Preparedness Notes for Monday — December 7, 2020

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Some sad news: I just heard of the death of economist Dr. Walter E. Williams. He was always my favorite fill-in radio host when Rush Limbaugh was traveling. The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) has posted 30 of his best quotes on Liberty, Rights, Property, and Coercions. Rest in Peace, Walter Williams. Our condolences to his family.

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On December 7, 1941, America was caught sleeping. Then there was that September morning, in 2001. Please pray that nothing like those days ever happens again. – JWR

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Today we are presenting another product review by our Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio.

Taurus G3 Versus G3C, by Pat Cascio

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I recently covered the Taurus G2C in a product review article, and it was an outstanding little gun. Unfortunately, Taurus didn’t manufacture a G2 full-sized version. This has been corrected with the all-new Taurus G3 full-sized pistol, and their new G3C. While these two guns appear to be identical to the G2 with a quick glance at the guns side-by-side. But in fact they are really two different models. They just appear to be similar.

Let’s start way back when – when I was the Investigations Manager for a big private detective agency, back in Chicago, Illinois – I was also the company armorer, maintaining all the revolvers that the uniformed security guards used, that were issued to them by the company. The company’s inventory was mainly Taurus Model 65 .38 Special revolvers, with 4-inch barrels. There were a few S&W revolvers, but those weren’t normally issued to the rank and file. Back then, in the early 1980s, Taurus revolvers weren’t known to be all that durable, and then when issued to security guards, who totally abused those guns – I was kept busy repairing those guns all the time. I kept a good inventory of spare parts on-hand at all times. So, I know the workings of Taurus revolvers very well, and what parts would break, and what wouldn’t break.

Over the years, Taurus has updated and upgraded their entire line of handguns, and I’ll put many (not all) of them up against some of the best in the business. I do have reservations about some of their 1911-style pistols – it just seems to be hit or miss with them. You either get an outstanding 1911 that was actually fitted, or one that was simply assembled. Wish Taurus would get their act together on this grand ol’ pistol, and do them all up “right.”

The Full-Size G3

Let’s take a look at the all-new Taurus G3 full-sized model first. It has a 4-inch barrel, and only weighs in at 24.83 ounces. It has fixed sights, with the usual 3-dot white sights – two in the rear sight and one on the front sight – and to be sure, this ear sight is only adjustable for windage – not elevation. The good news is that, the sights were dead-on at 25-yards – in the past, many of the Taurus polymer-framed handguns I tested had their rear sight shooting too low. Plus, it is my understanding that, you can replace these sights with the same sights used on a GLOCK model 17 or 19 – that’s great news, if you want night sights or just a better sight picture. The slide is made out of carbon steel, with a Tenifer finish on it – and the G3 version comes in various colors – and you can even get a stainless steel slide. The frame is black polymer, and has one of the best “feels” or grip you will find. The slightly aggressive roughness is just the right “grit” for a sure hold under all weather conditions.Continue reading“Taurus G3 Versus G3C, by Pat Cascio”

Recipe of the Week: Hillbilly Collard Greens, by Animal House

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The following recipe for Hillbilly Collard Greens was kindly submitted by SurvivalBlog reader Animal House.

Ingredients
  • 2 qts of beef broth
  • 1 clove of garlic diced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 or 2 cans of diced tomatoes and green chilies
  • 5 to 6 pounds of fresh collard greens, stemmed and cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 TBS brown sugar (optional, for children)
  • 1 pound of sliced polish sausage
Directions

The following are directions for cooking this for a dinner, as well as those for pressure canning

With either, use a large dutch oven (or slow cooker) to simmer collards.

Directions For Dinner:

Add beef broth, diced garlic and onion and tomatoes and green chilies to the dutch oven and bring to boil. Taste broth before adding salt and pepper to your taste.

Add the collards a bit at a time to allow for wilting. Stir collards to immerse in the broth. Broth should cover collards; add more broth or water as needed.

Let simmer about 4-5 hours. If using a dutch oven, stir occasionally so that they don’t burn.

After collards have simmered for 3 or 4 hours, taste to determine if additional spices need to be added, but don’t over spice if you are using these for canning.

Add the sliced polish sausage to the collards and let simmer another hour, stirring occasionally.

If you have young children you may want to add a tablespoon of brown sugar, stir well before serving for dinner.

