Odds ‘n Sods:

Safecastle’shuge Mountain House food sale ends this Saturday, April 30. Both the 30-year #10 cans and the 12-year pouches are seriously discounted, up to 46%. Safecastle always includes shipping to the lower 48.

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Camping Survival has a new video out on cleaning water. It’s not a survival video but is good info.

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From the desk of Mike Williamson, SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large: Camopedia, the camourlage encyclopedia.

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The Death of Encryption. “The Burr-Feinstein bill claims to support “the rule of law,” which the authors seem to think means that if a government agency or court orders us to do something, we must do it without question.”

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Oregon Bakers Continue Legal Fight, Challenging ‘Gag Order’ – Sent in by B.B.

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“All human life should be safe from the invasive harm of others, including both mother and child. No government funding should exist one way or another.” – David J. Theroux

Notes for Tuesday – April 26, 2016

On April 26, 1986, the world’s worst nuclear accident occurred at the Chernobyl plant in the Soviet Union. An explosion and fire in the No. 4 reactor sent radioactivity into the atmosphere; at least 31 Soviets died immediately.

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Today, we present another entry for Round 64 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value),
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chrome-lined barrel and a hard case to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel, which can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Gun Mag Warehouse is providing 20 Magpul PMAG 30-rd Magazines (a value of $300) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt; (an equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions),
  6. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  7. The Ark Institute is donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package (enough for two families of four) plus seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate (a $325 retail value),
  8. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  9. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating an AquaBrick water filtration kit with a retail value of $250, and
  10. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  3. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  4. A Trekker IV™ Four-Person Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $250 value),
  5. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  6. A pre-selected assortment of military surplus gear from CJL Enterprize (a $300 value),
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  8. Safecastle is providing a package of 10 LifeStraws (a $200 value)
  9. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A $245 gift certificate from custom knife-maker Jon Kelly Designs, of Eureka, Montana,
  3. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  4. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  7. Montie Gear is donating a Precision Rest (a $249 value), and
  8. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).

Round 64 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure- Part 1, by L.W.

In 2007 the British Medical Journal polled doctors about what they considered to be the most important medical advance in modern history. While not necessarily a medical advance, clean water and sanitation—the number one answer in the survey—have undoubtedly prevented more early deaths than any other single advancement. The question for us is: What do we do to ensure we have clean water and to promote sanitation when TEOTWAWKI hits?

The black plague killed over 75 million Europeans. Why? Rats and their fleas were the major source of spreading Yersinia Pestis– the cause of the black plague. Why were rats crowding around European cities? It was due to the utter lack of sanitation and cleanliness. That, combined with the high population density, produced the perfect storm of death.

Unfortunately, we live in a society where proper hand and bathroom hygiene is disregarded by many and where even food service industry workers have to be threatened with job loss for failing to wash their hands after using the restroom at work. Ready access to medical care and medications has protected us in the past, but these modern blessings may not be available in the future. We have to recognize that we will be surrounded with others who may not share our views on sanitation. We need to be able to educate them and protect ourselves at the same time.

Clean Water

Boiling water has been the method of choice for purification throughout history, and according to the CDC, “[e]xcept for boiling, few of the water treatment methods are 100% effective in removing all pathogens.” So while bleach, filters, and purification tablets may be used, boiling is best.

Boiling water

To kill pathogens (bacteria, parasites), bring water to a hard rolling boil for one minute, plus an extra minute for each 1,000 feet above sea level. A major disadvantage of boiling is the energy required. It may be wise to consider having a Kelly Kettle or rocket stove available.

Solar distillation

Just a little searching on the Internet will yield a wide variety of plans for DIY solar stills; it won’t be long before you find one that will fit your situation and skill set. While every bit as effective as boiling at killing pathogens (and with the advantage of removing heavy metals and radiation), the major drawback is that most DIY and personal-size stills do not produce enough water for a family.

Purification Tablets

Data strongly suggest that iodine disinfection is not 100% effective in inactivating Cryptosporidium, an organism commonly found in surface waters.

