Notes from HJL:

Today we present another entry for Round 52 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $11,000+ worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value),
  2. 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,
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear,
  5. A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value),
  6. A $300 Gift Certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  7. A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo,
  8. A roll of $10 face value in pre-1965 U.S. 90% silver quarters, courtesy of GoldAndSilverOnline.com, (currently valued at around $180 postpaid),
  9. Both VPN tunnel and DigitalSafe annual subscriptions from Privacy Abroad (a combined value of $195),
  10. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304,
  11. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit, and
  12. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $300 gift certificate.

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 FloJak EarthStraw “Code Red” 100 foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. Acorn Supplies is donating a Deluxe Food Storage Survival Kit with a retail value of $350,
  4. The Ark Instituteis donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package–enough for two families of four, 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,
  5. $300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers with coupon code SVB10P .),
  6. A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials,
  7. A full set of all 26 books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  8. Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value),
  9. Autrey’s Armory – specialists in AR-15, M4s, parts, and accessories is donating a $250 gift certificate,
  10. Dri-Harvestfoods.com in Bozeman, Montana is providing a prize bundle with Beans, Buttermilk Powder, Montana Hard Red Wheat, Drink Mixes, and White Rice, valued at $333,
  11. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $150 gift certificate, and
  12. Organized Prepperis providing a $500 gift certificate.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. 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,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security,
  5. A MURS Dakota Alert Base Station Kit with a retail value of $240 from JRH Enterprises,
  6. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances, and
  7. Ambra Le Roy Medical Products in North Carolina is donating a bundle of their traditional wound care and first aid supplies, with a value of $208.

Round 52 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.

A Primer On Handgun Holsters, by B.D.

INTRODUCTION

So, you’re standing in front of the handgun holster display at your local gun shop and trying to decide which holster to purchase for adding to your survival gear. The sheer volume of manufacturers, styles, and materials can be overwhelming. Even the specialized terminology can make your head spin. In an attempt to help reduce some of the pain and confusion, I’m sharing my personal experiences and some basic information I’ve picked up along the way that may be worth your consideration before making your next handgun holster purchase. While this information is by no means exhaustive, I hope that it will be helpful and assist those who are less familiar with this particular equipment.

The following experiences and observations are based on my being a handgun owner and enthusiast for almost 20 years. In this time, I have owned, built, and used holsters for both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols in a variety of scenarios. These have varied from a recreational day at the range to hunting, competitive action pistol shooting, and concealed carry.

I’ll begin by clarifying some of the common terminology by providing basic explanations.

INDUSTRY TERMINOLOGY (In Alphabetical Order)

Ankle Holster– A holster specifically designed to be worn on the ankle or calf area, using elastic and/or straps to secure the holster.

Belt Loop Holster– A holster that is secured to the belt using loops, straps, or openings.

Cant– Refers to the angle that the holster rides at when carried.  A straight up cant (or 0 cant) refers to the barrel being perpendicular to the ground or in-line with the leg and torso when in a standing position. A forward cant refers to the rear of the frame/grip leaning forward, while the muzzle is tipped to the rear. A forward cant is commonly used for improved draw ergonomics on the strong side (see description below). A rear cant is essentially the opposite of a forward cant. A rear cant is typically used in cross draw (see description below) applications on the weak side (see description below), as moving the holster from the strong side to the weak side would turn what was a rear cant into a forward cant for the strong hand as it reaches across the body.

Clip-On / Clip-Over Holster– A holster attachment method using a metal or polymer clip to allow for easy on/off use of the holster. These can be used with either inside the waistband (IWB– see definition below) or outside the waistband (OWB– see definition below) style holster configurations.

Cross Draw– A term used to describe a holster that rides on your weak side, but the drawing motion is performed across the body using the primary shooting hand. These holsters can be either IWB or OWB.

Draw– The action of gripping and removing the handgun from the holster.

High Ride/Rise– A holster that is designed to locate the grip of the handgun further above the beltline than a normal (mid-ride/rise) holster. This can be for purposes of concealment, such as when covered by a jacket or shirt, or for preference of draw. A high ride holster worn IWB typically has to clear less space prior to being presented at the target and can therefore provide a faster draw.

Inside the Waistband (IWB)– A holster that is worn on the inside of the waistband (beneath clothing), commonly in conjunction with a belt.

Low Ride/Rise– A holster that is designed to locate the grip of the handgun further below the beltline than a normal (mid-ride/rise) holster. This can be for preference of draw. A low-ride/rise holster can cause interference when riding in a vehicle or in other seated positions.

Mid Ride/Rise– A holster that is designed to locate the grip of the handgun just above the beltline. This is the most common or standard position. Holsters that are not designated as high or low ride/rise are typically mid-ride/rise.

Outside the Waistband (OWB) – A holster that is worn on the outside of the waistband, commonly in conjunction with a belt. This is common for open carry applications and can be used for concealed carry, if in conjunction with an outer garment (jacket, shirt, etc.).

