The Springfield Armory M1A, by Pat Cascio

I was introduced to the M14 rifle in Basic Combat Training (BCT) in the summer of 1969, at Fort Ord, California and I fell in love with it. I was only 17 years old and weighed a whopping 135 pounds at the time. But when I graduated from Infantry School in December of 1969. I had beefed up to 165 pounds. I longed for my very own M14 – however it was not to be, you see the US military M14 was a select-fire rifle, capable of fully automatic fire. When I returned to my National Guard unit in Chicago, I became a member of the Illinois Rifle & Pistol team and I was issued a match-grade M14 and I competed in a number of rifle matches after that – winning all of them in my class. I fired Expert with the M14 when time came to qualify with it.

M14s at BCT. Note the Blank Firing Device.

I thought it was great, I worked full-time for the National Guard and I was also psid to go to those shooting matches, Plus, I had all the match-grade ammo I wanted. When I left the Guard, I had to turn in my Match-grade M14.  Over the years, I owned several Chinese-made M14 clones – they were all nice shooters, but they weren’t American-made M14s. The Chinese clones were plagued by soft steel in their bolts. Some years ago, I managed to get my hands on a Springfield Armory American-made M1A.  That is Springfield’s name for theie semi-auto-only version of the M14. I loved that M1A rifle.  Unfortunately, due to financial circumstances I was forced to sell it, to help out a family member.Continue reading“The Springfield Armory M1A, by Pat Cascio”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

My Wife Asked Me To Surprise Her With an Expensive Dinner Date on Her Birthday. So…

That Was Weeks Ago, and She’s Still Mad About It.

News Link: The “Taco Bell Index” highlights a hard truth: a chicken quesadilla rising from $1.89 to $6.19 represents a 327% increase.

Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.

 

 

 

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day:

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-13 (KJV) 

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — April 25, 2026

On April 25, 1644, the last Ming Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself from a tree on Jing Mountain, Beijing, rather than be captured by the forces of Li Zicheng, the Chinese peasant rebellions leader — who soon after ruled over northern China briefly as the Yongchang Emperor. Thus ended the Ming Dynasty.

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Today is the birthday of physicist, inventor, and entrepreneur Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937). He was known for his pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission as well as for the development of Marconi’s law and a radio telegraph system. He is often considered the inventor of radio.

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Just a few days left! We are running a two-week-long sale on all of our pre-1899 antique shotguns at Elk Creek Company, with deep discounts. This sale will end on Monday, April 27th, 2026. Please note that some of these guns have been re-sleeved and re-proofed for modern shotshells!

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The following article is a guest piece.  Because it is partly self-promotional, it is not part of the writing contest judging.

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We are in great need of entries for Round 124 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $984,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 124 ends on May 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

 

Simple and Proven Ham Radio Antenna Construction, by Hoofer

As a public service, I’d like to share my ham radio antenna designs with SurvivalBlog readers. We handed out these antenna-building diagrams, free of charge, at Hamfests.  We sell laminated copies of wall charts and pocket band charts.

Below, I am including drawings for Fan Dipoles and OMTA Verticals. (The original idea was Robert Wilson, a nice guy, we shared several ideas, but, after improving on his “math-inspired idea”, we designed and built many iterations of a more practical design.)  For the Fan Dipoles we sell a kit without wire, or a complete build.  Please note that the Fan Dipole drawings represent years of testing and learning ‘the hard way’, what works and lasts, and what fails in performance and longevity

As I mention at my web page:  Nothing special in the ever-changing Shack, the Antenna farm consists of Open Stub J-poles for 2m & 70cm (KJ4AMU design & build). 6m turnstyle, 3 OMTA verticals for 40-20-17/15m (AK7KK design, but modified) -and- 1 OMTA 30-17-12m.  A pair of 80m 1/4 wave co-phased verticals, TRI-vertical arrays for 40m & 20m. All these are tuner-less, trap-less, etc., band-resonant antennas.  I am hesitant to talk about radio brands and models – because it’s the antenna that makes or breaks the receiving  ability of the best or worst radio.

We’re like most hams: We started with multi-band, wire antennas, and moved to mono-band antennas & resonators – because the performance and usable bandwidth is greater.   My idea of “tuning” is in building the antenna for Resonance, not to “tune” it while I operate it. Improving the Match (SWR) gets far too much emphasis – even ladder line is affected by rain and wind.

The picture on the left in the snow is 1 of 3 OMTA 40-20-15/17 antennas at the QTH. It is my “Workhorse” antenna that we kept “modding” to get the components right to withstand wind, UV radiation, guying, et cetera.  The actual resonator lengths haven’t changed in nine years, and it’s been struck by lightning at least once – the RG-214 buried feed line had a hole blown through it, part of the center conductor was vaporized…  But the heavy Aluminum pipe is a “build-once” item. 

 

We have three of these 40-20-15 OMTAs on the farm, one for me, 2 for the kids.  A 30-17-12 OMTA (photo at right and at the top of this article — with cows, viewed from the front yard) and a roof-mounted 2m/70cm for the ‘house radio’ – wall mounted, in the living room for ‘NETS’ and emergency use, and for use with a shortwave listening (SWL) radio — an ICOM IC-7000.

 

Here are the two antenna construction handouts:

 

 

 

 

(Click to expand.)

 

 

 

(Click to expand.)

For more details, see my web page on QRZ.

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both 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.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

Early in the week, I built a new cross fence with a gate in our orchard, so that we can safely pasture some of our livestock in part of that plot, to keep them away from our berry bushes.

