there are detour signs and friendly road side workers that can direct you back to a known …


Letter Re: Thoughts of Storm Shelters

Dear JWR: First let me say I don’t consider myself a expert.  However I have studied on the subject and would like put  forth what I have gleaned from my research. 1 Weather patterns shift.  When I was a kid in Louisiana  you never heard of a tornado’s there.  Now they are commonplace. 2 Stick built houses (2 by 4 construction) and trailers cannot stand up to even a weak twister. 3 Even in a weak storm the flying debris is deadly. I also found out that a large numbers of deaths were caused by this lethal debris as people …


Letter Re: The Endless “One Gun” Internet Debates

Jim, I understand and agree with your position regarding the “One Gun” debate. I have no desire to challenge or question yesterday’s article on the topic. I do have a question on your thoughts about the new Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle. What is your opinion regarding the concept behind this type of gun? I know they are marketing this as the “the gun to have if you can only have one” and I am not asking about that aspect of it. I see this gun as being versatile and an asset to anyone who has small arsenal. Do you think …


Economics and Investing:

The ultimate tangible? Currency Devaluation in Belarus Causes a Run on Toilet Paper (Thanks to G.P. for the link.) Housing Apocalypse Tomorrow – 675,000 homes in foreclosure have made no payment in over two years. Consumer spending, income drop as inflation accelerates. (Thanks to C.D.V. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Gas Tanks Are Draining Family Budgets Rising Consumer Confidence Lifts Stocks April Consumer Spending Shows Weak Gain Nine Ways That The World Has Gotten Even Crazier in May 50 Things Every American Should Know About the Collapse of the Economy Glut of Foreclosed Homes Threaten Market US Worse …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Rachel F. mentioned an interesting video about a couple that lives very close to the land.    o o o Congressman Ron Paul: The Last Nail – Floor Speech (May 25, 2011). The Defense Authorization Act or H.R. 1540, aka” The Forever War Act”, was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives May 26th with a vote of 322 to 96.    o o o U.S. to propose mandatory vehicle ‘black boxes’. I hadn’t heard that most vehicles already had post-crash decelleration event data recorders (EDRs), and that for several years the Lexus brand cars have recorded pre-carsh events. (Presumably …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-5 (KJV)


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 34 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) 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, and B.) Two cases of Alpine Aire freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $400 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo , and …


Preparing Kids for Disasters, by J.B. in Montana

Consider this possible scenario: Let’s imagine for a moment that nuclear fallout or a tornado is approaching your home. If you said to your child, “Stop what you are doing- go to the basement right now!” – would he obey without question or hesitation? Would he even pay attention to your voice if he were deeply involved in a video game or a text message? Would he whine “WHYYYYY? Do I HAAAAVE to? It’s not faaaair. Bubba got to play longer than meeeeee!” Would your daughter pout, glare at you, and sulk if she had planned to go to a …