Paddle– This part of the holster uses a component that is broader than the holster itself and often shaped similar to the top half of a ping pong paddle. The paddle portion is slid inside the waistband, while the holster itself rides outside the waistband. The large surface area of the paddle helps to prevent the entire holster assembly from being inadvertently removed from the carry position when the handgun is withdrawn from the holster.

Pocket– A holster that either wrap around the handgun to disguise it as a wallet or holds it in place in a pocket to facilitate drawing from the pocket, while the holster stays in place. Wallet style holsters often provide an opening to access the trigger and allow the firearm to be fired while still inside the holster.

Retention Level I– A Level I holster provides passive retention by using compression of the holster against the firearm, creating friction, which is felt as resistance when the handgun is drawn. Common examples of Level I holsters include leather and/or polymer that have been molded to the shape of the specific handgun to create the compression. Both fixed and adjustable (using a tension screw; see definition below) compression/friction methods are available in Level I holsters. No mechanical devices actively capture or engage the firearm to prevent it from being removed from the holstered position. So, a Level I holster uses a single method of retention– a compression/friction system. Some disadvantages include that the firearm can be disengaged from the holster when not intended by the user. This can occur due to a wide variety of possible circumstances, such as abrupt movement that can be caused while riding a vehicle on rough terrain, running, falling or being suspended upside down. This also means that a child or assailant can more easily seize the firearm from the owner.

Retention Level II– A Level II holster provides passive retention by using compression of the holster against the firearm, which creates friction, plus active retention through using a mechanical device to capture/engage the firearm to prevent it from being removed from the holstered position unless the retention device is disengaged. Retention devices can include a strap, catch, lever, block, et cetera. Level II holsters use both passive and active retention systems.

Retention Level III– A Level III holster provides passive retention by using compression of the holster against the firearm, plus two separate active retention systems that use a mechanical device to capture/engage the firearm to prevent it from being removed from the holstered position unless the retention devices are disengaged. Level III holsters use a passive and two active retention systems. This increases the holstered security of the firearm through redundancy, but it also increases draw time and the possibility of failing to release both retention systems on the initial attempt, especially if under duress.

Retention Strap– A band fastened to the holster or extension of the holster material used to secure the handgun in place, commonly using a Velcro or metal snap mechanism. This can also be referred to as a thumb break.

Shoulder Holster– A holster that is suspended from a harness worn over the shoulder or shoulders.  The holster itself usually rides under the weak side armpit.

Small of the Back (SOB)– Refers to a holster that is carried in the small of the back and commonly has a forward cant.  These holsters can be either OWB or IWB.

Strong Side– Refers to the primary shooting hand side of the body.  For example, if you shoot with your right hand, the right side of your body would be considered your strong side.

Tactical Holster– Refers to a holster that is worn on the outside thigh of the strong side. Also commonly referred to as either a drop leg or thigh holster.

Tension Screw– Refers to a screw based device mounted within the holster itself that allows the shooter to adjust the draw tension to his/her specifications.

Weak Side– Refers to the secondary shooting hand side of the body.  For example, if you shoot with your right hand, the left side of your body would be considered your weak side.

When considering your handgun holster purchase, the primary materials used in its construction will affect the form, fit, and function of the final product. The following are the most commonly utilized materials by current manufacturers.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)– As the name suggests, this is a polymer product that has reinforcing material added to lend strength and stability to the product. The woven carbon fiber fabric material embedded in the polymer helps to add resiliency, while reducing the likelihood of fracturing under duress. The material can be molded to the size and shape of a particular handgun to provide a custom fit. The material does not retain moisture and is considered stable within typical temperature ranges.

Kydex®– A thermoplastic material used to produce holsters that are molded to the size and shape of a particular handgun to provide a custom fit. As Kydex® is a polymer, it does not retain moisture. It can be susceptible to breaking under stress in cold temperatures and can be deformed when exposed to high temperatures.

Leather– A natural material produced from animal hide that can either be used to produce generic size holsters or ones that are molded to the shape of a particular handgun to provide a custom fit. Leather is a well known and tested material that is versatile. As a natural product, its composition and quality varies widely. It has the disadvantage of holding moisture and losing its integrity with extensive use.

Nylon– A woven fabric made from synthetic material, commonly Cordura® nylon or Kodra nylon, to form holsters that are generic in size and detailing for a broad range of handgun models based on overall length and width.

While a variety of material options are available in most holster styles, the styles themselves have particular applications for which they are best suited. Below are my thoughts and experiences on some of the strengths and weaknesses of the most common handgun holster styles on the market today.

Style/Configuration Pros & Cons

Belt Loop– As one of the most common OWB holsters on the market, the belt loop has many applications. They are well suited for open carry uses, such as a day at the range, working around the yard, or making a trip into town (if your state allows open carry).

