TREXPO
The other day, I went again this year to TREXPO in D.C. It used to be the Tactical Response EXPO back in the 90s when I started going, but I think now it is just plain TREXPO and is done in cooperation with the GOVSEC trade show. Tons of cool gear, much of it applicable for preppers. Numerous body armor manufacturers and suppliers were there. Since I bought my last vest about 8-9 years ago, it is amazing how light and flexible II and IIIA armor is. Compared to when I bought my first vest over 20 years ago, it is like comparing it to a knight's shining armor. There was a lot of first aid gear that would be great for a blowout kit or 72 hour bag. I got a samples of a couple of tourniquets I'm going to review here soon. Big brother was prevent, of course. Several different drone manufacturers were there. These things are getting smaller and more maneuverable every day. All-in-all, a good show again this year.
Travel Safety
One of the promotional give-aways I picked up at TREXPO was a glow-in-the-dark door wedge. Much more useful than the countless pens and can coozies. We are heading on vacation soon, and this will go with us to help secure the hotel door at night. I don't know who the actual maker is, but it is just as simple to get an old fashioned rubber door stop or a chunk of 2x4 cut on an angle.
Great Customer Service
I've always heard about the great service from Dillon Precision, but never had a need to experience it. Some time ago, my Dillon 550 press started having problems feeding primers. I finally got around the other day to calling them to see what I needed to do. I was on hold for about 45 minutes, but considering the current state of affairs in the firearms and ammo industry I didn't really mind. Once the fellow got on the phone with me, I described the problem, and he asked a few questions to further trouble shoot. He quickly determined what my likely problem is, and said he would send me out some replacement parts. I was shocked to have them in my mailbox less than 48 hours later... at no charge. If you are in the market for a reloading press, strongly consider Dillon.
5/6/13
Fleeing Felon
It Can Happen Anywhere
Friday afternoon I got a call from the local police that a guy had escaped from state police custody and he had 50 years of time hanging over his head for parole violations, and he had vowed never to go back to jail. He was in the vicinity of three elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school. We put the schools in a modified lockdown with the exteriors secured. As dismissal time rolled around, the five lower schools let the students go, with one bus getting loaded up at a time and a police officer standing by. The high school just got all the students to their cars or on the buses quickly, with plenty of adult supervision and a couple of police officers on site.
The police were using bloodhounds, helicopters, and about a hundred officers to try and find this guy, but never was it like Boston with people ordered inside and warrantless searches of private homes and businesses. He was found about 12 hours later, holed up in an apartment, less than a half a mile from two schools. This situation worked out pretty well with minimal disruptions, but what if it were a worse or larger problem?
So how can a person prepare for an event like this?
Really just like any other event that might make it difficult to get home. A communications plan and alternate travel routes, along with a 72-hour kit that fits your particular needs.
If your kids are at school and dismissal is delayed, can you get to them, or do you have a nearby trusted friend or family member that is on the "pickup" list and can get them if you can't? Do they have age-appropriate kits with them at school in case no one can get to them?
If your main road is shut down, do you have alternative routes? Perhaps cutting through residential areas, or maybe skirting outside of town and coming back in the back way.
How about communications? Make sure your cell phone is always charged up. Have phone numbers for school, neighbors, and family members. If you have a smart phone, be sure you know the webpages for you local media outlets. You can also download an app that allows you to listen to your local police, fire/rescue, state police, and other emergency radio broadcasts. There are a bunch of them out there, many free, so check them all out to see which ones carry your local frequencies.
Using an "all-hazards" approach, prepare for any eventuality that could reasonably happen in your community. Disaster commonality will ensure that you are pretty well prepared for even those things that you may not have thought of.
Friday afternoon I got a call from the local police that a guy had escaped from state police custody and he had 50 years of time hanging over his head for parole violations, and he had vowed never to go back to jail. He was in the vicinity of three elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school. We put the schools in a modified lockdown with the exteriors secured. As dismissal time rolled around, the five lower schools let the students go, with one bus getting loaded up at a time and a police officer standing by. The high school just got all the students to their cars or on the buses quickly, with plenty of adult supervision and a couple of police officers on site.
The police were using bloodhounds, helicopters, and about a hundred officers to try and find this guy, but never was it like Boston with people ordered inside and warrantless searches of private homes and businesses. He was found about 12 hours later, holed up in an apartment, less than a half a mile from two schools. This situation worked out pretty well with minimal disruptions, but what if it were a worse or larger problem?
So how can a person prepare for an event like this?
Really just like any other event that might make it difficult to get home. A communications plan and alternate travel routes, along with a 72-hour kit that fits your particular needs.
If your kids are at school and dismissal is delayed, can you get to them, or do you have a nearby trusted friend or family member that is on the "pickup" list and can get them if you can't? Do they have age-appropriate kits with them at school in case no one can get to them?
If your main road is shut down, do you have alternative routes? Perhaps cutting through residential areas, or maybe skirting outside of town and coming back in the back way.
How about communications? Make sure your cell phone is always charged up. Have phone numbers for school, neighbors, and family members. If you have a smart phone, be sure you know the webpages for you local media outlets. You can also download an app that allows you to listen to your local police, fire/rescue, state police, and other emergency radio broadcasts. There are a bunch of them out there, many free, so check them all out to see which ones carry your local frequencies.
Using an "all-hazards" approach, prepare for any eventuality that could reasonably happen in your community. Disaster commonality will ensure that you are pretty well prepared for even those things that you may not have thought of.
4/28/13
Video Review: Surviving Civil Unrest
Surviving Civil Unrest with Chance Sanders
Disclaimer: Chance sent me a free demo copy of this video for me to review.
First, a little background... I met Chance Sanders, and his wife, Laura, when they were assistant instructors when I went through Pathfinder Basic class in Ohio a couple years back (you can read my 5-part review of the school here). They were both very knowledgeable and all-around good folks. We've kept in touch since then, and I've followed his growing presence in the survival and preparedness field through articles that he has written for several magazines. About a year ago I was excited to find out that he was working on this training video and have been eagerly awaiting its release. As many readers know, I work in a major city, but commute over 50 miles to and from my rural homestead each day. I frequently take alternate routes home and refine my get home bag (GHB) for different times of the year. I dread the situation that might force me to hoof it home, but it is a possibility that something could happen.
Recent news has given us examples of where the skills to escape and evade from an urban environment could be of great, and even lifesaving, value. The Boston Marathon bombings come to mind. Thousands of participants, race supporters, and even bystanders suddenly had their plans disrupted and many were separated from their belongings, and/or injured. Just last night, the Va. Beach oceanfront erupted in civil unrest with shootings, stabbings and mob violence. Imagine being a family on vacation and either out to dinner away from the hotel when things got bad, or simply at the beach for the day and trying to get out to get home in one piece.
As I watched Surviving Civil Unrest this afternoon, I learned quite a few techniques that I can put into my get home plans. I also got some ideas that will make me think differently or alternatively about my particular situation.
Chance teaches throughout the video by simulating an on-foot evacuation from an urban environment to his rural destination. He demonstrates and explains what he is doing, and has interspersed guest commentary from some subject matter experts. Aside from just "how-to" information, he also teaches a system of planning, using the Marine Corps 5-paragraph order.
I'm not going to give away the great information that he covers, but here are some highlights that I gleaned and particularly liked:
You can order the video here.
Check out Chance's YouTube channel here.
Disclaimer: Chance sent me a free demo copy of this video for me to review.
First, a little background... I met Chance Sanders, and his wife, Laura, when they were assistant instructors when I went through Pathfinder Basic class in Ohio a couple years back (you can read my 5-part review of the school here). They were both very knowledgeable and all-around good folks. We've kept in touch since then, and I've followed his growing presence in the survival and preparedness field through articles that he has written for several magazines. About a year ago I was excited to find out that he was working on this training video and have been eagerly awaiting its release. As many readers know, I work in a major city, but commute over 50 miles to and from my rural homestead each day. I frequently take alternate routes home and refine my get home bag (GHB) for different times of the year. I dread the situation that might force me to hoof it home, but it is a possibility that something could happen.
Recent news has given us examples of where the skills to escape and evade from an urban environment could be of great, and even lifesaving, value. The Boston Marathon bombings come to mind. Thousands of participants, race supporters, and even bystanders suddenly had their plans disrupted and many were separated from their belongings, and/or injured. Just last night, the Va. Beach oceanfront erupted in civil unrest with shootings, stabbings and mob violence. Imagine being a family on vacation and either out to dinner away from the hotel when things got bad, or simply at the beach for the day and trying to get out to get home in one piece.
As I watched Surviving Civil Unrest this afternoon, I learned quite a few techniques that I can put into my get home plans. I also got some ideas that will make me think differently or alternatively about my particular situation.
Chance teaches throughout the video by simulating an on-foot evacuation from an urban environment to his rural destination. He demonstrates and explains what he is doing, and has interspersed guest commentary from some subject matter experts. Aside from just "how-to" information, he also teaches a system of planning, using the Marine Corps 5-paragraph order.
I'm not going to give away the great information that he covers, but here are some highlights that I gleaned and particularly liked:
- For his every day carry (EDC) bag, he uses a simple messenger case or musette bag, not some "tactical" kit that may draw unwanted attention during normal times
- He notes repeatedly that gear alone is not the answer - you need to develop skills
- He highlights the importance of advance planning - communications, maps, caches, redundancy, etc...
- He shows a few ideas of scavenging urban materials
- He has two great ideas for cache locations that might work out perfectly for my situation
- I had a hard time getting the video to play on my laptop - it wouldn't work at all with my RealPlayer, and it froze at several points using Windows Media Player - it could very well have been my computer, though and not an issue with the video. Playing it on my bluray on the TV, I had to try a few different buttons to get it started (this could also have been me, though, I'm not real used to watching discs on the player), but once I got it going it ran flawlessly.
- edit - I just heard from Chance - he had sent me a burned copy of the disc, and the production ones ought to run fine on anything that can play a DVD
- Chance used some really cool gear in the video. I'd love to see a supplier or resource list, perhaps on a related website, or linked on his YouTube channel.
You can order the video here.
