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.

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

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.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

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:”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” – 2 Peter 2:4-9 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday – October 27, 2018

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October 27th, 1858 was the birthday of President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. (He died January 6, 1919.)

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today features 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 1, by ShepherdFarmerGeek

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What follows is my humble attempt at drawing connections between deep threads in world events. The links I’ve provided are just tiny samples of the information that is available online. This isn’t meant to be a thoroughly-documented report, but one potential scenario that some might have overlooked in the current enthusiasm for our new president. Some of this is a bit dated, but it points to the general reaction of Trump as president. This is my family’s current “Planning Scenario Number One,” and the pieces of the puzzle that fit so far.

A Serious, Well-Funded Move To Overthrow Trump Administration

It seems, so far, that there’s a serious, well-funded move to overthrow the new Trump administration, and finally let the economy collapse that the PTB have been frantically propping up all these years:

Take a look at these articles:

Continue reading“Planning Scenario Number One- Part 1, by ShepherdFarmerGeek”

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. Steadily, we work on meeting our prepping goals. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities. They also often share their planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, property improvements, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

JWR

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers:

All is well at the Rawles Ranch. We now feel ready for winter.  This week I didn’t accomplish much outdoors other than tarping the open end of our hay barn, to protect our stacked hay from any upcoming rain that gets blown sideways. So I’ll leave most of the commentary for this past week up to my lovely wife…

Avalanche Lily Reports:

Dear SurvivalBlog readers,

This week was a very quiet beautiful late Fall week. We had guests over the weekend, whom we toured around to all of the local sites.  On Monday, I took them for a paddle down our river.  It was a gloriously sunny fall day with just spectacular fall foliage colors.

Monday afternoon was spent in the school books with the kids.  Tuesday morning and afternoon, were all about school, house cleaning and preparing to can Salsa with some friends on Wednesday.

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

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”. Israel is under attack yet again by Hamas.

Israel Under Attack

Pat Cascio, SurvivalBlog’s Senior Field Gear Editor, sent in this article showing yet another attack on Israel from Gaza. There are several videos in the article that show the Iron Dome defense system being deployed against multiple inbound rockets. Witnesses claim that there were tens of dozens of rockets launched in an attempt to overwhelm the Iron Dome defense system. Some rockets landed successfully while ten were intercepted. Sadly, even the intercepted rockets can do damage as there is debris falling from every collision. The Israeli Air Force struck 80 Hamas targets in retaliation and the government is asking citizens not to gather in groups larger than 100 in open areas or larger than 500 in closed areas.

Group Think Guide

Reader D.B. showed just how far the PC culture has gone. This is a group think guide for using “inclusive language” and vocabulary in startups and tech companies. This is the level of speech policing now happening in Silicon Valley/San Francisco. This, by the way, is the end result of public school indoctrination that the country has suffered under for years.

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