Pros: Holster is strongly secured to the belt and unlikely to be inadvertently removed, easy access to handgun, allows for rapid draw.

Cons: Requires taking off your belt to remove, less readily concealed, bulky when in a vehicle or seated position.

Paddle– The paddle holster offers easy on/off flexibility in combination with the ready access of an OWB holster.

Pros: Easily put on and taken off, easy access, allows for rapid draw.

Cons: Can be removed with adequate force, less readily concealed, bulky when in a vehicle or seated position.

Inside the Waistband– This holster is a top choice for concealment underneath garments, while still allowing for fairly fast access if configured properly.

Pros: Allows for concealment without needing an over garment, such as a jacket, and can be drawn with reasonable speed when configured appropriately.

Cons: Can be removed with adequate force, slower to draw than an OWB holster, can be uncomfortable for some users, including when in a seated position or using a larger frame handgun.

Shoulder– This suspended holster offers concealment with jackets and vests. Some versions include a magazine pouch on the side opposite the firearm.

Pros: Offers concealment and easy access.

Cons: Requires a jacket or vest to be worn for concealment, can be difficult to draw from due to lack of rigid support.

Ankle– A holster that offers concealment for small to medium frame handguns that works well with many different types of pants.

Pros: Useful option when concealment is needed and holsters such as IWB or pocket are not an option.

Cons: Can be slow to draw and may come loose if strenuous movement, such as running or jumping, are required.

Drop Leg/Thigh/Tactical– A leg mounted holster system that is tactical in nature.

Pros: Rapid draw, no issues with being seated.

Cons: No concealment options, can be jostled out of place due to strenuous activities.

Pocket– A concealed holster that is specifically designed to be carried in a pocket.

Pros: Easy to conceal small frame handguns, the draw can be discretely disguised as retrieving one’s wallet, keys, etc.

Cons: Can only be readily drawn from a standing position, slower draw time.

Specialty– The range of special purpose holsters is broad and includes such items as pouches, hip packs, purses, tactical jackets, books/binders, and many others.

Pros: Concealment can be achieved in a variety of ways.

Cons: The handgun is less secure, in that it can be taken away from the owner while still in the carry object (hip pack, purse, book, etc.), and can take more time to draw.

While I’ve tried not to focus on particular brands and models in general, I would like to share some of my personal experiences with a few particular holster models that I found to be noteworthy, based on performance at both ends of the spectrum.

The Good, The Bad, and The Really Ugly

Blackhawk! SERPA CQC– This OWB retention level II holster that is made from durable CFRP and comes with both a belt loop and paddle mounting option. The retention system is easily and ergonomically released by depressing a finger paddle in the area of the frame just above the trigger guard, placing the hand in the proper position to safely draw the gun and present it at your target without changing your grip. In addition, Blackhawk! Offers a SERPA Quick Disconnect System that allows the holster to be attached to other mounting systems, such as a drop leg configuration. I believe that the versatility and security of this holster will make it a valuable piece of equipment for hunting, recreational use, open carry around town, or in a SHTF scenario. This holster rates near the top of the good category of my book.

Versacarry®– This is a skeletonized IWB style holster that is essentially nothing more than a polymer clip with a barrel retention plug. By sliding the barrel of the handgun firmly onto the holster plug, the handgun is held in place with a Level I retention system. The plug is connected to the polymer hanger and clip system that function similar to other IWB belt clip systems. The lack of additional materials to cover the handgun means that the holster adds very little width and bulk under the concealment clothing. It also results in the firearm coming into direct contact with your skin, so this may cause discomfort for some users. I have only had this holster for a short time, but I’ve found this to be very comfortable and practical for IWB applications. I give this holster a good rating for function.

Homemade Leather Holsters– When it comes to simple utilitarian holsters, such as a level I retention belt loop holster or pocket holster, I have found that building my own hand crafted holsters from good quality cow hide leather produces satisfactory results. I have come to value the ability to craft holsters that are the specific size and configuration that serve my purposes well. With just a little research and practice, I discovered that building custom leather holsters is fairly straightforward and very affordable. If you take your time and do it well, you can produce a rather good holster. Try to cut corners or rush through the process and you’re likely to end up with a rather bad holster.

Thunderwear– This specialty holster is a hybrid system that I can best describe as a cross between an IWB holster and a flattened hip pack shaped fabric pouch. Worn as a pocket below the waistline and in front of the groin area, it acts like an IWB holster without any clips or other components sticking above or clasping onto your belt. However, while the concept seems sound, I’ve found that I could never get comfortable with a handgun pressed firmly against the area just above my groin. I also found that it was susceptible to creating an awkward appearing print through certain types of clothing. While I believe that this holster has its merits, it did not become one of my favorites. For me, this holster falls into both the bad and really ugly categories.

