Note From JWR:

You have just four more days to order my preparedness course at the special introductory price. If you wait until after July 4th, the price will jump to $150!

Letter Re: James Kunstler at Midwest Renewable Energy Fair

Jim,
As a regular reader of Survival Blog, I thought others might like a “field trip” report from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s (MREA) Energy Fair held this past weekend. This is an annual event hosted in central Wisconsin and it has had a growing number of attendees; last year’s fair drew over 10,000 and this year it was expected to draw ~17,000 people over its three days. In my mingling, I encountered people who had traveled from as far as New mexico, southern Oklahoma, Kansas, and many from Wisconsin and bordering states.
The fair is a collection of vendors, presentations, and daily featured speakers. Suppliers of everything from solar ovens, solar panels, wind turbines, and passive solar hot water heaters have their products on display and there are usually at least six seminars going on at any one time on topics as diverse as grey water management, saving seeds, and straw bale construction. This year’s speaker on Saturday was James Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency. If anyone is thinking of buying into alternative energy, this fair is a great place to talk with a variety of suppliers as well as people who have real-world experience using the products.
I attended a number of special seminars and found most all to be very informative and well done. The people presenting were truly focused on educating and sharing information rather than on selling. Some had web sites and a few had written small do-it-yourself manuals which could be purchased if desired. There was also a lot of time given for questions from the audience.
Of particular interest on Saturday was James Kunstler’s keynote speech. For those not familiar with his book, it is a brief synopsis of our (U.S.) society’s creation of an “easy motoring utopia” supported by cheap and abundant petroleum products. If you have not read it, I would recommend it as a number of people to whom I have lent my copy have described it as life-changing. If nothing else, it is a very well written “eye opener” for those who have yet to come to appreciate our relationship (addiction) with oil.
Mr. Kunstler’s speech was untitled, but I believe a fair topic statement would have been “We need to make other arrangements.” He commented on what he termed the current state of delusional thinking and noted that the only thing we’re debating is how we’re going to keep the cars running without oil. His point was that no combination of alternative fuels will allow us to continue operating the interstate highway system, the big box retail stores, and the 12,000 mile supply chain. There were several times when he repeated that “life is tragic and Americans have made some tragic choices.” This was followed by the admonition that “we need to make other plans.”
He also spent some time discussing what he termed the new religion in America: the worship of unearned riches. The thoughts here could be summed up by the idea that bad behavior is driving bad choices and vice versa. Although he did not mention it, I could not help but think about people who have escalating credit card debt and are living in housing funded by ARMs [adjustable rate mortgages] that will index upward as interest rates rise.
Much of the talk was very similar to what is described in his book, so I will not reiterate or spoil the read for those who have not yet read it. However, he did mention some points which I do not recall from his published work. Mr. Kunstler was very clear in his opinion that people are expecting a smooth transition through this energy crisis. His personal feeling was that “we should expect a fair amount of disruption.” Also, he commented on the risk of “political mischief” as the hardship becomes more dire. His point was that people have been living in a utopia where, in general, if you wait a little while, prices will stabilize, stocks will trend upward, and life will be basically what we have come to understand as “normal.” In the long emergency, that will all change and his opinion is that the American public is going to be begging to be told what to do. This opens the door for politicians to implement policies for the common good but of perhaps dubious real benefit.
In closing, I would like to share a very salient point Mr. Kunstler made about a question he said that he often receives when lecturing at colleges and universities. Following his gloomy review of peak oil and the state of society, someone usually asks “can’t you give us any hope?” To this he had a two-part commentary: First, it is interesting (tragic?) to note the word choice and that there is an expectation that hope can simply be “given.” This, he mentioned, was a common thought pattern in both young and older adults. The second part of his analysis was that each person is going to need to figure out how to do this for themselves. His model for how this happens is that you need to demonstrate that you’re a capable person who can get things done. This gives you the ability to dwell in a hopeful mindset. As readers of Survival Blog, I would think that most of us are maintaining a fairly high level of awareness of the complex world in which we live. While this may not always be the most reassuring outlook, having this awareness and doing some planning will put us all in a much better mental place if or when something “bad” happens. Regards, – Max