I slaughtered and butchered a dozen more excess chickens. I also cut some more firewood. And I slaughtered and butchered another yearling ram.

Now, Lily’s part of the report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day:

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.” – Proverbs 28:1-18 (KJV) 

Preparedness Notes for Friday — April 24, 2026

On April 24, 1913, the Woolworth Building was opened in New York City by Frank Winfield Woolworth. It was completed at a cost of $13.5 million. At 792 feet, it was then the world’s tallest building. It is pictured above (at center) in 1965.

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April 24, 1944: The first Boeing B-29 arrived in China after flying “Over The Hump”.

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And on April 24,1990 STS-31 was launched. It was the 35th mission of the US Space Shuttle program. It  carried the Hubble Space Telescope.

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Today we present a short guest article by our friend Hub Moolman, of South Africa.

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We need entries for Round 124 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.  More than $984,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 124 ends on May 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

Silver Prices Will Still Go Much Higher, by Hubert Moolman

Silver is trying to get back into this important channel previously pointed out:

 

 

 

(Click to expand.)

This puts the current bull market in a similar position to 2004 in the previous bull market. In other words, it is still very early in this bull market.

If you consider the current bull market structure in this context, then it should be apparent that silver prices are currently not as overextended as many may think. It would be like saying silver at $5.60 in 2004 was overpriced.

Silver is currently only about 58% higher than its 1980 peak (the peak of the last major bull market). A major bull market does not generally end as close as 58% higher than its previous major bull market did.
Take the example of the 1970s major bull market for silver, where silver ended at around $50, about 17 times higher than the 1864 peak ($2.94). On the same basis, silver could rise all the way to $850 ($50×17) before it is at a price comparable to the 1980 high.

Here is another chart that does a similar type of comparison:

 

 

 

(Click to expand.)

It compares the current major bull market to the bull market of the 1970s. This also shows that silver has still much higher to go. It also shows how the current bull market is contextually similar to the one in the 1970s.

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Editor’s Closing Note: This article first appeared at Hub Moolman’s website. It is re-posted with permission. By subscription, he also has a premium service. I recommended both of them. – JWR

Economics & Investing Media of the Week

In Economics & Investing Media of the Week we feature photos, charts, graphs, maps, video links, and news items of interest to preppers. The public domain photo above of drought-cracked clay soil was taken by Bert Kaufman.

Economics & Investing Links of Interest

Economics & Investing Media Tips:

Please send your economics and investing links to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Thanks!

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day:

“The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.” – John Adams, from A Defence of the Constitutions of the Government of the United States of America, 1787

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — April 23, 2026

On April 23, 1014, the army of King Brian Boru of Ireland defeated Viking forces at the Battle of Clontarf, freeing Ireland from Viking control. (The imaginative painting above was rendered by Hugh Frazer, 1826.)

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And on this day in 1940, a dance hall fire killed 198 people in Natchez, Mississippi.

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Today’s feature article is by  SurvivalBlog staff writer Tom Christianson.

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We are seeking entries for Round 124 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $984,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 124 ends on May 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

Savage Model 220A in 20 Gauge, by Thomas Christianson

My maternal grandfather owned two shotguns. One was a rusty old 12 gauge with a cracked buttstock and a broken butt plate. The other was a nice little Savage Model 220A in 20 gauge.

When I was in my teens, I said to Grandpa, “I would like to try to repair that 12 gauge for you. If you like the work, you can give me the 20 gauge in payment.” That was a foolish offer on my part. Why would Grandpa want to give up a dandy 20 gauge just to get a battered old 12 gauge repaired. But for some strange reason, he agreed. Perhaps the 12 gauge held some sentimental value for him. Perhaps he just wanted an excuse to give me the 220A. In any case, I bought a book on hobby gunsmithing and went to work on the 12 gauge.

I removed the furniture and stripped off the old finish. I removed the broken piece from the buttstock, fabricated a replacement piece, and glued it into place. I shortened the buttstock by the thickness of a rubber recoil pad, shaped the edges of the pad to conform to the buttstock, and refinished the furniture with Tru-Oil. I field stripped the metal parts, removed corrosion from the barrel, re-blued the barrel, and replaced the missing bead. The was little that I could do about the pitting inside of the bore.Continue reading“Savage Model 220A in 20 Gauge, by Thomas Christianson”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, new advances in UGVs.

US Army’s Unmanned Hunter Wolf UGV in Field Tests

Over at Modernity: US Army Trials Unmanned Hunter Wolf Robot With Gun, Radar In Combat Drills. Here is a quote:

“The U.S. Army is quietly putting armed robots through their paces alongside real soldiers – and new footage suggests these machines could soon be a regular sight on tomorrow’s battlefields.

Fresh imagery dropped on Monday by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service shows a Hunter Wolf unmanned ground vehicle rolling with the 101st Airborne Division during a full-on combat simulation at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Louisiana. The display amounted to a serious stress test in one of the Army’s roughest training environments – where ideas either prove they work or get ditched fast.”

Is “Opting-Out” Nearly Meaningless?

By way of Tam at the great View From The Porch blog, there is this, over at 404 Media: Google, Microsoft, Meta All Tracking You Even When You Opt Out, According to an Independent Audit.Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day:

“As to the history of the revolution, my ideas may be peculiar perhaps singular. What do we mean by the revolution? The war? That was no part of the revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was effected from 1760 to 1775, in the course of fifteen years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington.” – John Adams, from a letter to Thomas Jefferson, August 24th, 1815