Application

The unique ergonomics of each person will dictate the style and configuration of holster that will offer the most benefit. For example, the length of one’s arm as it relates to their body’s waistline and where they wear the waistline/belt of their clothing can significantly impact the ergonomics of the holster position. If you prefer to wear the waistline of your clothing near your bellybutton, as compared to around your hips, the difference in location that a high ride versus low ride holster would place the grip of your handgun can be significant.

In order to best determine which holster will offer you the most value for your particular situation, I highly recommend trying out as many styles as you can get your hands on before you make a purchase. Whenever possible, I have borrowed a friend’s holster or visited a gun shop that allows customers to try out their products before buying. As a safety note, always remember to test out holsters using training handguns or an unloaded firearm. No matter how familiar you are with the handgun, you are not used to the holster, so play it safe.

Remember to consider all of the possible scenarios in which you may utilize your handgun holster before deciding which style(s) may be best for your particular application. Based on my own experience, I have found that a normal week of concealed carry may involve the use of three different types of holsters in order to best fit the circumstances of each day or outing. For example, if heading out in normal business attire wearing a pair of dress pants, I’ve found that an ankle holster works the best for me. I might come home and change into a pair of jeans for an evening out and switch my carry handgun into a pocket holster or decide that because I’ll be seated most of the time that evening, an IWB holster would offer better access to my handgun. If purchasing multiple holsters is not an option for you, consider the most common situations in which you are likely to carry your handgun and select a holster that would work well for the majority of your likely situations.

When it comes to your survival gear for a SHTF scenario, it is my assumption that concealed carry and recreational use holsters will become far less important than those holsters that accommodate practical, tactical, and hunting applications. Given this line of thinking, I have selected the Blackhawk! SERPA CQC line of holsters for my survival equipment. I believe that employing a holster system that is durable, offers quick, yet secure access, and that can be carried in a variety of methods will be the most versatile for the array of scenarios that are most likely to present themselves should TEOTWAWKI arrive at our doorstep.

Final Thoughts

Practice, practice, practice. Let me say it again, practice with your holster. It is very important that you build your familiarity, confidence, and muscle memory with your new handgun holster. Given that the life of you and/or your loved ones may depend on your ability to safely draw your handgun and present it on target with all urgency, you don’t want to be figuring out how to extricate it from underneath your clothing or how to disengage the retention system when it is needed most. So become familiar with it now, and it will enhance your level of security and the peace of mind that goes with it.

Letter Re: Jury Nullification

Dear SurvivalBlog,

Having sat on a number of juries in Alaska, I can attest to the fact that judges give instructions to juries that they are only to be the judges of fact and not judges of the law.

In United States v. Dougherty 1972 the decision read, in part, “The fact that there is widespread existence of the jury’s prerogative, and approval of its existence as a “necessary counter to casehardened judges and arbitrary prosecutors,’ does not establish as an imperative that the jury must be informed by the judge of that power.” So, while the U.S. Supreme Court recognizes the right of the jury to nullify the law in any case, it also allows the court to hide that fact from the jury. Jury nullification goes back to at least the Magna Carta. What Alaska legislators are trying to accomplish is to allow juries to know their rights and powers. Cops can lie to anyone legally and judges can lie to jurors at least sometimes. Courts will still hide information from the jury, but this is a step in the right direction. – R.

HJL Adds: The only thing more scary than a manipulative judge is an ignorant jury. While I’m not sure that the proper way to deal with this is to include the instructions via the court, every potential jurist should know that the power of nullification exists. Jury nullification is a powerful tool in the hands of the common man even if that man is the “Obama phone woman”. I can see a time where nullification of the law may be the only choice in states like New York or Connecticut regarding the absurd firearms laws.

News From The American Redoubt:

Wyoming Candidate for Governor Runs on Nullification Platform – B.B.

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More Idahoans carrying concealed thanks to enhanced permit – The primary advantage is that this permit is recognized by more states for those that travel. – RBS

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He is an advocate of less government and less taxes. So he is being targeted for recall… Kuna school trustee target of recall petition – B.L.

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Cassia County sheriff offers free concealed carry course

Economics and Investing:

US Threatens Russia Over Petrodollar-Busting Deal – C.V.

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Renewed Estimates of Chinese Gold Demand & their Geopolitical Strategy

Items from The Economatrix:

Baltic Dry Drops 9th Day In A Row; Worst Q1 In Over 10 Years

Nomura’s Chief Economist Richard Koo – U.S. Heading For 1900 Percent Inflation Rate

This Is What Employment In America Really Looks Like…

Why You Should Fear Inflation: The CPI Understates The True Nature Of Inflation. BLS Only Allocates Less Than 2 Percent To Tuition In CPI. Missing Big On The Biggest Expense In Housing.

Odds ‘n Sods:

It may not be the Redoubt, but it’s on the right track. Now if we could just get Constitutional Carry Enacted… Kansas lawmakers OK bill to void local gun rules

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In Kentucky, Any ‘War on Women’ Will Face Armed Resistance. – F.F.

