Single Scope Tyranny

I recently heard from one of my readers who holds a Top Secret clearance and who has SCI access. His clearance was up for a Single-Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) periodic reinvestigation (PR). These SSBI-PRs are standard practice for anyone who holds a Top Secret clearance with access to Special Access Programs (SAPs), Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), or nuclear (“Q Access”) programs. He told me that he was the subject of an “Expanded Reinvestigation” and in the course of that investigation he was challenged by investigators about his loyalty. The challenges, he discovered,were based upon his e-mail history and the assortment of books that he had purchased for his Kindle reader. Among other prepper-oriented books, he had Kindle copies of all three of my novels, and the investigator’s report specifically mentioned them as suspect.

I find it almost comically absurd that for someone to possess copies of novels that have been on the New York Times bestseller list is somehow “Un-American” or “disloyal.” But there you have it. We have now reached the era of ultimate inversion. The kissing cousins of the Stasi have been put in charge of guarding the hen house. They have unilaterally declared that family preparedness is now be disloyal and unpatriotic. So being prepared like a Boy Scout and stocking up on canned goods like your grandmother is something suspect, or somehow sinister. Lord help us.

At the risk of having my blog’s web statistics take a hit, I feel obliged to warn my readers: If you are in a “position of special trust and confidence” (you know who you are: You hold a TS clearance with a bunch of funny little letters following the “TS”) then I recommend that you take the following precautions:

  • Completely avoid using any government-owned computer or network for web surfing. Use only privately owned computers and non-DOD/non-government networks.
  • Use The Onion Router (Tor) for all of your web browsing. If you are not familiar with Tor, then get up to speed quickly.
  • Use anonymous re-mailers for any e-mails that say anything more than: “I miss you and I can’t wait to get home from this deployment.”
  • Use an inexpensive VPN service.
  • Be very careful about how you phrase your e-mails, even if they go through a re-mailer and use strong encryption. Warn all of your friends and relatives to do likewise in their e-mails to you. (Since the contents of incoming e-mails can be nearly as damning as outgoing e-mails, in the eyes of investigators.)
  • Rather than copying and pasting the text of anything controversial from any web site, instead send just Permalink URLs, couched with statements like: “I haven’t had the chance to read this yet, but Bob said it was worth reading” (or some such.) This will provide plausible deniability.
  • If you buy any books that might be deemed controversial then buy only hard copies, pay cash, and don’t leave a paper trail. I would suggest gun shows, preparedness expos, and “brick and mortar” bookstores are the best places to buy such books. If you are deployed overseas, then have your relatives buy books for you and ask them to send them to you in Flat Rate boxes.
  • Don’t consider ANYTHING you do over the Internet to be “secure”, even if you use strong encryption.
  • Get in the habit of sending traditional typed or hand-written letters. If you are worried about the receiver of the letter being under surveillance (a warrantless Postal Mail Cover), then put their address in both the TO and FROM blocks on the envelope.

The foregoing precautions are now only recommended only for folks with a Top Secret clearance that requires a SSBI. But everyone else reading this should pay attention. Who knows? You may need to take similar steps, if the statists tighten their grasp on our collective throats. – J.W.R.

Pat’s Product Review: Springfield Armory Champion Operator 1911

Over the years, I’ve received hundreds of e-mails, always asking me if I had to pick just one gun, for the rest of my life, what would it be? Of course, there is no easy answer to this question, and thankfully, I don’t have to make that choice – right now. And, depending on how I’m feeling at the time this question is asked, then my answer has changed over the years. There is no one gun solution , at least not in my mind. I said for years, that I’d pick some kind of 4-inch barrel, stainless steel .357 Magnum revolver of some type for my one and only handgun. However, I’ve also said that maybe a 4-inch barrel, stainless steel .44 Magnum revolver of one brand or another, would be my first choice for a one and only handgun.
 
The possibilities are endless, when you think about it. I like the .357 Magnum revolver because you can shoot .38 Special loads in it for small game hunting and target practice. And, of course, you can load some pretty hot and heavy .357 Magnum loads in there to take even some pretty big game. It is not the perfect caliber for some bigger game, but it can get the job done. Then we have to look at the .44 Magnum revolver, and you can download it with .44 Special loads for small game, medium sized game and personal protection. Or you can load-up some really heavy and hot .44 Magnum loads for the biggest game and for taking longer shots at game with more power behind the bullet. And, I like stainless steel revolvers because they are better for my local environment – lots of rain – and require less maintenance, and they are almost rustless! Now, with either one of these guns/caliber picks, I’m looking at serious hard-core survival scenarios – in the big city or out in the wilderness.
 
Okay, just to confuse you all, my all-time favorite handgun is a good ol’ 1911 some some sort, and given a choice, I’ll stick with a “Commander” sized 1911 with a shorter barrel than the full-sized Government Model with the 5-inch barrel. The shorter barrels on the Commander-sized guns just seem to balance and point better for me and I can shoot ’em faster and more accurately, too. No science behind it that I can think of, but it works for me.
 
