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’s focus is on physical security

Security

Worried about privacy but not really trusting commercial VPN offerings? Reader P.S. sent in this link on building your own VPN using some commonly available software and a hosting service. Building your own VPN is easy. Just follow the step-by-step directions. It can also give you superior performance.

Physical Security

Reader D.F. was looking for an inexpensive way to build a garage and ran across this product. BallistiCrete claims Level 4 protection when applied thick enough (anecdotal stories claim up to .50BMG). BallistiCrete is easily applied to gypsum board walls. It can also provide security in fairly hostile environments. You can apply it by spraying or hand troweling. It will also cure in only five days.

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

The Editors’ Quote Of The Day

“For the naive mind there is something miraculous in the issuance of fiat money. A magic word spoken by the government creates out of nothing a thing which can be exchanged against any merchandise a man would like to get. How pale is the art of sorcerers, witches, and conjurers when compared with that of the government’s Treasury Department!” – Ludwig von Mises, The Theory of Money and Credit

Kahr Arms CW9 Black Carbon Fiber, by Pat Cascio

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Today, we are taking a look at the Kahr Arms CW9 Black Carbon Fiber handgun. I’ve reported on several Kahr Arms handguns over the years. Most are pretty much the same as the one before it, or the one after it. Still, Kahr manages to come out with different and exciting versions every single year. To be sure, Kahr makes handguns that are meant to be concealed. They aren’t full-sized service-type pistols, although they do have something coming out along those lines. Still, they are well-known for easily concealable handguns, for the most part.

Kahr’s Double Action Only Trigger Action

Kahr handguns are Double Action Only (DAO). And as I’ve reported before, they are the Rolls Royce of DAO trigger actions, if you ask me. You just have to experience it to understand what I’m talking about. Yes, the trigger pull is long but buttery smooth. And there is no “git along” as you pull the trigger completely through. The trigger is smooth all the way through the trigger stroke. However, it does take a little bit of time to get used to this DAO trigger pull. But once mastered, you’ll really like it. You can’t “stage” the trigger pull like you can on some double-action revolvers. Kahr’s aren’t meant to work that way. You simply get your sights on-target and pull the trigger completely through. It really is just that simple. Don’t try to slowly pull the trigger. Just get on-target and pull the trigger completely through the stroke.

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The Editors’ Preps for the Week of May 29th, 2017

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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 will share their planned prep activities for the coming week, ranging from healthcare and purchases to property improvements and food storage. We also welcome you to share your planned activities for increasing personal preparedness in the coming week in the Comments. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

JWR

Dear SurvivalBlog Readers,
This week, the weather is expected to be warm and sunny. Finally, summer  has arrived to the northern portion of the American Redoubt. It is glorious and we are rejoicing to be living mostly outdoors!  Our family has no off-ranch obligations this week. Therefore, Lily and the children, specifically, can dedicate the whole week to prepping activities. Hooray!

Ranch Infrastructure Maintenance and Projects

Jim will continue the plumbing and electrical projects.

In The Garden

We must complete the garden planting this week.  All hands will be on deck.

Lily will continue weeding, organically fertilizing (with our composted cow manure) and mulching the strawberry patch.

Barns, Sheds, Coops and Corrals

Lily and the children also need to finish cleaning stalls in the barn and the small-hoofed animals shed.

Livestock

Our horses need to be summer broken and exercised. One of our favorite horses has already been summer broken, but the others also need to be. A farrier will be coming to trim hooves soon.

Continue reading“The Editors’ Preps for the Week of May 29th, 2017”

Recipe of the Week: Deep Fried Buffalo Venison Backstrap, by Jason in Tennessee

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This is one of my favorite recipes post-deer season. The Franks Buffalo hot sauce is just my favorite, but you can substitute your favorite hot sauce.

I am not good with measurements, and they’re all approximate. Sorry. So, you will need to adjust to taste.

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 lbs of fresh, trimmed venison backstrap
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup of Franks Hot Buffalo sauce
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 Tbsp black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 Tbsp paprika
  • 2 Tbsp seasoning salt
  • 4 cups plain bread crumbs

Continue reading“Recipe of the Week: Deep Fried Buffalo Venison Backstrap, by Jason in Tennessee”

Economics & Investing for Preppers

Don’t miss the important wheat market news, down in the Commodities section. Here are the latest 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 most of these items reflect the quirky “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor):

Precious Metals:

First, over at Gold-Eagle: Gold To Remain Resilient Next Week Despite Looming Rate Hike – Analysts

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And here is an article that I missed earlier this month at Zero Hedge: Mining CEO Explains Why Silver Could Reach Over $136Continue reading“Economics & Investing for Preppers”