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Code Enforcement Cites Kids’ Garden for Overgrown Head of Lettuce – C.V.

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As it was in Connecticut, so shall it be in New York!EMPIRE STATE REBELLION: Hundred of Thousands of New Yorkers Refuse To Register So-Called “Assault Weapons” Ahead Of April 15 Deadline.

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Taxi unions say government regulation is essential to “safeguard” the public from itself. Cities to Carpoolers: Sharing Your Car is Illegal, We Will Seize Your Cars – H.L.

Note from HJL:

Rest assured, we have not been abducted by aliens or carried off by the NSA. We have been having issues with our Internet service provider and are currently working those issues. We hope to have everything taken care of by the end of this week, so please bear with us.

Guest Article: Why Do I Carry Concealed? by J.B.

I often get asked, “Why would you want to carry a gun?” My answer is usually a little different from other people’s. For me, it comes down to the experiences I had when I was younger. I grew up in Southern California. As a white kid, I was the minority at my elementary school. Maybe I was too young or just didn’t pay attention to the news, but I wasn’t concerned with my safety too much. There was a drive-by on my grandma’s street, and a stray bullet hit her house. Luckily no one was harmed, and having a gun wouldn’t have made much difference in that situation. Besides that, there was the occasional robbery in our apartment complex. It’s a scary situation when someone runs by your door with a gun and T.V. when you are only 4 years old.

We found out my grandpa had terminal cancer and was given one year to live. So to get him and the rest of my family out of the bad living situation, my family decided to move to Salt Lake City, Utah. We had driven through there many times and heard such good things about the city. Again, it might be that I am older or the media exaggerates bad situations, but I still have not felt safe here. It seems like there are more drug and shooting related issues here than there were where I lived in California.

The one specific situation that led me to feel the need to conceal carry happened when I was 14. My friend and I went on a double date to the Fun Dome close by a TRAX station. (TRAX is a trolley system out here.) We left around 9pm and started the two block walk to the station. About halfway there, a gentleman across the street started yelling at us. It sounded like he was trying to scare us, so being the stupid teens we were, we started yelling back. He then started threatening us with physical danger, and we could tell he was intoxicated. Being the oldest of the group, I told everyone to keep walking, and I stayed at the back of the group to make sure he didn’t follow us. Unfortunately, we had somehow offended this guy, and he started walking across the street. While he was walking, he pulled something shiny out from behind his jacket. He threatened me specifically to stop or he would hurt me. I couldn’t make out what the object was in the dim light, until he got about ten feet away from me. At that point I saw that it was a large stainless steel revolver. He had a hard time standing straight, let alone holding the gun straight, which made me even more worried that he would do something reckless. I spoke with him for about 15 minutes apologizing and begging him not to shoot me. He was finally satisfied and turned around to go back to the other guy he was with. I caught up with my friends to find that my friend had wet his pants and the girls had tried to call 911, only to get hung up on because the operators didn’t believe them. We called my mom, and she picked us up and took everyone home.

We were not under the influence of anything. We were not aggressive or anything, just some kids walking to the TRAX station after a night of fun. My friends tried to do the right thing and call the police for help, yet were ignored. Fortunately, everyone was okay, but no one helped us. That was when I decided that I don’t want to rely on someone else to protect me. I need to protect myself and the ones I love. Years and years later, I think back to that incident and how differently it would be if it happened now. I would now have a way to protect myself and those I care about. I would now not have to chance something bad happening or begging for my life. I could choose to fight for my life. Even though I think about that situation a lot, I hope I never have a situation like that again. Just because I carry does not mean I want to ever have to use it. It does not mean I am asking for trouble. It is strictly a tool I will use to protect myself and those around me from harm. It is a tool that I know inside out and I practice with frequently. I share my experience with others when they ask and thought that your blog would be a great place to share it with many more. I feel that if more people share their reasons for carrying, those that do not will understand and not judge.

Thank you for reading.

Pat’s Product Review – Infidel Pepper Gel

The nice folks at Infidel Body Armor are always coming out with new products— products that can save your life, too. I happen to have a little bit of insight of the behind-the-scenes, and I know where their roots came from. They have continued to grow and grow.

Back when I was in 5th or 6th grade, I remember the very first pepper spray that came out. I had an uncle who was with the Chicago Police Department, and he was selling pepper spray on the side. I also remember getting in on the business, even at that young age. I sold pepper spray to the neighbors, as well as the teaching staff at my school. If I recall, a small can of pepper spray sold for 50 cents. Needless to say, in very short order, the City Of Chicago outlawed pepper spray. so, once again, the good citizens of Chicago were not allowed to defend themselves against attackers.

I remember, as a young boy, testing the pepper spray on myself. It burned my eyes, and it felt like my face was on fire. Hey, I never said I was the smartest kid on the block, but as young as I was, I didn’t quite understand how something that sprayed out of a can could stop an attacker. So, I tested it on myself, once and only once. The stuff worked!