Consider the Springfield Armory  Operator “Champion” 1911. It has a 4-inch barrel, as opposed to a 4.25-inch barrel on some other similar 1911 “Commander-esque” sized guns. And, I’m not going to quibble about a quarter inch here or there. The Champion Operator has a stainless steel match grade, fully supported ramp bull barrel, too. We are talking about a serious barrel, that can give you some outstanding accuracy, and it adds a little more weight out front, and helps tame the recoil – not that I’ve ever found the recoil of a .45 ACP round that hard to control, and the Operator comes in only .45 ACP.
 
I want to comment on the slide-to-frame fit on this Operator for just a second. Many aluminum-framed 1911s I’ve had over the years had a bit of a gritty feel when pulling back the steel slide that rides on the aluminum frame, and there was more play than I cared for. Not so with the Operator – the slide-to-frame fit is tight, very tight, but the slide rides extremely smoothly on the aluminum frame – and I’m talking butter-smooth, too. The barrel is also nicely fitted, to the slide, nice and tight and I knew this gun was going to be a good shooter.
 
We also have fixed, low-profile combat rear and dove-tailed from sights with 3-dot Tritium for low-light shooting and the sights really glowed in the dark and in low light. Springfield advertises the long aluminum match grade trigger pull at 5-6 pounds and my sample was dead-on at 5-pounds with only a hint of take-up. Perhaps because of its length, the trigger pull actually felt lighter than it was. Usually I have to tinker with any 1911 when I get it and I work on the trigger pull – I like mine at around 4-pounds for a street gun. However, I didn’t see any sense in doing anything with the trigger pull on my sample Operator – it was perfect for me.
 
The Operator came in a nice hard plastic carrying case, with two 7-round magazines. And, it still confounds me today, why so many gun companies only give you one magazine with a gun – like they think you won’t need a reload in a gunfight? Springfield Armory also includes a double magazine pouch and a holster, so you are ready to go when you take the gun out of the case. But you’ll still need to get one more magazine, to fill that double magazine case – not a problem. A nice pair of Cocobolo hardwood grips adorn the gun’s frame with the crossed cannons engraved on them. Okay, nice as these grips looked, I simply had to replace them with a pair of my own designed “Code Zero” 1911 grips. Check out my design – I don’t think there is a better feeling designed grips for a 1911. And, as a disclaimer, I don’t make a cent off the sales of the “Code Zero” 1911 grips. I gave the design to Mil-Tac – I’ve also designed several of the knives they sell, too. Again, I don’t make anything off the sale of the knives or the grips. I helped Mil-Tac Knives & Tools, owner, Craig Sword, get his company up and running with some of my knife designs and the grip designs. They are nice people to deal with and give them your business if you can.
 
Okay, I had to make one change to the Springfield Operator Champion. I always have to change “something” on any 1911 that I get my hands on – must be a mental issue I have when it comes to 1911s. The slide on the Operator is forged steel with a black Armory Kote that is pretty tough stuff – it holds up well to the elements. The frame is forged aluminum alloy and it has an accessory rail under the dust cover, if you want to put a light or laser on there. I don’t usually hang lights or lasers on the accessory rail on my carry handguns, but I had to try the Crimson Trace CMR-201 laser on the rail to see how it fit and functioned. This particular model of Crimson Trace laser if sort or a universal fit for railed guns, and it fit perfectly on the Operator. Only thing is, it wouldn’t fit in the holster that came with the Operator. Okay, no big deal, you can get a custom-made holster, or go with one of the other Crimson Trace lasers that replace the grips, no a problem.
 
The Operator weighs in at 31 ounces, with a height of 5.5-inches and an overall length of 7.5-inches. A bit heavier than some other light-weight guns of similar size, but still lighter than an all-steel gun. The bull barrel adds to the weight. There is also a beavertail grip safety and ambidextrous thumb safeties – I can live with or without a ambi safeties these days, but the off-side safety is there if you’re a southpaw or just need and want it. The ejection port is flared and lowered for positive ejection, too. I had zero malfunctions with the Operator in more than 500 rounds of testing. There is also a dual recoil spring with a full-length guide rod, which aid is smooth functioning.
 
For my testing, I  had a good selection of .45ACP ammo on-hand. From Black Hills Ammunition, I had their steel cased 230-grain FMJ load, as well as their steel  cased 185-grain JHP load. Additionally, I had their 185-grain Barnes all-copper hollow point which is rated at +P. From Buffalo Bore Ammunition, I had their 185-grain Barnes all-copper hollow point that is +P rated, the 185-grain JHP +P, 200-grain, 230-grain FMJ FN and their 255-grain hard Cast FN loadings. From Winchester Ammunition I had their ever popular USA brand 230-grain FMJ load, which I use for function testing for starters whenever shooting .45 ACP caliber handguns. So, I had a good selection of ammo to run through the Operator. And, as mentioned, I had zero malfunctions of any type. All shooting was done from 25 yards.
 