Bleach

When boiling water is not an option, water can be treated with bleach. First, if your water is not clear, pour it through a coffee filter or let the water sit until the particles settle at the bottom and then pour off the clear water into a clean container. Add two drops of non-scented bleach per quart of water (eight drops per gallon). For cloudy water, use three drops per quart of water or twelve drops per gallon. Let water stand for 30 minutes. There should still remain a slight odor of bleach; if not, let stand an additional 15 minutes. To eliminate some of the off taste, pour this water between clean containers several times.

While most of us understand the need for treating drinking and cooking water, what many people fail to understand is that all wash water must also be clean. We absolutely cannot wash our hands or rinse out some dishes in what appears to be a clean, clear mountain stream without the risk of picking up giardia or cryptosporidium. We can’t use that same stream to wash off some dirt or clean a wound. All water coming into contact with our hands and with any wounds, even scratches or scrapes, must be treated.

Ounce of Prevention

It is much easier to purify water than to suffer the consequences of parasites, cysts, dysentery, typhoid, and more, all of which will require medication to treat and which will have the potential to spread and expose and/or harm others. We will not live long without clean drinking water.

Personal Hygiene

Hands

Effective hand washing prevents the spread of germs. A quick rinse is not enough! It is the combination of soap, clean water, and friction that rids our skin of germs. Having a small brush near the sink to use under fingernails is also critical. Antibacterial soap is not necessary and, in fact, can prevent our immune systems from building up the antibodies we need to fight germs.

Hand sanitizerdisinfects when soap and water are not an option. It has a three-year shelf life from time of manufacture. Keep some bottles on hand as a backup when soap and water are not available.

To make DIY hand sanitizer, combine ½ cup 100% aloe vera gel with ¼ cup witch hazel and stir until the lumps are gone. Then, add ¾ cup 70% isopropyl alcohol. You can choose, as an option, to add 10 drops of lemon or orange essential oil for a scent. Shake and pour your DIY hand sanitizer into bottles.

Latex exam gloves and N-95 masks should be used in caring for the ill. The gentle care of cleaning fluids from a sick person’s face is all well and good, but using the same water and washcloth over and over only spreads disease. Contaminants will get onto the caregiver’s hands, if he/she doesn’t use latex gloves. Exam gloves offer protection when dealing with an open wound and can also protect you from any pathogens that may be infecting your patient’s blood. Wear these gloves only once and be careful about cuts or holes that can contaminate your hands or the individual you are assisting.

In addition to the wearing of latex gloves, an N-95 mask, which can be purchased at hardware stores, helps protect the caregiver from bacterial or viral infections. When the H1N1 flu erupted a few years ago, those who wore masks and gloves were less likely to get sick.

Teeth

Daily care helps you keep your teeth. If bacteria linger in the mouth, gums can develop abscesses. A soft bristle brush is gentle on the gums and enamel. Hard bristles hurt the gums and enamel and can actually foster cavities or other dental problems.

Toothpaste manufacturers advertise the bristles of the toothbrush need to be filled from one end to the other with toothpaste. This is not necessary. Just a little dab is all that is needed. (While fluoride is promoted as preventing tooth decay by strengthening the teeth, it is actually the brushing that is most essential.) I was curious to see how many months I could get out of a 5.6-ounce tube of toothpaste. Still brushing morning and night and being stingy with the toothpaste, my tube lasted between five and six months.

Alternatives to using toothpaste include wet brushing (just putting water on the toothbrush) or using salt or baking soda, like my mother’s family used during the Depression.

It is wise to store floss, as it not only gets the foreign matter from between teeth, but it also stimulates and strengthens the gums. (Floss can also serve as suturing thread if it is not waxed and is thin enough.)

Gargling with mouthwash also aids in oral care. If manufactured mouthwash isn’t available, you can gargle with diluted apple cider vinegar and water. This solution helps to eliminate bad breath and whiten teeth. Bear in mind that apple cider vinegar is highly acidic and quite harsh, so it needs to be diluted with water before gargling. Straight apple cider vinegar could damage the enamel on your teeth or the tissues in your mouth and throat.

Keeping your lips moisturized and protected from UV rays is also essential, as cracked lips can become infected. Keep UV rated Chap Stick or Carmex available.