Over the years, many different types of pepper sprays have come and gone. Remember “Mace”? It was the do all, end all, self-defense spray. I happen to know that the late Col. Rex Applegate, who I worked for over the course of 3-years, was instrumental in the development of Mace. He gave it all away to Smith & Wesson firearms. Well, needless to say, Mace didn’t always work, Sometimes, if a person were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the spray didn’t effect them in the least. Different formulas have come and gone, and there still is no sure method for stopping everyone with any kind of a self-defense spray. However, it works on most people, so keep that in mind.

One of the drawbacks to pepper sprays is the fact that it is a “spray” and can be affected by the wind, and it could spray back in your own face. They came out with pepper “spray” that dispensed in more of a stream than spray that was much better in the wind. Another thing people don’t realize is that any type of self-defense spray has a shelf-life. Most only live a couple of years before it starts to lose potency. You should discard it and buy a new can. This is something to think about.

Now we come to the use of lethal force. Not all attacks directed against you call for the use of lethal force. If you use lethal force, where a lot lesser force would have stopped the attack, you could be brought up on criminal charges. You might even go to prison for the rest of your life. So, don’t be so fast to draw your gun, when threatened.

Infidel Body Armor is selling their Pepper GEL device. It’s a bit different than anything else on the market. It is designed, first and foremost, to be used by law enforcement. The Infidel Body Armor Pepper GEL device attaches to the Picatinny rail on a shotgun, AR-15, or other similar long guns. It only takes a few minutes to attach this device to the Picatinny rail. What we have is a canister of the pepper GEL (not a spray), and you insert it into the carrier that fits on your Picatinny rail. You seal up the canister in the carrier and place the device on “safe”. Now, you are ready to go.

Now, let’s suppose you are a police officer, and you are called to the site of a domestic disturbance, where the husband is the aggressor. Your efforts to talk him down have failed, and he comes at you, bare handed or perhaps with an empty beer bottle in his hand. Are you justified in using deadly force? Maybe or maybe not! Now, if you have your police issued shotgun, with the Infidel Body Armor pepper GEL device loaded on the Picatinny rail, you simply have to push the button from “safe” to “fire” and pull back on the carrier. The gel will spray into the face of the attacker. Should you need deadly force, you don’t have to change your hand position on your shotgun or AR-15 in order to fire the weapon.

I received the Infidel Body Armor pepper GEL discharge device, along with an inert training canister, so I could see how well it worked, without having to actually deploy it against someone, or for that matter, to just shoot it out of the device. I could easily hit my intended target with the inert gel at 15-20 feet, and I’m assuming that the pepper gel will spray that far, too.

So, let’s stop and think about this for a moment, you have an AR-15 type of firearm for your house gun. When you hear something go “bump” or “bang” in the night, you reach for your trusty AR, knowing you can stop any attacker. However, let’s say what you heard was your drunken neighbor, who had broken in your front door, thinking he was at his own house. He’s now in your living room. Are you justified, in your own mind, firing live ammo at a harmless drunk? I don’t think so. If you have the Infidel Body Armor pepper gel device mounted on your AR, and your neighbor won’t leave, and you feel threatened, you can just “shoot” him with the pepper gel device.

I can easily think of a lot of different scenarios where lethal force may not be justified, and you would wish that you had something other than your firearm in your hand. Well, with the pepper gel device mounted on your AR-15, you have two choice– the gel or, if necessary, the firearm as a last resort. While I believe this device was probably designed for law enforcement, security, and even the military, it’s a good thing to have on-hand in your own home. Just because something goes “bump” in the night, doesn’t mean you have to resort to deadly force. Think about it.

Right now, Infidel Body Armor has their pepper gel device on-sale for $94.99. Refill pepper gel canisters are $29.99 each. I didn’t see anything on their website about the inert training canister, but you can ask. I’m sure they have them for sale, as an accessory. If you have an AR that is your “house gun” with Picatinny rails, then I would strongly suggest you purchase this pepper gel device and mount it on your AR. Needless to say, any police department would greatly benefit from this device, if you issue an AR-15 to your officers. It could save lives and stop lawsuits, too, When there is no need to use lethal force, when lesser force is called for in effecting an arrest, you have this option. Also, you don’t have to worry about holding a pepper spray canister in one hand and your firearm in the other. With this device, you have it all on your firearm and ready to go. In a split second, you can choose to use less lethal force or you can use deadly force.