Check out Chance's YouTube channel here.
4/11/13
Book Sale
Staying Home - by Alex Smith
Alex wrote his first post-SHTF novel, Going Home, under the nom de plume of Angery American. It recieved rave reviews on Amazon.
He let me know that his latest book is on sale for .99 cents in e-version through Friday. It is not a novel, but a how-to guide aimed at the beginner or intermediate prepper. I haven't read it yet, but I'm sure it will be great. And you sure can't beat the price.
Alex wrote his first post-SHTF novel, Going Home, under the nom de plume of Angery American. It recieved rave reviews on Amazon.
He let me know that his latest book is on sale for .99 cents in e-version through Friday. It is not a novel, but a how-to guide aimed at the beginner or intermediate prepper. I haven't read it yet, but I'm sure it will be great. And you sure can't beat the price.
4/9/13
Free Preparedness Fair
This Weekend - Hampton Roads, Virginia
I went to this fair last year and really thought they did a great job. The LDS church in Newport News is doing it again this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
I went to this fair last year and really thought they did a great job. The LDS church in Newport News is doing it again this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
If you are in the Richmond - Va. Beach area, I really encourage you to check this out. I'm hoping to go, but I'm not sure yet. If I do, I'll post on the Facebook page and maybe meet up with a few of you.
4/5/13
Staying ALERRT
Just Had Some Amazing Training
As long-time readers know, I was a police officer for 15 years and have been the chief of security for a large, urban public school system for the past 7. As a cop, I attended hundreds of hours of training each year, far exceeding the mandated in-service requirements. Since I left police-work, I've still managed to attend way more training than is typically expected of someone in my position.
This week I had the opportunity to attend what was one of the best training programs I have ever been too. ALERRT is Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, and is a program designed in Texas to teach active killer response. I went through with college and municipal police from across southeast Virginia, with experience ranging from two years to nearly 40.
Yesterday was classroom in the morning, followed by "blue gun" training in the afternoon to get the basics of team movements down. This morning we had a little more classroom, and moved to Simunitions for the afternoon. When I left police work, "Sims" were typically only used by the SWAT types. The use is much wider spread now, and it is truly an effective force-on-force training tool.
My skills were a little rusty, but quickly came back, and by the end of the day, I felt very comfortable and competent and the cobwebs were getting knocked off.
For the lawdogs out there, if you ever get the chance to attend this training, you really should. For other folks, contact your local PD or Sheriff's Office and ask them to get their officers trained in it. The training is offered free-of-charge through grant programs organized by Texas State University-San Marcos. Information is at www.ALERRT.org.
As long-time readers know, I was a police officer for 15 years and have been the chief of security for a large, urban public school system for the past 7. As a cop, I attended hundreds of hours of training each year, far exceeding the mandated in-service requirements. Since I left police-work, I've still managed to attend way more training than is typically expected of someone in my position.
This week I had the opportunity to attend what was one of the best training programs I have ever been too. ALERRT is Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, and is a program designed in Texas to teach active killer response. I went through with college and municipal police from across southeast Virginia, with experience ranging from two years to nearly 40.
Yesterday was classroom in the morning, followed by "blue gun" training in the afternoon to get the basics of team movements down. This morning we had a little more classroom, and moved to Simunitions for the afternoon. When I left police work, "Sims" were typically only used by the SWAT types. The use is much wider spread now, and it is truly an effective force-on-force training tool.
My skills were a little rusty, but quickly came back, and by the end of the day, I felt very comfortable and competent and the cobwebs were getting knocked off.
For the lawdogs out there, if you ever get the chance to attend this training, you really should. For other folks, contact your local PD or Sheriff's Office and ask them to get their officers trained in it. The training is offered free-of-charge through grant programs organized by Texas State University-San Marcos. Information is at www.ALERRT.org.
3/11/13
Prepper Ponderings
Been a While
Folks, it's been quite a while, so I really appreciate everyone who continues to check in here. I can't get out content as much as I would like, but if you are one of our 955 Facebook fans, I usually get something up there almost every day. Contests from other sites for great prizes (body armor, suppressors, flashlights, even guns), links to free Amazon downloads of interest to preppers and homesteaders, and funny or poignant photos or memes (what the heck is a "meme" I never heard that word before a few months ago). If you are not following us on FB, please hit the like button.
Incoming Rounds
I was working in the yard yesterday afternoon, to the sound of someone down the road shooting a heavy caliber rifle. No problem, I shoot in my backyard sometimes and we are out in the country. It became a problem when I heard BANG.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzTHUNK. A daggone ricochet came over and impacted somewhere in my woods. A few more shots, then again, BANG.... zzzzzzzzzzzz - that time no thunk, it kept going. Getting a little concerned, I stopped what I was doing and it came again... then a fourth time. I duckwalked to the house and made sure the Mrs. was OK, then hopped in the Jeep and went down the road to see if I could figure out who was shooting. I went a good 1/2 mile or so and pulled in a couple driveways, but couldn't find them. I came back, went and checked on the neighbors, and went back to work. There were more gunshots, but no more zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Outgoing Rounds
We got our membership approved at the gun club about 20 miles away. Last Sunday, we headed over so my wife could take the new member orientation and I was scheduled for a skeet lesson. I've shot durn near every type of recreational shooting there is, but never skeet or trap. I was hoping to use my Grandpa's old Winchester Model 12 Featherweight, but when I dug it out of the safe, I found it was a full choke... no good for clays. I ended up using my SxS coach gun that I use in Cowboy Action Shooting. I could have used the instructor's Perrazi (probably a $10-15,000 gun if you are not familiar with it), but I wanted to "run what I brung." After 30+ years of rifle and pistol shooting, I had a lot to learn - or perhaps unlearn. I used muscles I didn't know I had. I probably got about 20% of the birds, and had a lot of fun. I think I'll save up and buy another 28" full choke barrel for the 12, and get it cut down a few inches and removable chokes installed. That gun has a super smooth action, it's lightweight, and will do me just fine for as much as I anticipate shooting.
For the rifle and pistol ranges at the club, you need to have your own target holders that fit into sunk PVC pipe. The manager sells them for $10 or you can make your own. I decided to make my own.
Folks, it's been quite a while, so I really appreciate everyone who continues to check in here. I can't get out content as much as I would like, but if you are one of our 955 Facebook fans, I usually get something up there almost every day. Contests from other sites for great prizes (body armor, suppressors, flashlights, even guns), links to free Amazon downloads of interest to preppers and homesteaders, and funny or poignant photos or memes (what the heck is a "meme" I never heard that word before a few months ago). If you are not following us on FB, please hit the like button.
Incoming Rounds
I was working in the yard yesterday afternoon, to the sound of someone down the road shooting a heavy caliber rifle. No problem, I shoot in my backyard sometimes and we are out in the country. It became a problem when I heard BANG.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzTHUNK. A daggone ricochet came over and impacted somewhere in my woods. A few more shots, then again, BANG.... zzzzzzzzzzzz - that time no thunk, it kept going. Getting a little concerned, I stopped what I was doing and it came again... then a fourth time. I duckwalked to the house and made sure the Mrs. was OK, then hopped in the Jeep and went down the road to see if I could figure out who was shooting. I went a good 1/2 mile or so and pulled in a couple driveways, but couldn't find them. I came back, went and checked on the neighbors, and went back to work. There were more gunshots, but no more zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Outgoing Rounds
We got our membership approved at the gun club about 20 miles away. Last Sunday, we headed over so my wife could take the new member orientation and I was scheduled for a skeet lesson. I've shot durn near every type of recreational shooting there is, but never skeet or trap. I was hoping to use my Grandpa's old Winchester Model 12 Featherweight, but when I dug it out of the safe, I found it was a full choke... no good for clays. I ended up using my SxS coach gun that I use in Cowboy Action Shooting. I could have used the instructor's Perrazi (probably a $10-15,000 gun if you are not familiar with it), but I wanted to "run what I brung." After 30+ years of rifle and pistol shooting, I had a lot to learn - or perhaps unlearn. I used muscles I didn't know I had. I probably got about 20% of the birds, and had a lot of fun. I think I'll save up and buy another 28" full choke barrel for the 12, and get it cut down a few inches and removable chokes installed. That gun has a super smooth action, it's lightweight, and will do me just fine for as much as I anticipate shooting.
For the rifle and pistol ranges at the club, you need to have your own target holders that fit into sunk PVC pipe. The manager sells them for $10 or you can make your own. I decided to make my own.
They are made of 2x2 with scrap chipboard for corner supports and super thin (about 1/8" maybe) plywood for grooves to hold the cardboard. 7.5' tall, with 20" cross pieces. For the grooves, I have two layers of about 1/2" wide plywood supporting 1.5" wide plywood across the bottom and on the sides. It is glued and nailed. The chipboard is cut in triangles and glued and screwed with short wide screws. The crosspieces are glued and screwed with 3" screws. My bar clamps really made it possible to do. Why the crazy paint you may ask? Members can store their holders in a locked shed, and they suggest wild paint to identify yours easily, and chaining/padlocking two together to discourage "borrowing." I am really looking foreward to sending a lot of rounds down range this year and shooting some video for the YouTube channel.
2/24/13
Guest Post - Food Storage Tips
Food Storage Tips
Edited 2/25/13 - The author of the guest post had sent me an email that I missed, asking me to hold off on posting their article. They should be getting me an updated and expanded one soon. Sorry for the confusion!
Bug Out Box Subscription Service
A long-time reader sent me this link to the Bug Out Box subscription. For $27.95 a month (including shipping) you get 5-8 survival gear items, plus information for how to use them in different situations. I don't know what they include, but it might be worth looking in to if you want to get an older relative set up with some basic supplies or if you have trouble sticking to a monthly budget.
Starting My Seeds
I got my first tomato seeds started in the grow box today. I had some more tomato and pepper seeds left over from last year, but I can't find them. I think they must be buried in the freezer so I'll look more this week. Last year, I filled my red Solo cups a couple at a time with super rich soil from my garden box, then carried them across the yard to the green house. I got a little smarter this year and filled a bucket from the box, then sat at the grow box with a stack of cups and my seeds. MUCH quicker and efficient! My wife cut me a piece of black canvas to fit the top, then serged it so it wouldn't unravel. I stapled it to the back edge and stapled the front edge to a dowel rod. Now, when we have a clear, cold night, I can roll it out to cover the top and prevent convection heat loss to the atmosphere. Then the next morning I can quickly roll it up before I leave for work.