Bodies

Bathing

The skin is the most important organ, in protecting the body from disease. We need to clean it properly and keep it clean. Our bodies accumulate foreign matter and can develop sores if we don’t cleanse ourselves. Bathing removes dead skin and germs and helps prevent irritations and rashes that could otherwise lead to infection.

For times when normal showering isn’t available, there are solar showers made for camping. Simply fill the bag with water and set it in the sun to warm.

Wipes

Baby wipes are not just for babies; they can be a godsend to the rest of us as well. They were very highly prized by our military in the Middle East to be able to clean up on the go. A few baby wipes can substitute for a shower, which is what many do while camping. Baby wipes are also easier to use when giving sponge baths to the elderly and disabled/injured.

Commercial baby wipes store for at least six to twelve months. Some may find it is better to store the supplies to make DIY wipes when they are needed. Bear in mind that the DIY wipes lack preservatives and thus do not have the shelf life of commercially produced wipes.

Recipe #1 (all-natural ingredients)

  • 1 roll of heavy duty paper towels, like Bounty, cut in half and inner cardboard tube removed
  • Plastic container with tight-fitting lid

Wipe solution:

Mix all the liquid ingredients in a bowl. Put the paper towels in the container and pour wipe solution over the towels. Let it absorb; this takes about 5-10 minutes. Flip the container over to make sure wipes are well soaked. Use as you would regular wipes.

Recipe #2

  • 1 roll of heavy duty paper towels, like Bounty, cut in half, and inner cardboard tube removed
  • Plastic containerwith tight-fitting lid

Put one half roll of towels in the plastic container. Set the other half aside for the next time.

Wipe solution:

Mix solution well and then pour solution over paper towels. Let absorb for 10-15 minutes. Invert container to soak other end as well.

Soap

Store bar soap instead of liquid. Bar soap weighs less and takes less space. In addition, store two to three different brands of bar soap that you and your family already use to make sure you do not have any sensitivities and so that you have another option in case sensitivities develop later.

To make your soap last longer, unwrap the soap and set it aside for six to eight weeks. This “cures” the soap, and it will be less likely to turn to mush when used. To make it last even longer, keep soap in a soap dish. Finally, if the bar is allowed to dry completely before being used again, it will last much longer.

Deodorant

Our bodies are designed to keep us cool so we won’t overheat, but we don’t need to stink. How much deodorant you store depends on how much you use. The purpose of deodorants prevents us from smelling. If store bought isn’t available, apple cider vinegar can help kill odor-causing bacteria, so dab a bit under your arms for a natural deodorant.

Lotion

Hands must be especially protected and pampered. The skin is the first line of defense against infection. Once our society collapses, our hands are going to be a whole lot busier and subject to cuts and scrapes. We can reduce the likelihood of some minor damage to the skin by keeping it moisturized. I live in a dry climate and my fingers crack and bleed if I don’t take care. Knowing I’m susceptible to infection, I have finally found a lotion that works for my hands. Avoid lotions that contain alcohol—it dries out skin.

Vinegar

To remove odor-causing bacteria from your feet, wipe them with apple cider vinegar.

Ounce of Prevention

Good personal hygiene will help protect the body from infection.

Letter Re: Doxycycline and Penicillin

Hugh,

I am interested in obtaining a supply of doxycycline, an antibiotic used to treat Lyme disease. If bugging out on foot ever became a necessity the exposure to ticks and Lyme disease in my part of the country is quite high. Can you make recommendations for purchasing this medication? I found little to guide me in your archives. I have seen it suggested to get veterinary medications; however when I looked at one major website doxycycline and penicillin where listed as the same drug. I believe that’s not accurate. Who am I to trust? – KM

HJL’s Comment: You’re in good shape. One of our Writing Contest winners last year has an excellent article on dealing with antibiotics. “Infectious Disease in the TEOTWAWKI World- Part 1”, “Part 2”, “Part 3”, “Part 4”, “Part 5”, and “Part 6” by Militant Medic. This information, of course, comes with the proviso that as long as the medical system is functioning, you should pursue care and medications through the system and under the supervision of a physician. The methods and information in this article are to inform you of your options when there is no viable alternative. There are serious consequences to over/under using these medications as well as a higher potential for impurities in the medications procured from less than reliable sources or sources intended for other than humans.

