Odds ‘n Sods:

Lulu is offering free shipping until the end of May. This includes the SurvivalBlog 5-Year Archive CD-ROM. Use coupon code FREESHIP305.    o o o Lynn G. sent this: US official: growing threat from solar storms    o o o An amazing collection of disaster pictures: Mississippi Floodwaters Roll South. (Thanks to Pierre M. for the link.)    o o o KAF sent this: Equine Herpes Outbreak Hits Western U.S. States    o o o Reader Lynn G suggested: In the bleak light of the Depression: Rare colour photographs of the era that defined a generation



Notes from JWR:

There are now more than 2,100 archived SurvivalBlog Quotes of the Day. My sincere thanks to the many readers that have e-mailed me their favorite quotations. BTW: Please keep them coming! If you have a favorite quotation with a confirmed attribution, then please e-mail it to me. To avoid repetition, please first do a search for the author’s name and a key word from the quote, using our Search box. Thanks! — 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 …


Assuring M1911-Series Autopistol Safety, by Steve V.

For more than two decades, I have carried a variety of weapons ranging from revolvers to suppressed HKs, regularly shooting more than 30,000 rounds a year. (Our rich Uncle Sam has a lot of ammo). As a result, my colleagues and I spent a lot of time handling a variety of firearms. I witnessed more than one negligent discharge by these experienced professionals and have given a lot of thought about how to reduce this possibility. Too many shooters and bystanders are inadvertently injured or killed by poor safety practices. Long experience has shown very few people know how to …


Two Letters Re: Bugging Out Via Boat

JWR, I just wanted to share one note on the recent boat bug-out letter. There is actually one company I know of that makes fast pontoon boats (more of a combination speed/pontoon boat). Check out Manitou Pontoon Boats. I’ve seen some amazing video footage of these boats turning on a dime, and they have very high J.D. Power ratings. Note that I work for a company that does work for them, but don’t gain anything from recommending them. – V.T.   JWR: After reading the articles on watercraft and some of the great insight put forth, I need to throw out …


Letter Re: In Praise of the MAK-90

James Wesley: Regarding the recent letter In Praise of the MAK-90, that there were a few slightly erroneous statements made which I wish to clarify:  Most Norinco MAK-90s (as well as newer Russian/Bulgarian AK family rifles) use Double Hook triggers (not disconnectors), which at the top of the single piece of steel that is the trigger itself (which makes up the trigger/axis pin-bracket/primary sear), operates as the direct primary (semi-auto) sear to the hammer’s release during trigger-pull.  And trigger-slap has nothing to do with double or single hook triggers, but with the disconnecter itself (a different part sitting within the …


Economics and Investing:

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) sent this: George Soros dumps $800 million gold stake. (JWR Adds: Don’t be surprised if Soros quietly buys back in to the market, this summer. He is famous for trying to move markets, and later capitalizing on those moves. ) Is Another Housing Crash Coming? Oil prices fall on disappointing economic data Ted in Nashville sent this: Abandoned Houses Leave Neighborhoods in Limbo Foreclosures Prompt Four U.S. Cities to Sue Banks for Mowing, Home Repairs. (Thanks to Vitus for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: US Homebuilding, Manufacturing Slump in April World on …


Odds ‘n Sods:

There are several new retreat property listings at our spin-off web site: SurvivalRealty.com    o o o G&K flagged this: Is This The Year The Atchafalaya River ‘Captures’ The Mississippi?    o o o Trevor wrote to mention that the 8th Annual Porcupine Freedom Festival will be held June 20-26th, 2011, in New Hampshire. You can register on-line. (Use coupon code TREVOR for 20% off registration “and some swag”).    o o o “Tom Nobody” recommended a site with a lot of good home canning information: PickYourOwn.org    o o o Simon Black (of the Sovereign Man blog) chimed in …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“There is, of course, a slightly more sinister reason to develop a sudden interest in agriculture. Last year, Marc Faber recommended to anyone: “Stock up on a farm in northern Norway and learn to drive a tractor.” He sees a “dirty war” on the horizon, playing on fears of a biological attack poisoning food supplies. Those sort of fears drive capital into everything from gold (recently at an all-time high and a long-time safe haven for investors with currency concerns) to survivalist accoutrements. In this particular case, one might buy the farm in order to avoid buying the farm.” – …


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 …


Surviving TEOTWAWKI with Infants and Toddlers, by M.A.

As parents of twin infants, we recognize that our situation is far less defensible, far less mobile, and far more vulnerable in general in the event of a societal breakdown. However, we love our boys and they will be extremely useful on the farm one day, so we’ve decided to keep them around anyway. Below are some steps we have taken to prepare ourselves as parents of infants, with their future state as toddlers and children in mind.  Avoiding Separation Being able to sufficiently care for your children is a requirement even in a Great Depression or hyperinflation period. Social …


Letter Re: In Praise of the MAK-90

I would like to talk about the Norinco MAK-90 in 7.62×39 because I believe it to be one of the best combat worthy weapons on the market for the money today. I will cover two parts: The MAK-90 specifically and the AK in general. First I’ll speak to those who already like AKs. MAKs are better than most AKs presently on the market in the U.S. because: 1) It is not a “parts” gun. It is 100% assembled in a foreign arsenal that has been making AKs for decades. This means no canted front sights or other shoddy workmanship. 2) …


Letter Re: Bugging Out Via Boat

Jim, In reference to the article about using boats to bug out I have a few thoughts. The writer was very thorough about his facts and accurate as far as it goes.However, I have a few thoughts. As a former Officer of the U S Merchant Marine (12 years, ending as a 1st Mate, Unlimited Tonnage, Motor and Steam, Any Waters) I have had experience in most marine environments. The biggest drawbacks to using a boat as a primary means of escaping are visibility, fuel consumption, and low speed. The writer covered a lot of this and this reply is …


Letter Re: Finding Work in Your Intended New Locale

Mr. Rawles,   Two major websites not mentioned in your article were LinkedIn and USAJOBS.  LinkedIn is an online HR site somewhat similar to Facebook in that it allows “connections” to be made between users. One major difference: You cannot “connect” with someone who you haven’t either worked with or personally know- the website actually blocks attempts to make “mass connections”.  LinkedIn is an HR manager’s dream, as it not only focuses on a person’s career and qualifications, but also provides an all-in-one-stop shop for potential employees.  Many HR reps I know now either refuse to consider candidates who do not have a …


Economics and Investing:

Jeff Harding warns: The Economy is Sliding Into a Stagflationary Spiral Some talking hipster robot apocalypse, by way of Club Orlov: “What will a post-collapse society look like?” and How can we prepare for the collapse? Rigged-Market Theory Scores a Perfect Quarter: Jonathan Weil. (Kudos to Kevin S. for the link.) Sig mentioned: Three Reasons to Believe in $100 Oil Items from The Economatrix: Silver and Disasters Double-digit Inflation Has Arrived US Builders See Little to Like in Housing Market