2/18/13
Updates
Another Milestone!
We just passed 900 fans on Facebook! Thank you so much! When dealing with advertisers, suppliers, and other organizations, FB fans is an important number. I haven't been getting much out here on the blog lately, but I try to share a news story or a cool picture or something everyday on FB. If you are not already a fan there, please consider doing so. I also post on FB whenever I have a new post up here on the blog.
Car Troubles
About three months ago, I sold my Honda Element. It was very cool, and did everything I could need, but it just didn't fit my body for my 2+ hours a day I spend commuting. I had gone back to my 11 year old Dodge pickup. Stick shift, manual windows, 2 wheel drive,V6, A/C had been broken for two years... nothing fancy at all, just very reliable and pretty comfortable to drive. Thursday morning last week, the engine blew with 175,000 miles on it. I just can't see dropping several thousand dollars to get a $1,500 dollar truck back on the road. Starting Friday after work, my wife and I went car shopping. The objective was a late model, low mileage, AWD or 4WD, car/SUV/Crossover/PU, under $20K - and it had to be automatic with cruise control and comfortable for me to drive - no compromise on those last two.
Saturday morning, it was snowy and sleety here, and I had to be at my new gun club for new member orientation and safety briefing. My wife had another obligation in town. I fired up the EMP-BOV 72 Jeep Commando and went on out. No heater and a soft top, but it did great... just not suitable for commuting to work (maybe in the summer...) Over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we went to five or six dealerships, sat in over a dozen vehicles and test drove about six of them. Sunday afternoon found us at a Kia dealer looking at a used Soul. It had pretty high mileage for the year, and had a very funky smell to it. The dealer worked with us and got us into a 2013 Soul+, that met all of my criteria, except it wasn't used and it is front wheel drive. As small as the Soul is, I'm a pretty good sized dude, and it fits me just fine. Very comfortable seating, no odd angles or protuberances into my knee or shoulder, and pretty peppy. I had a Kia Spectra several years ago and was very impressed with how it held up. 5yr/60k mile bumper to bumper and 100k mile powertrain warranty shows they stand behind their products. It has all kinds of cubbies and storage, so my GHB and emergency kits are already in place. It is also getting almost twice the gas mileage of my truck. It's not AWD, but really, around here, front wheel drive will get me through 99% of what I need to be driving in. If you are in the market for something to commute in, check out the Soul.
Slingin' Lead
As mentioned above, we just joined a gun club. It's very nice, catering mostly to skeet and trap shooters, but they have several nice rifle and pistol ranges too. I was a member years ago when it was an Issac Walton League facility, but it is privately owned now. They require all new members to take a four hour safety class. Three hours is the NRA home firearms safety course, and the last hour is range rules and regulations. In Va. the NRA course will count for a concealed weapon permit, so that is a nice feature for new members who don't have a permit.
Once it warms up, I want to shoot some shooting videos for the YouTube channel, and take some non-shooting friends and family just to show them how much fun and "unscary" guns can be.
Suppressor Info
Our friends at Liberty Suppressors have just released this video that goes over the pros and cons of "can" ownership. Very informative. Link to YouTube video
Coming Up
We've got a guest post from a reader that I'll get out later this week. If you have a particular interest or skill that you want to share, please email me a guest post. I'd love to get it out to our readers.
When I went down to weekly posts in January, I mentioned some new ventures that I am working on that will take a lot of time. One of those is pretty big, and I hope to be able to share it with you by the end of the week. Stay tuned!
We just passed 900 fans on Facebook! Thank you so much! When dealing with advertisers, suppliers, and other organizations, FB fans is an important number. I haven't been getting much out here on the blog lately, but I try to share a news story or a cool picture or something everyday on FB. If you are not already a fan there, please consider doing so. I also post on FB whenever I have a new post up here on the blog.
Car Troubles
About three months ago, I sold my Honda Element. It was very cool, and did everything I could need, but it just didn't fit my body for my 2+ hours a day I spend commuting. I had gone back to my 11 year old Dodge pickup. Stick shift, manual windows, 2 wheel drive,V6, A/C had been broken for two years... nothing fancy at all, just very reliable and pretty comfortable to drive. Thursday morning last week, the engine blew with 175,000 miles on it. I just can't see dropping several thousand dollars to get a $1,500 dollar truck back on the road. Starting Friday after work, my wife and I went car shopping. The objective was a late model, low mileage, AWD or 4WD, car/SUV/Crossover/PU, under $20K - and it had to be automatic with cruise control and comfortable for me to drive - no compromise on those last two.
Saturday morning, it was snowy and sleety here, and I had to be at my new gun club for new member orientation and safety briefing. My wife had another obligation in town. I fired up the EMP-BOV 72 Jeep Commando and went on out. No heater and a soft top, but it did great... just not suitable for commuting to work (maybe in the summer...) Over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we went to five or six dealerships, sat in over a dozen vehicles and test drove about six of them. Sunday afternoon found us at a Kia dealer looking at a used Soul. It had pretty high mileage for the year, and had a very funky smell to it. The dealer worked with us and got us into a 2013 Soul+, that met all of my criteria, except it wasn't used and it is front wheel drive. As small as the Soul is, I'm a pretty good sized dude, and it fits me just fine. Very comfortable seating, no odd angles or protuberances into my knee or shoulder, and pretty peppy. I had a Kia Spectra several years ago and was very impressed with how it held up. 5yr/60k mile bumper to bumper and 100k mile powertrain warranty shows they stand behind their products. It has all kinds of cubbies and storage, so my GHB and emergency kits are already in place. It is also getting almost twice the gas mileage of my truck. It's not AWD, but really, around here, front wheel drive will get me through 99% of what I need to be driving in. If you are in the market for something to commute in, check out the Soul.
Slingin' Lead
As mentioned above, we just joined a gun club. It's very nice, catering mostly to skeet and trap shooters, but they have several nice rifle and pistol ranges too. I was a member years ago when it was an Issac Walton League facility, but it is privately owned now. They require all new members to take a four hour safety class. Three hours is the NRA home firearms safety course, and the last hour is range rules and regulations. In Va. the NRA course will count for a concealed weapon permit, so that is a nice feature for new members who don't have a permit.
Once it warms up, I want to shoot some shooting videos for the YouTube channel, and take some non-shooting friends and family just to show them how much fun and "unscary" guns can be.
Suppressor Info
Our friends at Liberty Suppressors have just released this video that goes over the pros and cons of "can" ownership. Very informative. Link to YouTube video
Coming Up
We've got a guest post from a reader that I'll get out later this week. If you have a particular interest or skill that you want to share, please email me a guest post. I'd love to get it out to our readers.
When I went down to weekly posts in January, I mentioned some new ventures that I am working on that will take a lot of time. One of those is pretty big, and I hope to be able to share it with you by the end of the week. Stay tuned!
2/10/13
Prepper Ponderings
Growhouse
I set up the growhouse tonight. I was going to put it against a chainlink fence, but I think having it against the shop will give it more sunlight over the course of the day. I can't put my black cinderblocks in the bottom because it is actually in my strawberry patch. It will be an interesting comparisson to see the strawberry plants that spend the next few months under the shelter vs those exposed to the elements. I put eyebolts in the rear of it and in the wall of the shop, then used zip ties to secure it.
New Promotional Partners
I'm excited to announce two new places to get If It Hits The Fan out to folks. A new survival/preparedness aggregator site, Survival Pulse, will start showing our links. It's a very useful site to see what is going on a huge variety of sites. Also, the site, Before It's News is going to start carrying our RSS feed for their millions of readers. Pretty cool if I do say so myself.
MREs
Our friends at Meal Kit Supply have a new batch of MREs for sale. These were packed just last month, so they are super fresh and a great way to get as long a shelf life as possible. A new menu item is Chicken Fajita. I'm looking forward to giving them a try. $129.99 for a case of 12 meals.
Crucial Survival Tip for Men
Fellas, if you don't take my advice on this, your life will be much worse off... Valentines Day is right around the corner. This coming Thursday is it! Maybe your gal wants flowers or candy. Maybe she wants a case of MREs or a new holster or knife. Whatever it is, get it ahead of time. Don't be the guy searching the CVS on the way home from work Thursday evening!
I set up the growhouse tonight. I was going to put it against a chainlink fence, but I think having it against the shop will give it more sunlight over the course of the day. I can't put my black cinderblocks in the bottom because it is actually in my strawberry patch. It will be an interesting comparisson to see the strawberry plants that spend the next few months under the shelter vs those exposed to the elements. I put eyebolts in the rear of it and in the wall of the shop, then used zip ties to secure it.
New Promotional Partners
I'm excited to announce two new places to get If It Hits The Fan out to folks. A new survival/preparedness aggregator site, Survival Pulse, will start showing our links. It's a very useful site to see what is going on a huge variety of sites. Also, the site, Before It's News is going to start carrying our RSS feed for their millions of readers. Pretty cool if I do say so myself.
MREs
Our friends at Meal Kit Supply have a new batch of MREs for sale. These were packed just last month, so they are super fresh and a great way to get as long a shelf life as possible. A new menu item is Chicken Fajita. I'm looking forward to giving them a try. $129.99 for a case of 12 meals.
Crucial Survival Tip for Men
Fellas, if you don't take my advice on this, your life will be much worse off... Valentines Day is right around the corner. This coming Thursday is it! Maybe your gal wants flowers or candy. Maybe she wants a case of MREs or a new holster or knife. Whatever it is, get it ahead of time. Don't be the guy searching the CVS on the way home from work Thursday evening!