Letter Re: Self-Winding Watch Recommendation

James,
I’ve been living with a Seiko 5 military style mechanical movement (self winding) action watch for about 6 months now. I and am convinced they are one of the better deals going right now in a quality, metal, watch that will never need batteries. Overstock.com currently has these for under $100. They’re very hard to find here in the U.S.A., and tend to sell out rapidly. The only negative item I can list about these watches is that they need to be worn daily, as the the self-winding power “reserve” won’t last beyond 24 hours without wrist movement. I really like mine, and will buy probably buy one or two more. – Jay in Florida

Two Letters Re: Shocking Facts About Wolves, by Steven UP

Jim-
Unlike anyone else that has written, including Steven UP, I have lived in Western Montana my entire life, save a few travels around to world. I also grew up hunting and fishing here (we were, well, poor when I was a kid. I think I was eleven before I ever ate a beef steak. I thought red meat came form the woods in Fall!)
As to the primary concern of wolves over-running farm in a SHTF scenario, that will be the least of your worries. As to the idea that elk and deer populations are being decimated by wolf packs, that is 100% USDA Certified Bovine Scatology! If a wolf eats one ton (your number, Steven) of red meat, that’s about two elk per year per wolf. To compare, an adult cougar kills and eats a deer a week (lions are picky eaters and will seldom return after three to four days on a kill. By then the coyotes have usually licked the bones clean anyhow.)
No, the greatest predator to the Montana elk population is the some 250 thousand out-of-state hunters which descend on our fair state each year. Conversely, the greatest killer of mule deer seems to be the Freightliner and Buick variety. Mule deer populations in Western Montana are at all-time highs. We have urban populations, not that have been encroached upon by urban sprawl, but deer herds that have come out of the hills into the old parts of town, and live full time in our parks, yards, and greenways. Along with them have come the cougars, for where there are deer, there are mountain lions. That largely accounts for the increase in human-lion encounters.
But, if wolves aren’t a problem, why the laws to protect livestock and dogs, you ask? Because the wolf is STILL a protected species. The law, if you take thee time to read it, is for the protection of the landholder/rancher who kills a wolf which is threatening attacking his animals. It also provides for monetary compensation for animals destroyed by re-introduced wolves.
But, the biologist, I can hear you saying…what about their findings? The example you cite, Steven, is talking about Yellowstone Park…a PARK, for Pete’s sake, where the wolf has no competition for elk for about a third of the year, and then only moderate competition from the grizzly bears, which would rather eat berries and garbage than go hunting elk. (Don’t get me wrong: grizzlies are THE King of the Forest, and anywhere else they are! They are superb hunters. It’s just that bears in general are prodigious eaters, and will concentrate on the easiest meal around. That might be you, so keep in mind that the closer you are to a grizzly bear, the further you are from the top of the food chain.)
So, wolves are wild predators. be aware of their presence, and respect their abilities. The same goes for cats, big and small, bears of all varieties, and dogs, which as rehashed elsewhere, will be returned to their wild state after TEOTWAWKI. arrives. Of them all, I’m convinced that feral dogs pose the greatest threat, if for no other reason than the overwhelming numbers in a worst-case scenario.
There, enough kicking this dog (sorry, too easy!). This is Survival Blog.com, not Earth First or Animal Planet. Just my $1.83 worth (two cents , adjusted for inflation) – Bonehead

 

