Zero Tolerance 0223, by Pat Cascio

8

I’m a real sucker, for a well-made, and stout knife, especially when it comes to folders. I carry two folders in my front cargo pants pockets each day. And when out hiking, I’ll carry a fixed blade knife, as a rule. However, folders get used every single day for some chores around our small homestead. I’ve written about this before, but for who might have missed it, I prefer an Everyday Carry folder, with a blade between 3.5-inches and 4- inches long, and I like a blade right around 3.75-inches long – just seems to balance better in my hand and it does everything I ask of it.

I don’t like “junk” knives, and we all know one when we see or handle one. They look pretty, however, they are made out of junk steel, and more often than not, the steel isn’t even heat-treated. Most of those knives come dull, and just won’t take an edge, and if you manage to get some kind of an edge on it, it won’t last long at all. And, be sure to never apply too much pressure on the locking mechanism, because it will surely fail on you and you might lose a couple of fingers.

Simply put, if a knife isn’t well-made and has high-quality materials in it, then I have zero interest in owning one or even testing one. Over the years, I’ve flat out sent knives like that back to whoever sent them to me for testing. I won’t waste my time, or our reader’s time on testing junk – period!

Zero Tolerance is a division of the KAI Corporation, and KAI owns Kershaw Knives. The Zero Tolerance line of products is made in the Kershaw factory right here in Oregon – my home state. However, keep in mind that the ZT line is manufactured using only the best of the best materials, and the prices reflect that, too. Look, there is nothing wrong with the Kershaw line. They have some outstanding knives out there, and I can be seen carrying a Kershaw folder quite often. They are a great bargain if you ask me. Some of them are made overseas, and some made in the USA – and I can’t tell the difference – high-quality and care in each folder – no matter where it comes from. And, to be sure, those knives made overseas are not made in slave labor prison factories.

However, I do love products made in the good ol’ United States of America, and that’s where the Zero Tolerance line comes into play. All ZT knives are made in the USA – don’t forget that. And, the time and materials involved in producing these knives cost a lot more than you think. The ZT line of knives comes from the minds of some of our best custom knife makers and they have to be compensated for their work, too. I’ve been on-board ever since I saw the first few Zero Tolerance prototypes during a visit to the Kershaw plant. I’ve tested and written about a variety of the ZT knives, and never had any problems with any of them. They are custom-quality in all respects. Also, when compared to many custom-made folders, the ZT line-up is actually better made than those from custom knife makers. Of course, you get them at a fraction of the price, that one would cost from a custom knifemaker.

Zero Tolerance 0223Today we’re looking at the Zero Tolerance Model 0223, and this one is a bit different than some of the other folders I’ve tested from ZT. First of all, it resembles a Soviet-style bayonet, of course it is not that big, but at first glance, it looks like it could go on the end of an AK-47. This folder was designed by Tim Galyean, and if you don’t know who he is, then do a web search on his name. He is quite the knife designer. This folder has a deep clip point blade – making it ideal for a lot of different chores, one that comes to mind is as a hunting knife, used for dressing out big game – that clip point blade will get the job done in short order. There is also heavy “jimping” on the spine of the blade – friction grooves, if you will. There are also some decorative holes drilled in the ricasso echo on the jimping.Continue reading“Zero Tolerance 0223, by Pat Cascio”

Recipe of the Week: Candied Citrus Peels

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The following recipe for candied citrus peels is from The New Butterick Cook Book, by Flora Rose, co-head of the School of Home Economics at Cornell University. It was published in 1924. A professional scan of that 724-page out-of-copyright book will be one of the bonus items in the next edition of the waterproof SurvivalBlog Archive USB stick. This 15th Anniversary Edition USB stick should be available for sale in the third week of January, 2021.