2/3/13
Product Review: Grow It Wooden Growhouse
A Greenhouse for Regular Gardeners
Last year I tried a greenhouse for the first time, to get my seeds started early. My dad and I built it out of pvc pipe, rolls of plastic, and Gorilla Tape. It was 6'x6' with a peaked roof, and I ran a space heater and grow lights into it. I built a shelf unit with the shelves lipped and lined with plastic so that the hundred or so seed pots (10 oz red Solo cups with a hole drilled in the bottom) could self water from the trough. It worked ok, but it was really bigger than I need for my garden, and by the time spring was going good, it was starting to collapse from the tape losing adhesive.
This year, my wife bought me the Grow It Wooden Growhouse from Amazon.
It's 3'7" high, 2'6" wide, and 1'10" deep with two slatted wood shelves, and polycarbonate sides, back, doors and top. The top is hinged and has braces to keep it open, and the two doors swing open. It was VERY easy to put together, taking me just under an hour (it would have been even quicker if I followed the directions from the get go). My only tool was a phillips head screw driver in my drill. It seems pretty sturdy, but is lightweight enough for one person to easily move around. It is plenty big for my needs, and if my garden gets bigger next year, I can always get a second one for more capacity. It's pretty attractive, and would be fine in a hoity-toity subdivision, or out here on the homestead.
The wood is stained to look like redwood, but I'm sure is a light pine or poplar or something. That is probably about the only negative I see. I don't think it will hold up to the elements for year after year. I plan to hit it with a weather-repellent coating of Minwax or something like that, and it will come in the shed after seed starting season. With those two small efforts, it ought to last for years.
I also am making a couple of adjustments to it to fit my particular needs. I'm going to have it against a chain link fence, so I'm screwing in a couple of hooks on the top rear corners so I can secure it to the fence and it won't blow over. The doors have swiveled pieces at the top and middle to keep them closed. I'm adding one to the bottom to keep it from gaping there. Finally, I'm going to take a piece of canvas the size of the lid. I'll staple one edge to the rear of the lid frame, and the other edge to a dowel rod so it can be easily rolled up and out. It will be used to cover the top when it is a cold, clear night. Listening to Paul Wheaten one time on The Survival Podcast, he spoke about the need to cover a greenhouse under those conditions. You figure that the upper atmosphere is bitterly cold, and if there is no cloud cover to insulate the ground, then any head built up in the grow house during the day will rapidly escape. I'm also going to paint a couple of cinder blocks black and put them in the bottom to serve as a heat sink.
Next weekend, it will be time to get my seeds started for the season.
Last year I tried a greenhouse for the first time, to get my seeds started early. My dad and I built it out of pvc pipe, rolls of plastic, and Gorilla Tape. It was 6'x6' with a peaked roof, and I ran a space heater and grow lights into it. I built a shelf unit with the shelves lipped and lined with plastic so that the hundred or so seed pots (10 oz red Solo cups with a hole drilled in the bottom) could self water from the trough. It worked ok, but it was really bigger than I need for my garden, and by the time spring was going good, it was starting to collapse from the tape losing adhesive.
This year, my wife bought me the Grow It Wooden Growhouse from Amazon.
It's 3'7" high, 2'6" wide, and 1'10" deep with two slatted wood shelves, and polycarbonate sides, back, doors and top. The top is hinged and has braces to keep it open, and the two doors swing open. It was VERY easy to put together, taking me just under an hour (it would have been even quicker if I followed the directions from the get go). My only tool was a phillips head screw driver in my drill. It seems pretty sturdy, but is lightweight enough for one person to easily move around. It is plenty big for my needs, and if my garden gets bigger next year, I can always get a second one for more capacity. It's pretty attractive, and would be fine in a hoity-toity subdivision, or out here on the homestead.
The wood is stained to look like redwood, but I'm sure is a light pine or poplar or something. That is probably about the only negative I see. I don't think it will hold up to the elements for year after year. I plan to hit it with a weather-repellent coating of Minwax or something like that, and it will come in the shed after seed starting season. With those two small efforts, it ought to last for years.
I also am making a couple of adjustments to it to fit my particular needs. I'm going to have it against a chain link fence, so I'm screwing in a couple of hooks on the top rear corners so I can secure it to the fence and it won't blow over. The doors have swiveled pieces at the top and middle to keep them closed. I'm adding one to the bottom to keep it from gaping there. Finally, I'm going to take a piece of canvas the size of the lid. I'll staple one edge to the rear of the lid frame, and the other edge to a dowel rod so it can be easily rolled up and out. It will be used to cover the top when it is a cold, clear night. Listening to Paul Wheaten one time on The Survival Podcast, he spoke about the need to cover a greenhouse under those conditions. You figure that the upper atmosphere is bitterly cold, and if there is no cloud cover to insulate the ground, then any head built up in the grow house during the day will rapidly escape. I'm also going to paint a couple of cinder blocks black and put them in the bottom to serve as a heat sink.
Next weekend, it will be time to get my seeds started for the season.
1/28/13
Book Review: The Prepper Next Door
The Prepper Next Door, by Charlie Palmer, HCM Publishing, 2012, 314 pages, $19.95
This book was sent to me at no charge, by the author, for my review.
The Prepper Next Door is chock full of useful information, presented in an easy to read, conversational writing style. Charlie breaks it down into 15 logical chapters on topics ranging from "The Prepper Porta Potty" to "Of Fireblocking And Basements" to "Not Everybody's Cut Out To Raise Chickens."
Looking through my copy, I have probably 25 pages with the corners turned down for some great tidbits of information, or especially humerous side comments. In the chapter on flashlights, Charlie discusses the pros, cons, and specs for a variety of different models, all of which is good, useful information. Then, to lighten the detailed read, he drops, "nothing else says, 'What the Hell are you doing here?' as well as 1,000 lumens." He includes numerous web resources and downloadable documents such such as the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, among others. The information in this book makes it valuable to the novice or experienced prepper. The writing style makes it enjoyable to read for anyone. Because the author presents so much of the information in a non-threatening, good for everyday emergencies as well as major disasters and even WROL situations.
I whole-heartedly recommend, The Prepper Next Door, by Charlie Palmer as a gift for that novice or non-preppin friend, and for yourself. Everyone will learn something from it. It is also available on Kindle for $9.95.
This book was sent to me at no charge, by the author, for my review.
The Prepper Next Door is chock full of useful information, presented in an easy to read, conversational writing style. Charlie breaks it down into 15 logical chapters on topics ranging from "The Prepper Porta Potty" to "Of Fireblocking And Basements" to "Not Everybody's Cut Out To Raise Chickens."
Looking through my copy, I have probably 25 pages with the corners turned down for some great tidbits of information, or especially humerous side comments. In the chapter on flashlights, Charlie discusses the pros, cons, and specs for a variety of different models, all of which is good, useful information. Then, to lighten the detailed read, he drops, "nothing else says, 'What the Hell are you doing here?' as well as 1,000 lumens." He includes numerous web resources and downloadable documents such such as the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, among others. The information in this book makes it valuable to the novice or experienced prepper. The writing style makes it enjoyable to read for anyone. Because the author presents so much of the information in a non-threatening, good for everyday emergencies as well as major disasters and even WROL situations.
I whole-heartedly recommend, The Prepper Next Door, by Charlie Palmer as a gift for that novice or non-preppin friend, and for yourself. Everyone will learn something from it. It is also available on Kindle for $9.95.
1/21/13
New Prepper Resource
I got an email from a fellow named Dennis Evers offering the first 50 folks to visit his blog, Preparedness is Fundamental, a free copy of his e-book, How to Handle a Crisis. I really like the blog, nice photos, and good, solid, "how to" information. It's definitely on my regular read list.
Here's the info release on the blog:
Here's the info release on the blog:
New Resource for “Hands-On” Preppers
Preppers are typically “hands-on”
kind of people, and with that in mind, a new website; “Preparedness is
Fundamental”, has just been launched that features articles and short
how-to videos on prepping for anyone that doesn’t mind getting their hands
dirty. One video shows you how you can secure as many perfectly good batteries
as you want for free while another walks you through the easy construction of a
super bright, rugged 12 Volt LED prepper light for around $6.00.
Other information includes how to
build a solar generator, gardening, free prepper materials and discount codes,
while upcoming videos and how-to articles deal with a serious homemade smoker
for under ten bucks, LED security lighting, long term food storage, seed
preservation and more.
To the first 50 visitors “Preparedness is
Fundamental” is offering a free eBook; “How to Handle a Crisis” (a $4.99
value) which deals with all types of disasters, terrorism, CBRNE, medical
crises and survival.
To visit, go to http://proficientprepping.wordpress.com/
1/17/13
They Work For Us!
Letters To My Congressman and Senators Going Out Today
January 17, 2013
The Honorable Eric I. Cantor
Rm. 303
Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Congressman Cantor:
I am a Marine Corps veteran, a retired law enforcement officer, and
currently the chief of security for one of the largest public school divisions
in Virginia. I am also a life member of
the National Rifle Association and the Single Action Shooting Society. I enjoy recreational and competitive shooting
of both modern and historic pistols, rifles and shotguns. My wife, Charlotte, is a budding skeet and
trap shooter. We keep and carry firearms
for home and personal defense. Our guns
have never been used to “assault” anyone, and never will be. I have used my pistol defensively, both as a
police officer and as a private citizen.
I’m thankful that I never had to fire one at another person, but the
mere possession and display ended the threats I faced.
The president is pushing for numerous gun control measures that are not
only un-Constitutional, but are morally repugnant. Guns are the only area where many want to
punish the law-abiding and restrict possession of inanimate objects simply
because an evil or deranged person might use a similar item or because it has a
particular appearance. The AR-15 and
AK47, in semi-automatic form, have been on the market with standard 20-30 round
magazines for well over 50 years.
Functionally, they are based on technology that was readily available in
the earliest part of the 20th century. I was a police officer during the Clinton
“assault weapon” ban and I know that it had no effect on reducing crime.
I urge you to lead the fight in Congress against any new gun control
laws. They will not prevent any crime,
and will only lead to make criminals out of law-abiding gun owners. Demand that current laws are enforced…
prohibited persons must be prosecuted if they lie on form 4473 or if they are
found to be in possession of a firearm.
Project Exile works! Demand that
straw buyers are charged and held accountable for their actions. Demand that strict, additional penalties are
given to criminals who use firearms in the commission of a violent felony. Please use your leadership role to protect
our rights.