James-
Some interesting letters about the wolf problem in the Lower 48. I live west of the border from the original poster in northeastern Wisconsin. Most of the information the writer gave is unfortunately too correct. Since the early 90’s the wolf population has boomed here. Although the state census says there are only about 550 or so in the state, observation in the field around the state would tend to make you think there are considerably more than that number. The northern third of Wisconsin is considered wolf habitat, yet nearly 10 years ago they colonized the central state forests and continue to show up all the way to Illinois and Iowa. Every year several are car-killed in those areas.
In my area deer populations have really nosedived when the wolf packs took over. Essentially many of the federal, state, and county forests in the northeast part of the state have had drastic (like close to 90%) drops in deer populations. Small game has shown a similar decline. Snowshoe and cottontail have dropped below their normal low cycle and never rebounded. Walking through the bush in many places is like walking through a morgue, no sounds, no tracks, no critters. Very erie. For those doubting the efficacy of the wolf as a predator of large game, the elk restoration project in the Clam Falls area is at a virtual standstill. A news article in this past Sunday’s Wausau Herald detailed the cause as wolf predation on calves and cows. At this point the population is where it was about 8 years ago, 125 head, not the projected 500-700 head for 2007. On a high note, where wolves move in coyotes disappear, much as fox are gone when coyote take over.
As for wolf attacks on pets and livestock, they are increasing rapidly. This state has stopped compensation in most cases, instead merely issuing warnings that a particular “pack” is aggressive so don’t take dogs into “their” area. If you do you’re on your own, but of course don’t use force to protect your dogs. Many dogs are just taken from their yard, you don’t need to be running bear or hunting birds to have your dog hit. Just in the last couple weeks a local had a full grown holstein pulled down by wolves. The DNR “fish cop” that investigated felt coyotes had pulled down the 1200 pound cow. When the farmer asked about the 5 inch wide [canine] tracks all over the carcase the warden told him they were coyote! So the farmer then told the warden he’d just shoot the coyote that made the tracks and all would be well, which didn’t sit very well with the fish cop of course. This is typical of how farmers are handled now. Up until about 2001 compensation wasn’t too bad, but after that it was a case of prove the wolf had done it, tracks apparently don’t count. One gentleman over in Burnett county had something over 20 head killed and was paid for 3 as I recall.
As for human attacks, none have happened in this state (in the current era of the wolf) yet. Three times I’ve hade to push wolves out of my yard, twice while they were trying to get my dogs behind a 4 foot high fence. This is pretty much the norm if you live in the bush here. Many of the loggers now only work armed, having had too many close encounters with wolves that just hang out a few yards away while they are working. Having not been hunted these animals have no fear of humans at all. It’s not uncommon to have one walk by you in the bush, eye you up and then circle, like it’s looking for a weakness. I have never had a wolf encounter in this area where the animal runs away in fear, like coyote or bear. They might give way but always grudgingly. David Mech, the foremost wolf expert for North America has tried to encourage the DNR to begin a harvest on the animals, to keep them in check but to date nothing. I suspect the state is soaking up the wolf “recovery” federal dollars, so the longer the de-listing process takes they more they make. Mr. Mech’s greatest fear is that sooner or later a child or two will be killed, then as in the latest Indian episode all wolves will be painted with the same brush and those living in wolf country will do their damndest to change that designation by unlimited albeit illegal harvest.
The DNR doesn’t give out much in the way of wolf kill figures, but if this area is like the rest of the “wolf country” in the state, their must be 75 head that follow the Montana path to Nirvana every year. Those of us that live in the bush have gotten a little tired of the “greenies” pushing their newest pet off on us with no consequences for them. – Doubletap

Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog reader Jim K. suggests stocking up on this mondo tire sealant.

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Ready Made Resources, (our biggest advertiser) is brokering the sale of a very hard to find upgraded P-10 self-contained NBC shelter. He is selling it on behalf of an acquaintance. When sold new, these shelters sell for $100,000 with all of the options included in this one, such as the 1,000 gallon water tank and Level 4 protective entry door. (Cutting torch and .308 bullet proof!) These very rarely come up for sale in used condition, so don’t miss this chance to buy one for only one-fourth of what it would cost to buy one new. It is being sold “on site”, so you would have to pay for hauling. (About $4,000 to the Midwest, or $6,000 to the West Coast.) Please mention that you saw it on SurvivalBlog for a nifty bonus.

