Pat’s Product Review: Springfield Armory EMP 40

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It’s been a few years since Springfield Armory came out with their Enhanced Micro Pistol (EMP) and I decided to take a wait and see attitude – I waited until they actually hit the market. What is unique with the EMP is that, it appears to be a 1911 handgun, with a big change. Springfield Armory redesigned most of the parts, to reduce the overall size of the EMP. It’s not a chopped or cut down full-sized 1911 – far from it. Almost every part was redesigned by Springfield Armory, including the frame, slide, trigger, hammer, backstrap, etc. None of …


Letter Re: Stuff Hitting the Fan – Part 3: Communications

Dear James, I need to respond the the letter “Stuff Hitting the Fan – Part 3”, with regards to communications. I am a ham radio operator holding a Amateur Extra Class license, and have a little CB and shortwave experience.  As such, I want to make some corrections R.L.’s letter and offer some advice. 1. An adequate ham transceiver for the HF bands (160m to 10m), will also cover the non-ham bands as receiver. This includes all of the broadcast shortwave bands, and the AM broadcast bands in the United States. This will not include US broadcast FM, or the …


Recipe of the Week:

Amber’s Granola Bars   Here is a great recipe for using your stored oats, honey, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, etc. Ingredients: • 6 cups Rolled Oats (not Quick Oats) • 4 Tablespoons Butter, Melted, Plus More For Greasing • 1/4 cup Vegetable Or Olive Oil • 1 teaspoon Salt • 1 cup Brown Sugar • 1/2 cup Honey • 1/4 cup Apple Juice (I make mine fresh from our juicer) • 1/4 cup Molasses • 3 teaspoons Vanilla Extract • 1-1/2 cup Rice Krispies (can be substituted for Optional Ingredients) • 1 cup Wheat Germ • 1/2 cup Finely Chopped …


Economics and Investing:

Brandon Smith: What To Expect During The Next Stage Of Collapse Well-Known Stocks to Avoid as Mortgage Rates Rise James W. sent: Indian rupee resumes slide as fears grow for slowing economy Items from The Economatrix: First Signs of Hyperinflation Have Arrived: US National Debt Can Travel From the Earth to the Sun and Back a Stunning 83 Times! U.S. Government Prepares Mass Pension-Rape 33 Shocking Facts Which Show How Badly The Economy Has Tanked Under Obama


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader F.G. suggested this good article: Garage OPSEC    o o o How Cops Can Block Remote Wiping of Seized Cellphones with Aluminum Foil. (Thanks to J.B.G. for the link.)    o o o B.B. recommended listening to this podcast interview: Larry Pratt: 2nd Amendment Legislative Update    o o o 250,000 Alpaca-sicles? Chalk it up to Global Warming: Peru Declares State of Emergency in Puno as Temperatures Drop


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“[General Francis] Marion’s Men were also discouraged. The forces mounting against them seemed overwhelming. As they sat around their campfires, they began to talk as if certain ruin would overtake them. Finally Col. Peter Horry [a compatriot of Marion’s] said to his troops: “I am ashamed to hear you talk like this. We have often, before now, seen as heavy clouds hanging over us; and yet, with heaven’s blessing on our arms, those clouds have been dispersed, and golden days restored. And who knows we may shortly see it so again?” – Robert D. Bass, Swamp Fox: The Life and …


Notes from JWR:

Today is the sad 30th anniversary of the willful air-to-air missile shoot-down of KAL Flight 007, which took the lives of 269 people, including U.S. Congressman Larry McDonald and Tae Kwon Do Master Hyong Ung “Billy” Hong. There were 105 Koreans, 62 Americans, 28 Japanese, and 23 Taiwanese on board. The airliner was a Boeing 747. The Soviet fighter was a SU-15, piloted by Major Genadi Osipovich. He had direct orders to shoot down the plane. — Today we present Part 3 of a four-part entry for Round 48 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …


National Preparedness Month — Three Concurrent Mountain House Sales!

During National Preparedness Month, Mountain House has removed their Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) restrictions on their authorized dealers for long term storage foods packed in #10 cans. This is the first time the company has ever done so, and it has created the opportunity for low prices that haven’t been seen in decades. Three SurvivalBlog advertisers are Mountain House dealers, and I strongly recommend that you stock up to take advantage of these sales prices in September. Here is a summary of the three September sales: A month-long sale on Mountain House long term storage foods began today at Safecastle. …


Stuff Hitting the Fan: A Position Paper – Part 3, by R.L.

(Level II Scenario, continued) Utilities For me, a 1,000 Gigawatt generator is not needed. Just 12 volt deep cycle storage batteries and a photovoltaic panel to charge them up, along with with a homemade generator from a lawnmower engine fan belted to a Chevrolet car alternator will be enough to power some communication electronics and spot lighting.  Deep cycle batteries are preferable to regular 12 V car batteries as they last much longer, but car batteries will certainly do in a pinch.  Incandescent lights need more power than fluorescents which need more than white LED arrays. Do some experimenting.  Another …


Letter Re: Declining Aquifers

Hello Mr. Rawles, I am a great fan of your work and I eagerly anticipate the release of your new novel.   I live in rural Northeastern Colorado, where both sides of my family settled in the 1870s.  The mid-sized ranch, 1,900 acres, that I live on has been owned by my family for 104 years.  I raise cattle, goats, horses and hay along with my dad, my wife and kids.  I also have a “government job” in local emergency services to help make ends meet.    I read the recent article by Denise Chow of Live Science, titled Water Woes: …


Economics and Investing:

Reader Mike H. sent: Silver Outshines Everything in the Market During August The Case For Why Silver Is Better Than Gold Smoking gun? Spreadsheet of high-profile hires found Items from The Economatrix: Is the Housing Recovery Still On Track? Get Ready For A ‘Massive Interest Rate Shock’ Soon The Global Financial Death Spiral?


Odds ‘n Sods:

R.H. kindly sent us the full scoop on Maryland’s new ban on semi-auto rifles and standard capacity magazines that goes into effect in one month (October 1, 2013.) Vote with your feet, if you can. But if you can’t, then stock up, soon!    o o o Common Household Items that Add Hundreds of Dollars to Energy Bills. [JWR’s Comment: Don’t overlook the umpteen power cubes (AC to DC transformers) throughout your house. By simply plugging them in to a $5 power strip you can turn off those “wall warts” with the flick of a switch when they aren’t in …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from …


Note from JWR:

Today we present Part 2 of a four-part entry for Round 48 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The 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 civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 …


Stuff Hitting the Fan: A Position Paper – Part 2, by R.L.

(Continued from Part 1) Level I Scenario In these paragraphs, we will look at the areas of primary and secondary importance as they can be managed in a Level I scenario. Water A person needs around two gallons per day for cooking and rudimentary cleaning.  For short term emergencies it may be possible to store up two weeks or more water, that much should be stored up anyway.  When you store water, treat it with iodine or Clorox or boil (iodine is better, boiling is best) and rotate water stores every six months, see level II instructions for disinfecting ratios.  …