Ingredients
  • Citrus Peels (Oranges, Lemons or Grapefruit)
  • Salt
  • Water
  • White Sugar
Directions
  1. Cut the peel of oranges, lemons or grapefruit into halves, quarters, or narrow strips, depending on your preference and intended use.
  2. Let them stand overnight in salted water (one tablespoon salt to one quart of water).
  3. Drain and wash thoroughly.
  4. Cook the peels in a pot of boiling water, changing the water repeatedly until it loses its bitter flavor. (You can skip changing the water if you like your candied peels extra tangy. But beware that this might leave some bitterness.)
  5. When peels are tender, drain.
  6. Make a syrup of equal measures of water and sugar.
  7. Boil for five minutes
  8. Cut the peel pieces into strips or leave it whole.
  9. Add the peels to the syrup and cook in a large saucepan until the peel becomes transparent.
  10. If necessary, a small amount of boiling water may be added.
  11. Drain on a platter or plates.  Let the peel dry for 30 minutes.
  12. Roll in granulated sugar.
SERVING

Serve as a dessert topping, or as a candy dish, in its own right.

STORAGE

These will store well for weeks in a dry canning jar, if they’ve been dried sufficiently.

—

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 examine the very troubled airline industry, internationally. (See the Economy & Finance section.)

Precious Metals:

Gold prices back off 9-year highs, bulls still strong

o  o  o

Update: Spot silver went over $19.80 USD per Troy ounce this morning. I can foresee both futures and spot silver surpassing $20, shortly.

o  o  o

Gold to Platinum Ratio for the Last 5 Years. JWR’s Comment:  As I’ve mentioned before, this is a good time to ratio trade some of your physical gold for physical platinum. Ideally, you should buy either U.S. Mint Platinum Liberty coins or Platinum Canadian Maple Leaf coins. The most successful traders are the observant few who catch the ends of the pendulum swings.

Economy & Finance:

At Zero Hedge: The IRS Is Paying Out 3% To 5% Compounded Daily Interest On Almost All Refunds Issued After April 15 This Year

o  o  o

Reader H.L. suggested this piece: The “Biblical” Default Wave Arrives: Here Is The Avalanche Of Bankruptcies Unleashed By Coronavirus

o  o  o

At Wolf Street: These Airlines, Financial Black Holes for Years, Now Face the Pandemic

o  o  o

Delta’s Passenger Revenue -94%. How it Plans to Stay Alive till “Demand Returns.” Confirms United’s Warning About Newly Waning Demand

o  o  o

Greyerz – Get Ready For 2021 And “The Great Reset”Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

2

“Poor, wretched, and stupid peoples, nations determined on your own misfortune and blind to your own good! You let yourselves be deprived before your own eyes of the best part of your revenues; your fields are plundered, your homes robbed, your family heirlooms taken away. You live in such a way that you cannot claim a single thing as your own; and it would seem that you consider yourselves lucky to be loaned your property, your families, and your very lives. All this havoc, this misfortune, this ruin, descends upon you not from alien foes, but from the one enemy whom you yourselves render as powerful as he is, for whom you go bravely to war, for whose greatness you do not refuse to offer your own bodies unto death. He who thus domineers over you has only two eyes, only two hands, only one body, no more than is possessed by the least man among the infinite numbers dwelling in your cities; he has indeed nothing more than the power that you confer upon him to destroy you. Where has he acquired enough eyes to spy upon you, if you do not provide them yourselves? How can he have so many arms to beat you with, if he does not borrow them from you? The feet that trample down your cities, where does he get them if they are not your own? How does he have any power over you except through you? How would he dare assail you if he had no cooperation from you? What could he do to you if you yourselves did not connive with the thief who plunders you, if you were not accomplices of the murderer who kills you, if you were not traitors to yourselves? You sow your crops in order that he may ravage them, you install and furnish your homes to give him goods to pillage; you rear your daughters that he may gratify his lust; you bring up your children in order that he may confer upon them the greatest privilege he knows — to be led into his battles, to be delivered to butchery, to be made the servants of his greed and the instruments of his vengeance; you yield your bodies unto hard labor in order that he may indulge in his delights and wallow in his filthy pleasures; you weaken yourselves in order to make him the stronger and the mightier to hold you in check. From all these indignities, such as the very beasts of the field would not endure, you can deliver yourselves if you try, not by taking action, but merely by willing to be free. Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break in pieces.” – Étienne de la Boétie, Discours de la servitude volontaire (The Politics of Obedience)

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — July 19, 2020

In honor of the birthday weekend of both Samuel Colt and Gaston Glock (both born July 19th), I am running a special sale at Elk Creek Company. Most of my antique gun prices have been reduced, and I’m including the bonus of an autographed hardback copy of my novel Expatriates with the first 20 orders received. The sale will end at 9 PM Pacific Time tonight — Sunday, July 19th, 2020.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 89 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models.
  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 (an $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, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  4. 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).
  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. 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.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. 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 89 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Be Ready to Repair Your Rifles, by O.T.D.