Pat’s Product Review – Zero Tolerance Knives, Hinderer 0560BW Folder

Zero Tolerance knives Model 0560BW is the latest in the line up, at their plant in Wilsonville, OR from the mind of custom knife maker Rick Hinderer. I’ve reviewed several other Hinderer designed folders, all along the same line as this current folder under review for SurvivalBlog readers. Rick Hinderer is probably best known for the “Hinderer Lockbar Stabilizer” that is incorporated into the Titanium frame-lock style on his folding knives, which others are starting to copy (with or without license from Hinderer). What we have with the lockbar stabilizer is a simple two-piece special bolt/screw (for lack of a better term) that only allows the locking side of the frame lock to open to a certain point and no further. I’ve seen many frame-lock style locks that weren’t properly heat-treated or the bend wasn’t quite right, so the end user could over-extend the frame lock and ruin it. This is especially true with many of the cheap knock-offs from China. With the Hinderer lockbar stabilizer, you can NOT over-extend the locking bar on a folding knife.

One of the first things you will notice on the 0560BW is that the blade looks, for all the world, as being very well used. It is NOT! Zero Tolerance has blackened the blade, with Tungsten DLC Black Wash, and then given it a special “wash” or tumble, so the blade looks used. It’s still very tactical looking, but it looks well used. This is the first comment many people said to me when I showed them the 0560BW. The Titanium locking frame has the same treatment, too. The knife still has a non-reflective look to it, but it just looks used. On the opposite side handle, we have a stainless steel liner with a checkered black G10 handle scale covering it. There is also an oblong-shaped lanyard hole, but no lanyard is included. The entire frame is an open-post design and allows lint and dirt to slip through instead of building-up inside the frame.

For those who aren’t aware, Zero Tolerance Knives is a division of Kershaw Knives, and the ZT line-up is made-up of tactical knives and other tools for professional use. The ZT folders are a huge favorite of our men and women in the military, as well as those in law enforcement. ZT knives are built to withstand the harshest use you can put them through and come back for more. If you want a simple “Gentleman’s” folder, this isn’t the knife for you. Take a look at the Kershaw line-up for that type of folder. ZT knives are meant for very rough use, plain and simple.

The 3.75-inch long blade on the 0560BW is made out of ELMAX, one of the new powdered stainless steels, and it is super-tough, to be sure. ELMAX retains a sharp edge a good long time and is tough enough for all your needs. I believe that this line of folders is sincerely designed and manufactured for self-defense use, as well as limited survival use. Keep in mind that this is a folding knife and not a fixed blade knife, so it can’t take all the abuse that a fixed blade can. If you need a fixed blade folder, then check out some of ZT line-up for your needs.

The blade has ambidextrous thumb studs for easy opening. However, for even faster and easier opening, I prefer to use the “Flipper” on the blade. When the knife is closed, part of the blade protrudes from the blade. It’s actually on the top of the handle scales, when the knife blade is closed. You simply press on the Flipper with your index finger, and the blades comes right out of the handle scales. This is aided by the KVT ball-bearing opening system– a very smooth opening. Yet the blade is retained in the handle scales until you purposely open it. The blade’s opening is smooth as butter, maybe smoother, I kid you not.

On the Titanium frame-lock, there are “pockets” machined into it to actually lighten the entire knife, for easier carry. For carrying in your pocket, there is a pocket clip, and it is a quad-mounted design. You can carry the 0560BW tip up or tip down in your right of left pocket. It only takes a few minutes to move the clip to your desired position. My sample came set-up for right pocket carry, with the tip up. I saw no need to change it.

When closed, the length of the knife is 5-inches; opened, it is 8.8-inches. It weighs in at 5.8-ounces– not too heavy and not too light. The knife balances extremely well and is slightly handle-heavy. There are also friction grooves on the top front of the handle. These are deeply cut grooves as well as grooves cut into the bottom back of the handle and on the locking liner– all placed exactly where they need to be. The knife can easily be used in the fencing grip or the reverse (ice pick) grip, for self-defense use. The ice pick grip has a lot of limitations for use in self-defense, whereas, the fencing grip is probably the most used grip and one taught to me by my late mentor, Col. Rex Applegate, who is known throughout the world for his knife and gun fighting skills.

I also like the fact that when the 0560BW is opened, the “Flipper” then acts a lower guard, so your fingers can’t slip up onto the blade in the fencing position. Many folding knives do not have any sort of “stop” on them, and if you encounter something a bit tough, when “stabbing,” your fingers could easily slide forward onto the blade and cut you deeply, very deeply.

I have one minor complaint, which is a first for Zero Tolerance. While the ELMAX powdered stainless steel blade was plenty sharp, it wasn’t “scary sharp”, like ever other knife I’ve tested from ZT. There was nothing “wrong” with the edge, but I wanted it a little sharper. Every ZT knife I’ve tested before came scary sharp. It only took about 30 seconds on the croc stix to get the edge where I wanted it to be though. Perhaps I’m just getting too picky in my old age, but I like all my knives scary sharp.

The 0560BW was used all over my homestead for several days– in the kitchen and outside for various cutting chores. The blade remained sharp…very sharp. Still, I wanted to touch-up the edge, and it only took me a minute or two to bring the edge back to scary sharp. I claim no special skills when it comes to sharpening knives, either. So, it was nice to get the edge back where I wanted it to be.