News From The American Redoubt:

Judge again refuses to let nationally known lawyer defend Cliven Bundy – Sent in by B.B.

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Idaho Freedom Foundation is hosting the Freedom16 Town Hall meetings in North idaho. The Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman will provide IFF’s take on the 2016 session on what lawmakers did right and what they got wrong.

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Montana takes one on the chin – Surprise! Missoula, Montana expected to get mostly Muslim refugees after all. Sent in by B.B.

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Sheriff Palmer intends to sue city of, John Day, employees

Economics and Investing:

Why I Believe the American Dream Just Died. – Sent in by G.G. – Excerpt: “My breaking point came yesterday, upon reading a Legg Mason survey of affluent investors, which Legg Mason defined as individuals with more than $200,000 in investment assets. It found that 55% of those surveyed believe that the American Dream no longer remains within reach, with only 23% “strongly agreeing” that they are living proof of its existence.”

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U.S. stocks fall on oil, earnings; dollar retreats.

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Dangerous Divergence. The Fed’s policy of “Save a Wall Street Banker” is beginning to show up in the charts in a disturbing way.

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Hotel California or the Hotel Marriner Eccles. “Like the Hotel California, the debt based currency system lives on, and we can never leave it (without a traumatic reset).”

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SurvivalBlog and its editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for details.

Odds ‘n Sods:

Kenyan police fire tear gas as opposition marches on electoral body – The world continues in its civil unrest.

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Science Fiction has a disturbing habit of turning into reality. Stories such as “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” and “Around the World in Eighty Days” have been reality for a long time. Sadly, here are 10 Sci-Fi Dystopias That Are Everyday Realities Today. – Sent in by DSV

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More than 340,000 people pledge to boycott Target over its policy to allow customers to use restrooms and fitting rooms matching their gender identity – Sent in by RBS

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Reader J.H. wrote in about a disturbing Kraft Macaroni And Cheese TV Commercial that he saw while baby sitting his grandchildren. They were watching a show on the Nick Jr. channel. This ad is teaching our children and grandchildren that, if they do not like parents or grandparents discipline, authority, or just about anything, they can simply call the police and have them arrested. The current ruling class is attacking our children.

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SurvivalBlog reader, Mr. Natural, sent in the links to these videos about the krikit .25 sheet metal pistol built with shop tools. You might want to save these. We’ve mentioned this before, but these links are more complete:

Background:

Videos:

The Plans– (The magazine is apparently the tricky part.)

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“Although we may not know it, we have, in our day, witnessed the birth of the Therapeutic State. This is perhaps the major implication of psychiatry as an institution of social control.” – Thomas Szasz

Pat Cascio’s Product Review: S&W Model 459

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Some SurvivalBlog readers often question me as to why I don’t do more articles on old, used, or classic guns. Well, if you cruise through my many articles, you will see that I do cover these types of guns quite regularly. For example, if you look at my many articles on the Model 1911, you’ll read about this classic, which has been around for more than a hundred years. Even though there are many improvements made to the 1911 by various makers, it is still basically the same gun it was when it first came out.

I think many of us love to read about new guns and dream about owning them. Unfortunately, we aren’t well off financially and can’t afford all the new guns that seem to come out almost daily. Many readers mistakenly believe that I own all of the guns I write about. Such is not the case; they are on loan to me from the gun companies. Sure, I’m able to purchase some of them, but most get away from me after I’m done testing them. I’m always on the lookout for great deals in a used firearm at the local gun shop I haunt and quite often find some outstanding deals on used guns. However, one is advised to closely examine any used guns for excessive wear and tear before laying down your hard-earned money. Even with my many years of experience working on guns and writing about them, I often find myself having to repair a used gun I purchased. Also, to be sure, the gun shop I haunt often asks me to repair some of the used guns they took in on trade. Most of the time it’s a quick and easy fix.