35

There is nothing like the joy of acquiring another firearm and more ammo. Once you are approaching that magic number of firearms and ammo you think you need, what could go wrong? You have taken each firearm to the range and have run it through the paces. You can shoot straight, quickly, and are having a great old time. Your ammo stocks are enough to support at least a squad of infantry.

As I shoot more and use different firearms I have a better feeling of which rifles run better as far as ease of use, and are less prone to failure. The more you shoot the more you will see failures of equipment and mistakes in reloading the firearm. These can put you right out of business at least for that range trip or worse in a dire situation kill you. I will first go through what I feel is the best rifle for those who will only have one, and then some of the problems I have had over the last couple of years. I am probably not unique. It is good to recognize some of these common gunsmithing problems.

Selecting a rifle

If you can only have one semi-automatic rifle then it should be the simplest to run and be in a common caliber. I am not talking about pistol caliber rifles here. The common calibers are .223/.556 (.22 bore diameter) and 7.62×39 (.30 bore diameter) a Russian caliber, both being widely available, reasonably inexpensive. I know there are many other larger calibers but they tend to be quite a bit more expensive and in most cases the recoil is heavy.

I have rifles in both calibers and tend to gravitate towards the 7.62×39 as it is relatively more inexpensive to shoot. Some AR-15s, most AK47s, and all SKSes can shoot this round so which rifle to choose comes down to how much they cost, how reliable are they, the availability of parts, and how easy are they to run.Continue reading“Be Ready to Repair Your Rifles, by O.T.D.”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

1

“For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

For ye are our glory and joy.” – 1 Thessalonians 2 (KJV)

 

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — July 18, 2020

4

In honor of the birthday weekend of both Samuel Colt and Gaston Glock (both were born July 19th), I am running a special sale at Elk Creek Company. The majority of my antique gun prices have been reduced, and I’ll include the bonus of an autographed hardback copy of my novel Expatriates with the first 20 orders received. The sale is now in progress and will end at 9 PM Pacific Time, on Sunday, July 19th, 2020.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 89 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models.
  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 (an $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, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  4. 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).
  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. 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.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. 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 89 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Inexpensive Expanding 7.62×39 Ammunition, by Tunnel Rabbit

62

Most people have ARs that they do not know how to keep running long term. If folks will not get the training needed to keep the AR reliable, then they would be far better off with an AK variant rifle or carbine. I have both.  My handloaded 5.56×45 ammunition using Hornady 55 grain FMJ bullets with 23.4 grains of IMR 3031 powder is right at 1 minute of angle (MOA), and 2,900 feet per second (fps) out of a 16-inch barrel.  I would have used a soft point, but the FMJ was all that was available for the trade made to acquire it. BTW, Varget is not the only powder that produces accurate loads in 5.56.

While I appreciate the fact that “only accurate rifles are interesting”, I am also interested in the superior knockdown power, or ability to quickly incapacitate, and the simple manual of arms of the AK-47 variant rifles that are well suited for the untrained masses, that are most folks.  I am still concerned that the first four AR-15, and one AR-10 rifles that I handled all failed with in the first few rounds. This is because the untrained owners handed me their AR’s that were not properly maintained.  I did manage to clean and lubricate three of theses rifle for their owners.  Unfortunately, all but one of the rifles was put back in storage, and the owner never learned.  One of the owners was a combat vet who failed to lubricate the rifle properly.  Another rifle needed the chamber honed, and better springs. That rifle was brand new from the factory and yet it still failed.  Fortunately, my experience with AK rifles has been far more positive.  Not only are these rifles reliable when not properly maintained, but they are simple to use, and are much more potent than 5.56 rifles within the range most combat occur–150 yards or less– if the correct ammunition is used.  In this article, I will explain briefly why.