On average, the Operator would group about 2 to 2-1/2 inches from a rest, over the hood of my car – and I don’t use mechanical rests, I use a rolled-up sleeping bag or a jacket. Was there a winner in the accuracy department? Yes, and it surprised me, the Buffalo Bore 255-grain hard Cast FN load was giving me groups under 2-inches, but I think the gun can do even better than that. On several outings, we had rain, lots of rain, and I know I wasn’t doing my best shooting because of it. In this part of Oregon, we have two seasons: Four months of beautiful summer sunshine and moderate temps and eight months of mostly rain. I shoot in all kinds of weather, and I don’t pick just nice days with nice weather to do my shooting. I want real-life results, and shooting in all types of weather is like what you’d expect in a real-life self-defense scenario – you can’t pick the weather or lighting conditions and more than likely, it will be bad weather and poor lighting – that’s where the Tritium night sights can help you.
 
I honestly believe, with more shooting, in better weather, and on a better day (for me) I think this gun is capable of groups around an inch and a half with the right ammo. I like the 185-grain Barnes +P loads with the all-copper hollow point bullets, I’ve done a lot of testing with them, from Black Hills and Buffalo Bore and I’m impressed with the penetration, as well as how nicely the all-copper bullets expand and stay together…and these loads are both lower-recoiling than you think they would be, considering they are +P loads. Okay, the Buffalo Bore 255-grain Hard Cast FN rounds that are +P – those kicked a bit, and in the lighter-framed Operator, it caught my attention. I wouldn’t want to spend a day shooting these loads. (Ouch!) However, it would be my load of choice if I were out in the wilderness where I might encounter dangerous game – it penetrates a lot. I’ve yet to recover one of these slugs in water-filled milk jugs that I’ve lined up one behind the other – this bullet penetrates, and that’s what you need against big game, thick-skinned game – you need penetration. For street work, one of the 185-grain Barnes all-copper +P loads is what I carry in my .45 ACP caliber handguns. But you know, it’s not a bad idea to have one of your spare mags loaded with the 255-grain Hard Cast FN rounds – just in case you have to shoot through cover to get a bad guy. Tim Sundles, who owns Buffalo Bore brought this to my mind.
 
The Black Hills steel cased ammo – no problems at all through the Operator. I know some gun companies specifically state that you shouldn’t shoot steel cased ammo through their guns, but I had no problems with the Black Hills loads. Plus, unlike the Russian-made steel cased ammo, the Black Hills steel cased ammo isn’t dirty shooting – not in the least. This is a good load in either the JHP or the FMJ for target practice or hunting. And I wouldn’t hesitate to use it for self-defense, either.
 
Alright, now that I burned-up more than 500 rounds of .45 ACP ammo in my testing, I’m regretting shooting so much. We are in a very serious ammo drought right now, thanks to the gun, magazine and ammo bans that DC and some states are proposing – and that some states have already passed. Now, I’ve got to get to work on building up my ammo reserves for more articles. And, all of my ammo sources tell me they are pumping out ammo as fast as they can, and they don’t have their shelves stocked with “extra” ammo – everything they produce is shipped right out the door as fast as they produce it.
 
If you’re in the market for a 1911, then take a close look at the Springfield Armory Operator Champion model, that is, if you can find one these days. As with the ammo drought, we are also in a serious firearm drought – guns are simply hard to find. And, I’m not even going to give you a suggested retail price on the Operator – because they are probably selling for more than that these days – as are most guns. Then again, Springfield Armory 1911s are always in short supply.

I can usually find more than a few things I want to change on any 1911, but in the case of the Operator, I only changed the grips to my own design, and that wasn’t necessary. (But I had to do “something” its in my blood) – SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio

Three Letters Re: .300 AAC Blackout Uppers for AR-15s

Jim.
An additional point or two on the viability of the 300BLK. While I agree that the primary concern should be to have your standard calibers covered, the 300BLK has the additional advantages. Because it is made from 223/5.56 brass, and uses any 30 caliber bullet, it will be easily reloaded in a SHTF situation. Another advantage is the ability to use the round suppressed (using subsonic rounds)with as close to “Hollywood” results as you will get. Although the advantages of using silenced weapons in a SHTF situation has been touched on in this forum I believe the subject could use more emphasis. Thank You James, – Rick .S

Jim,
Regarding the .300 AAC Blackout (“300blk”) cartridge for the AR-15 rifles, I would like to add some favorable comments about the new caliber. But first, I really don’t like new calibers (for AR-15/M4 variants) at all. I never jumped on any bandwagon for a new AR-15 caliber (6.8, 6.5, 5.45, etc) over the last 15 years and have and still do preach the “common caliber” mantra… but now I have jumped into the “new  caliber” crowd with the .300 AAC blackout. Here is why:

I want the best of many worlds. I have for years wanted an AR-15 that will put down the threat effectively, punch through medium barriers, but also be super sneaky quiet like an MP5SD. In fact I have often lamented the fact that I can’t cross the MP5SD (quiet) with an AR-15 (ergonomics, low recoil, accuracy) that punches through barriers like an AK-47. Laugh if you will but I want all in one! With good ammo the 5.56×45 does just fine or even fantastic at putting down threats, but definitely lacks in barrier penetration and really can’t be considered to be anything but loud, even with a suppressor. This all changes with the 300blk.