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The Smith & Wesson Model 59 may not qualify as a “classic” in the sense of the word or in the eyes of many gun owners, but it is. The Model 59 was the first successful DA/SA double stack 9mm handgun to come out in 1971. It was an updated and improved version of the Model 39 that came along many years before. However, the 39 only held 8+1 rounds of 9mm ammo. The 59 held 14+1 rounds, and it was considered by many as the first “Wonder Nine”. Yes, I know; the Browning Hi-Power came along back in the 1930s, but it was a single-action only 9mm pistol. The S&W Model 59 was the first in an unrelenting line-up of DA/SA 9mm handguns to come along that held a lot of ammo in the magazines.

I’m covering my well used S&W Model 459, which is an improved version of the Model 59. The first 59 weighed-in at only 30 oz, which is heavy by today’s standards of handguns that have polymer frames; the 59 has an anodized Aluminum frame. Still, back in the day, it was really a light-weight handgun that held a lot of ammo. It came with a 4-inch Bbl, and most models were blued, although some came chromed and later version came with stainless steel slides. There was even a very rare version that came with an all-steel frame. The original 59 came with two 14-rd magazines; later versions came with 15-rd magazines. The 459 is considered a Second Generation of this model. These guns were introduced in 1971 and discontinued in 1988, so they have been around a good long time. After this, came the Third Generation models of these guns. They were highly improved upon in many areas, especially ergonomics. To many people, the 59-series felt like a 2X4 in their hands. It didn’t feel that way to me and still doesn’t!

My 459 was picked up for the princely sum of $250, which was quite a deal for a Wonder Nine, if you ask me. Even though it has a lot of wear (of the anodizing) on the aluminum frame, the gun was still a solid shooter. Like many used guns I run across, they have been carried a lot and not shot much. Such is the case with my 459. I easily touched-up some of the bare spots on the frame with some touch-up bluing. It will wear off again, but it doesn’t really matter since aluminum won’t rust!

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Early 59-series 9mm pistols came with a single-side safety/decocker on the left side of the gun. Later versions came with an ambi-safety/decocker. The decocker was used to, well, decock the gun, if you were finished firing and there were still rounds in it. You simply lowered the decocker from the 9:00 position to the 6:00 position and it safety dropped the hammer. Then you could either leave the decocker down or push it back up, so you were ready to fire the round left in the chamber and magazine. Some police departments, who adopted the 59-series, mandated that their officers carry their guns with the decocker down, in the safe position. Many firearms instructors, myself included, taught students to carry their guns with the safety/decocker in the ready-to-fire position.

The front strap of the frame has serrations milled into it for a better grip, and the butt of the frame has a lanyard ring, if you were mandated to carry the gun with an attached lanyard. The back strap also has serrations in it. Again, this helps when firing the gun to keep it on-target. The plastic grips are checkered and fit perfectly, too. There are some aftermarket wood grips or rubber grips made for the 59-serious. However, they make an already thick gun, too thick to hold in the hand, if you ask me. The plastic grips fit my hand just fine.

There was always one really weak spot in the design of the original 59, and that was the 14-rd magazines. They didn’t have a very stout spring at all, and quite often rounds would get hung up in the magazine instead of smoothly feeding them into the chamber. S&W improved the magazine all the way around, when they came out with their 15-rd magazines. They came with a stronger spring and a plastic base on the magazine, as well as a better follower for sure feeding of every round in the mag. If you own a Model 59 or 459 and you are having problems with it feeding, the first thing to do is change the ammo, and then if you still have problems get a new and improved magazine. I have Mec-Gar 15-rd and 17-rd mags for my 459, and they work flawlessly. Plus, they are a lot less money than original S&W mags. Mec-Gar manufactures original equipment magazines for many of the gun makers.

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The 459 I own has the fully adjustable rear sight, adjustable for windage and elevation within certain limits, and it is a vast improvement in the sight picture, than the original itty-bitty fixed rear sight that came with some of the early guns. The front sight is plain black, however, I painted mine with orange paint so it is easier for my aged eyes to see.

