Letter Re: Pre-1899 Finnish M39 Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R Rifles and Ammo

Jim,
I read your novel, “Patriots” in 2003. It reinforced my survivor beliefs and encouraged me to take additional steps to become more prepared. I also enjoy reading SurvivalBlog.com and visit your site many times each day. Over the last six months I have followed your advice in purchasing three pre-1899 rifles. All three are Finnish M-39 Mosin Nagants chambered for 7.62x54R ammo.

I picked up one from AIM Surplus when [it was] first listed in December 2005. It appears to be in very good condition with a 1895 Tula receiver and 1944 SAKO barrel. The other two I purchased from gunsnammo.com which appear to be in mint condition – unissued, 100% blue, new bores, new post war stocks, matching bolts, unnumbered floor plates with a 1897 Ishevsk receiver and a 1944 VKT barrel. The other rifle has 1898 Tula receiver and a 1970 barrel.

I have spare parts, an Insta Mount from scopemounts.com, 100 stripper clips, and Forrester head space gauge and tools. The ammo I purchased from AIM Surplus: About 300 rounds of new Igman 150 grain jacketed soft point, brass case, boxer primed non-corrosive and 880 rounds of Polish 147 grain FMJ sealed in “spam” cans, made in the 1970s.

So far my knowledge of the M39 is based upon my Internet searches, an interesting ammo test posted at http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmo.htm. and my current efforts to convert one to a sporter. Does anyone have any range experience with a pre-1899 Finnish M39 from AIM Surplus, gunsnammo.com or another dealer? Does anyone have experience with the specific ammo mentioned above? Jim, what are your thoughts, guidance, counsel on the M39s and ammo? – F.N.

JWR Replies: IMHO Mosin-Nagants are great guns that are both under-rated and under appreciated in North America. They have a tremendously strong action. Although I generally prefer the ergonomics, bolt style, and aesthetics of pre-1899 Mausers (such as those sold by The Pre-1899 Specialist), I still think that Mosin-Nagants are a good inexpensive choice for adding a pre-1899 to your survival battery. I don’t have any experience with the particular ammo that you mentioned, nor have I heard anything either good or bad about it. I’m sure that someone that reads the blog will offer an informed opinion about that ammo.

My main concern is that you get non-corrosively primed ammunition. For the sake of the newbies out there: There are essentially two types of rifle cartridge primers: corrosive (typically mercuric) that leave potassium chloride salts in the bore (with a strong affinity for moisture), and non-corrosive (typically lead styphnate) which leave no hydrophilic residue. Corrosive primers are a no-no unless you are absolutely scrupulous about gun cleaning. See this scholarly piece for a full description of the perils of corrosive ammo, and even the chemistry of the priming and residue. My general advice on military surplus ammunition, particularly from the former Eastern Bloc nations, is as follows: Unless you are assured in no uncertain terms that any particular batch of ammunition is not corrosively primed, then assume that it is corrosive. Don’t be fooled by advertisements that claim that their ammo is “mildly corrosive.” That is like a lass claiming to have been made “a little bit pregnant.”

The only way to be fully certain that ammo is non-corrosive is to use this priming test: First carefully pull a bullet and dump out all of powder from a cartridge. Then “blank fire” the cartridge’s primer at a piece of “in the white” unlubricated scrap steel from a distance of just one inch from the gun’s muzzle. (If need be, clean the scrap first with a degreaser such as Chem Tool..) Then leave that piece of steel exposed to the air for 72 hours. For those of you that live in a very dry climate, pick a fairly damp place such as your home bathroom for the test. Of course immediately clean the barrel of the rifle that you used for the primer test. If after 72 hours the steel test plate still has as uniform color and the center of the late has no more corrosion than the balance of the plate surface, then the primer was indeed a non-corrosive type. But if instead their is a rusty smudge in the center on the plate where the bore gasses impinged upon it, then the primer was corrosive. (Corrosive primers leave a hydrophilic residue, that induces rust.)

Unless or until you are certain that any particular batch of ammo is non-corrosive, then follow the standard U.S. Army pre-1900 cleaning drill, which is to thoroughly clean the rifle’s bore and bolt face for three days in a row, using bore brushes and bore cleaner. Otherwise, your rifle may end up with a badly corroded bore. To illustrate, here is a sad tale: I have a friend who will remain nameless that destroyed the bore on a mint condition Model 1909 Argentine Mauser. All that it took was one shooting session with corrosively primed ammo and then neglecting to clean the bore. Six months later, the bore looked like a sewer pipe.