Directions for Pressure Canning Collards:

If you are only making for pressure canning, add all ingredients to dutch oven, but do not add brown sugar, and simmer for 1 hour before placing in canning jars and pressure canning. Pressure can pints for 60 min at 10/11 pound pressure for lower elevations or longer at higher pressure based on your elevation.

SERVING

Serve with jalapeno corn bread.

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Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at predictions for crude oil prices. (See the Commodities section.)

Precious Metals:

Platinum Begins A New Rally – Gold And Silver Will Follow

o  o  o

CME Lowers Silver Margins $1000, Shorts Covering?

o  o  o

JP Morgan Is “Dominating” Gold And Silver Prices

Economy & Finance:

There’s a New $908 Billion Stimulus Proposal on the Table. Here’s What’s Inside

o  o  o

At Zero Hedge: The State of the American Office: Suddenly Emptying Out Again Under the Second Wave

o  o  o

A D.K. interview:  Fed to BUY IT ALL with Devalued Dollars — Lyn Alden

o  o  o

At Wolf Street: Junk Bond Yields Hit Record Low: Most Distorted Markets Ever

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Mankind soon learn to make interested uses of every right and power which they possess, or may assume. The public money and public liberty, intended to have been deposited with three branches of magistracy, but found inadvertently to be in the hands of one only, will soon be discovered to be sources of wealth and dominion to those who hold them… They [the assembly] should look forward to a time, and that not a distant one, when a corruption in this, as in the country from which we derive our origin, will have seized the heads of government, and be spread by them through the body of the people; when they will purchase the voices of the people, and make them pay the price. Human nature is the same on every side of the Atlantic, and will be alike influenced by the same causes. The time to guard against corruption and tyranny, is before they shall have gotten hold of us. It is better to keep the wolf out of the fold, than to trust to drawing his teeth and talons after he shall have entered.” – Thomas Jefferson

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — December 6, 2020

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Today is the birthday of “claymation” artist and filmmaker Nick Park (born, 1958.) He is best known for his Wallace & Gromit films.

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On December 6th, 1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, ending the institution of slavery. “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (a $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. Naturally Cozy is donating a “Prepper Pack” Menstrual Kit.  This kit contains 18 pads and it comes vacuum-sealed for long term storage or slips easily into a bugout bag.  The value of this kit is $220.
  5. An assortment of products along with a one-hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $150 purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Round 92 ends on January 31, 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.

 

Your Smartbooks and Battlebooks, by G.P.

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During in-processing to Army Basic Training many years ago, my fellow trainees and I were issued two little books. They were cheaply-made and thin, about 3” x 5” with the longer dimension being their width. One had an orange paper cover, which was for all basic trainees. The other had a white cover, that was for trainees in the specialty of combat engineer. These were always to be carried in our pockets over the next three months.

The contents of these pocket-sized books were cram sheets for the material we were supposed to be learning. They were the condensed and most crucial items that could otherwise be found scattered in a shelf full of military manuals. The little books had diagrams and sketches to illustrate the minimal texts. During any idle time, the drill sergeants expected us to at least be pretending to review the material in the books. Sometimes we would be quizzed on the information, and almost all of it was material that we would be tested on sooner or later. These little books were called smartbooks. The U.S. Army still uses that term, and at least one civilian publisher does, as well. The more recent iterations are thicker and published under the title Soldier’s Manual of Common Tasks (SMCT.)

The intent was always to convey needed information as economically and conveniently as possible. The information is usually technical in nature: arming and disarming landmines, specifications of US weapons, diagrams of tactics, how to install barbed wire obstacles, and so forth. Smartbooks are still being produced by the U.S. Army. For example, there is now a doctrine smartbook that provides a 120-page summary of official training and operational doctrine.

Civilian equivalents exist, of course, such as Glover’s Pocket Reference or the Ugly’s Plumbing and Ugly’s Electrical references. And there are lots of examples exist in the academic world of test prep and study aids, naturally. Many of us will remember using flashcards to improve our recall and understanding of different subjects.Continue reading“Your Smartbooks and Battlebooks, by G.P.”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” – Mark 6:1-13 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — December 5, 2020

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On December 5th, 1964, the first Medal of Honor awarded to a serviceman for action in Vietnam was presented to Captain Roger Donlon of Saugerties, New York. Captain Donlon and his Special Forces team were manning Camp Nam Dong, a mountain outpost near the borders of Laos and North Vietnam. Just before two o’clock in the morning on July 6, 1964, hordes of Viet Cong attacked the camp. He was shot in the stomach, but Donlon stuffed a handkerchief into the wound, cinched up his belt, and kept fighting. He was wounded three more times, but he continued fighting–manning a mortar, throwing grenades at the enemy, and refusing medical attention.