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SurvivalBlog reader C.G. in Ohio found this one: Some serious Food for Thought and Grounds for Further Research (FFTAGFFR) in this speech about Peak Oil at the Naval Post Graduate School

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As mentioned at the RWVA Blog, the RWVA Independence Day Celebration is scheduled for July 4th in Ramseur, North Carolina. They will celebrate the most American of holidays with rifle marksmanship events designed to test you and your equipment! They’ll start the day with some quick riflery instruction, followed by lots of hot and heavy action on the pop-up targets, along with whatever else the RWVA crew can devise to build our skills. Don’t miss it — one day of practical rifle fun like nowhere else in the nation! Time: Gates open at 8:30 am, and they’ll shoot until dark or out of ammo. Entry: $45

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"Upon the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions, who when on the dawn of victory paused to rest, and there resting died." – John Dretschmer

Three Letters Re: Recommendations on Hardening a Garage Door?

Hello James,
In reading D.A.B.’s query about hardening a Fiber Board Overhead garage door, several thoughts come to mind. All have additional questions that need to be asked. It sounds like his main concern is for the attack of his door with power tools, namely… Chainsaw. I’ll get to that in a few minutes.
How many people don’t lock the [connecting] door between their home and their garage when at home or away? When you go to get your vehicle serviced, go to work, shopping, parked in your driveway,….where is your overhead door transmitter??? A quick break of the glass, grab the button off of your visor, and boom, right into the house the bad guy goes. (I bring this up as security does nothing if holes in the program like this are not changed!). I don’t know about you, but I don’t leave my house keys with the dealership when I get service work done.This is a topic with so many things that could be of merit. Let me start with some problems that I see as areas of concern with Overhead doors:
1. Large doors = Large void of structure
2. Moving heavy items can be dangerous, (i.e.- without power)
3. As a whole, Garage doors are not the least bit secure in design
4. Seals fail on an almost predictable basis, (like 4 days after the door is installed, they just sit there and look pretty for the next 12 months before they tear and fall apart.
5. Your only as secure as your operator, (mechanical opener)
6. Just because your springs lift the door, does not mean that the ceiling will support the additional weight.
7. In a detached building scenario, overhead door security should be more commonly thought about. If the door is compromised, by the would be “burglar”, “attacker”, “whatever”, can simply close the door behind him and be hidden.
8. Doors typically don’t survive a 60mph. wind, (dependent on style and size).
The items above are to promote thought as all circumstances are different. If you are using your “building” as your retreat, … you better figure out a way to seal that door from airborne particulates. I can’t think of a single surefire way to do so. I would recommend a second door on the interior that allows you to essentially cut the air pathway in half. Spend some time designing seals on the inner door; these won’t be subject to UV-A and UV-.B so these will last longer.
I would consider having an exterior vertical overhead door, and an interior sliding door, or possible a series of manageable weight panels that can be set in place. (Again, think through your situation, (time, $, and user friendliness are all considerations that will alter the outcome of your design).
Your electrical mechanical opener is subject to attack by anyone with the electrical knowledge and a code seeking transmitter. It is best to “disable” your electricity to your door when you are not needing it. There are various Overhead Door Brand products that patent a “code dodging” technology which is better than not having it at all.
If wanting to improve the “bullet resistance” to an overhead door, I can offer no solution that would attach to the door except something ultra expensive as Kevlar. In my opinion, most other viable options would add too much weight to the door to be practical. If seeking to fortify the door from a bullet attack, I would suggest building a series of walls on the inside of the building forming a mini-stall that you can pull your vehicle into and shut the door. Again, dependant on your needs, you could build a series of walls that form a maze which you can still pull your vehicle in and around, but a stray bullet would not find its way into your retreat if the door was open. A bullet resistant wall design option like one talked about some time ago on SurvivalBlog would be relatively easy: A wall sandwiched with plywood and filled with gravel. Think of it as an interior loading dock. This does however take up considerable space in your building, so plan accordingly. D.A.B. asked if weight would be a problem. I have constructed many custom overhead doors in where I applied additional layers to an already existing door. In these applications, I had the door weighed, and kept in contact with a professional installer whom gave his advice on how fasteners should be set, and what would provide a less maintenance prone install when complete.
After weighing the door, he ordered a Torsion Spring of adequate size to aid in the lift, (if a lift type door is what we are discussing here).
To prevent a chainsaw attack, mass is not always the answer. Kevlar Chaps for loggers operate on the principle that they “gum up the teeth so bad that it stalls the motor or blade”.
I can see a multi-layered door of this fashion-
Layer 1- (the door)
Layer 2- (overlay) a layer of metal lath. Keep it loose, set it in place, and cover with your desired exterior layer.
Layer 3- (overlay the metal lath) with your desired final material to be shown from the outside of your structure, (i.e.- Masonite/ cedar/ aluminum, etc…). I would personally give the metal lath a hidden 3?4” void to[allow it to] “flop around in”. Fasten a series of 1”x 6” boards at the edges of the doors, (this is a good reinforcement for the door as the hinges should now be fastened through these as well as your door for added strength. You can drop down to 1”x 2” strips on all other seam edges. Then apply your final layer.
The metal lath, (used by masons, tile setters, and plasterer’s), is very lightweight. If the product is allowed to be loose, it will even slow the attack of a SawZall as the material simply has no rigidity (this acts much like the “gum up” theory of the loggers chaps). I would think that some metal banding like what is used to strap bunks of lumber together would work equally as well. These are very tough and very light. Stapling horizontal and vertical grid work of metal strapping (wood bundle/crate banding) maybe even a choice bonus to add to the hidden layer of metal lath, (again, loose is good). Try chain-sawing or sawzalling a loose piece of lumber banding sometime. (That is sarcasm and not intended to be tried.)
Think outside the box, and capitalize on a professional’s experience. It is so nice to do a project once! – The Wanderer

