Letter Re: Rechargeable Batteries for FRS and GMRS Radios

Jim, Just a note on the popular two-way handheld radios sold in many big box and sporting goods stores in the US. I have been trying to standardize my rechargeable batteries for these little handhelds to the ubiquitous AAs since my scanners and many of our other small lights and some gear run on them. I have four older Motorolas from 3-to-5 years ago for our use around the farm and when traveling with more than one vehicle for any distance. First, I noticed that there has been a gradual switch for these FRS/GMRS radios that once took AAs you …


Letter Re: Push or Pull Carts For All-Terrain Hauling

Jim- As to puncture-proofing ATV tires, cycle or cart tires, check out www.tireballs.com. Individual cell bladders fill the tire in lieu of a single tube (or tire/wheel seal). These are the hot stuff with the off-road racing crowd, and they pound the **** out of their rigs more in a single race than any sane individual will in two lifetimes! One other thought on tires for push-pull carts…knobby all-terrain tread patterns may look cool, but unless those tires are being powered, you’ll be happier with a much shallower tread pattern. In fact, only enough tread to keep the wheel turning …


Letter Re: Pros and Cons of Glock Pistols

Dear Jim, Having considerably less sense than most, I’ll wade into the discussion. More blood has been spilled over the “Glock vs. 1911” argument than practically any other firearms topic. (Possible exceptions include the Revolver vs. Autopistol Great Debate of the 1970s, the 9mm vs. .45 Screamfest of the early ’80s, the .40 S&W vs. Everything Else Howl-O-Rama of the ’90s and eruptions of 10mm, .357 SIG and .45 GAP Mania. I’m sure avid readers of the “gun comics” can speak to other examples.) FWIW, here are my opinions on Glocks, having owned five and having shot thousands of rounds …


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog reader “Alfie Omega” spotted this article: New, Simple, Make-It-Yourself Water Filter Promises Clean Water for Millions It begins: “A handful of clay, yesterday’s coffee grounds and some cow manure are the simple ingredients that could bring clean drinking water to developing countries around the globe…”    o o o “Smart Pigs” Don’t Lie: The BP Prudhoe Bay pipeline closure may last for months. Stand by for higher gasoline and home heating oil prices.    o o o Panicky refugees at a shelter in Northern Israel.  



Canes, Walking Sticks, and Umbrellas for Street Self Defense

The topic of striking weapons for street self defense has been brushed on in SurvivalBlog, but has never addressed directly or at length. I highly recommend training to use a cane, walking stick, or a traditional full length umbrella. This is particularly important for our readers that live in gun-unfriendly nations. Ditto for our readers that live in states like California, New York, and New Jersey where is is very difficult for mere mortals to get a carrying concealed weapon (CCW) permit. And even if you are a concealed firearms permit holder, you should learn these valuable skills. Why? You …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The 2010 U.S. census will record GPS coordinates of every household’s front porch. Charming.    o o o Reader JB in Nashville mentioned that another mirror site has been established for the e-book of Mel Tappan’s Tappan on Survival. It is such a great read, I recommend that you also buy a hard copy. New or used copies can often be found through Abebooks.com, BooksAMillion.com, or eBay.com    o o o Reader JCS suggested this site on battery technology on battery technology. He noted, “For a long term survival scenario I’m starting to think that Ni-Cd would be better than Ni-MH …



Note From JWR:

Jake Stafford forwards the following letter from “down under”. It came from a reader of the free Special Report “The Desperation Shopping List: the Seven Critical Items That Are Guaranteed to be Stripped From Store Shelves When You Need Them Most in a Crisis.” You can get the report free when you visit the Ready For The Worst web site, even if you are not yet ready to buy the “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course. (Jake has the course on sale at a deeply discounted price, perhaps for the last time, until August 11th.)


Letter Re: The Most Overlooked Preparations

Hi Jake, Thanks for the info. Most of the things described (in your Special Report) were actually on my lists but in a slightly different order. I think this is due to a different focus. Given a total TEOTWAWKI when the supplies run out, they’ll be out for good, so I’ve focused on the required knowledge you need to be able to re-make/replace them. For example in my basic survival kit (for bushwalking) I have a small high quality water filter but for the long term stuff I am focusing on learning how to ‘make’ a water filter. Also my …


Poll Responses Re: Best Places for Retreats in the Eastern U.S. and Overseas?

Jim, For those of us stuck in the Northeast due to family and or business reasons, I suggest the the area in New Hampshire north of the White Mountains and east of the Connecticut river. Generally from Woodsville, NH to Lancaster, NH. Including the area around Lisbon, Littleton and Whitefield in the Ammonoosuc River valley. Distance to Boston is approximately 150 miles, and Montreal 170 miles. – Art   Dear Jim, For retreat sites east of the Mississippi, one of the most uninhabited areas is in West Virginia south of the WV Turnpike down through the eastern corner of Kentucky …


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog reader JCS suggested the Lindsay Books site. It has something for everyone from Aircraft Welding to Hide Tanning. They have lots of books that belong on the survivalist reference bookshelf.    o o o Blog reader S.H. mentioned that our friend Noah over at the DefenseTech blog ran an article about a dune buggie/powered parafoil combo, for the ultimate in high mobility.   o o o From the Washington Post: DOE Report Identifies Areas of U.S. Power Grid Congestion Here is a brief excerpt from the story: “This study identifies the most critical areas of congestion,” said Kevin Kolevar, …



Five Letters Re: M1911 Pistol Modifications

Dear Jim, Consider getting a copy of Tiger Mckee’s The Book of Two Guns. You won’t be disappointed. (I happened on it quite by chance and it’s been on my what-to-get-for-the-shooter-who-has-everything list since.) With respect to “injured shooter drills”: The slide on a 1911 may be racked using the rear sight and your belt, provided you’re not equipped with Novaks. Hook the rear sight on the upper edge of your belt, strong side, and you’ll find you can actuate the slide very rapidly and without difficulty. Novaks are, IMAO, a nice fashion feature, but little else. (Heresy!) If you consider …