Odds ‘n Sods:

Yishai sent this from Oleg Volk: Survival Lasers 300mW red kit — Tool or Toy?    o o o By way of Tam’s View From The Porch Blog: George Lucas: Han Never Shot First    o o o Our SurvivalRealty spin-off site has hit critical mass, with 87 listings, including its first in Hawaii. Extended page advertisements there cost just $30 per month, and no sales commissions are charged. Congrats to my #1Son for building the Internet’s most popular web site dedicated to survival retreat properties.    o o o F.J. sent this: Build a Secret Closet Door for $200 …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Perceive and believe. Don’t engage in denial. And stay calm. Don’t panic. If you’re going to die, you’re going to die. Suck it up. In a truly dire situation…, you have to let go of thoughts of your own death and simply do what needs to be done: Act deliberately and in the right direction.”  – Lawrence Gonzales


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 39 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 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 …


Some Transportation Alternatives, by Douglas H.

Transportation is so easy today, its laughable.  I can take a flight from Seattle, Washington to Hong Kong and arrive 13 hours later.  Before oil was processed to produce fuel, a trip from Seattle to Hong Kong took several months on a boat in cramped conditions and meager rations.  Millions, if not billions, of people take our current methods and modes of transportation for granted.  What if these modes of transportation were suddenly not available because of (insert scenario here)?  If you can’t think of a scenario, I’ll list a few:  Peak Oil, World War III, End of the Petro …


How Police Training Can Help The Survivalist: An Officer’s Perspective, by N.D.

Something I have noticed among the “prepper/survivalist” community is a growing distrust of local law enforcement accompanied by the stigma of an “us versus them” mentality. I decided this would be a good place to start, and will provide some background on myself. I too am a survivalist. I am also a certified police officer in the state of Arizona. I am a double degree major in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security and Counter Terrorism.  From my experience, most in law enforcement are like me: they get into this line of work for a desire to help those in need. I …


Two Letters Re: Introduction To Multi-Caliber Guns

Sir: J.S. did a pretty good review of multi caliber weapons (“Introduction to Multi-Caliber Guns by J.S.“) but he forgot the time honored Thompson-Center (T-C) Encore and Contender, now owned by Smith and Wesson single-shot firearms.     The Encore and Contender firearm lines not only allow changing barrels but to convert from pistol to rifle and back again by not only switching barrels but stocks, forearms and grips.  Encores are the larger frame and can handle almost any cartridge that you can.  You can buy barrels from 12 gauge to sub-caliber Hornet based wildcats and with either an offset …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. flagged this: Obama’s Budget Puts 2012 Deficit at $1.33 Trillion. Courtesy of Kevin S.: Straight Talk with Tyler Durden: The U.S. Is Free-Falling Into Bankruptcy Items from The Economatrix: Bad Home Loans Top $72 Billion In “Colossal Failure” Mortgage Giants To Pay $25 Billion In Foreclosure Settlement S&P Threatens US With Another Downgrade Possible Next Debt Bomb:  Student Debt Pushing More People Towards Bankruptcy


Odds ‘n Sods:

I’ve warned readers about the OPSEC perils of going on camera for documentary television shows. Apparently this gent put a target on his back: Doomsday Prepper Declared Mental Defective…. Government confiscates his Guns. Please pray for Mr. Sardi.    o o o Video of some ncredibly short takeoffs and landings: Doyle, Cuzoom Win Annual Valdez STOL Competition. (Thanks to RBS for the link.)    o o o Kevin S. suggested this WRSA blog piece: Shoot Until The Target Changes Shape Or Catches Fire    o o o Troy H. sent a link to a military vehicle dealer in England, “For …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, …


Notes from JWR:

We’ve just about finished our migration to SurvivalBlog’s dedicated server in Sweden. All the DNS links should be fully propagated within 24 hours. You will also notice that my very talented #2 Son’s recent work solved some chronic problems that had plagued our old server’s database configuration, in Utah. For example, all searches of the archives (using the Search box) now work the first time. Also, the Permalinks now work with both dashes and underscores. There is no need to update your links or bookmarks. “SurvivalBlog.com” still works fine, but the server is now in Sweden. Hopefully this will make …


Surviving The Cold, by The Other D.B.

Most of us take for granted the fact that if were cold we can find someplace warm to retreat to. In the event of a catastrophe that luxury is going to be one of the first things that goes by the wayside. Animals adapt to their environment or they perish, survival of the fittest. I’ve talked to a few folks that have a couple tons of food and ammo stashed that have never even thought about the clothes situation.  So, What can we do as smart animals to prepare for that day? Unfortunately a lot of people have no clue …


One Family’s Relocation to The American Redoubt, by Recon

I’d like to share my experience in moving to the American Redoubt area.   This is our true, and inspiring story of how we came to move to Idaho.   I must confess.  I have no real prepper skills other than the ability to really connect with people on a personal level, being a nice guy, and I’ve mastered the skill of knowing I don’t know anything.  I couldn’t give anyone survival lessons on any topic.  The fact is, most of you would probably consider me a horrible prepper.  My family and I have no carpentry skills, mechanical ability, construction aptitude, electronic …


Letter Re: Kel-Tec SU-16 Rifles

James, I ran across the info on your sight about the Kel-Tec SU16. I wanted to share my knowledge of the rifle with you. First of all, let me state that I have AR-15s and I enjoy them so I am not telling anyone to ditch their AR. I have the SU16A model with a Trijicon Accupoint 2-10 power 56mm scope on it. The rifle cost me $570 including tax. When you take the rifle apart you realize it’s a hybrid between an AR-15 and an AK-47. The first thing I did was replace the extractor with a heavy duty …


Economics and Investing:

Washington Footing the $1.6 Billion Cell Phone Bill for Millions of Low Income Americans Chris Martenson: Why Our Currency Will Fail If The Euro Breaks Up — Scenarios For Greece, PIIGS And Total Collapse. (Thanks to F.B. for the link.) Reader Andrew M. mentioned the latest edition of KGS Night Watch newsletter that discusses possible economic collapse in Iran Items from The Economatrix: G.G. flagged an interesting article from the blogosphere that originated in Switzerland: On Banknotes. B.B. sent this: Food Prices Rose Most in 11 Months, May Climb in February Bernanke: Recovery Depends On Consumer Spending 10 Things Every …


Odds ‘n Sods:

I mentioned this gizmo once before–back when it was in development–but this stove now appears to be ready for production: The ultimate in low tech meets? The wood stove USB device charger. (Thanks to Geoff S. for the link.)    o o o Bloomberg Reloads Against Guns. JWR’s Comment: These Big City Nannystaters don’t know when to quit. Haven’t they noticed that the crime rates in the U.S. are declining across the board, even as private gun ownership has reached a new high, and while restrictions on firearms carry–both openly and concealed–are gradually being rolled back? Guns in the hands …