I’ve had zero failures to function with my 459. However, I installed a new recoil spring; they only cost about five bucks from Brownell’s, and I could feel the huge difference with the new spring. Retracting the slide took a lot more effort than with the original spring, and the odds are that it had the original spring that was installed in the gun. Many gun owners never change recoil springs in semi-auto handguns, which is a big mistake if you ask me. I try to keep a round count and change springs on a regular basis. This helps prevent any malfunctions as well as helps prevent the frame of the gun from being battered.

The 59 and 459 weren’t the stoutest guns to come along, and some PDs that were issuing these guns also issued +P or +P+ ammo, which caused premature wear and tear on the guns. To be sure, no gun maker will warranty their guns for +P+ ammo, so be advised. I have fired standard velocity ammo as well as +P and +P+ loads through my 459 without an ill-effects. However, for everyday shooting, standard velocity ammo works fine. For street carry, I prefer to only use +P load – JHP ammo. However, a steady diet of heavy loads isn’t advised, period!

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For my testing, I had an outstanding assortment of 9mm from Black Hills Ammunition and Buffalo Bore Ammunition for my function and accuracy testing. From Buffalo Bore, I had their 147-gr JHP sub-sonic load, 147-gr FMJ FN, 115-gr TAC-XP Barnes all-copper hollow point that is +P+ rated, 124-gr FMJ FN +P+, 115-gr JHP +P+, 124-gr JHP +P+, 124-gr JHP +P, and their 147-gr Hard Cast FN Outdoorsman load +P. From Black Hills, I had their 115-gr JHP +P, 124-gr JHP +P, 115-gr EXP (extra power) hollow point, 124-gr JHP, and their 115-gr TAC XP Barnes all-copper hollow point +P load. Whew! That is quite an assortment of 9mm ammo.

As I stated at the start of this article, I had zero malfunctions with this 459. It didn’t matter what ammo I used, and that’s an outstanding thing, especially in a used handgun where I don’t know the background or history on the gun. Replacing the recoil spring was just prudent in my humble opinion.

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In all my shooting, at least for this article, I ran more than 500 rounds of ammo through the gun; most was just blasting away at targets of opportunity. For my accuracy testing, I rested the gun over the hood of my pickup truck, using a rolled-up sleeping bag as a rest. No groups exceeded four inches, if I did my part. However, some groups were down there at three inches, again, if I did my part. One type of ammo– the Black Hills, 124-gr JHP– would give me some groups just ever so slightly under three inches. I couldn’t do it all the time, and it was just a fraction of an inch below three inches. Tthat’s outstanding for any gun you might consider for self defense. Many firearms instructors will say that any gun that gives you groups of four inches is perfect for combat situations. I concur!

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I have every confidence in my S&W 459 and wouldn’t hesitate to carry it today for self-defense purposes, even though it is outdated, an “antique”, or whatever you want to call it compared to the ever-expanding lineup of polymer framed guns. Maybe it’s the dinosaur in me that loves this gun, or maybe it’s just nostalgia that draws me to this gun. Whatever it is, this is one winner of a used gun in my book, and for $250 it’s a bargain and would serve you well in a SHTF scenario or for self defense or home defense. You don’t always have to spend a lot of money to get a lot of gun. You don’t always have to have the latest polymer handgun to serve your needs. I checked around on the ‘net before doing this article and found that used 459s samples could be had for $275- $300, which is a bargin! If you can live with a hammer-fired pistol, in today’s striker-fired world of semi-autos, then check out the 459. It’s a lot of gun for a little bit of money!

– Senior Product Review Editor, Pat Cascio

Recipe of the Week: Alphabet Pot Roast

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper.
  2. Place in a slow cooking pot.
  3. In a small mixing bowl, combine undiluted soup with wine and basil; pour over meat.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
  5. Sprinkle with parsley.

Slice meat; serve with sauce ladled over meat.

The sauce may be thickened with flour dissolved in a small amount of water, if desired.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

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Useful Recipe and Cooking Links:

Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? Please send it via e-mail. Thanks!

Letter Re: Solar System Experience

HJL,

There was no mention of EMP (man-made or natural) precipitating SHTF. Any electronic components of a solar system intended for after SHTF should be kept off grid, not attached to any wiring or cords and shielded; otherwise they it be “toast” when needed. Also, one of each required component is not enough (“one is zero, and two is one”) and any backup components must be shielded too. The panels and batteries themselves should be okay as long as they don’t have sensitive electronics in them (like some of the portable panels and high-tech batteries do).

