Notes from JWR:

November 26th is the birthday of both gun inventor Eugene Reising (born 1884, died February 21, 1967) and the late Barton Biggs (born, 1932, died July 14, 2012.) Biggs was a money manager known for his pro-preparedness stance. — Today we present another entry for Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $8,500+ 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.) B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day …


We, Who are Left Behind, by M.D.L.

I’ve seen many articles and entries on how to deal with various forms of property, power and safety issues in a TEOTWAWKI situation, as well as the proper means of dealing with disease and the disposal of bodies. But I have seen precious little on the psychology of being the survivor of those losses.  The horrible events in the Philippines have led me to address this. Let me state here and now that I do not have the type of education that would make me “qualified” to address this.  Just experience.  I must also state that I have never lost …


Letter Re: A Homemade Well-Bailing Bucket, by Bill C.

Sir, This device allows for the baling of water from a standard “drilled and cased” domestic water well in the event of a power outage.  The only drawback is that the “guts” of the well system must first be removed from the well – this includes pump, pipe, cable, wiring, etc. Materials List Section of solid PVC pipe sized for the well casing diameter – probably 3-inch inside diameter will fit most water wells.  A 30-inch section of 3-inch pipe will hold about a gallon of water. End cap – use a flat test cap rather than the usual convex …


Letter Re: Pat’s Product Review – EnGarde Hard Body Armor

James, I love the SurvivalBlog site and love the product reviews. They are always very helpful. Regarding Pat’s recent product review on EnGarde Hard Body Armor, I thought I would help you and Pat on the BUY AMERICAN front, and recommend Infidel Body Armor, which is made right here in the USA. (In Texas.)   The Infidel armor sues the same AR-500 steel panels.  Great carriers, and great add-ons. I bought one 8 months ago and I love it! I’m going to buy some more. Check out their video tests of the panels under repeated fire. That is what sold …


News From The American Redoubt:

Attention Montanans: I read about a great place to shoot: Central Montana Shooting Complex, near Lewistown.    o o o Counter-Insurgency Warfare in Boise?    o o o A Montana mountain man gives a judge a piece of his mind. I must mention that the judge looks like she came straight out of Central Casting in Hollywood. (I think she’d be perfect for one particular part.)    o o o Here is an interesting product that is designed and made in the Redoubt: Headache Hammock


Economics and Investing:

Ron Paul: “The Fed Steals From The Poor And Gives To The Rich” Banks Syphoning Off The Financial Blood Of Their Customers Today’s Wealth Destruction Is Hidden By Government Debt Items from The Economatrix: U.S. Retail Sales Accelerate In October Dow Ends Above 16,000 For First Time, Boosted By Data China Announces That It Is Going To Stop Stockpiling U.S. Dollars


Odds ‘n Sods:

  JRH Enterprises is having an early Black Friday sale on New Gen 3+ Pinnacle Autogated PVS-14s, all ITT made tubes, with 5 year warranty. Comes with all the accessories plus a FREE weapons mount and shuttered eye guard. JRH is also throwing in an Infrared Beacon as well, all for $2,595. They also have other Black Friday sales in progress on FLIR Scout Thermal Imagers and Dakota Alert (MURS band) perimeter security alarms.    o o o “When a right devolves into a privilege…” : Washington D.C. gun owners will be forced to submit fingerprints and pay a fee. …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"It seems to be the fate of all nations, that as they grow in wealth so they lose their manly virtues. With wealth comes corruption, indolence, a reluctance to make sacrifices, and a weakening of the feeling of patriotism. Power falls into the hands of the ignorant many. Instead of the destinies of the country being swayed by the wisest and best, a fickle multitude, swayed by interested demagogues, assumes the direction of affairs, and the result is inevitable—wasted powers, gross mismanagement, final ruin." – George A. Henty, The Young Carthaginian, 1887


Notes from JWR:

November 25th is the birthday of economist and comedian Ben Stein. His unscripted monologue on economics from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of the most memorable scenes in American cinema. By the way, Stein spends part of each year at his second home in Sandpoint, Idaho, so he should be called an honorary Redoubter. — Round 49 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest ends in just five days, so please e-mail us your entry soon. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum.


Pat’s Product Review: EnGarde Hard Body Armor

Since 1980 I’ve had a real interest in body armor. Back then, I ran a gun business and I was contacted by a fairly large Oregon police department to bid on a request–they wanted for some soft body armor. I placed a bid, and much to my surprise, I won it! At that time, the biggest name around in soft body armor was Second Chance. I contacted Rich Davis at Second Chance, and told him I had won a bid to supply a fairly large police department with soft body armor. However, I didn’t have the funds to purchase the armor …


Letter Re: Homemade Soap Making Instructions

Mr. Rawles: Here is a recipe for soap, not food,. This has saved us a lot of money and aggravation over the years. We decided to make our own laundry soap after my daughter (now four years old) was born. Her skin wouldn’t tolerate any artificial perfumes or dyes and she would break out in horrible acne if exposed to artificiality of that sort. The basis of this recipe we found online, then modified it to meet our needs. It includes only shelf-stable materials and is suitable for both washing machines and hand-washing. The ingredients include: –One bar of soap, …


Letter Re: Source for Custom-Made Web Gear?

Mr. Rawles, I was just informed by Valerie at TacticalTailor that due to high demand, their custom shop is not currently accepting additional work. Perhaps your readers know of someone providing a similar service (or that would like the launch one)? Thank you, – D.D. in Colorado JWR Replies: I’m sure that there are many others, but the first custome makers that comes to mind are Mystery Ranch for backpacks and The Vest Guy for magazine pouches. If any blog readers in the United States do custom work in nylon, leather, or Kydex, then please let me know and I …


Letter Re: The Serval Mesh Network

Mr. Rawles, If you have not yet heard of the Serval Project, I would encourage you to check out the web site. This is an Australian based non-profit that is attempting to build the software and hardware for a mesh network that can be erected post-disaster. It is all open-source and there is even a free Serval app available at the Google App Store. For those of you not familiar with the idea, mesh networks are self-contained networks that run off of the same protocols as the internet, using the same hardware, but are not necessarily linked to the actual …


Letter Re: Light Blocking Suggestions for Windows

James: In response to the recent article: Light Blocking Suggestions for Windows, I’d like to mention that another very low cost option for blacking out windows is a roll of roofing (tar) paper. It takes up very little space. It can also be used as expedient, water-resistant repair material.  – Pat O’C. JWR Replies: Tar paper does indeed have many uses, but I’de recommend that you use it outside, rather than inside widows. Tar paper is notorious for outgassing. The distinctive tarry smell can linger for many months or even years in a confined space, so I would recommend never …