JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on buying an arm-braced Remington Tac-14 shotgun. (See the Gear section.)

Books:

Idaho for the Curious: A Guide

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Never Cry Halibut: and Other Alaska Hunting and Fishing Tales

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The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic Adventure

 

Movies & Television:

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

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Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party. This fascinating Dinesh d’Souza documentary is available on DVD, or for free streaming to those with Amazon Prime.

 

Continue reading“JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Strength is the outcome of need; security sets a premium on feebleness. The work of ameliorating the conditions of life — the true civilizing process that makes life more and more secure — had gone steadily on to a climax… And the harvest was what I saw.” – H.G. Wells, The Time Machine

SurvivalBlog’s New Classified Ads

SurvivalBlog’s editors are pleased to introduce a new classified ad service, designed specifically for individual preppers to list your personally-owned items and artisan skills/tools for exchange, sale, or as wanted. These classified ads are a way for the prepper community to reach other preppers with items that are valued by our community. Whether no longer needed because of an upgrade or excess supply or if created craftsmen/artisan pieces produced on the homestead, items can be listed by individuals for just $5 for 30 days.

Banner and text advertising are still available for professional services and companies. The new classified ads are intended for the use of individuals, NOT businesses.

To place a listing in the classifieds, use our automated service, where you provide a short description, contact information, and a price. Note: Do not put a Dollar sign ($) in front of the price in the “Price” field.  The want posting system does that automatically. Please put a WTB, WTS, or WTT in front of your ad title. (Those stand for Want To Buy, Want To Sell, or Want To Trade.) You will also have the option of including up to six photos of the items listed in your ad. Then, it is up to you to handle inquiries directly. Like newspapers, SurvivalBlog is merely a conduit for connection and does not vet these items, advertisers, or the buyers. Remember, SurvivalBlog is a family-friendly site and the ads must fit within its parameters.

The prepper community now has a resource that is just for us with items that are most likely of interest to us, making this a win-win service. We are pleased to offer this service to the SurvivalBlog community because working within our community to make the exchange makes a lot of sense. Just remember to watch your OPSEC but still help out your “neighbors” through fair and informed exchange. This can be a win-win for many.

Note that SurvivalBlog is not responsible for any aspect of the transactions, products, or services that result from ads placed through the classified service. It is merely a listing service. Caveat emptor (buyer beware) applies in all transactions everywhere, including through SurvivalBlog Classifieds. However, it is our experience that the prepper community is a preferred environment in which to conduct business. Most folks here are polite and reputable.  Enjoy this classified ad service!

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SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. The emphasis this week is on California Expats. See the Idaho section.)

 

Idaho (California Expats)

Boise and Reno Capitalize on the California Real Estate Exodus. JWR’s Comment: The leftist editors at Bloomberg of course focused on interviewing a liberal transplant. What they ignored is that more conservative politics and more wholesome moral values are equally strong magnets as lower house prices. The majority of those moving to Idaho are conservative, and they also tend to have larger families. It must be mentioned that the hardcore left-wingers leaving California are not significantly attracted to Idaho. They consider it Enemy Territory. To them, places like Boulder, Taos, Portland, Sedona, Santa Fe, and Austin remain much more attractive–that is, if they can find work there. Most of them only move to Idaho as a last resort. I can foresee that the Birkenstock Brigade will continue moving to the Liberal Artsy Boom Towns until their self-created Prius and Tesla traffic gets too thick to bear.

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The long-running Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival will be reprising at the University of Idaho, February 22nd and 23rd, 2019. The U. of I. jazz festival got its start in the 1960s. Hampton played there in 1984, with much acclaim. Then, the festival was re-named in his honor, the following year. Hampton passed away in 2002, but the concert and jam session series is still going strong. Get your tickets early!

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With mid-term election is just one week away, I encourage votes for Republicans Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson, as well as the full slate of Republican legislative candidates. I also encourage Idaho voters to vote NO on Proposition 2 (Medicaid Eligibility Expansion.)