The 300blk cartridge is gaining significant steam down south (among other places and including some special units) where hog hunters need decisive effects on target like Paul S. said. It basically gives you a 7.62×39 ballistic effect (.30 caliber, heavier projectile for barriers, etc) but in a package that allows you to have both the MP5SD and 7.62 advantages. With the swap of a magazine (lighter grain supersonic loads in one, heavier subsonic loads in the other) and rack of the charging handle, you do indeed go from a 7.62×39 equivalent “full power” carbine/assault rife round to a super quiet round comparable to the long standing standard in suppression, the MP5SD, presuming of course you do have the suppressor attached. The advantages to having both options at your fingertips within seconds without carrying a secondary long-gun should be obvious.

Another great feature of the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge is that it was optimized in both supersonic and subsonic loadings to get maximum velocity out of only a 9” barrel! With the ever-increasing popularity of SBRs (short-barreled rifles, requiring a $200 NFA tax stamp through the BATF), and the handiness and lighter weight of short rifles, this is in my opinion, a very significant breakthrough, as the biggest disadvantage of SBRs is usually the significant drop in velocity (and associated drop off in terminal effects on target), which is NOT the case with with the 300blk. It has its full potential out of just the 9” barrel! Quality supersonic cartridges are capable of sub-moa, while subsonic cartridges are hovering consistently around 2 moa, but custom subsonic loads are doing sub moa. With ammo standardized by Remington and nearly everyone making ammo for it now, it seems to be catching on with far deeper roots than the other recent “fad” calibers for AR-15s. Another great thing about the caliber is the ability to use the AAC 762SDN6 (or similar .30 caliber suppressor) suppressor on many calibers. I tried mine on my 5.56 SBR and it sounded the same or slightly quieter than my dedicated 5.56 suppressor did while only being about 3/4” longer and about two ounces heavier than my AAC M42000 (5.56 suppressor).

Keeping in mind that the 300blk is very rare in comparison to “common calibers” it would likely be a good idea to keep at a minimum a 5.56 barrel (and gas block and gas tube for the 5.56 barrel) on hand in case your supply of 300blk dries up in a TEOTWAWKI situation. Of course a complete 5.56 upper would be easier to swap but would cost more. I would like to add to Paul S.’s comments that the 300blk uses the same bolt, carrier, upper, and magazines, like he said, but unlike some other AR-15 variant calibers, the 300blk does not just use AR-15 magazines such as the Magpul PMAG in a tolerable manner, but in a perfectly reliability manner, just as good as the 5.56 cartridges due to the same cartridge base, width, taper and OAL.

Downsides? I’ve already disclaimed that you should have your “common calibers” at hand. That aside, I could see someone claim that 30 rounds of 125 grain ammo weighs more than 30 rounds of 55-77 grain ammo. True, but for the advantages I think it well worth it. Also, the 300blk does have more of a “lob” ballistically than the 5.56 which somewhat limits its practical range to around 400 meters (compared with the generally accepted practical range of the M4 at 500-600 meters — though of course Travis Haley was ringing steel at 600 meters with ease with his) before you really really have to know the range and hold-overs perfectly. But in my opinion a carbine isn’t really very useful past that in most cases anyhow.

All in all, as long as you already have stocked your “common calibers” the .300 AAC blackout AR-15 uppers have just about every advantage and no noticeable disadvantages and when mated with a quality suppressor, provide an operational flexibility and force multiplier that should not be ignored. – PPPP

Dear Editor:
Just one potential problem must be noted for those who wish to swap uppers back and forth between 5.56/.223 to .300 Blackout: If you forget, or get distracted, it is possible to put a magazine full of .300 AAC Blackout ammo into your AR with the 5.56/.223 upper installed. When you hit the bolt catch, the first round of Blackout will be completely chambered in the 5.56 upper. This can happen because the bullet will be forced deeper into the Blackout brass. If you pull the trigger, the chambered .300 Blackout round will ignite, and the bolt will explode, and most likely split the carrier and the upper receiver as well. I have seen this happen. You have been warned! – CTBill

Recipe of the Week:

Linda H.’s Quick-n-Easy Red Beans and Rice
 
2 tbs. olive oil
3/4 c. chopped green pepper (about 1 medium green pepper)
3/4 c. chopped onions (about 1 small onion)
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb. cooked smoked sausage (such as Hillshire Farms), cut into 1/2″ half-rounds
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14.5 oz.) red beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes (or to taste)
salt and pepper, to taste
hot cooked rice
 
In large saucepan heat olive oil and saute green peppers, onions and garlic till softened, 3-4  minutes. Add sausage and stir and cook another 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans and seasonings. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves and serve over rice. Makes 4-5 servings.

Chef’s Notes:

“This quick and easy weeknight supper is much more delicious than it’s humble ingredients would suggest. We enjoy it often over brown rice to increase the nutrition quotient, along with using a quart of our home-grown and home-canned tomatoes. And it would adapt easily to my emergency pantry supplies – I would simply substitute a can or two of Vienna sausages for the smoked sausage. Enjoy.”

Useful Recipe and Cooking Links:

Bean and Rice Recipes at CD Kitchen.

