Note From JWR:

Today we present the first article for Round 5 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win a four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. (Worth up up to $2,000!) If you want a chance to win, start writing and e-mail us your article soon! The high bid in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction (for a fully stocked M-17 Advanced Medical Bag/Rucksack) is now up to $250. Special thanks to the folks at Ready Made Resources, who donated the kit. Please submit your bids via e-mail.


Night Shooting Skills by Christian Souljer, May 2006

I hope and pray that none of us will ever have to use our weapons to respond to invasion of our homes, our city or our country, but if we ever do – chances are that the attack will come during the night. Therefore we have reason that we should all practice our night-time shooting skills for defense. In 2004, I was able to participate in an annual “Practical Rifle Night Match” at my local gun range. The weather was cold, dark, and at times raining lightly. This match was a two gun match (pistols also) and consisted of 4 …


Three Letters Re: Stocking Up on Prescription Medications

Sir: Regarding your blog entry on the subject of prescription medications, I wish to provide you with information regarding expiration dates: I work for a pharmaceutical company. While profit is a reason why expiration dates can be conservative, it is not due to “planned obsolescence.” Here is the way things work in the U.S.: drug companies are required to put an expiration date on all drugs. Companies are required to prove to the FDA that the drugs will remain safe and effective through the expiration date on the drug (when stored as described on the label). Generating that proof is …



Letter Re: Stocking Up on Prescription Medications

Mr. Rawles: As my family ages we seem to be getting more dependent on prescription medications which I’m sure will limit our chances of survival in many SHTF scenarios. When family members are on long term prescriptions, it seems possible to set some aside for when the normal medical infrastructure may no longer be available. (Assuming the person they were prescribed for, maintains custody of the stashed meds, there doesn’t seem to be an obvious violation of the law. When the SHTF scenario occurs, the worry about law violations would probably take a much lower priority than physical survival.) It …


Letter From Buckshot Re: Buckshot’s Survival Attitude Versus the “Commando” Survival Attitude

Since Everyone is talking about it here goes… David in Israel hit it perfect with his last letter. Thank you! The whole purpose of the article was to open people eyes to the fact that is a whole lot more to survival then fancy firearms. I thought people would enjoy reading about the little things it takes to survive for one year. Even in the outstanding book “Patriots” how many firefights were there? Not a whole lot. My point was if it was just me in the wilderness I would be carrying .22 Buckmark and a 30-30. Because I have …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Hitlery Clinton speaks out on Ethanol: Good message, but a dubious messenger.    o o o The UN wants your guns    o o o In an interview with Der Spiegel, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad discusses the Holocaust, the future of the state of Israel, mistakes made by the United States in Iraq and Tehran’s nuclear dispute with the West. It is scary to see someone this wacky running a national government!    o o o SurvivalBlog reader Jim K. mentioned this interesting piece on substitutes food in the South during the Civil War



Note from JWR:

I recently did some inventory/archaeology down in Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (the notorious “JASBORR”), and I discovered some downright doubly-redundant items. These include: some military manuals, several Bianchi UM84 holsters (some with thumb breaks and thigh tie-downs) that fit both Model 1911s and Beretta M92s, as well as some Bianchi double and quad Model 1911 (single stack) magazine pouches, a few extra copies of The Encyclopedia of Country Living, a scarce original pre-1955 Heiser revolver shoulder holster, plus a couple of M1911 concealment holsters. I’ve just added them my mail order catalog.


Letter Re: Nando Parrado on Survival

Sir: Did anybody read Piers Paul Read’s book “Alive“, or see the movie? In 1972 a small airliner with 46 people crashed in the Andes Mountains between Chile and Argentina. The 16 who survived both the crash and a later avalanche ate the bodies of the dead. Nando’s sister died after 10 days in his arms. Eventually Nando and his friend Roberto Canessa hiked out 10 days through unbelievably treacherous terrain, and after 72 days the group was rescued. It is an incredible book, I’ve read it several times. Nando finally wrote his own book, “Miracle in the Andes“. It …


Letter Re: Keeping Extra Guns for Barter?

Dear Mr Rawles: I was wondering how you felt about having a few trade guns on hand? Over the years of horse trading and estate sales et cetera, I have picked up a couple of [M1] Carbines, Mini-14s, old Model 1911 pistols, and so forth. Should I dump them now or hang on to them to barter with in bad times? Or even give out to friends and family when needed? Thank you and please keep up the good work. I’m an every day reader.- J.H. JWR Replies: I highly recommend that unless you are severely short on key logistics …


Letter From Vic at Safecastle Re: SurvivalBlog Group Buy on Folding Paratrooper Bikes

James: I just listed the ultimate prepper bike in my store–the Montague Paratrooper–developed in conjunction with DARPA for the military, and only recently made available in the civilian marketplace. See my eBay store item listing. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is is $695. The minimum advertised price (MAP) is $645. Our special SurvivalBlog-only price is much lower for a very limited time. Our limited-time, group-buy discounted price cannot be advertised. (Due to a MAP contractual agreement.) Anyone interested should e-mail me and I’ll provide the special price: jcrefuge@safecastle.net. The bike comes in either an 18 inch or 20 inch …


Odds ‘n Sods:

The high bid in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction (for a fully stocked M-17 Advanced Medical Bag/Rucksack) is already up to $180. Special thanks to the folks at Ready Made Resources, who donated the kit. Please submit your bids via e-mail.    o o o I heard from SurvivalBlog reader T.C. that he was disappointed by the “beater” Turkish contract Model 1893 Mauser rifle that he recently purchased from Sportsman’s Guide for $299. (He saw it advertised in a shooting magazine with nationwide circulation.) He reported that the rifle he received had less than 10% bluing remaining, a very dark “sewer …



Note From JWR:

Today, we begin another SurvivalBlog benefit auction. This one is for a fully stocked M-17 Advanced Medical Bag (Backpack), donated by one of our most loyal advertisers, Ready Made Resources. This bag has a $179 retail value. Also included as a bonus is a 5 gram unit of Traumadex instant wound clotter (a $25 value.) Please submit your bids via e-mail. The opening bid is just $30!