Two Letters Re: Insulin for Diabetics in Event of TEOTWAWKI

Dear Jim,
I’m a family physician and my wife has had Type 1 (insulin-dependant) diabetes mellitus since age 9.
There’s an inhaled insulin (“Exubera,” manufactured by Pfizer) that offers some promise for long-term storage, as it’s a powder. It was released last winter, so there isn’t much clinical experience with it yet. Problems such as irregular absorption and possible lung injury are still under investigation.
Oral insulin therapy may also suffer from irregular absorption and will likely have the same shelf-life issues as injectable insulins.
The only practical long-term solution for the insulin-dependant diabetic is to extract injectable insulin from livestock. The process is no longer used and recreating it would require a reasonably well-stocked and functioning lab. (Here’s a thumbnail sketch covering the discovery of insulin and some of the issues involved.)
I’m researching ways by which the process might be made more practical under adverse circumstances.
After insulin, the most important thing that a Type 1 diabetic would require is the ability to monitor blood sugars. Glucometer strips are readily available, but fairly expensive. Under deep-freeze storage conditions, they should last well beyond their expected life, but will inevitably expire. Urine test strips are likewise available and more convenient, but much less accurate than blood glucose measurement. Strips will also retain their viability when kept very cold.
A last resort that might prove useful is a very old standby, though not for the squeamish. Before laboratory blood and urine testing became available, a simple means of detecting abnormal blood sugar in urine was to taste it. (If it tasted sweet, the patient was deemed to be diabetic.) Obviously, I don’t recommend this as a matter of routine, but in a dire situation, the information may prove useful. Kind Regards, – Moriarty

 

Jim,
Saw today’s board regarding insulin alternatives. As a Internal Medicine Specialist, Intensivist, and Disaster Medicine Specialist, I treat many diabetics. Currently, Type 2, or Adult onset diabetes is the most common in the U.S. and rising steadily. It is usually treated with oral medications, and then insulin once [the patient has] maxed on oral medications. Weight loss, exercise, and diet modification can decrease and possibly eliminate dependency on meds early in the course of the disease. However, Type 1, or juvenile diabetics are dependent on insulin from a young age and cannot survive without insulin, regardless of diet etc, without developing Diabetic Ketoacidosis Acidosis, a potentially fatal condition.

Exubera is the latest formulation of insulin that is a dry powder, that is then inhaled. (Exubera.com) It is set for release this month, in fact the [Pfizer company] rep just stopped by last week. Other oral insulins are in phase 3 trials but are not yet on the U.S. market. The price on these is still unknown, but will be significantly higher than standard subcutaneous injections. It cannot be used by asthmatics or those with severe lung disease. As a dry powder it should have a significant shelf life. I’ll keep you posted on its progress and price as it comes available. I’d be happy to go into more detail on diabetes, treatment, and options if needed. And as always, would happy to help with any medical questions or issues. – MD in MO.

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Rags make paper, and paper makes money,
Money makes banks, and banks make loans,
Loans makes debts, and debts make beggars,
and beggars wear rags…" – Paraphrase of an old Dutch proverb, as quoted by a paper-making company in Holland

Note From JWR:

Ordering deadline extension! Thanks to all of you who ordered my preparedness course. Publisher Jake Stafford just wrote me with good news for those who missed the July 4th deadline: “Jim, Our weekend staffer promised a few of your readers that if they mailed payment postmarked by July 5th due to the July 4th postal holiday, they would qualify for the special pre-publication pricing. Now, to be fair to all, we must hold the window open for everyone for the extra day, including web orders at www.readyfortheworst.com. But that window closes at midnight, Pacific time, July 5th.”

For those of you that are “on the fence” about whether or not to order, I can tell you that the course is in hard copy format, more than 200 pages long. It has plenty of reference tables and appendices, and will be fully indexed. Also included with each course is a 1 hour interview (with JWR) about family preparedness, on a standard audio CD.