Sincerely,
Donald R. Green, CPP, CEMA
January 17, 2013
The Honorable Mark R. Warner
Rm. 475
Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Senator Warner:
I am a Marine Corps veteran, a retired law enforcement officer, and
currently the chief of security for one of the largest public school divisions
in Virginia. I am also a life member of
the National Rifle Association and the Single Action Shooting Society. I enjoy recreational and competitive shooting
of both modern and historic pistols, rifles and shotguns. My wife, Charlotte, is a budding skeet and
trap shooter. We keep and carry firearms
for home and personal defense. Our guns
have never been used to “assault” anyone, and never will be. I have used my pistol defensively, both as a
police officer and as a private citizen.
I’m thankful that I never had to fire one at another person, but the
mere possession and display ended the threats I faced.
The president is pushing for numerous gun control measures that are not
only un-Constitutional, but are morally repugnant. Guns are the only area where many want to
punish the law-abiding and restrict possession of inanimate objects simply
because an evil or deranged person might use a similar item or because it has a
particular appearance. The AR-15 and
AK47, in semi-automatic form, have been on the market with standard 20-30 round
magazines for well over 50 years.
Functionally, they are based on technology that was readily available in
the earliest part of the 20th century. I was a police officer during the Clinton
“assault weapon” ban and I know that it had no effect on reducing crime.
You have a solid record of defending the 2nd Amendment and
gun owner rights. I urge you to continue
this support and lead the fight in the Senate against any new gun control
laws. They will not prevent any crime,
and will only lead to make criminals out of law-abiding gun owners. Demand that current laws are enforced… prohibited
persons must be prosecuted if they lie on form 4473 or if they are found to be
in possession of a firearm. Project
Exile works! Demand that straw buyers
are charged and held accountable for their actions. Demand that strict, additional penalties are
given to criminals who use firearms in the commission of a violent felony. Please use your leadership role to protect
our rights.
Sincerely,
Donald R. Green, CPP, CEMA
January 17, 2013
The Honorable Timothy M. Kaine
Rm. B40C
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Senator Kaine:
I am a Marine Corps veteran, a retired law enforcement officer, and
currently the chief of security for one of the largest public school divisions
in Virginia. I am also a life member of
the National Rifle Association and the Single Action Shooting Society. I enjoy recreational and competitive shooting
of both modern and historic pistols, rifles and shotguns. My wife, Charlotte, is a budding skeet and
trap shooter. We keep and carry firearms
for home and personal defense. Our guns
have never been used to “assault” anyone, and never will be. I have used my pistol defensively, both as a
police officer and as a private citizen.
I’m thankful that I never had to fire one at another person, but the
mere possession and display ended the threats I faced.
The president is pushing for numerous gun control measures that are not
only un-Constitutional, but are morally repugnant. Guns are the only area where many want to
punish the law-abiding and restrict possession of inanimate objects simply
because an evil or deranged person might use a similar item or because it has a
particular appearance. The AR-15 and
AK47, in semi-automatic form, have been on the market with standard 20-30 round
magazines for well over 50 years.
Functionally, they are based on technology that was readily available in
the earliest part of the 20th century. I was a police officer during the Clinton
“assault weapon” ban and I know that it had no effect on reducing crime.
You have a record of alienating gun owners and attacking the 2nd
Amendment. I urge you to change your
views and lead the fight in the Senate against any new gun control laws. They will not prevent any crime, and will
only lead to make criminals out of law-abiding gun owners. We can all agree that violent felons and the mentally
deranged should not possess firearms.
They are already addressed in the current laws, yet those laws are not
enforced. Demand that current laws are
enforced… prohibited persons must be prosecuted if they lie on form 4473 or if
they are found to be in possession of a firearm. Project Exile works! Demand that straw buyers are charged and held
accountable for their actions. Demand that
strict, additional penalties are given to criminals who use firearms in the
commission of a violent felony. Ensure
that the states provide accurate criminal history and mental health records to
the NICS system. Please use your
leadership role to protect our rights.
Sincerely,
Donald R. Green, CPP, CEMA
These people are elected to serve and work for us. Make your thoughts heard!
1/13/13
When It's Time To Change...
You've Got To Rearrange...
Of course, I take today's title from a classic episode of The Brady Bunch. I think it is time for If It Hits The Fan to change. Over the past 2 and a half years, you have taken time to come here and see what I have to say, over a quarter million times. Unfortunately, that has taken a lot of time, about 2-3 hours a day. With my long commute, I'm away from home almost 12 hours a day, and I just can't keep it up. I need to devote more time to my own preps. I want to spend more time with my wife. I want to shoot my guns more, and shoot more video for the YouTube channel.
I've also got some other things in the works. I have the opportunity to write some articles for one of the survivalism magazines out there, as well as a publisher that wants me to submit a draft of a book. There just aren't enough hours in the day. On top of all of that, since the Sandy Hook attack, my professional life has taken off and responsibilities have increased at work. Soon, I'll have some big news in that area.
If It Hits The Fan isn't going anywhere. I'll still get some content out to you once a week or so. It's just that I've got to change my focus and priorities.
I'm really grateful to all of you who have made If It Hits The Fan such a success, and my sponsors are truly amazing.
Times are going to tough in 2013. Our economy is collapsing... our rights are being stolen away... the flu season looks like it is going to be nasty... natural disasters are striking in new and severe ways. Preparedness is a valuable life skill and life style. There are some fantastic web resources out there to help us all learn how to improve our skills and build community. I'm hoping that you'll continue to include If It Hits The Fan as one of your resources, but check out the others as well.
Thanks for an amazing ride for these past 2 and a half years, and I look forward to more with you.
Donald
Of course, I take today's title from a classic episode of The Brady Bunch. I think it is time for If It Hits The Fan to change. Over the past 2 and a half years, you have taken time to come here and see what I have to say, over a quarter million times. Unfortunately, that has taken a lot of time, about 2-3 hours a day. With my long commute, I'm away from home almost 12 hours a day, and I just can't keep it up. I need to devote more time to my own preps. I want to spend more time with my wife. I want to shoot my guns more, and shoot more video for the YouTube channel.
I've also got some other things in the works. I have the opportunity to write some articles for one of the survivalism magazines out there, as well as a publisher that wants me to submit a draft of a book. There just aren't enough hours in the day. On top of all of that, since the Sandy Hook attack, my professional life has taken off and responsibilities have increased at work. Soon, I'll have some big news in that area.
If It Hits The Fan isn't going anywhere. I'll still get some content out to you once a week or so. It's just that I've got to change my focus and priorities.
I'm really grateful to all of you who have made If It Hits The Fan such a success, and my sponsors are truly amazing.
Times are going to tough in 2013. Our economy is collapsing... our rights are being stolen away... the flu season looks like it is going to be nasty... natural disasters are striking in new and severe ways. Preparedness is a valuable life skill and life style. There are some fantastic web resources out there to help us all learn how to improve our skills and build community. I'm hoping that you'll continue to include If It Hits The Fan as one of your resources, but check out the others as well.
Thanks for an amazing ride for these past 2 and a half years, and I look forward to more with you.
Donald
12/27/12
Did Santa Help Your Preps?
He Got Me Some Good Gear
I got some good non-prepping gifts, Get Smart - The Complete Series Gift Set
, a Bali-Song-style Silver Flash Butterfly Can Bottle Opener
, and some nice cigars.
Otterbox Defender
I've been using a Griffin case for my iPhone 4 for about a year and a half. It's a great case, but really more than I need. It is thick rubber and very water resistant. I am very happy with the Otterbox. It is almost as protective as the Griffin, but a little thinner, and not as "sticky." It also makes it easier to use the camera because the Griffin has a rubber flap that must be moved and held out the way. The Otterbox doesn't.
Col. Littleton cell phone pouch
Col. Littleton makes some fantastic leather gear, much of it available through Orvis. I carry my iPhone and a Blackberry for work, and I've been toting them in a Lowe Alpine belt pouch. It was functional, but ugly. My new Col. Littleton pouch is very well made leather, and it holds both phones easily and securely. I love the look of it which is very reminiscent of a WWII-era GI flap holster for the 1911.
Desantis Ankle Holster
I got this rig for my new Kahr CM9. It is very comfortable, and I've been wearing it almost constantly since Christmas Eve. It is easy to conceal, and fairly quick to draw from. This is going to become a part of my EDC gear.
Pocket Chainsaw
I've long had the pocket chainsaws made from braided wire with split ring loops on the end. They work pretty well, but have limited durability. I've been wanting to try this type, and have heard good things about them. After I give it a good workout, I'll do a video product review soon.
War Hammer
I never thought that I would need a hammer like this, but I'm really looking forward to using it. It is really designed as a wrecking bar tool with prying spots, nail pullers, a chisel, and even a bottle opener... but seems like a great improvised impact weapon as well. Makes me feel a little like Thor. I'll shoot a product review video of this as well.
I also got a Maxpedition S-Type Jumbo Versipack (Od Green)
, but it is worthy of a whole post on its own.
I gave some prepping items to a few friends and family, but some haven't been delivered yet, so those are still secret.
How was your Christmas?
I got some good non-prepping gifts, Get Smart - The Complete Series Gift Set
, a Bali-Song-style Silver Flash Butterfly Can Bottle Opener, and some nice cigars.Otterbox Defender
I've been using a Griffin case for my iPhone 4 for about a year and a half. It's a great case, but really more than I need. It is thick rubber and very water resistant. I am very happy with the Otterbox. It is almost as protective as the Griffin, but a little thinner, and not as "sticky." It also makes it easier to use the camera because the Griffin has a rubber flap that must be moved and held out the way. The Otterbox doesn't.
Col. Littleton cell phone pouch
Col. Littleton makes some fantastic leather gear, much of it available through Orvis. I carry my iPhone and a Blackberry for work, and I've been toting them in a Lowe Alpine belt pouch. It was functional, but ugly. My new Col. Littleton pouch is very well made leather, and it holds both phones easily and securely. I love the look of it which is very reminiscent of a WWII-era GI flap holster for the 1911.
