SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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An Important Safety Note: As are approaching Spring slash-burning season, I assume that some of your slash piles are still fairly wet. Please don’t be tempted to use anything more flammable than diesel fuel, as “woof” for fire-starting. DO NOT EVER use gasoline! – JWR

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The recent presidential address before a joint session of congress was a travesty.  Many of the Democrat party attendees wore matching-color clothing, in protest. Many of them carried round paddle protest signs. Some of them staged walkouts. One House Democrat had to be removed, for repeated outbursts. This all felt reminiscent of the party politics antics often seen in South Africa’s Parliament.  In a night show monologue, leftist humorist Stephen Colbert mocked them. Some pundits on the far left claim that the recent protests did not go far enough. Both the U.S. House and Senate have displayed great restraint and decorum since the 1870s. It is sad to see them descend into Third World theatrics, hystrionics, and idiocracy. – JWR

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Reader Tim J. suggested this: New Scout Unit That Heavily Leverages Drones, Electronic Warfare Tested By U.S. Army.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — March 11, 2025

On March 11, 1963, US Defense Secretary Robert MacNamara ordered the adoption of the M16 rifle by the US military. It was designed by Eugene Stoner. It was a scaled-down and improved version of Stoner’s AR-10 (pictured, in prototype form) that was already in service in Portugal and Sudan.

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Also on this day, the Great Blizzard of ’88 struck the northeastern United States (1888).

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN 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 gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail value.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 117 ends on March 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.

3D-Printed Gun Components – Part 1, by M.B.

Disclaimer

This article covers information and activities that are legal under U.S. federal law and in the author’s state of residence. It is the reader’s responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws in their jurisdiction. Neither the author, nor SurvivalBlog, have any control over readers of this article. This article is therefore for informational purposes only.

INTRODUCTION

“Whether or not you live in England, the right of Free Speech is a universally treasured right, but sadly, a right that is still denied to millions of people around the world.” – Philip A. Luty, as quoted in L. Neil Smith’s The Libertarian Enterprise, April 3, 2005

The title of this article mentions printing firearm components, not complete firearms. This is because all designs we will examine utilize some 3D-printed parts, but no firearm that the author is aware of is 100% 3D-printed. All designs use some metal parts, such as springs, pins, screws, firing pins, barrels, bolts, et cetera.

The 3D printing technology that this article will focus on is known as Fused Deposition Modeling, or FDM. It consists of using a computer-controlled “squirter” to lay down layers of molten plastic—building up layer after layer to create a three-dimensional object—starting from a three-dimensional image.

I will not be making recommendations on specific printers, as the available models change frequently as the technology evolves. Rather, I will recommend features to look for in a printer suitable for creating precise, durable parts for firearms, as well as tips for successful printing. I know that the array of printers is daunting. So I’ll suggest a very good website that does recommend specific printers for printing firearm parts.Continue reading“3D-Printed Gun Components – Part 1, by M.B.”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, news about Idaho’s big income tax cut.  (See the Idaho section.)

Region-Wide

Movement to break off part of Oregon to join with Idaho has legs again.

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Frontier Airlines adds new routes to Spokane and Boise.

Idaho

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed the largest income tax cut in Idaho history. It will reduce the tax rate from 5.7% to 5.3%. This consequently cuts an estimated $240 million in state revenue, but that makes sense, since the state government has been running surplusses.

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Senate passes bill to make the firing squad Idaho’s primary form of execution.

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Judge in University of Idaho murder case argues for more transparency.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

Preparedness Notes for Monday — March 10, 2025

Today is the birthday of the artist Willem Roelofs (10 March 1822 – 12 May 1897.)  According to the Infogalactidc Wiki: He was a “…Dutch painter, water-colorist, etcher, lithographer, and draftsman. Roelofs was one of the forerunners of the Dutch Revival art, after the Romantic Classicism of the beginning of the 19th century, which led to the formation of The Hague school. His landscapes, especially the early ones with their dominating cloudy skies, demure bodies of water, and populated with cattle, are typical for the School of Barbizon. He unmistakably provided the spiritual impulse for the painters of nature that would later dominate The Hague school. In addition to painting, he also occupied himself with entomology, where he specialized in beetles.”

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On March 10, 1783, USS Alliance under the helm of Captain John Barry fought and won the last naval battle of the War of Independence, off Cape Canaveral.

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Today’s feature article was penned by SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson.

Motor City Axe Splitting Maul, by Thomas Christianson

The Motor City Axe Splitting Maul is a highly effective tool for firewood processing. It is also a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. It has a forged, tool-steel, hand-sharpened, tapered bit that is coated with boiled lindseed oil over the forged finish. It also has a beautifully-finished, 36-inch, curved, American-hickory handle. The handle has a Motor City Axe logo branded into the wood near the bit, engraved pine trees near the middle, and a hand-dipped “Up-North-Pattern” paint job in red, blue and green with a yellow stripe on the end.