Black Beans and Rice

Currently Available as Free Kindle e-Books:

21 Tasty Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

Gleefully Gluten-Free (Healthy Desserts & Snacks)

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

Redoubt Retreat Consultant Offers Discount For Gun Law Refugees

Taking note of the recent passage of The Firearms Safety Act in the Maryland Senate, New York’s SAFE Act, and other legislation that appears very likely to be enacted, Todd Savage of SurvivalRetreatConsulting.com has announced a 20% discount for “gun law refugee” clients. He is now extending the 20% discount to residents of California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York who identify themselves as gun law refugees.

I predict that the American Redoubt will soon have a large influx of residents hailing from states with draconian new gun laws. I was glad to hear that Todd Savage is helping freedom-loving people find a better place to live. – J.W.R.

Economics and Investing:

Some Daily Bell analysis: Italy Founders While Greece Subsides: Is Austerity Over? Not So Fast …

Bitcoin deflation! It is interesting to note that One Bitcoin (“BTC”) is now worth around $34 USD. Please support the Bitcoin movement. If we can use mechanisms like Bitcoin and traditional barter instead of the banking system, then we will starve the banksters and regain some of our economic freedom and our privacy.

‘Dilbert’ Creator Alleges Vast Conspiracy — Predicts 20% Market Collapse

Items from The Economatrix:

Jobless Claims Rise

Sound Money Campaign:  “Economists Love To Hate Gold”

The Tooth Fairy:  Double-Digit Growth A Good Sign For The Economy

Odds ‘n Sods:

What do USAF PJs carry in their trauma rucks?

   o o o

Montana definitely started something. Oral arguments for the MSSA v. Holder case are scheduled to be heard on March 4, 2013 in the Ninth Circuit Court

   o o o

The re-make of Red Dawn will be released in a DVD and Blu-Ray combo on March 5th. Just on the strength of pre-orders, it is already in Amazon’s Top 200 movies. (FWIW, I still prefer the original John Milius film.) 

   o o o

Reader Matt L. sent this CalGuns thread: I Prototyped My Own Polymer Lower! JWR’s Comment: He goofed. His lower is missing a small pin hole, directly above the selector switch. (Just kidding.) Also on the topic of firearms: Magpul launches online effort to sell high-capacity magazines to Coloradans

   o o o

A new report from CBN reveals that an Al-Qaeda publication is advising would-be terrorists how best to start forest fires to burn America. (Yet another reason to clear defensible space around your house and outbuildings.)

   o o o

DHS built domestic surveillance tech into Predator drones

Notes from JWR:

My congratulations to Mac Slavo, the editor of the excellent SHTFPlan blog. His site now has a higher web traffic ranking than SurvivalBlog’s. When I had checked for competitor stats last year, SurvivalBlog was ranked #1 and Mac’s blog was #2. But now we are in the #2 position, and SHTFPlan is ranked #1. OBTW, I should mention that some of our visitor traffic is now directed to our dotted quad address (95.143.193.148) and therefore the aggregate traffic is not reflected in the site rankings. Congrats also to The Survival Podcast, presently traffic ranked #3 among preparedness-oriented web sites.

SurvivalBlog now has more than 2,730 inbound (“referring”) links from other web sites. These help our overall ranking and our visibility to search engines. If you have a blog or web site and would like to add a link to SurvivalBlog, then see the links and graphics available here. I’d love to see 3,000+ inbound links. This is a cost-free way that you can help promote SurvivalBlog. We will be happy to reciprocate with links from our Links page to most sites. (Note that we do not provide links to sites with racist, anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, prøn, or otherwise objectionable material.) Thanks, folks!

—

Today we present another two entries for Round 45 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), and F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and G.) A $200 gift certificate, donated by Shelf Reliance.

Second Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. C.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. D.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, E.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials and F.) Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) 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, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value. E.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value), and F.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.

Round 45 ends on March 31st, 2013, 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.

Surviving Snowmageddon, by Lugknut32

In January, 2012 Washington State went through what the locals called Snowmageddon. My family and I had just returned from being stationed in Germany for the preceding nine years. Some of our belongings were still packed up out in the garage. Mostly my “camping” things. Having just started at the new assignment, I had not yet taken the time to unpack everything. I had bought some heavy duty shelves for the garage (in anticipation of unpacking my gear). While in Germany, I was stationed in Bavaria (Schweinfurt and Graffenwoehr specifically). I had been raised in the Midwest, so I was used to a lot of snow. The love of my life was a military brat, born in Lost Wages, raised in Europe. To the kids, lots of snow meant extra days off of school.

I arrived in Washington in time for the salmon runs, so my freezer was full of fresh fillets, family value packs from the butcher, and a bunch of frozen fruit from COSTCO. I had started to stockpile some canned soups that I got a good deal on, as well as several cases of bottled water. My wife and kids just rolled their eyes and called me a prepper like it was a dirty word. Then, on the 18th of January, the snow fell hard enough to knock the power out, luckily after dinner.

When the power died, so did the heat. While in Germany, we had purchased large down comforters for each bed, as well as some full size blankets. We normally keep the heat at 65 in the house; if we get chilly; we put on some layers or cover up with a blanket. I was not worried about staying warm or food, but cooking it soon presented a problem. The next day, I went out to the garage and started to dig out the camp stove. My gut clenched when I saw that it had been murdered. A forklift tine had punched through the box at some point and the stove was the casualty. The box had been re-packed and nothing said to me or my wife. It happened to be the only thing that was damaged in the move. I went into the house and looked at my wife through the hole, grinning at her facial expression.