Desantis Ankle Holster
I got this rig for my new Kahr CM9. It is very comfortable, and I've been wearing it almost constantly since Christmas Eve. It is easy to conceal, and fairly quick to draw from. This is going to become a part of my EDC gear.
Pocket Chainsaw
I've long had the pocket chainsaws made from braided wire with split ring loops on the end. They work pretty well, but have limited durability. I've been wanting to try this type, and have heard good things about them. After I give it a good workout, I'll do a video product review soon.
War Hammer
I never thought that I would need a hammer like this, but I'm really looking forward to using it. It is really designed as a wrecking bar tool with prying spots, nail pullers, a chisel, and even a bottle opener... but seems like a great improvised impact weapon as well. Makes me feel a little like Thor. I'll shoot a product review video of this as well.
I also got a Maxpedition S-Type Jumbo Versipack (Od Green)
, but it is worthy of a whole post on its own.I gave some prepping items to a few friends and family, but some haven't been delivered yet, so those are still secret.
How was your Christmas?
12/21/12
Defending Against The Attacks on Guns
Fighting For Our Rights
The NRA is going to have a news conference this morning that was announced earlier in the week with this tidbit: "The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."
What does that mean? Will they announce a free training program for school staff? Will they announce a partnership with Ruger to provide free pistols to principals? Or will they say that the conversation must start toward some rational gun control laws to keep assault weapons out of the wrong hands? I am a life member of the NRA... have been for quite a few years. But the NRA has a terrible history of truly caving and dropping the ball when the chips are down.
They supported the Gun Control Act of '68. That made dealing and buying firearms inconvenient at best and did nothing to prevent crime. They did not fight the illegally passed Hughes amendment to the Firearm Owners Protection Act in 1986 which effectively ended civilian ownership of full automatic weapons except those already in the registry. Overnight, the price of a Tommy Gun went from a couple thousand to $20,000. In 1989, they did nothing when Bush 41 used executive order to ban the importation of many of the finest foreign weapons available. They caved and allowed the Clinton so-called Assault Weapons Ban to happen in 1994. The NRA talks gun rights, but they haven't done a great job of living it.
There are a couple things we can do...
Edited while I'm watching the NRA press conference...
Thank you, NRA! The National School Shield Safety Program is an amazing step in the right direction! I am PROUD to be a life member of the NRA and a school safety professional!
The NRA is going to have a news conference this morning that was announced earlier in the week with this tidbit: "The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."
What does that mean? Will they announce a free training program for school staff? Will they announce a partnership with Ruger to provide free pistols to principals? Or will they say that the conversation must start toward some rational gun control laws to keep assault weapons out of the wrong hands? I am a life member of the NRA... have been for quite a few years. But the NRA has a terrible history of truly caving and dropping the ball when the chips are down.
They supported the Gun Control Act of '68. That made dealing and buying firearms inconvenient at best and did nothing to prevent crime. They did not fight the illegally passed Hughes amendment to the Firearm Owners Protection Act in 1986 which effectively ended civilian ownership of full automatic weapons except those already in the registry. Overnight, the price of a Tommy Gun went from a couple thousand to $20,000. In 1989, they did nothing when Bush 41 used executive order to ban the importation of many of the finest foreign weapons available. They caved and allowed the Clinton so-called Assault Weapons Ban to happen in 1994. The NRA talks gun rights, but they haven't done a great job of living it.
There are a couple things we can do...
- Look at joining and supporting the no-compromise gun rights organizations: Gun Owners of America and Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership are two that I know of.
- Deluge your elected servants in the local city hall, the state house, and that den of vipers, Washington, with polite, yet firm letters, emails and phone calls letting them know how you feel about infringements upon our rights
- Educate your friends. There are a lot of solid, pro 2A folks out there. There are also some rabid, irrational antis. The rest fall in the middle. Maybe they hunt once or twice a year. They might own an old .357 for home defense. They might shoot skeet. But they don't have much exposure or understanding of weapons that look like military or are scary and black. When they say that maybe an assault weapon ban is good because nobody needs that type of gun, rather than getting mad and calling them a commie rat bastard, reach out. Explain the fact that the AR15 and AK47 were designed 50-60 years ago and that their technology dates to the 1890s. Talk about the sporting uses such as 3-gun matches and the Camp Perry National Matches. Show them that other than cosmetics, these guns are no different than many hunting weapons. Bring up something they like but that no one needs... nobody needs a Corvette that can go 100 mph over the speed limit. Nobody needs a riding mower for a residential yard that could run over and kill a small child. Nobody needs a dangerous nail gun - haven't they seen Lethal Weapon II?
- Invite a non-shooter to the range. I just had an encounter on FB with a guy I went to high school with. He was speaking from fear and misunderstanding, lashing out at "high capacity clips," "military style weapons," and nobody needs something that can "spray all those bullets." I invited him to go to the range with me to shoot such guns and learn what they truly are and can do. He works weekends, but we are heading out during my spring break to do it. I think that just the invitation has eased his fears of the unknown a little.
Edited while I'm watching the NRA press conference...
Thank you, NRA! The National School Shield Safety Program is an amazing step in the right direction! I am PROUD to be a life member of the NRA and a school safety professional!
12/17/12
It's Time To Get Rid Of "Lockdown"
Hide In The Corner And Wait To Be Killed
When I was in school in the 70s and 80s, there was no such thing as a lockdown. I really don't know when the lockdown came to widespread use in schools, but I imagine it was after Columbine. The general idea is that if there is a threat inside the school, then someone gets on the PA and announces a lockdown (I really hope no schools are still using "Code Purple" or "Mr. Hoover Please Report to Room 911" or any other codes). Teachers lock their doors, cover the windows and gather the students in the corner out of the line of sight of the door.
This is easy to drill and practice, and makes people think they are doing something, but in reality, it simply provides a large mass of easy targets for a killer.
I have some suggestions that we, as a society, need to move toward as a response to school mass killings.
1. All teachers and staff must be empowered to secure their rooms, call 911, and sound the alarm to the rest of the school. There is a school safety training video called "The First Twenty Minutes" that for ten years has been considered the way to handle a school killer. I don't use it anymore and think that it needs to go away. In it, a teacher looks out her window and sees a boy with a rifle walking across the parking lot toward the school. If I remember the details right, she draws the blinds, locks her door, then calls the office. The person in the office hears what she has to say, then gives the phone to the principal. After listening to the teacher, he tells one secretary to get the SRO, then he calls 911, tells them what is going on, then hands the phone to the SRO BEFORE putting the school on lockdown. During that time, the killer gets in the school and starts shooting. Had the teacher done an all call from the getgo, he may have been locked out.
Unfortunately, that is still the way in many schools. When I spoke at the Self Reliance Expo in NC a few months back, I met a teacher from down there. She said that teachers in her school would be fired if they called 911 - that was for the principal. She was also told that she would be fired if she said anything to her elementary students about fleeing out of a side door during a lockdown. Which gets to...
2. The standard must be that staff are trusted to use good judgment and trained that breaking a window and sending children out or running out of a nearby door are acceptable and demanded if there is a threat of death by staying in the building. Yes, it is harder to drill and practice, but it can certainly be talked through with students. In the video, students and a teacher huddle in fear on the classroom floor as they hear gunshots in the hall and the killer jiggles the door handle. I want to yell at the screen, "Get out of the window!"
3. Don't make the school a fortress, but make the classrooms securable. People who don't know any better want metal detectors and cameras everywhere. While they can have a role in school safety, they are worthless in defense against a determined killer. Make classroom doors of heavy, solid wood construction. Make the window small, at eye level, bulletproof, and on the edge of the door away from the door knob. Use locks that stay locked... you can use a key to open the door, but not to keep it unlocked. Don't have windows in the interior walls. Teachers should have their big, heavy desks at the door end of the room. In an intruder situation, flip it on its end and push it against the door. Pile student desks against and in the way of the door. If the intruder breaches the door, he'll at least get caught up in the mess of desks and slowed. Rooms on the ground floor should have at least one "emergency escape" window that can be unlatched and used for egress... like on a bus or an airplane. Second story or higher classrooms should be even more secure. Spectra or Kevlar linings for the door and hallway walls... high security deadbolts... things that will deny entry to the killer and stop bullets.
These are all doable, and the first two won't cost anything. But there will be resistance. School staff don't like to think about these things, and lockdown is what they are used to.
When I was in school in the 70s and 80s, there was no such thing as a lockdown. I really don't know when the lockdown came to widespread use in schools, but I imagine it was after Columbine. The general idea is that if there is a threat inside the school, then someone gets on the PA and announces a lockdown (I really hope no schools are still using "Code Purple" or "Mr. Hoover Please Report to Room 911" or any other codes). Teachers lock their doors, cover the windows and gather the students in the corner out of the line of sight of the door.
This is easy to drill and practice, and makes people think they are doing something, but in reality, it simply provides a large mass of easy targets for a killer.
I have some suggestions that we, as a society, need to move toward as a response to school mass killings.
1. All teachers and staff must be empowered to secure their rooms, call 911, and sound the alarm to the rest of the school. There is a school safety training video called "The First Twenty Minutes" that for ten years has been considered the way to handle a school killer. I don't use it anymore and think that it needs to go away. In it, a teacher looks out her window and sees a boy with a rifle walking across the parking lot toward the school. If I remember the details right, she draws the blinds, locks her door, then calls the office. The person in the office hears what she has to say, then gives the phone to the principal. After listening to the teacher, he tells one secretary to get the SRO, then he calls 911, tells them what is going on, then hands the phone to the SRO BEFORE putting the school on lockdown. During that time, the killer gets in the school and starts shooting. Had the teacher done an all call from the getgo, he may have been locked out.
Unfortunately, that is still the way in many schools. When I spoke at the Self Reliance Expo in NC a few months back, I met a teacher from down there. She said that teachers in her school would be fired if they called 911 - that was for the principal. She was also told that she would be fired if she said anything to her elementary students about fleeing out of a side door during a lockdown. Which gets to...
