Letter Re: A Lifetime Gun and Magazine Purchases in Just a Few Months?

Brother Rawles, Thank you to you and Ulysses in Montana for the detailed article on .308 battle rifles.  The current political environment kicked me into high gear, buying one.  Ulysses information helped me out tremendously.  It will help me save time and money on getting familiar with a new caliber and rifle.  In the beginning hours of the Gun Grab I picked up an Armalite AR-10 lower receiver and mags. I’ve got a number of 5.56 AR’s but have been putting off getting my “dream” rifle for a couple of years.  Depending on what happens in Washington DC, I might trade it toward a FAL …


Economics and Investing:

Bernanke Playing with Fire-Laurence Kotlikoff Peter Schiff: Congress Can’t Fix The Post Office, How Will They The Fix Deficit? Reader H.L. sent: Hotel Mama: Bad Economy Has Young Europeans at Home Items from The Economatrix: Gold & Silver Set Up For Explosive 2013 Silver Will Soar 100s Of Dollars Higher Long-Term Unemployment Highest Since WWII


Odds ‘n Sods:

Easier Flashlight Mod Increases Run Time 3.6X    o o o Fascinating! How a Canadian history buff (may have) solved a Second World War ‘pigeon-code mystery. (Thanks to Karl H. for the link.)    o o o How to Make Batteries From Spare Change    o o o Gregg P. sent: Search of DNA Sequences Reveals Full Identities. In First World nations, law enforcement agencies are busily building huge libraries of blood and tissue samples (cheek swabs.) If eugenics ever regains popularity, or if “genetic profiling” for a family criminal tendency or psychological abnormality ever emerges, then this is very …



Notes from JWR:

Tomorrow, Saturday January 19th, 2013 will be National Gun Appreciation Day–a great day to attend a gun show (and make a private party gun purchase), go to your local shooting range, or buy some ammo. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, 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 …


Skis for Creating Winter Survival Options: The Norwegian Edge, by 60 Degrees N., in Norway

Norwegians know winter. It’s ingrained in their culture. In 2002 this country of under 5 million ranked first in Olympic gold medals and third overall. Imagine Colorado, and only people born in Colorado, doing this and you begin to realize what an accomplishment this is. Ask a Norwegian to name the top items needed for a winter emergency and they will likely not mention skis (cross country skis). The reason for this omission is obvious, at least to a Norwegian. With skis, a situation would be far less likely to be considered an emergency.  On moving to Norway 10 years …


Two Letters Re: Many Police and Firefighters are The Good Guys

Captain Rawles: Having read the two opposing viewpoints on this topic, I would like to weigh in and offer some insight for what it’s worth.  It is always hard not to put people in a category, especially the protectors of our society, police and soldiers.  I am also a retired peace officer and a military veteran, from a central California medium sized agency.  I have relocated to the American Redoubt because California’s politics and downward spiral into the gutter was more than I could bear, especially as a civilian.  Apparently thousands of my fellow retired officers agree because they live …


Economics and Investing:

Economics and Investing: Peter Schiff Reveals CPI Propaganda By Calculating Real Price Inflation Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me: US taps pension fund to avoid passing debt limit Why The Entire Bond Universe Looks Toxic In 2013 Items from The Economatrix: Moody’s Threatens To Downgrade US AAA Rating 20 Facts About The Collapse Of Europe Everyone Should Know Economic Collapse!  A Leading Indicator Of Better Times To Come


Odds ‘n Sods:

Marine: .223 May Not Be Lethal Enough for Civilians. (Kudos to Jim W. for the link.)    o o o F.G. mentioned a new music video from South Africa: Tyd Om Te Trek? (The Time to Emigrate?)    o o o Australians restock the gun racks.    o o o Gun maker backlogs are building! The Stag Arms web site now mentions: “We would like to thank all of our customers for your support. Currently we have approximately two years of backorders for rifles, upper halves, and lower receivers.” (Thanks to F.G. for the tip.)


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Many are overcome, because they allow their zeal to grow cold, and run off in self-flattery. Others, on the contrary, become so alarmed when they do not find in themselves, the strength they wish, that they get confused, and give up the struggle altogether. What then is to be done? Arouse yourself to meditate, as much upon the promises of God, which ought to serve as ladders to raise us up to Heaven, and make us despise this transitory and fading life, as upon the threatening, which may well induce us to fear his judgments. When you do not feel …


Notes from JWR:

Now that BHO has trotted out the kiddies to pull America’s heart strings, it is a good time to again contact your elected representatives, and insist that they draw the line in the sand on semi-auto rifles and full capacity magazines. Modern battle rifles are our rightful militia weapons, and without full capacity magazines we’d be at a disadvantage when going up against foreign invaders or domestic despots. The Second Amendment is not negotiable. — Today we present another entry (this one quite lengthy and detailed) for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …


Marksmanship and .308 Battle Rifles, by Ulysses in Montana

Like a lot of guys I did some shooting and hunting while growing up, only to set it aside in early adulthood as the frantic task of making it in life overcame interest in such ‘boyish’ pursuits.  When I returned to shooting later on it was with an emphasis on self-defense, particularly pistol shooting, which provided a fresh and stimulating way to ease back into it, as I had previously never fired a pistol.  I quickly settled on the Glock models in .45 ACP, keeping it simple and relatively inexpensive, and have kept at it steadily ever since, wanting above …


Two Letters Re: Many Police and Firefighters are The Good Guys

Dear Jim, Over the last 4 years, I have read your blog almost every day! As a committed “prepper”, most of the advice found herein is good to excellent. Likewise the recent comment by a public safety officer regarding his concern that he not be lumped into a category of untrustworthy “guvmint” agents. My professional work as a physician and my recreational pursuit of shooting activities put me into contact with many, many local policemen, sheriff’s deputies and even Federal agents, e.g., FBI and ATF. In my opinion, based on conversations with these folks, most are good guys who are …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. suggested this New York Times article: Life in the Red Items from The Economatrix: 128 Million Americans Are Now On Government Programs-Can America Survive As The World’s Superpower? Brussels Fears “Poverty Trap” For Half Of Europe As North-South Gap Widens This Is About To Rock The Financial World 


Odds ‘n Sods:

There are peaceful marches  to stand up for our rights on every state capitol planned for January 19th.    o o o 3D Printed magazines for ARs. Yes, they are experimenting with it. A thicker floorplate retainer is a the next logical step.    o o o The UK government is now “in consultation” on requiring licenses for air rifles in Scotland. (“Careful, you might put your eye out!’) Thanks to Jonathan B. for the link.    o o o Some sad news from the Land of The Dutiful Boot Lickers: Dinas Powys gun arsenal found in flat. Oh well, …