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Gone without a trace: Idaho Co. Sheriff gives reason for calling off missing people search. Here is a key quote: “In his ten years as sheriff, he tells CBS 2 that at least half dozen people have gone missing never to be found. ‘The majority of the time they come from out of country and are not familiar with the area. It is tough country,’ said Sheriff Giddings. ‘There’s thousands of acres of forest and they are in the middle of it.’ Idaho County is the biggest is the state at just over 8,500 square miles — all of it rural, rough terrain — dense forests, steep mountains, and raging rivers.”

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The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Dicks Sporting Goods is finally taking one on the chin.

ATF

ATF Unhinged: Prosecutions Made Up Out of Whole Cloth – You Might Be Next…

JWR’s Comment: With this situation in mind, I recommend that anyone who has an arm-braced gun also equip it with a pistol grip mounted to the lower that incorporates a storage compartment. That way you can carry copies of the ATF letter(s) in a Ziplock bag stowed inside the grip at all times. That way, if there is ever a legal dispute with the ATF, that letter will be a de facto part of the chain of evidence. An officer separating that letter from the gun taken as evidence would be solid grounds for Title 42 Sec 1983 (Deprivation of Rights) civil lawsuits–against both the agency and against the agents, as individuals.

The Ultimate Van

Video: Engineer Builds Ultimate DIY 144″ Sprinter Van | Shower, Hot Water, Guest Bed, Bikes & More!

Valley Food Storage

Valley Food Storage, one of SurvivalBlog’s advertisers has just announced that they are under new management. However, they promise that while there are big changes going on behind the scenes, nothing will change for their customers. You’ll still get high-quality, nutritious food and the same great service. They also promise that there are lots of exciting things on the way.

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Pepper Ball LifeLite, by Pat Cascio

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Not all threats need to be met with lethal force, because sometimes a threat can be handled by less force. Today, we check out the Pepper Ball LifeLite.

Threats

No matter what type or where threats come from, they are always a dangerous thing. My own wife works as an elementary grade school teacher. Though in a rural area, danger can spring up at any time. Don’t believe for one moment that “it can’t happen here” or that it can’t happen. It does all the time, no matter where you live or work. We’ve all heard the former saying when there is another school or workplace shooting. It does happen all the time. Don’t kid yourself that you are safe any place, not even in your own home.

Not Everyone Wants To Carry a Firearm

Not everyone wants to carry a firearm. Furthermore, not everyone is legally able to carry a firearm, because of rules and regulations at their place of business or due to state and/or local laws prohibiting it. Plus, even if you are licensed to carry a concealed weapon, it doesn’t mean you can carry it into every situation. Sometimes, your hands are tied by stupid laws and rules at a workplace. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to go unarmed. There are alternatives.

I Remember the First Pepper Spray

I remember when the first pepper spray came out. It was, I believe, when I was in 5th grade. One of my uncles was a Chicago police officer, and he was selling pepper spray by the case full. Being the smart kid that I was, I bought case after case of pepper spray from my uncle and even sold many cases to the teachers at the school I attended. These days, there are still some locations where you can’t even legally carry pepper spray, Mace, or any other similar types of self-defense products.

Continue reading“Pepper Ball LifeLite, by Pat Cascio”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The four sprang forward affrighted. No hand had ever been laid upon them except in love; they had been nurtured ever so tenderly; and as they grew, their confidence in man became a lesson to men beautiful to see. What should such dainty natures do under such indignity but leap as from death? Forward they sprang as with one impulse, and forward leaped the car. Past question, every experience is serviceable to us. Where got Ben-Hur the large hand and mighty grip which helped him now so well? Where but from the oar with which so long he fought the sea? And what was this spring of the floor under his feet to the dizzy eccentric lurch with which in the old time the trembling ship yielded to the beat of staggering billows, drunk with their power? So he kept his place, and gave the four free rein, and called to them in soothing voice, trying merely to guide them round the dangerous turn; and before the fever of the people began to abate, he had back the mastery.” – Territorial Governor Lew Wallace, in his novel Ben Hur, A Tale of the Christ

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on cryptocurrency stability. (See the Cryptos section.)