We got great Fourth of July present: Yesterday we surpassed the 500,000 unique visits mark! (Not bad, considering that I only expected at most 100,000 unique visits per year, and yet the blog has only been up since August of Aught Five.) Many thanks for making SurvivalBlog such as great success! Please keep spreading the word. In particular, we are in need of more advertisers so that I can make a living at this. If you know of any companies that are a “match” for the SurvivalBlog readership, please ask them to get an ad here. Our ads are dirt cheap. See our Advertising page for details.

Letter Re: Insulin for Diabetics in Event of TEOTWAWKI

James:
I was wondering what your thoughts on perishable things like insulin might be in a worse case scenario…. as it needs to be refrigerated at all times, and even if you were to get a large supply. How long could it last as it deteriorates quicker than pills…and pills might be easier to manufacture after a bad scenario whereas insulin would be very difficult to make. Diabetics would probably have a limited life in a TEOTWAWKI., right? – CWW

JWR Replies: Insulin is indeed a problem for those that envision a long term socioeconomic disruption. However, I challenge the view that in a long term scenario, diabetics will face certain peril. First, many diabetics can minimize or even totally eliminate dependence on daily insulin by altering their diets. I strongly suggest that any SurvivalBlog readers that are diabetic or that have diabetic relatives look into the Weimar Institute’s NEWSTART Program. There are also some herbal alternatives for diabetics that are not fully insulin dependant. And here are a few others, from another source.

For those that are indeed insulin dependant regardless of dietary changes, I recommend that you stock up on enough injectable insulin for its full potential shelf life. TEOTWAWKI would of course mean a grid-down situation. So I also strongly recommend that you get a long term photovoltaic (PV) backup power system to run a compact refrigerator, similar to that described by SurvivalBlog reader Hannibal. If building your own PV system blows your complexity quotient, you can buy a prepackaged system from Ready Made Resources. Or how about getting a propane powered refrigerator and a large propane tank?

One recent development is a new variety of Oral Insulin (Oralin/Oral-lyn)

As an aside, the American Diabetes Association put together this web page on disaster planning for diabetics. (The link at the bottom of the page on diabetes emergency packs is the most useful tidbit.) Here is one alternative view.

Letter Re: A New Global Survival Gear Test Web Site

G’day Jim,
Just a quick note to make you and SurvivalBlog readers aware that the newly-established Survival Gear Test web site is currently looking for volunteer gear testers from all over the world. The URL is http://survivalgeartest.phpnet.us/.
We aim to become the first port of call for survivalists before making equipment purchases. We are non-profit, no BS and receive no money from manufacturers or retailers. We will provide an unbiased, accurate evaluation of equipment that survivalists from all over the world may wish to acquire, without having to wade through advertising spin.
Survival Blog readers interested in submitting reviews of their own equipment are most welcome to e-mail us at survivalgeartest@hiddenmickeys.every1.net for evaluation guidelines and further information. Thanks for your time. Regards, – Omega Man

Letter Re: An Interesting Extra High Power 12 Gauge Single Shot Shotgun

Dear Jim,
I found an article about this custom 3-3/4-inch 12 gauge, with energy exceeding that of a .50 BMG. It has extreme power, for very large game or certain anti-armor applications. It’s legally a shotgun, and easier to reload than rifle cartridges. Also, custom projectiles are easier to make. Some of the conversions are on readily available single shot receivers.One advantage is that the converted shotgun will still shoot all standard 12 gauge shells [of shorter lengths.] – Michael Z. Williamson

Odd ‘n Sods

The World Bank estimates that an Asian Avian Flu pandemic could cost up to $2 Trillion Dollars. That is assuming 70 million deaths worldwide. My personal estimation is that their figure is low, since the pandemic itself won’t be the biggest killer–rather, that will be the economic displacement (if not a full scale economic collapse) that will be induced by the pandemic.

   o o o

The U.S. personal savings rate goes negative.

   o o o

Asian Avian Flu most deadly in teens and young adults — an eerie echo of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic  

   o o o

The biggest North Face outdoor gear sale of the year just started at Moosejaw.com. (Moosejaw is one of our affiliate advertisers.) The sale runs through the end of July. Take a look.

Note From JWR:

I want to wish all of my U.S. readers a happy Fourth of July! Today is the last day to order my preparedness course at the special introductory price. If you wait until tomorrow, the price will jump to nearly $150!