I hiked through knee deep snow out to Cabela’s, about two miles away. They were operating on generators and the debit cards were still working. On the way, I stopped at the Shell station and got lucky with the ATM and was able to get a couple hundred dollars cash just in case. When I got to Cabela’s, the stoves and propane were all gone. I also noticed that most of the sleeping bags and trail food were gone. Undeterred, I tromped another 1.5 miles to Wal-Mart. Same result there. I then went to Big 5 Sporting goods, and was able to get a stove for $45 cash. They were also out of propane. I made my way to Wholesale sports and got lucky on the propane; I got the last six cans. Sales were cash only. While in line, the guy behind me tried to talk me out of half of them “They last a while, what do you need with 6 cans?”.  I told him to pound sand, and he grumbled something about Army attitudes. Since I do not have my concealed permit, I was carrying openly, which he noticed. I got out of line under the pretense of having forgotten something, just to keep him in sight. There was no incident, but I was not going to take any chances. In each of the stores, there was generator power only (while the fuel lasted), cash was the only thing accepted (with the exception of Cabela’s), all the stay warm gear and camping food was gone. I went across the street to Safeway and got another can of coffee. Cash only.

I got home, wiped down my sidearm, and started cooking dinner. The psychological effect of a hot meal cannot be under rated! The next day (19 Jan), I took a couple of my Rubbermaid tubs out back and piled snow around them. Everything from the refrigerator went into one and the now semi-frozen fruit went into the other. I cooked all of the pork sausage up and it went into a cooler out on the patio. I had a sedan; it took me 3 minutes to back out of my driveway and 45 minutes of shoveling and pushing to get it back into the original position. A couple of hours later, one of my coworkers roared up in his 4WD and we made our way to Fort Lewis (now Joint Base Lewis-McChord or JBLM). We secured a couple generators and fuel from his shop and drove/ slid home. FYI, the use of the generators was sanctioned by the Brigade Commander.. The generator was enough for the water heater and the kitchen lights were very dim. We decided to leave them off. The value of a hot shower ranks right up there with a hot meal.

Our cell phones we working intermittently, either due to the fact they are 3G, the ice and snow build up on the towers, or both. I have an inverter for the lighter socket in my vehicle, so keeping them charged was no issue. My boss called and told me to just check in on the phone until I was able to get my car on the road. That night we did not run the generator, but you could hear all the other ones in the area and see lights here and there. They would have made good targets if the power was out longer than 6 days. On the 3rd day, I cooked everything from the freezer and put it all into the Rubbermaid containers. We were not going to freeze or starve, and we played a lot of board games, some match stick poker (Texas hold em and 5 card stud) and a couple of snow ball fights. Neither my wife nor I were able to go to work for the whole week.

Most of our neighbors had left to either relatives or hotels where the power was still on. Some of them had even left their pets, which really angered me. On day 7, the power was restored. I disconnected the generator, wiped out the fridge, and put all of the food back into it. I cleaned the propane stove and put it on a shelf in the garage, along with 4 bottles of propane. We had not touched the food stores in the garage, still had plenty of food in the fridge, and our bellies were full.  My neighbors started to return in the afternoon. The single mom next door threw out all the food from her freezer and fridge, as did most of the others who had left. The HOA had not even made the attempt to plow the roads.
My wife and kids no longer make fun of my preparations, and they no longer dive into the bottled water stash. I was extraordinarily lucky to find a working ATM, new stove and fuel when I did. Almost every one of my neighbors chose to flee the situation instead of make due, allowing all their perishable food to spoil and leaving their homes and possessions susceptible to loss. Some even abandoned their pets. I do not associate with them; I find their values and morals to be lacking.
Looking back, I have learned a few things.

  1. Stocking up may not be the cool thing with the family, but do it anyway.
  2. Make sure you have distractions (other than books) for the whole family.
  3. Rubbermaid containers can impress your wife.
  4. Even in the Pacific coast, a truck is a must (I now have a 4×4).
  5. Above ground power lines are stupid.
  6. Make the time to check all of your gear, especially after a move.

This is not a complete list, but it encompasses the points I feel are the most important. The next purchases for my new 4×4 will be a brush guard, winch, and plow. If the HOA will not honor their commitment, I will be able to help my neighbors. I continue to read and learn on a daily basis, as we all should.

Keep prepping and keep your powder dry.

Some Alaska Outdoor Survival Experiences, by M.C.R.

Preparedness is a mental state and  where I live it is extremely unforgiving if you are not ready.

I travel the bush in the state of Alaska as a telecommunication technician which means I travel mostly in small commercial planes or in bush planes along with helicopters, boats and once in a while via snowmobiles (called “snow machines” here) to get to the native villages.

This happened to me in the mid-1980s when Exxon was drilling in Arctic Ocean on a drilling rig called a Concrete Island Drilling Structure (C.I.D.S.). Exxon had chartered a helicopter company to fly supplies and personnel to the drilling rig using the Super Puma helicopter–a very nice rugged helicopter made by the French company Aérospatiale.