Precious Metals:

Gold and silver lived up to their “safe haven” reputation last week, amidst some genuine “pucker factor” stock market chaos. If you were invested in stocks, then you would have lost around 2.5% last week. But if you were in gold, then you would have gained a bit. I believe that spot gold may be north of $1,400 per troy ounce by the end of November if the stock market turbulence continues. One indicator: Watch China.  If the Chinese stock market continues to tank, then gold should do well.

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Gold Keeps Modest Gains As U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Rise By 5K

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Gold Is Doing What It’s Supposed To As Equities Correct – Analysts

 

Cryptos (Cryptocurrency Stability):

With seemingly all eyes on volatility in the equities markets last week, mostly ignored was some apparent short term stability in the crypto world, to wit:

$100 Doldrums: Bitcoin’s Price Is Stuck In Its Tightest Range Since 2017

JWR’s Comments: Could this indicate a “base” building for another big pre-winter run-up, like we witnessed last December?  (December of 2017.) One thing seems fairly certain to: If there is a major U.S. stock market collapse, then a lot of panicky people will be pouring money into both precious metals and into cryptos.

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Preparedness Notes for Sunday – October 28, 2018

This is the birthday of Eliphalet Remington (October 28, 1793 – August 12, 1861), who designed the Remington rifle and founded what is now known as the Remington Arms Company.

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SurvivalBlog would like to welcome one of our newest advertisers, Ammo.com. Be sure to check out their products and take advantage of their special 10% discount for SurvivalBlog readers, for orders of $200 or more.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 79 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any 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 Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  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 gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  5. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site, and
  6. 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).

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 79 ends on November 30th, 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.

Planning Scenario Number One- Part 2, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

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With a well-funded overthrow of the U.S. government since Trump’s election underway, there is reason to prepare for consequences that might come. In part 1 of this article, I went through some of the potential scenarios should the Liberal Left gain power and international powers react. There are also internal conflicts to consider as well. I outlined what difference all of this makes to prepping and things to consider. Let me continue.

Not Seen As A “Black Swan”

I don’t see this as a “Black Swan”; I see this as an “Unfolding Disaster”. See my previous articles (Forecasting Disaster Part 1 and Part 2 ). This is a disaster that’s been coming for a long time and that we’ve had a lot of warning about. Unfortunately, I don’t think that “Joe Prepper” is prepared for a worst-case scenario like this. My impression is that Joe is expecting a few weeks-to-months of scary unpleasantness and inconvenience with a gradual return to “normal” in a few months. (Don’t get me wrong. This is a good article and a good start for beginners.)

I’ve read a lot of prepper fiction, to analyze their scenarios and how our family prepping stacks up. And I can’t recall anyone’s scenario approaching this, except possibly The Days of Noah series by Goodwin.

Continue reading“Planning Scenario Number One- Part 2, by ShepherdFarmerGeek”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Today, a SurvivalBlog reader writes in asking for your opinion on whole house water filtration.

Firearms in Vehicles

A Pennsylvania State Representative has introduced H.B. 2669 which would prohibit a person from carrying a loaded firearm in any vehicle with some exceptions related to game hunting, law enforcement, military personnel and security drivers. Using the standard anti-gun rhetoric of “common sense gun safety”, she has decided that your ability to protect yourself while traveling is unimportant. The statistically insignificant incident of road rage that is being targeted is more important that your ability to defend yourself and/or your family while in your car.

I notice that the significant number of defensive uses of firearms carried while in vehicles is strangely absent from your statistics. Thankfully, I live in a state where your vehicle is just an extension of your home as it should be. Hopefully, voters will remember her actions come re-election time. Thanks to DSV for the link.

Get Government Out of Your Life

Reader H.L. sent in this excellent article on how to minimize the impact of government on your life. Interestingly, the premise is mostly just to ignore them. Of course, the author isn’t talking about those IRS notices demanding their protection money or the police car with flashing lights behind you. Rather, they are talking about government intrusion into your normal life. In the words of the infamous Rahm Emanuel: “You never want a serious crises to go to waste”. Government has a habit of capitalizing on emotion and stepping in “to help”. Don’t let them help. Move on. The statistics given on deaths attributed to terrorism in the U.S. are appalling compared to deaths by cop, or traffic accidents, yet look which one gets more headlines and imposes more invasive restrictions on your travel.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”