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I just heard about this new 24-acre property listing near Missoula, Montana: Off-Grid Cabin in the American Redoubt.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (a $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. Naturally Cozy is donating a “Prepper Pack” Menstrual Kit.  This kit contains 18 pads and it comes vacuum-sealed for long term storage or slips easily into a bugout bag.  The value of this kit is $220.
  5. An assortment of products along with a one-hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $150 purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Round 92 ends on January 31, 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.

Modifying the Pelican 2620 HeadsUP Lite, by The Novice

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I was happily browsing through the wares in one of my favorite local thrift stores. This pleasant, inexpensive pastime has often led me to unexpected treasures. Most of my shirts, boots, books, small electronics, and a myriad of other useful items have originated as other people’s castoffs.

On this particular day, on a shelf piled high with tired-looking cordless phones, slightly battered clock radios, and orphaned wall warts, something caught my eye. It was a well-worn headlamp, a Pelican 2620 HeadsUP Lite. I already had a Coast HX4 that I was quite pleased with (SurvivalBlog published my review of it on April 8, 2020). But in spite of its scuffed exterior, the Pelican unit appealed to me. It appeared to be constructed of a heavy-gauge polymer material, it was priced at only 50 cents, and it was assembled in the USA. I thought it might be useful as a back-up, if nothing else. After all, “Two is one, and one is none.” So I put the headlamp into the cart that my wife was pushing, paid for it at the checkout, and gave it a new home on a shelf in my workshop.

The headlamp sat there, half-forgotten, throughout the long days of summer. Autumn brought shorter days. I found myself working outside before sunrise and after sunset more and more often. More time working in the dark reminded me of a major weakness of the Coast HX4: it is only rated for three and a half hours of continuous use. The batteries needed to be replaced on a fairly regular basis, occasionally at inopportune times. Finally one day I decided to give the Pelican 2620 a closer look. I was surprised to find that it is rated for up to 80 hours of continuous use. I was certain that this was a typo, but decided to give it a try.

Initial Impressions

The 2620 is held in place by a head band rather than a visor clip like the HX4. It is heavier than the HX4, but since the band holds it closer to the head, the perceived weight is actually about the same. The 2620 is highly water resistant. At least one user reports that it can be used under water, although I have my doubts. The beefy switch, which is easy to manipulate even with gloves on, clicks authoritatively between three settings: Off, LED, and Xenon.Continue reading“Modifying the Pelican 2620 HeadsUP Lite, by The Novice”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

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To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. Note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

I have Elk Creek Company on hiatus again, for the month of December.  Thanks for your patience. I’m traveling out of state to assist an elderly relative and to gather inventory. I’ve just cataloged 15 recently-acquired guns, and have plans to add at least four more, while I’m here. I’ll resume taking orders on January 1st, 2021. Please mark your calendar.  I expect to get a big rush of orders around Inauguration Day.

In addition to my regular exercise and chores here, I brought along one of my chainsaws. I’ve already used that to lop off one stump at ground level. More yard work is planned.

Now, over to Lily…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 

Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.” – Psalm 52 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — December 4, 2020

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December 4th is the birthday of Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, (born 1912) an AVG “Flying Tiger” volunteer pilot for the Chinese Nationalist government, WWII Marine Corps aviator, and Medal of Honor recipient. (He died January 11, 1988.) A proto-Redoubter, Pappy Boyington was born in Couer d’Alene, Idaho, and was raised in Spokane, Washington.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 92 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (a $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  2. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, that have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. Naturally Cozy is donating a “Prepper Pack” Menstrual Kit.  This kit contains 18 pads and it comes vacuum-sealed for long term storage or slips easily into a bugout bag.  The value of this kit is $220.
  5. An assortment of products along with a one-hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  4. A transferable $150 purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Round 92 ends on January 31, 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.