Note from JWR:

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 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 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any …


Just in Case, by M.L.

I have seen a great deal of information over the years concerning the “Bug Out Bag” but very little that addresses the “Get Home Bag”. Considering the fact that most of us spend a good portion of our day away from our homes, I would have expected to see a greater amount of attention paid to the subject. Benjamin Franklin said it best, by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. I reside in a semi rural area outside the megatropolis of Southern California, I work in downtown Los Angeles which requires a 1/2 hour drive to the train …


Gun and Magazine Ban Planned for Illinois

Reader Jim W. just sent word of horrendous new gun ban legislation in Illinois that is on the fast track to floor votes in the Illinois legislature. These laws would ban most semi-autos and even pump-actions! Magazines that can hold 11+ rounds of magazines would also be banned. I recommend that Illinois residents read the text of the bills, regularly monitor their status, and of course contact their legislators. For the sake of expediency, I’m quoting from the NRA-ILA web site, verbatim: It is imperative that you contact your state Senator IMMEDIATELY to express your opposition to House Bills 815 …


Letter Re: Long Distance Bug Out Planning

Jim: J.B. mentioned that it is important before and when bugging out to listen to all radio news reports and gather any information concerning the route.  This, of course, depends on somebody still broadcasting.  We must constantly keep up on what’s going on locally and soak up every scrap of information available.  This data is used to update the maps, note the areas to avoid, and make navigation decisions.  It will be important to constantly gather intelligence, adjust plans accordingly, and to be acutely aware of where you are. Something I found helpful: I picked up a 1000 channel scanner …


Economics and Investing:

Steve B. suggested: Analysis: After “fiscal cliff” dive, more battles, new cliffs Peter Schiff: US Economy Living On Borrowed Time Jim W. suggested this from Sovereign Man: When Priced in Gold, the US economy is at Depression-Era Levels Items from The Economatrix: Peter Schiff:  Congress Sells America Down The River to Avoid the Fiscal Cliff Roubini:  The Longer-Term Picture is Bleaker and the Next Crisis Could be Just Two Months Away The Good, The Bad & The Ugly From The Fiscal Cliff Deal


Odds ‘n Sods:

H.L. liked this: The Freest Place in the World. JWR’s Comment: Don’t assume that economic freedom equates to full liberties in all other aspects of life. Argentina is a MerCoSur (Mercado Común del Sur) treaty signatory, and hence (like all the others) they are gradually clamping down firearms ownership under a “harmonization” accord. (Harmonization is statist-speak for: “Let’s equally oppress all of our subjects, to the lowest common denominator.”) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela are full MerCoSur members, and Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru are associate members. Just as with gun rights, I suspect that banking privacy will …



Note from JWR:

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 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 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any …


Into Bear Country, by George F.

As a result of moving into remote retreat areas, you may begin to have encounters with North America’s bear population. Even in suburban/urban areas, a lack of hunting and the return of forests has seen bears make a comeback, raising the likelihood of a bear-human encounters. Even if you live somewhere with a low likelihood of bear encounters, you should know the proper actions and make preparations, because bears can turn up anywhere. I’m going to outline the steps for bear camping, keeping your homestead secure from bears, traveling in bear country, tactics for a bear encounter, and bear defenses …


Letter Re: Firearms Feeding Frenzy

Dater JWR: I am a retired police officer, SWAT team member, firearms instructor, armorer, First Aid CPR/AED instructor, and consider myself and my wife into prepping at a moderate level. While we do not have everything that I would like to have in my arms and accessories I know I am so far ahead of many of my friends that my confidence is high on that point. I must tell you I was shocked when we visited a Southwestern Ohio gun store  about a week ago. My friend, an employee and also retired law enforcement officer, looked at us like …


Letter Re: 3D Printing Rifle Magazines

Hello, James. I was wondering about something. If it is possible to build an entire lower assembly for an AR-15 (though a bit more fragile than what most people are aware of) using a 3D printer, wouldn’t it also be possible to program that same printer to make composite construction 30 magazines (or larger) for AR series rifles. All that you would need to do then is buy the springs. Everything else can be produced using the printer. Sincerely, – Gerald H.   JWR Replies: Unfortunately, with current technology I don’t think that the plastics used have the requisite tensile …


Economics and Investing:

Diana V.: suggested: Storing Nickels by David Hathaway Rick in New York recommended a 46-minute documentary: Overdose: The Next Financial Crisis Fiscal Cliff: The U.S. Debt Ceiling Is The Real Issue Still Ahead Venezuela’s Inflation Rate Hit 19.9% Items from The Economatrix: A Massive EMP Blast Could Collapse The Economy In A Single Moment Happy New Year Middle Class:  The Fiscal Cliff Is Going To Rip You To Shreds 16 Things About 2013 That Are Really Going To Stink


Odds ‘n Sods:

‘Black swan’ predictions for 2013 include solar storm    o o o Gun Grabbers Call For Re-Education Programs In Public Schools    o o o A reminder that Italian Gun Grease (all American-made products, but their chemist is Italian–so they thought it would be a catchy name), has some very good products for long term storage of pistols, rifles, and those now precious spare magazines. They are offering a special 25% discount for SurvivalBlog readers. Enter the coupon code RAWLES25 when you check out. Full disclosure: They offered me a 10% “piece of the action” for mentioning their products, but …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The cops are the experts on the current criminal trends. If they have determined that a “high capacity” semiautomatic pistol and a .223 semiautomatic rifle with 30-round magazines are the best firearms for them to use to protect people like me and my family, they are obviously the best things for us to use to protect ourselves and our families.” – Massad Ayoob, writing in Backwoods Home magazine


Note from JWR:

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 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 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any …