Because 7.62×39 FMJ ammunition lacks the velocity and energy of 7.62mm NATO, it has earned a reputation for wounding. 5.56mm NATO also deserves that same reputation.  Fortunately, there are now inexpensive and reliable expanding bullets made for 7.62×39 that are game-changers.Continue reading“Inexpensive Expanding 7.62×39 Ammunition, by Tunnel Rabbit”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

109

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:

This past week we did some hiking and caught up on our chores. We also took a trip to the vicinity of Lewiston, Idaho, to pick up a set of shelves. These large, adjustable plywood shelves were a swap for some autographed books, a SurvivalBlog archive stick, and some consulting time with “R.” — one of our blog readers.   This unit is six feet wide and seven feet tall. It has more than 100 horizontal slots. Those shelves are now used to house the pistol and revolver inventory for Elk Creek Company. There is plenty of extra space for holsters, un-barreled Mauser actions, bayonets, Savage Four-Tenners, bags of gun parts, and other small items. It will be a welcome change to have all of that inventory available, well-organized, and available at just a glance. That will sure beat digging through a pile of pistol rugs!

Now, over to Lily…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

2

“How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.

They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:

Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

 The Lord hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.

For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,

They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.” – Lamentations 4:1-14 (KJV)

 

Preparedness Notes for Friday — July 17, 2020

2

July 17th, 1889 was the birthdate of Erle Stanley Gardner. He was an American lawyer and author. Though best known for the Perry Mason series of detective stories, he wrote numerous other novels and shorter pieces, as well as a series of nonfiction books, mostly narrations of his travels through Baja California and other regions in Mexico.

The best-selling American author of the 20th century at the time of his death, Gardner also published under numerous pseudonyms, including A.A. Fair, Kyle Corning, Charles M. Green, Carleton Kendrake, Charles J. Kenny, Les Tillray and Robert Parr.

—

In honor of the birthday weekend of both Samuel Colt and Gaston Glock (both were born July 19th), I am running a special sale at Elk Creek Company. Many antique gun prices have been reduced, and I’ll include the bonus of an autographed hardback copy of my novel Expatriates with the first 20 orders. The sale begins today (Friday, July 17th, 2020 and will end at 9 PM Pacific Time, on Sunday, July 19th, 2020.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 89 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models.
  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 (an $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, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  3. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  4. 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).
  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. 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.
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. 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 89 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Hawkeye’s First Gun – Part 2, by The Novice

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(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)

—

First Impressions

The safety on the MAPP FS 9mm was a little stiff at first, but became easier to manipulate with use. The grip was comfortable, unusually small for a double stack 9 mm. The grip angle is also good, so that the sights line up naturally when the handgun is raised to eye level.

There was some initial creep in the single action trigger before a crisp break. The double action pull was long and hard, but since there is no decocker, I would not recommend using the gun in double action mode anyway.

The finish on the parkerized slide matches the polymer frame well.

I read the entire manual, and did not notice anything particularly surprising. They do recommend not firing +P ammunition in the firearm.

The slide is a little stiffer to rack than I would expect.

I attempted to attach a Mantis X10 Shooting Performance System device to the integrated accessory rail, and found the rail just slightly too large to accommodate the device. If I owned the gun, I might polish the rail down a little, but did not feel at liberty to do this with a borrowed firearm.

I function checked the magazines and verified that they do indeed hold 16 rounds each, although the last couple of rounds are somewhat difficult to squeeze in.

Breaking In

Many firearms makers recommend a breaking-in period of between 200 and 500 rounds or so. I wanted to simulate that process without using up a large amount of ammunition in the midst of an ammo shortage. So in the course of the next couple of days I racked the slide and dry fired the handgun a total of more than 500 times.Continue reading“Hawkeye’s First Gun – Part 2, by The Novice”

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 four inflated currencies headed for the ash heap of history. (See the Forex section.)

Precious and Base Metals:

U.S. Mint Bullion Coin Shortage Continues During Pandemic

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William Luther at the Cato Institute: Where Have All the Coins Gone?

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Interview: Gold FAQs: Prices, Privacy, Taxes, Portfolio, & Storage — Andy Schectman

Economy & Finance:

From a liberal think tank:  Chart Book: Tracking the Post-Great Recession Economy

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At Zero Hedge: The “Too Big To Fail” Banks Are Getting Ready For Their Worst Quarter Since The Financial Crisis

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At Wolf Street: Unemployment Claims Hit New Record: 32.9 Million State & Federal. Week 16 of U.S. Labor Market Collapse

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”