 

Mr. Rawles:
All methods of hardening a fiberboard door are inferior to getting a steel door. One way to harden against a chainsaw while you are gone is to go to a local farm supply store and buy several cattle panels. These can be cut to a length wider than your door, allowing you to bolt / unbolt and remove them when you are there. Put them up on inside and secure when you leave, remove them when you come back, use them for their intended purpose when you get a better garage door. Fiber doors are not good security doors. A sledgehammer, saw, etc., will make quick work of them. Another way is to simply block the door. Best method I have found [for defeating burglars during extended absences] is to (assuming you have the capability to move the same) pull a shipping container across the doorway and leave it. – Straightblast

 

Jim:
If D.A.B. really wants a secure door, I would suggest building double sliding doors. Each door would be one half the width of the opening, and mounted [on a top and bottom rail system] on the outside of the building. Each half would slide away from the centerline on tracks. They could be made of anything from concrete to steel. Assuming (as dangerous as that is) that D.A.B.’s steel building is the standard type, the problem is that if the door is stronger than the structure itself, the bad guys will just cut a whole in the wall of the building. I ran into this a couple of times back when I was doing security systems for a living. Your best bet is to just not let anyone know what’s in it, and make it look like there is nothing there worth stealing. ALL physical security can be defeated with a bit of work. The objective is to increase the amount of work it takes to beat the security to the point where it’s not worth the effort. There are very few of us that can afford physical security that would take more than a few tools, and a little sweat to defeat. Camouflage is much more effective than any lock. – Fanderal

JWR Replies: Given enough time, any physical security structure can be defeated. In essence, they serve only as delays rather than absolute safeguards. Serious burglars will have access to bolt cutters, abrasive cutoff wheels, chainsaws, SawzAlls, and probably oxyacetylene cutting torches. They might even have more exotic tools such as a Magmafusion cutting rod/torch or fire-rescue “Jaws of Life.” To have truly effective security, you need to have someone living at your retreat full time, or at least nearby neighbors that can watch your place.

Three Letters Re: Recommended Guns for Left-Handed Shooters?