I was tasked with making sure the air traffic radio equipment and Non directional beacon systems where working for the flight operations which in this case had failed for some unknown reason so I called up a flight loaded my gear and off we go to the drilling rig.

When we reached about 8,000 foot altitude we ran into some weather. It had mixed snow, rain, sleet at different altitudes and yes this was in early March in the Arctic Ocean

We started to build up major ice on the airframe and the pilots were trying to find warm air to melt the ice off the airframe we went up down and I swear around in the air in circles but it just kept building up on the airframe.

I was in the cargo section with the intercom headphone on when the pilots informed me we would set down on the Ice pack and I was going to get out of the helicopter and proceed to smack the ice off the airframe.

Have you ever played with your kids whiffle ball with a plastic bat? Well we had several those bats on board. So we set down on the sea ice very gently. Luck was with us since we did not punch through the ice or hit a snow pile which could have tilted us side ways which is a bad deal since rotors tend to fly off when the hit something solid like ice.

I slid the door hatch open and it wass about 80 below zero since they still had the rotor spinning so the down draft was very brisk that day. Next, I threw my Arctic survival  river bag out on the ice with a plastic sled strapped to it just in case the helicopter takes off without me or catches on fire or Mr. Murphy just plainly messes with your day.

My sled is an orange kiddies’ sled that can be bought anywhere it has two fiberglas poles attached to it along with a leather belt that attaches to your waist.

In my survival bag is a river bag the largest REI makes–65 Liters–so in this  I carry: 3 days supply of food 5,000 to 6,000 high calorie food(s) canned sardines with oil, salami, cheese, salmon strips   dried moose with fat and if I can get dried seal strips and some seal oil that is good too along with 2 gallons of water,  juices , crackers , candies ,sugar , salt , pepper , teas and instant coffee.  For my winter sleeping bag combo I have an inner bag and outer bag that is water and wind proof and a tent that slips over the bags. I also carry several caribou hides rolled up make very nice ground cloth the hairs are hollow so the retain heat. 

My bag also has lighter, matches, candles with a holder a small camp stove with about a quart of Coleman liquid fuel along with an old military metal canteen cup spoon and fork combo. A small pocket knife and sharpening stone I carry a roll a toilet paper and baby wipes too. Also 2 pairs of socks silk and wool along with a spare set of silk underwear and spare wool gloves

My clothes: I wear silk underwear silk socks then the next layer wool pants wool shirt wool socks and a down vest. For my outer layers I have outer parker made Actionwest FR, Indura down Arctic Parka along with Bib coverall and bunny boots 

Headwear: coRaggs, Ragg Wool Balaclava Facemask/Cap and Headsokz Inc., Black Wind bloc Headsokz.

My gloves are Newberry Knitting, Ragg Wool Mitten along with surplus army mittens and wool five finger gloves

I also carry snow goggles and a wrap around wool face mask so as not to frost your lungs. I also carry a climbing ice axe, Climbing Snow shovel, Ice Crampons and ice pitons screw type along with 50 feet of 3mm utility cord all these items are for ice. I also carried a rubber coated flash light with spare D batteries the rubber coat protects your hand if you have to hold the flashlight without the heavy mittens.

The Ice axe is for getting water smack it into the blue ice not green ice pull out the chunks or out of a snow bank. The snow shovel is for snow caves if you do not have a clue get the OLD Boy Scout manual it is very detailed for ice cave instructions I have used with my own boys and their troop in the Talkeetna Mountains. Ice pitons are for securing a tent in ice along with 3mm utility cord to secure your tent .

Since it was on Exxon company property I left my Remington bolt-action .30-06 along with 40 rounds 180 grain bullets in the carrying case in my room. (Exxon had a strict gun policy.)

So I am out of the helicopter with the plastic bat along with the copilot and we proceed to beat the helicopter to death but gently since it has pitot tubes and all kind of flight sensors that can be damaged so it was go slowly but methodically.

It took about 15 minutes to get the majority of the ice off the airframe and all this time the rotors were spinning the turbines were screaming and the pilot is looking real serious because the helicopter is burning flight fuel.

So when the copilot gave the thumbs up I threw my bag back on board closed the door hatch securely strapped myself in pulled my head gear off and put the headset on so I could sweat with the pilots as we lift off the ice. The pucker factor had been very high as we took off skimming the ice toward the oil rig as we gained some altitude all of us were looking out every window for more ice buildup which for us did not appear. So Mr. Murphy had his fun with us for that day.

So we all made it to the rig I fixed the equipment and went back to Deadhorse about a week later on the same helicopter I was flying with a news crew  a women reporter and her camera crew they are doing a report on the C.I.D.S. oil platform. As we are cruising she asked me why all the gear I said,” We went down on the Ice last week due to ice buildup on this helicopter. Looking her over, I stated: “The way you are presently dressed you are going to die if we have a malfunction and stay on the Arctic ice.”  

The woman reporter gave me a funny look. So being an ex-military NCO I do not mince words. She could get us killed with her ignorance. So I treated her and her crew like raw recruits but minus the shouting. I said bluntly: “Your outfit is nice (she had a matching dress, light jacket, ankle boots and gloves) but do you realize we are flying and it is -40F outside? If we have to do an emergency landing on the ice you have about 30 minutes before cold takes your toes, fingers, legs, face and then your life. You should be wearing Arctic clothing from Refrigiwear along with the boots which Exxon has for visitors on their main compound.”