That’s why I opted for a much smaller (i.e. Affordable – $2k) solar system for SHTF (separate and in addition to an on grid system). All electronics are kept off grid in Faraday cages. After SHTF, I will be severely limited in terms of capacity, but I will be able to power LED lights, Ham radios, small electronics, small appliances, tools, and pumps et cetera (sparingly). – RH

Economics and Investing:

Sears, Kmart closing 78 more stores in bid to restore profitability – Go ahead, and don’t let the town/city door knob that once supported your operations hit you in the rear on your way out of there. Perhaps the other insult is how this firm manipulates its “CLOSEOUT” liquidation process…further jabbing the last dollar out of the already suffering local community. – RBS

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Obama Boasts In Britain: I Saved The World Economy As President – I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. – B.B.

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Items from Professor Preponomics:

US News

Negative Rates Put Pressure on Central Banks to Take Risks (Financial Times) Excerpt: “Central banks need to preserve capital, so investing in securities that force them to lose money is counterintuitive….” …and a follow up from the Wall Street Journal: Negative Interest Rates: How Do They Work? This is a video link.

Helicopter Money to the Rescue (Mises) Excerpt: “Friedman’s comments about helicopter money included an important caveat: it is unlikely that the helicopters would fly only once.”

“Helicopter Money” Sounds Great, But Here’s Why It May Not Work (Fortune) Excerpt: “It could take many forms: QE combined with fiscal expansion; direct cash transfers to governments; or, the most radical option, direct cash transfers to households via cheques, bank transfers or state pension payments.”

What Comes After Negative Rates? Helicopter Money (Wall Street Journal) Excerpt: “When modern banking first emerged in medieval Italy, European mathematicians regarded negative numbers as absurd. Six hundred years on, the successors to the Medicis and Peruzzis face negative interest rates….”

Money From Heaven (The Economist) Excerpt: ““HELICOPTER money” sounds like an item on an expense claim at a hedge fund. In fact, it is shorthand for a daring approach to monetary policy: printing money to fund government spending or to give people cash.”

International News

Japan Probably Won’t See “Helicopter Money” Anytime Soon (Business Insider) Excerpt: “So on the one hand, not a shocking call from Kuroda that will be no helicopter drops in Japan. On the other hand, as the Journal notes, Japan has been fertile ground for calls from the economics community for more experimental policies like helicopter drops.”

How Central Planners Crippled Japan’s Economy (Mises) Excerpt: “No, the most devastating aspect of the financial meltdown is that central planning alchemy lost no credibility.”

Personal Economics and Household Finance

How New Malware Stole Millions from Customers of 22 US Banks (Clark Howard) Excerpt: “Here’s how it works: the malware is installed on a user’s computer when he or she clicks on any attachment or link sent via email. The malware then remains hidden, so the victim has no idea it’s even there, until the user accesses his or her bank account from that same computer. “

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Odds ‘n Sods:

1.2% of Somalia’s population has been resettled in America. There are some disturbing charts in this article, and it shows that Clinton, Bush, and Obama are guilty. – B.B.

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Obama’s federalization of police grows nationwide. From equipment to intel, police are becoming dependent and subservient to the White House agenda. – B.L.

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McAuliffe restores voting rights for 206K ex-felons; GOP calls it move to boost Clinton. Every single individual (felon) who has completed their sentence has now had their voting rights restored, including rapists and murderers. (Note: He didn’t say rehabilitated, he said sentence completed!) – H.L.

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Man Gets Prison Sentence For Collecting Rainwater On His Property – We have been following this story since it began. This is nothing but a raw power grab by Oregon. – Link submitted by T.Z.

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SurvivalRealty has added 20 new property listings in Idaho and Montana. There is land to build on, underground bunkers, private canyons, remote riverfront homes, and more to browse through.

Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“If taxation without consent is not robbery, then any band of robbers have only to declare themselves a government, and all their robberies are legalized.” – Lysander Spooner