Letter Re: Recommendations on Hardening a Garage Door?

Mr. Rawles:

Hello again from England. The blog is going from strength to strength, keep it up!

With regard to the door hardening, I’d suggest a thick layer of ballistic nylon contained in a quilt as defence against chainsaw or reciprocating saw attack. Ballistic nylon is a lot cheaper than Kevlar and works in a similar manner to the laths mentioned in the article, i.e it clogs up chain and reciprocating blades. It would quite possibly foul up a drill attack also, but I have yet to verify this… It would not, of course, stop a projectile attack.

Ballistic nylon is also very light in weight, but is extremely flammable and gives off toxic gas when burned. For this reason I would suggest making the cover out of a fire resistant material.

The material should be sewn into sections, preferably so they hang horizontally, to prevent settlement, and the finished article would need to be sandwiched to the door between the panel and a light (ply?) sheet, again to prevent fouling and to protect the quilt from fire and other damage.

The weight of up and over doors is critical to the mechanism, the springs etc can get overloaded very easily; I had one shear off the mount and go through a sunroof recently. An expensive experiment!

I cannot suggest any suppliers, being on the wrong side of the pond! but am sure other readers will be able to help out there if need be. Very best wishes to all. – Michael in Worcestershire.

Letter Re: Preparedness Lessons Learned from The K.T. Ordnance BATFE Raid

Jim,
I thought I would give you an up-date on my raid. First, I’m not in jail, nor have I been charged with any crime. Everything that can be written has been written at this time.[JWR Adds: For example, see the discussions at the AR15.com Forums, at LibertyPost.org, 1911Forum.com, et cetera. ]

In retrospect, there are some things I should have done, but that I didn’t. (I pooh-poohed some of your preparedness ideas, shame on me. Learn from my mistakes.)

1) Did not stash my extra arms and ammo, and now I don’t have them.
2) Should not have been as cooperative as I was, and it was little.
3) Did not have code words ready with wife when I called her.
4) Did not have my files in order, PGP or other software.
5) Thought it would never happen to me.
6) Did not have a bug out bag. My wife thought I was crazy, but now she wants them.
7) Did not heed the five warning signs that I got. All [my friends] thought that I was paranoid. Had I took action on those warnings, they [the BATFE] would have got nothing.

– Richard Celata, Owner of KT Ordnance

JWR Replies: Despite a half dozen letters from readers, I refrained to posing or commenting about this case until now. I waited until I had the time to do some background research and until I got an e-mail directly from the owner of the company. KT Ordnance was formerly an advertiser on SurvivalBlog, and a member of his family is still a SurvivalBlog advertiser. I have not read anything thusfar that would indicate that Richard Celata violated any law, or any BATFE ruling, or any “ATF Letter” guidance. Nor do I have any evidence that Richard is lunatic, a radical, a racist, or an anti-Semite. (Far be it, he is in fact a member of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership.) Nor have I heard that he has any criminal record. In short, the general consensus is that he was a law-abiding guy that played by the rules, but was nonetheless the recipient of the wrath of the ATF.

For the BATFE to set the “80% Complete” standard for receivers to remain outside of Federal jurisdiction and then to later seize the inventory of a businessman that abided by the letter of their own reiterated standard in my estimation smacks of arbitrary and capricious enforcement, with possibly political motivation. I try to keep the content of SurvivalBlog apolitical and nonpartisan, in part because we have an international readership. (Our readers in France have no more interest in political affairs in the U.S. any more than our U.S. readers have an interest in politics in France.) However, in this instance where Mr. Celata’s letter specifically addresses the preparedness aspects of his situation, I think that it is appropriate for posting. OBTW, I don’t plan to post any follow-ups to this letter, since the facts and conjecture regarding the case itself are already well trodden ground. Mr. Celata will get his day in court. If justice is still available to him there, then I trust that he will prevail.

BTW I don’t intend this post to foster any paranoia. However, I do think that it is prudent for anyone that stocks up logistically to leave a minimal paper/electronic trail. If you are not yet accessing the Internet with Anonymizer or StealthSurfer, you should be!

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined." – Patrick Henry, 1778, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention Reference: The Debates of the Several States, Elliot, vol. 3 (45)