Jim:
Some of us just ignore our left-eye dominance and train to work with it instead of training out of it. 😉 I don’t have much trouble with mine.
Kit @ Forevervain.com

 

Hi Jim,
I am cursed with being a Left Eye Dominant, Right Handed shooter. To further confuse things, I shoot pistols Right Handed and rifles Left Handed. After getting back into the gentlemanly sport of firearms in 1999 and doing much research, I looked for guns with ejection paths that did not scare me. I found that although Benelli has Left Handed models available, their Right Handed semi-automatic shotguns worked just fine when shot Left Handed. I ended up with the predecessor to the “M2 Tactical”. I love the Glock for its K.I.S.S. design (no confusing external safety levers) and have become a Glockaholic. Finally, my Bushmaster AR-15 (16”) is just so cute to shoot.

Today, seven years later, I am still satisfied with my choices. However, I am toying with the idea of getting a “true” Left Handed AR-15 design from Stag Arms in New Britain, Connecticut. The downside is that their rifle uses proprietary parts that would not be available in a post SHTF scenario. But, Jim… I have this lust for one. LOL! Regards, – Doug S. in Connecticut

 

James:
Stag Arms makes a very nice left handed [variant of the] AR-15. My best friend has one and it shoots just as well as my right handed one. They are reasonably priced, too. – D.C.

JWR Replies: My guidance on the Stag Arms rifle is the same as that for any other firearm that uses unique or proprietary parts: Buy a lot of spare parts. And be certain that the spares are truly “drop in” replacements, that do not require hand fitting. Otherwise, you may end up with a useless ornament instead of a practical tool for post-TEOTWAWKI.

 

Odds ‘n Sods:

Ready for a North Korean EMP Attack?

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Jason in North Idaho mentioned S-Meter.com: Some Great Ham Radio Info and Forums

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Is silver becoming more rare than gold?

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Lots of SurvivalBlog readers patronize Northern Tool & Equipment, one of our biggest affiliate advertisers. The great news is that for our readers in the UK, we just signed an affiliate agreement with Great stuff. Check them out. If you place an order, we get a little piece of the action. Thanks.

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Mr. Bravo mentioned A fascinating piece from The Annals of Internal Medicine on “Planning for Avian Influenza.” Speaking of influenza preparedness, be sure to order your copy of my preparedness course at the special introductory price. If you wait until July 5th, the price will jump to nearly $150!

Note From The Memsahib:

We couldn’t resist picking up some sheep for the ranch from a local family that will soon be moving across the country. They had way too many animals to take with them and were willing to deal. It is a small flock of Jacob sheep. This breed is usually considered more of a “fiber” breed rather than a meat breed because of their smaller size. But, we like them for meat because of their lean carcass. Also their smaller size makes them a lot easier for me to handle by myself. They are white sheep with black spots (“piebald”), and often have four horns.They are very decorative little sheep and sell well as pets to hobby farmers. We got a nice four horned ram and three ewe lambs.

Note From JWR:

I recently stumbled into an amazing cache of books from an estate, at a bargain price. These are all our kind of books: preparedness, self-sufficiency, homesteading, gardening, canning, shooting, retreat architecture, livestock, recipes, carpentry. metal working, outdoor survival, NBC protection, fire and burglary protection, offshore relocation, and a few “hard money” investing books. I’ve just added these 50+ books to my mail order catalog, all at very reasonable prices. They are first come, first served. Please let me know via e-mail which ones that you want me to set aside for you. OBTW, I pay for the postage and tracking on any order over $50 sent to a U.S. address.