2. The standard must be that staff are trusted to use good judgment and trained that breaking a window and sending children out or running out of a nearby door are acceptable and demanded if there is a threat of death by staying in the building. Yes, it is harder to drill and practice, but it can certainly be talked through with students. In the video, students and a teacher huddle in fear on the classroom floor as they hear gunshots in the hall and the killer jiggles the door handle. I want to yell at the screen, "Get out of the window!"
3. Don't make the school a fortress, but make the classrooms securable. People who don't know any better want metal detectors and cameras everywhere. While they can have a role in school safety, they are worthless in defense against a determined killer. Make classroom doors of heavy, solid wood construction. Make the window small, at eye level, bulletproof, and on the edge of the door away from the door knob. Use locks that stay locked... you can use a key to open the door, but not to keep it unlocked. Don't have windows in the interior walls. Teachers should have their big, heavy desks at the door end of the room. In an intruder situation, flip it on its end and push it against the door. Pile student desks against and in the way of the door. If the intruder breaches the door, he'll at least get caught up in the mess of desks and slowed. Rooms on the ground floor should have at least one "emergency escape" window that can be unlatched and used for egress... like on a bus or an airplane. Second story or higher classrooms should be even more secure. Spectra or Kevlar linings for the door and hallway walls... high security deadbolts... things that will deny entry to the killer and stop bullets.
These are all doable, and the first two won't cost anything. But there will be resistance. School staff don't like to think about these things, and lockdown is what they are used to.
12/16/12
We Can't Prevent
We Can Minimize The Loss
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school killings, it is natural that some people blame the gun. Others call for metal detectors, visitor screening, and more lockdown drills. Some lash out looking for any excuse or reason on which to blame these deaths. The unfortunate reality is that we cannot prevent a lone, determined gunman from killing children.
We could install metal detectors at schools. For them to truly be effective, they would need to be located at every school building door, and staffed from 5 a.m. to midnight (at least that is how long many high schools have "something" going on in the buildings. There would need to be skeleton security crews on duty 24/7. Of course, metal detectors are not foolproof, so we would need x-ray machines at those locations as well, and the associated staff to operate them. Then we would need to seal all of the windows in the buildings so that something could not be passed through. Yep, that would keep guns out of the schools. But what happened at the Red Lake, Minnesota school killing? The 16-year-old killer immediately shot the school security officer operating the metal detector.
But let's say we can completely secure the building... that moves the threat to the parking lots, playgrounds and bus loading areas. Maybe we need to have tall walls completely surrounding school property with a vehicle sally port. We already have facilities like this... they are called, prisons.
Do we want our children to be "safe" if the result is that they spend their days in the physical equivalent of a prison? Even if the American people want to make that sacrifice, it just drives the threat elsewhere... the bus stop in the neighborhood, the field trip to museum, the prom at the hotel ballroom/lounge...
In Israel, school teachers, staff and parents carry guns. In Utah, the law allows school personnel with concealed carry permits to carry at school. In some West Texas counties, they have established a program where school staff apply for the armed staff program that is similar to the armed flight deck officer program for commercial pilots. Those who are selected for the program go through extensive range time with the sheriff's office each summer and carry at work. Nobody knows who these staff members are except the district superintendent, the principal, and the sheriff's office.
What do Israel, Utah and West Texas have in common? THEY DON'T HAVE SCHOOL KILLINGS!
Random locker searches, counselors, anonymous tip lines, school threat assessment teams, anti-bullying programs, open lines of communications, involved parents, school security... all of these are important. They contribute to an overall safe environment. Nearly every week, we hear of a school killing that was thwarted by another student speaking up and letting someone know what was being planned. In my school district, a couple of times a year a student is found with a gun. It is always found because another student knew and told. None of these will have any effect on the lone, deranged killer that has no obvious connection to the school.
In the 1997 Pearl, Mississippi school killing, the assistant principal retrieved his .45 pistol from his car and stopped the killer. In 1998 Parker Middle School had their 8th grade dance at a local Edinboro, PA restaurant. A student pulled out a pistol, killed a teacher, wounded another teacher and two students, and the got held at bay for 11 minutes until police arrived by the restaurant owner who used his own shotgun. At the 2002 Appalachian School of Law shooting here in Virginia, two legally armed students stopped the killer before more were killed. In Wyoming, the law allows concealed carry on college campuses, but the community college system requires permission of the campus police chief. None of those chiefs will grant permission. Recently a professor was killed by his son with a crossbow in front of his class. At the University of Wyoming, concealed carry is allowed anywhere on campus except the dorms. Students living in the dorms can secure their weapons in the campus police station and be escorted to their dorms if they wish. They haven't had any killings at UW.
The answer is easy, but the fortitude to implement it is missing from our elected servants.
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school killings, it is natural that some people blame the gun. Others call for metal detectors, visitor screening, and more lockdown drills. Some lash out looking for any excuse or reason on which to blame these deaths. The unfortunate reality is that we cannot prevent a lone, determined gunman from killing children.
We could install metal detectors at schools. For them to truly be effective, they would need to be located at every school building door, and staffed from 5 a.m. to midnight (at least that is how long many high schools have "something" going on in the buildings. There would need to be skeleton security crews on duty 24/7. Of course, metal detectors are not foolproof, so we would need x-ray machines at those locations as well, and the associated staff to operate them. Then we would need to seal all of the windows in the buildings so that something could not be passed through. Yep, that would keep guns out of the schools. But what happened at the Red Lake, Minnesota school killing? The 16-year-old killer immediately shot the school security officer operating the metal detector.
But let's say we can completely secure the building... that moves the threat to the parking lots, playgrounds and bus loading areas. Maybe we need to have tall walls completely surrounding school property with a vehicle sally port. We already have facilities like this... they are called, prisons.
Do we want our children to be "safe" if the result is that they spend their days in the physical equivalent of a prison? Even if the American people want to make that sacrifice, it just drives the threat elsewhere... the bus stop in the neighborhood, the field trip to museum, the prom at the hotel ballroom/lounge...
In Israel, school teachers, staff and parents carry guns. In Utah, the law allows school personnel with concealed carry permits to carry at school. In some West Texas counties, they have established a program where school staff apply for the armed staff program that is similar to the armed flight deck officer program for commercial pilots. Those who are selected for the program go through extensive range time with the sheriff's office each summer and carry at work. Nobody knows who these staff members are except the district superintendent, the principal, and the sheriff's office.
What do Israel, Utah and West Texas have in common? THEY DON'T HAVE SCHOOL KILLINGS!
Random locker searches, counselors, anonymous tip lines, school threat assessment teams, anti-bullying programs, open lines of communications, involved parents, school security... all of these are important. They contribute to an overall safe environment. Nearly every week, we hear of a school killing that was thwarted by another student speaking up and letting someone know what was being planned. In my school district, a couple of times a year a student is found with a gun. It is always found because another student knew and told. None of these will have any effect on the lone, deranged killer that has no obvious connection to the school.
In the 1997 Pearl, Mississippi school killing, the assistant principal retrieved his .45 pistol from his car and stopped the killer. In 1998 Parker Middle School had their 8th grade dance at a local Edinboro, PA restaurant. A student pulled out a pistol, killed a teacher, wounded another teacher and two students, and the got held at bay for 11 minutes until police arrived by the restaurant owner who used his own shotgun. At the 2002 Appalachian School of Law shooting here in Virginia, two legally armed students stopped the killer before more were killed. In Wyoming, the law allows concealed carry on college campuses, but the community college system requires permission of the campus police chief. None of those chiefs will grant permission. Recently a professor was killed by his son with a crossbow in front of his class. At the University of Wyoming, concealed carry is allowed anywhere on campus except the dorms. Students living in the dorms can secure their weapons in the campus police station and be escorted to their dorms if they wish. They haven't had any killings at UW.
The answer is easy, but the fortitude to implement it is missing from our elected servants.
12/14/12
Connecticut School Killings
I Have A Heavy Heart
Most of you know that my profession is in school safety. Today's attack in Connecticut has hit me harder than other school shootings. I imagine it is because of the age of the victims.
Many parents, grandparents, and even teachers will feel impotent and powerless. They won't know how to talk to their kids or if their schools' plans are any good. Preppers especially may have problems as all the preps in the basement and your 72 hour kit in the car won't do any good to protect your small child at school.
I encourage you to listen to my interview on The Survival Podcast from back in September: Episode 983 - Preparing Your Children for School Emergencies. Pass the link on to friends and family who may be having the same feelings of helplessness about today's attack.
Please pray for the victims, their families, the witnesses and first responders if you are so inclined. If not, please send warm and safe thoughts their ways. If you have kids, hold them a little tighter and a little longer tonight.
Most of you know that my profession is in school safety. Today's attack in Connecticut has hit me harder than other school shootings. I imagine it is because of the age of the victims.
Many parents, grandparents, and even teachers will feel impotent and powerless. They won't know how to talk to their kids or if their schools' plans are any good. Preppers especially may have problems as all the preps in the basement and your 72 hour kit in the car won't do any good to protect your small child at school.
I encourage you to listen to my interview on The Survival Podcast from back in September: Episode 983 - Preparing Your Children for School Emergencies. Pass the link on to friends and family who may be having the same feelings of helplessness about today's attack.
Please pray for the victims, their families, the witnesses and first responders if you are so inclined. If not, please send warm and safe thoughts their ways. If you have kids, hold them a little tighter and a little longer tonight.
12/13/12
Prepper Ponderings
Interesting Blog
I recently came across an interesting blog by Eric Smith, entitled Business Karate. Eric and I share the CPP certification and in addition to books for the security management professional, he writes this blog that has some great information on crime prevention and personal safety. He doesn't post very often, but he's got some good stuff there. It is worth adding to your bookmarks.
Big Bunny
On a couple of the past evenings, I've seen a giant cottontail in the back yard. Louis the wonder dog is just starting to heal from his torn ACL, so he is not going out unattended yet. I don't want him tearing off after the rabbit, and that thing is so big, (and Louis is only about 18 lbs) I don't want them fighting and it tearing him up with its claws. I swear I have never seen a wild rabbit this big in these parts. I need to hurry up and get the .22 Savage finished and the scope zeroed.