Now, if the 0560BW isn’t quite what you’re looking for, then take a close look at the other Hinderer folders on the ZT website, and I’m betting you’ll find one to suit your needs. This is just one in a line-up of similar Hinderer folders from ZT.

The Hinderer ZT 0560BW doesn’t come cheap. Then again, QUALITY knives never do. I refuse to settle for second best when it comes to knives. The 0560BW retails for $325.00. Yep, that’s a lot of change. However, to get a similar, custom made folder from Rick Hinderer, you will easily pay twice that much. I know some SurvivalBlog readers complain about some of the knives I write about with regard to the prices. Well, if you want to buy a ten dollar knife for your survival, whether for the wilderness or on the streets, then please do so. However, if you want the best you can get for your survival needs, then take a close look at the ZT 0560BW. Is it worth the money? It sure is, in my book. Plus, you have the lifetime warranty from Zero Tolerance, too. They stand behind their products. When a knife is returned for warranty work, it is quickly repaired or replaced and shipped right back to you, too. I’ve toured the Kershaw plant several times over the years, and I’m here to tell you, that all their employees take great pride in producing the best knives they can, period, end of story!!!

Recipe of the Week: Brown Rice and Lentil Casserole

Ingredients:

  1. 2 cans chicken broth 14.5 oz (chicken or vegetable)
  2. 1 cup lentils (uncooked)
  3. 2/3 cup brown rice,or rice medley, and I’ve used white. (Not instant)
  4. 1/3 cup chopped onion 1/2 chopped celery and carrots (Optional)
  5. 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  6. 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (or to taste)
  7. 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar or a blend is preferable)Use more if you like.

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Mix all ingredients EXCEPT cheese in a baking dish. (I use an 11 x 7 pan)
  3. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes.
  4. Then remove the foil, add the cheese, and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

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Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlogreaders? Please send it viae-mail. Thanks!

Three Letters Re: Preparing Now For Good Sanitation After SHTF

Hello Hugh,

I liked the article on Sanitation, although I have a different idea for my shower. I too will install my handpump. It has a hose bib connection for it (Bison pump), so I plan to run a hose into the house or to my out door shower that is sitting stored away for future use. It involves fours sheets of plywood cut to 6 feet 6 inches, two pallets of equal size, a box of good screws and even carrage bolts to assemble the shower room and a few extra 2X4’s for framing all precut for assembly. I have a 55 Gallon drum painted black with a square hole cut out of the bottom of it, and place it upside down on the top of the shower house, after assembly. I already have the pipe and valve hardware, and a flexable hose type shower fixture ready to install in the small bung hole of the drum..after the drum is placed upside down on the shower house/out house, cut a cover to fit the the bottom of the drum, which is now the top. Paint it black also, as it helps to hold in the heat. Filling in the morning about 3/4 full will heat enough water to give a whole family a warm shower. We had 12 men using this system in Vietnam. We all got warm or HOT showers depending on the day. often it was so hot we had to add cold water before showering. Blessings – D.O.

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P.W. sent this link in about clothespin kits which might be fun for the kids to make: Classic American Clothes Pins.

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Hugh,

It is a great article, However, Preparing Now for Good Sanitation, has what I consider a mistake. His suggestion to get clothespins from DG has been problematic for me as they are cheaply made. They will break with the slightest pressure. Good clothespins can be bought at Ace Hardware. I have both and the DG pins can be used in making crafts—and even that, not very well. Please inform your many readers. J.H.

Hugh Adds: I would also warn against the type obtained at “Walmart”. Most clothespins are cheap imported junk. You will know the difference when you see and use the better variety. The Ace Hardware pins seem to be the best we have found as well.

Economics and Investing:

Facts About The Deindustrialization Of America That Everyone Should Know – B.R.

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How Europe is incubating an even bigger debt crisis by letting deflation take root – H.L.

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Items from The Economatrix:

Jeremy Grantham: The Fed Is Killing The Recovery

Is a 1987-Type Market Crash 37 Days Away? 1,311 Trading Day After The Start Of The 1982 Bull Market That The Standard & Poor’s 500 Suffered Its Biggest One-Day Crash In History On Oct. 19, 1987.

Jim Willie: Lightning Speed Global Economic Change Through System Breakdown

Odds ‘n Sods:

What Happened to Crime in Chicago After Illinois Finally Passed Concealed Carry Law?

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The scariest words known to Conn. law enforcement – R.B.

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Lassa Fever Reported in U.S. Traveler Returning from West Africa – T.Y.

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Given that we live in an era where dead people routinely vote in elections, is anyone suprised that the HHS inflates their numbers in this manner? HHS Started Obamcare Applications For Americans, Without Consent – G.P.

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Common Core-approved Textbooks Rewrite Second Amendment – B.B.