Letter Re: Guns for Unobtrusive Backpack Stowage

James:
I am a long time fan of the products from Kel-Tec in Florida. They offer stuff that is affordable, practical and strong. They have gained well deserved notoriety from their credit-card sized .32 and .380 pistols and their folding .223 rifles, but this is not the only compact rifle they offer. Their best backpack offering is the Sub-2000, a folding pistol-caliber rifle that, when collapsed, is only 16.5″ long. It is available in 9mm or .40 S&W, and you choose which type of pistol magazines it feeds from when you buy it (Glock, Beretta, SIG, S&W). Mine is a .40 S&W and feeds from Glock [M23] magazines, so that I have interchangeability between my sidearm and long gun ammo and magazines. It fits handily into a day pack, which is even more stealthy than a full sized backpack. It fits inside the semi-hidden water-bladder pouch in my Camelbak, even when it’s full of water. When hidden behind a half-full water bladder it is very difficult to find even if you’re doing a hand-search of the pack. I’ve had law enforcement friends search it to see if they could find it. None did, unless I told them there was a something in it and to keep looking. The weight of the rifle is concealed beautifully by the water bladder, so it doesn’t even seem heavy enough to be hiding something.
There is a short tac-rail you can purchase that can be used to add a light, laser, pistol grip forend or some combination. The stock is slotted for a single-point sling. It comes with a key that can be used to lock the rifle in the folded position which provides a method to preclude un-authorized use, but there is no way that the lock can possibly interfere with any of the firing components when it’s not in use (unlike many other manufacturer’s built-in locks).
Practical accuracy and “shootability” is very good. I can usually hit a soda can at the 100 yard berm 13 out of 15 shots from offhand. My best bench group is in the 2.25″ range at 100 yards. They are very stealthy too, with a report that is about the same as a .22 LR carbine. Reliability is unprecedented. Mine has never had a single malfunction in over 5,000 rounds fired. Standard velocity ball isn’t much improved in the longer barrel, but any of the hotter defense ammo gets quite a pick up in speed and lethality. CorBon 165 grain loads leave the muzzle a good 150 f.p.s. faster than they do out of a standard pistol barrel. Price is under the $300 mark at most dealers. This is the best stealth carbine ever. – P.M.

JWR Replies: I have never been a big believer in pistol caliber carbines. I’ve met far too many consulting clients that have become enamored with them, at the expense of substantial defensive weapons. Plain and simple: pistol caliber carbines are no substitute for a rifle firing full power cartridges. They are not up to the task of reliably stopping men that seek to do you harm. Buy yourself a .308 and accessories first, and then if your budget permits it consider getting a pistol caliber carbine. With that said, I do see the utility of pistol caliber carbines for specialized purposes such as small game hunting and concealed carry. Again, only if they are seen in their proper role as supplements to a proper battery of full-power battle rifles. In their specialized role, I agree the that the Kel-Tec is one of the best.

Full points, BTW, for your Camelbak concealed carry idea, P.M.. Clever, clever! Most SurvivalBlog readers already own a Camelbak. (If they don’t, they should!) Methinks that the same technique could be used for carrying handguns or other small weapons. Camelbaks (or comparable clones) are available from some of our advertisers like Captain Dave’s and Ready Made Resources, as well as several of our Affiliate advertisers. You might check of these: Backcountry.com,  Altrec.com Outdoors, Paragon Sports,  and Moosejaw.com Outfitters

Letter Re: Positive Feedback on Safecastle

Hello Jim!
I hope things are great for you and your family. I just thought that I would take the time to provide you with another bit of positive support regarding one of your sponsors. Vic at Safecastle, LLC is a great person. In May, I made a large purchase from him. At the time of ordering, I received an excellent discount for being a survivalblog reader. In addition, Vic also took the time to answer each of my emails very quickly and provided me with an expected date of delivery. Sure enough, it turned out that Vic was “dead on!” The probable date of shipment turned out to be exactly right. I received the cases delivered right into my garage. It is with much admiration that I write this to notify others in the survivalblog community to order your Mountain House cases from Vic. He’s a great guy!
Also, thanks for making it possible for all of us to purchase your “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course. I have gone ahead and purchased mine and hope that others will do so. All “Ten Cent Challenge” supporters like myself are encouraged to do this as another way of saying “thanks, Jim” for the helpful information that you provide to us all. While at it, hopefully more people will continue to support the blog by at least putting up the money asked for in your 10 Cent Challenge. Take care and thanks a lot for everything that you have done for the masses through your blog. – David M.