“Well no one told me”, she said. But I laughed. You see, I was in the safety briefing room along with her and it was mandatory to attend. She was too busy being a news reporter to pay attention. I pointed to her crew they had the gear from Exxon it was large ugly and bulky but it was on them so they would survive. She was angry but before she could get a word in to teach me a lesson from upon her throne I said: “You’re just a pampered fool and you’re not worth my time or knowledge to save your a**.”

“What?” she asked. My guess is she had never been talked to that way before by an Alaskan so I laughed, “Ponder this, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.'” I told her that her profession should be under this heading: “The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fool feeds on folly.”

Then I pulled out my Bible and read to her from Ephesians 6 : 10-18:

“10 Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of his power. 11 Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. 13 Therefore, take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and to stand in all things perfect. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of justice: 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. 16 In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. 17 And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). 18 By all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the spirit: and in the same watching with all instance and supplication for all the saints/”

I had just called her a tool of the devil it just shut her down so the rest of the trip was silent, so I put on the intercom head phones to listen to the pilots and took a cat nap.

She did her interviews and the news piece. The fool flew back wearing another dress to Dead Horse the next day. Some people will just not learn.

All these years later I think God put me in the helicopter with her to test her that day even though I had no clue I was a tool for God on that day too.

Letter Re: Emergency Bags for Your Vehicle

Dear James,
I wish to make a comment about the article on preparing an emergency bag for your car. This is a prudent and good idea. I currently have one for each vehicle I own.

The only problem with the article is the choice of food. I have a tendency to leave my emergency bag in my car. The problem arises in the summer when the outside temps start to rise. With the outdoor temp at 100 degrees F the car’s inside temperature is 120 to 130. The MRE entrees only have a shelf life of 30 days at 120 degrees F. Unless you were to replace this every 30 days more than likely the meal would be unusable when a need would arise.

I was recently introduced to the New Millennium Food Bars. These are designed to with stand +300 degrees F to -60 degrees F without going bad. I leave these in my kit and I don’t have to worry if they will be good when I need them, and they don’t taste half bad. – Keith R.

Auction Update: PVS-14 Gen 3+ Night Vision Scope to Benefit C.R.O.S.S. Ministries

CURRENT BID is $3,000 (Bid by Reader D.J.G.)

Simply e-mail us your bids. I will post regular updates on the bidding. The final deadline will be Midnight EST on Monday, March 11, 2013. Thanks for your generous bids in support of C.R.O.S.S. Ministries.

We are continuing a benefit auction of a brand new AN/PVS-14 Gen 3+ Night Vision Scope. All proceeds (100% of your bid) will be donated to C.R.O.S.S. Ministries. (A very worthy Christian ministry that is sharing the Gospel of Christ in South Sudan. Their outreach method is unique: They are teaching rural villagers tactical marksmanship, water purification, and firefighting skills, free of charge.)

The monocular is one of these. (The same model that we use here at the Rawles Ranch.) These night vision scopes normally retail for around $3,600. (Although Ready Made Resources sells them at the discounted price of $2,695.) This monocular was kindly donated by Ready Made Resources, in cooperation with Night Ops Tactical.

Economics and Investing:

A Recipe For Massive Hyperinflation or Bankruptcy: ProShares UltraShort 20+ Year Treasury, iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond

Michael Pollaro: Chairman Bernanke, Price Inflation is the Least of Your Problems

Over at Lew Rockwell’s page, Peter Schiff predicts: US Debt Crisis Will Be Worse Than Europe’s

Items from The Economatrix:

Housing To Drive Growth (Finally!)

American Consumers Upbeat In February

Inflation Remained Subdued In January

Odds ‘n Sods:

Don’t mistake this tyranny for some sort of “moderation” or “compromise”: Deal on gun background checks hinges on tracking sales. Please contact your congressmen and senators to again remind them that intrastate private party sales of used guns are OUTSIDE of the scope of the Interstate Commerce Clause. No Federal nexus means no Federal jurisdiction!

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For those who prefer to store plain sea salt: Redmond Real Salt

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Lew Rockwell: Prozacked Nation

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Rather than backtracking, “Shotgun Joe” Biden is digging himself a deeper hole. Oh, and speaking of scatterguns, there is this news from Colorado: Popular Standard Shotgun Could Be Banned Under Proposed Bill.

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A verdict in former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s latest corruption trial will likely be announced this week. Detroit’s Dapper Dresser may be in for a long stretch in Federal Correctional Institution, Milan, Michigan. Kilpatrick is of course just one of many in Mayor Bloomberg’s “crime fighting” cohort who has ended up in prison. Perhaps they should start an elite inner circle group, within Mayors Against Illegal Guns. They could call themselves: “Convicted Former Mayors Who Can No Longer Legally Own Guns with the Temerity to Demand Disarmament to the Law Abiding”, or perhaps more succinctly: “Crime Expert-Crime Fighters”. Or they could call it The World Crime League, but that name has already been taken.