The Editor’s Quote of the Day

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“Gianforte is a westerner about my age. Growing up I learned that if someone got in your face they were asking for a quick shot in the face or to be picked up by the collar and shoved against the wall or the floor. We learned to be polite or else we spent time in the dentist chair. I am an Idahoan (for you easterners that is just west of Montana) and that is the culture I grew up in. Back then no one would have called for the police unless the person beat down was from California or the East coast, then the local sheriff would listen to the facts and decide it was justified and dismiss the whole thing. Gianforte was just doing what comes naturally and if you can’t respect it then stay out of the rural west. The reason he was even charged is that Gallatin County has been contaminated with hordes of Californians whom nobody wanted in the first place. When I went to the east coast for college I adjusted for the culture, and its time you adjusted to ours when you come here. If it had been me that he did that to, Jacobs would be getting fit for dentures.” – An Anonymous Commenter at Brietbart regarding Greg Gianforte’s winning  Montana’s only congressional seat, after allegedly assaulting a British reporter on the eve of the election.

Notes for Sunday – May 28, 2017

George Washington, a young lieutenant colonel in the British Army and future president of the United States, led an attack on French forces at Jumonville Glen on this day in 1754. This battle was later credited with being the opening salvo in the French and Indian War (1754 to 1763).

In the biography His Excellency: George Washington, historian Joseph Ellis recounts Washington’s first combat experience. Washington and 40 colonial troops had been encamped near the French garrison at Fort Duquesne when he received an urgent message to rescue Indian allies in the area who were threatened by French forces. In his official report of the encounter, Washington described how his troops, aided by warriors under the Indian leader Tanacharison, surrounded a detachment of 32 French soldiers near the fort on May 28 and, within 15 minutes, killed 10 of them, including the garrison’s commander, wounded one and took another 21 prisoner.

Debunking the Myth of Canned Food Expiration Dates, by T.L.

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Canned Goods

Even if you’re not yet a prepper, you likely have at least some canned food goods on your shelf with an expiration date on them. Perhaps you have even taken up canning your own food. Either way, canned goods are a common staple. That is the case for good reason. However, do you really know the truth about canned food shelf life?

I’m surprised by how many people seem to have a deep trust of those “magical dates” on canned foods. But what are those dates anyway? What do they mean?

Myths to Debunk

Various Types of Canned Food Dates

Here, let’s debunk some of the myths that surround those dates on canned foods.

Continue reading“Debunking the Myth of Canned Food Expiration Dates, by T.L.”

Letter: Venezuela Update

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Hugh,

I own a shipping store and just received this today from DHL, a primary international carrier. I found the content interesting as providing some insight as to what a failing government considers to be threats in the hand of its citizens! – R.B.

Prohibited Items Into Venezuela

Date: May 26, 2017
Due to ongoing unrest in Venezuela, this emergency security directive is to be put in place effective immediately in all facilities:
The following is an updated list of items that are prohibited in being shipped to Venezuela (VE) under any service offering. Please note these are in addition to current standard DHL prohibited items and Venezuela Country specific prohibited commodities. Immediate enforcement of these prohibitions is mandatory, with no exceptions:

Continue reading“Letter: Venezuela Update”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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Middle East

Syria has effectively ceased to exist. You now have a situation in which the local regime has very little control or even influence in how even domestic matters are resolved in the country. The foreign powers (Russia, Iran, United States, and others) are now making it clear that no settlement or agreement will be taking place without their involvement and approval. The government takes its orders from Russia and Iran, and the coalition supports the rebel leadership making the current situation the status quo. Syria is now merely a fractured country in which no side can win because of foreign involvements.

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From the Washington Blog comes this timely piece: Manchester Terror Attack Proves that the War On Terror Is Failing. You might think that the 10 steps suggested to finally end the war on terror are “common sense”. However, our politicians are not really interested in following through. We do indeed have the capability and the will to end this nonsense, yet we resuscitate it continuously.

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Editors’ Quote of the Day

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday – May 27, 2017

Traditionally, many of SurvivalBlog’s advertisers have Memorial Day sales and this year is no exception.

KeepShooting has some great deals on surplus military equipment like the Military Style Wool Blankets in OD, black and gray. This are excellent emergency blankets to have in your vehicle. Take a look at their other specials too!

Ready Made Resources is giving away a Baofeng ham radio with the purchase of any night vision device or thermal device (excluding the pocket scope). This is a $63 value.

Ten Tips for Going Off-Grid, by A.U.

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My husband and I recently bought a piece of property with some family members in the hope of transitioning to off-grid living. For those who might not be familiar with the concept, going off-grid means creating a lifestyle that does not rely on public utilities (water, electricity, et cetera).

There are many different reasons people choose to go off-grid. Some of the most popular reasons are:

  • to decrease environmental impact,
  • to prepare for disaster, or
  • a desire to be independent and self-sustained.

We jumped into our endeavor with almost no knowledge or experience. We have had to learn some things the hard way. While I would not trade the experience for anything, there are some things that I wish we had known from the start. Here is a list of tips I can offer to help make the transition to off-grid living a bit easier.

Continue reading“Ten Tips for Going Off-Grid, by A.U.”