In my testing, I found the maul to be among the most effective tools for splitting firewood that I have ever used. It is hard to believe that Motor City Axe was able to put so much handwork into a quality, American-made maul at such a reasonable the price. At the time of this writing the maul cost $152 at www.motorcityaxe.com .

If you are looking for a firewood processing tool that is both highly functional and beautifully ornamental, I doubt that you will find another to equal this one. I highly recommend it.Continue reading“Motor City Axe Splitting Maul, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Ground Beef & Tomato Pasta

The following simple recipe for Ground Beef & Tomato Pasta is from SurvivalBlog reader J.P.V..

Ingredients
  • 3 cups of uncooked dried pasta of your choice
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or less, if you are on a low-salt diet)
  • 1/8 teaspoon minced garlic (optional, or less, to taste)
  • 1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper (optional, or less, to taste)
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1-1/2 cups meatless canned or jar spaghetti sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Directions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the egg, and mix in salt, garlic, and pepper (to taste)
  3. Add beef and mix well.
  4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs; mix gently.
  5. Crumble beef mixture into a large skillet.
  6. Cook over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
  7. Stir in the spaghetti sauce.
  8. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2-4 minutes — or until heated through.
  9. Drain pasta; place in a serving bowl.
  10. Add beef mixture; sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  11. Toss until pasta is well coated and cheese is melted.
SERVING

Serve it hot. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella just before serving, or on each serving.

STORAGE

Stores well overnight, if it is then re-heated.

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Do you have a well-tested 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 recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic: Death By Starvation: A simulation estimates the proportion of the population to die from starvation following nuclear war. (A Times of London/Sunday Times graphic, courtesy of Reddit.)

JWR’s Comment:  This is a simulation that assumes a worst-case full nuclear exchange, an interruption of most commerce, and the death of most livestock. This underscores the importance of having a deep larder!

The thumbnail below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

 

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Please send your graphics or graphics links to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Politicians of both parties told us that free trade with Asia and Latin America would spur economic growth, and maybe it did somewhere else. In our towns, though, factories continue shutting down or moving overseas.” – J. D. Vance

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — March 9, 2025

On March 9, 141 BC, Liu Che, posthumously known as Emperor Wu of Han, assumed the throne of the Han Dynasty in China and ruled for 54 years.

March 9, 1776: Adam Smith published the influential economics book “The Wealth of Nations”.

March 9th was the birthday of Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin – the first man to ever travel in space. He was born in 1934 and died in the crash of a MiG-15-UTI fighter on March 27, 1968.

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Today we present the last installment of a guest article from a SurvivalBlog reader that is not part of the writing contest judging.

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We are seeking entries for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 117 ends on March 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.

Preparedness in the New Golden Age or Grimy Age – Part 6, by Single Farmer

Editor’s Introductory Note: This young man is prayerfully seeking a wife. He is offering an after-marriage gift of up to $50,000 to whoever introduces him to his bride, with $18,000 after their marriage and another $16,000 to the individual who provided the introduction after the first two births of healthy children born to him and his wife, for a total potential gift of $50,000. For further details, see this link to his article posted on February 24th, 2025: My Quest For a Wife.

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(Continued from Part 5. This concludes the article.)

Prepper Fatigue

Do you have prepper fatigue? Have you quit preparing because nothing ever happens? There may be a “cure” and no it does involve a pill to take.

Inanimate objects such as metals can become fatigued and develop stress cracks and so can pilots and preppers.
In a way, prepper fatigue is just as dangerous as metal fatigue from an engineering perspective because the metal becomes brittle and by not prepping you are losing the physical advantage that you had through your preparations.

The first thing you need to evaluate is the reason why you are prepping. Has anything changed? Maybe you were prepping for a hurricane as you previously lived in a coastal area and now you moved to a mountain area and you think you are unlikely to need an emergency life boat. Considering the recent experiences of people who lived in the mountains of the Upper South who experienced extreme flooding who helped rescue others using flotation devices may prove that people need to be considering devoting some dollars to survival equipment that ordinarily would not be used in their area. Based on the even more recent unusual snowfall in the Deep South, preppers living in those areas may want to consider at the least of getting a dedicated snow shovel and becoming familiar with winter survival skills that are well-known in areas with even modest amounts of snow.Continue reading“Preparedness in the New Golden Age or Grimy Age – Part 6, by Single Farmer”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week: 

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

Taylor Swift Says:

I’ve Suffered For My Music…

…Now It’s Your Turn

(With a nod to Neil Innes and Eric Idle.)

News Link:

14 Taylor Swift Songs That Reference Depression, According to Mental Health Experts.

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:

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” – Revelation 3: 5-11 (KJV)