Totally Off Topic
I am becoming more and more a fan of Steampunk. Not everything can be about prepping, and stupid, pointless hobbies are good for giving the brain a rest. I dig the styles and the stories, as well as the variety. I think a Steampunk Darth Vader outfit might be just the ticket for a side project. Yes, I do have a bit of the nerd in me.
13 Skills
A couple of weeks ago I made a post with an old article about the importance of having a variety of skills and mentioned that Jack at The Survival Podcast was starting a program called 13 in 13 to encourage people to learn 13 new skills in 2013. He has that website up and running now and it is a really cool execution of the idea. I'll be signing up soon and listing the 13 skills I want to learn next year. Consider joining me on the ride.
I recently came across an interesting blog by Eric Smith, entitled Business Karate. Eric and I share the CPP certification and in addition to books for the security management professional, he writes this blog that has some great information on crime prevention and personal safety. He doesn't post very often, but he's got some good stuff there. It is worth adding to your bookmarks.
Big Bunny
On a couple of the past evenings, I've seen a giant cottontail in the back yard. Louis the wonder dog is just starting to heal from his torn ACL, so he is not going out unattended yet. I don't want him tearing off after the rabbit, and that thing is so big, (and Louis is only about 18 lbs) I don't want them fighting and it tearing him up with its claws. I swear I have never seen a wild rabbit this big in these parts. I need to hurry up and get the .22 Savage finished and the scope zeroed.
Totally Off Topic
I am becoming more and more a fan of Steampunk. Not everything can be about prepping, and stupid, pointless hobbies are good for giving the brain a rest. I dig the styles and the stories, as well as the variety. I think a Steampunk Darth Vader outfit might be just the ticket for a side project. Yes, I do have a bit of the nerd in me.
13 Skills
A couple of weeks ago I made a post with an old article about the importance of having a variety of skills and mentioned that Jack at The Survival Podcast was starting a program called 13 in 13 to encourage people to learn 13 new skills in 2013. He has that website up and running now and it is a really cool execution of the idea. I'll be signing up soon and listing the 13 skills I want to learn next year. Consider joining me on the ride.
12/11/12
We Lost A Good One
RIP Bob Munden
I heard that Bob Munden passed away yesterday, peacefully and with his bride, Becky, by his side. Bob was truly the fastest gun in the world. He could do things with a six gun, a 1911, or even a .38 snubbie that no human should be able to. From the early days of practical pistol shooting, to the heyday of fast draw competitions (did you know that Sammy Davis, Jr. was one of the fastest draws in Hollywood and newsman Hugh Downs was a competitor?) and the premier exhibition shooter from the 70s until now.
Bob was also an amazing gunsmith. He performed "six gun magic" on Rugers, Colts and clones. A number of years ago, when I was early in my SASS Cowboy Action Shooting career, a friend from work, Bobby, loaned me his Mundenized Great Western IIs and his custom rig for them for a match, just so I would know what great guns they were. Bob had the trigger pulls smooth, crisp and light. The cylinders spun easy and locked up tight. They were fantastic. Bob also fixed up quickdraw only pistols and offered quick draw classes. Bobby had one of those pistols as well, but I only got to fondle it, not shoot it.
Bob was a frequent guest on such shows as That's Incredible, Real People, and Ripley's Believe It Or Not, as well as all of the shooting shows on cable. His fast drawing and shooting had to be seen to be believed. I got to see it in person at the SASS convention in Las Vegas in 2005. It was truly incredible. But in addition to being an amazing pistolero, a talented gunsmith, and quite the showman... he was also a heck of a nice guy. At the convention, he took time to hang out and talk to folks, show them tips, and take photos. He would also take emails and calls from folks wanting to ask about guns or get suggestions on equipment.
Some complained he was a bragger and had a huge ego. No doubt about it, but I think there is nothing wrong with that IF you can back it up, and Bob Munden certainly could.
It's That Time of Year
The seed catalogs are starting to come in the mail! Yippee!!!!
I heard that Bob Munden passed away yesterday, peacefully and with his bride, Becky, by his side. Bob was truly the fastest gun in the world. He could do things with a six gun, a 1911, or even a .38 snubbie that no human should be able to. From the early days of practical pistol shooting, to the heyday of fast draw competitions (did you know that Sammy Davis, Jr. was one of the fastest draws in Hollywood and newsman Hugh Downs was a competitor?) and the premier exhibition shooter from the 70s until now.
Bob was also an amazing gunsmith. He performed "six gun magic" on Rugers, Colts and clones. A number of years ago, when I was early in my SASS Cowboy Action Shooting career, a friend from work, Bobby, loaned me his Mundenized Great Western IIs and his custom rig for them for a match, just so I would know what great guns they were. Bob had the trigger pulls smooth, crisp and light. The cylinders spun easy and locked up tight. They were fantastic. Bob also fixed up quickdraw only pistols and offered quick draw classes. Bobby had one of those pistols as well, but I only got to fondle it, not shoot it.
Bob was a frequent guest on such shows as That's Incredible, Real People, and Ripley's Believe It Or Not, as well as all of the shooting shows on cable. His fast drawing and shooting had to be seen to be believed. I got to see it in person at the SASS convention in Las Vegas in 2005. It was truly incredible. But in addition to being an amazing pistolero, a talented gunsmith, and quite the showman... he was also a heck of a nice guy. At the convention, he took time to hang out and talk to folks, show them tips, and take photos. He would also take emails and calls from folks wanting to ask about guns or get suggestions on equipment.
Some complained he was a bragger and had a huge ego. No doubt about it, but I think there is nothing wrong with that IF you can back it up, and Bob Munden certainly could.
It's That Time of Year
The seed catalogs are starting to come in the mail! Yippee!!!!
12/10/12
Sad State of Periodicals
Magazines, Not Clips
For about 25 years, I bought most every gun and survival magazine I could find. For the last 10 years or so, I haven't bought very many gun magazines, but I've tried all the survival magazines I could find. I'll start off by saying that Self Reliance Illustrated and Survival Quarterly are both great, but they are big, glossy, high end mags, not the news stand monthlies that we used to have in SURVIVE and American Survival Guide.
Several gun magazine publishers have put out "annuals" which are big, $9.99 or more magazines, chock full of intro type information. Survivalist Magazine is not terrible, but they seem to have some trouble coming out on time, and I know several of their writers and staff have left recently.
I just picked up a new one, Living Ready, put out by the same folks who bring Blade magazine and Gun Digest. It looks like it is going to be a quarterly, but has potential to go where I think a survival magazine should be. In this first issue, there are some good really good articles, but they also seem to have padded the pages by including book excerpts from established authors, including the late Jerry Ahern. They also fall into the trap that nearly all of the gun magazines have done lately. They look like they get their layout and design ideas from Maxim and Men's Health. Giant photographs with a tenuous link to the article, and short, bullet point articles with lots of even shorter insert articles. It's as if the publishers think that we have too short of an attention span to read a whole article and flip over to page 58 for the conclusion.
I'm going to give Living Ready a shot, and hope they live up to the legacy left by ASG and SURVIVE. In the meantime, I'll be content with Backwoods Home Magazine, which is more in line with homesteading, but also has a survival and gun element, and Mother Earth News, which is mostly homesteading, if you can get past their radical left bent.
What magazines do you like and can recommend?
For about 25 years, I bought most every gun and survival magazine I could find. For the last 10 years or so, I haven't bought very many gun magazines, but I've tried all the survival magazines I could find. I'll start off by saying that Self Reliance Illustrated and Survival Quarterly are both great, but they are big, glossy, high end mags, not the news stand monthlies that we used to have in SURVIVE and American Survival Guide.
Several gun magazine publishers have put out "annuals" which are big, $9.99 or more magazines, chock full of intro type information. Survivalist Magazine is not terrible, but they seem to have some trouble coming out on time, and I know several of their writers and staff have left recently.
I just picked up a new one, Living Ready, put out by the same folks who bring Blade magazine and Gun Digest. It looks like it is going to be a quarterly, but has potential to go where I think a survival magazine should be. In this first issue, there are some good really good articles, but they also seem to have padded the pages by including book excerpts from established authors, including the late Jerry Ahern. They also fall into the trap that nearly all of the gun magazines have done lately. They look like they get their layout and design ideas from Maxim and Men's Health. Giant photographs with a tenuous link to the article, and short, bullet point articles with lots of even shorter insert articles. It's as if the publishers think that we have too short of an attention span to read a whole article and flip over to page 58 for the conclusion.
I'm going to give Living Ready a shot, and hope they live up to the legacy left by ASG and SURVIVE. In the meantime, I'll be content with Backwoods Home Magazine, which is more in line with homesteading, but also has a survival and gun element, and Mother Earth News, which is mostly homesteading, if you can get past their radical left bent.
What magazines do you like and can recommend?
Spamalot
I Apologize
It seems that this blog has come on to the radar of spammers linking to porno sites. I've had at least 20-25 comments left in the last week from these jerks.
Looks like I'm going to have to go to screening comments before they are published. That is a real shame, and it takes away from the lines of communication and interactions that we have on here. It is also inconvenient for readers and for me. But it is necessary unfortunately.
Back to a regular post this evening.
It seems that this blog has come on to the radar of spammers linking to porno sites. I've had at least 20-25 comments left in the last week from these jerks.
Looks like I'm going to have to go to screening comments before they are published. That is a real shame, and it takes away from the lines of communication and interactions that we have on here. It is also inconvenient for readers and for me. But it is necessary unfortunately.
Back to a regular post this evening.
12/6/12
Product Review: Card Sharp Knife
Video Review
I'm trying to get back to more video production. Here's a quick review of the Card Sharp credit card knife from Survival Gear Bags (to order it, please use the SGB link on the right side of the page here).
13 Rules of Gunfighting
Anything you can think to add?
I don't know the source of this, who the guy in the photo is, or if the quote from TJ at the bottom is real or not.
.22 Rifle Build - First Fail
The new Savage is coming along nicely. I'm ordering an aftermarket stock tomorrow. I got this sling from Amazon.
Don't waste your money. It's junk. The cotton webbing might be good for a beach tote bag. The slide clamp won't get tight enough to hold it in place. It's too short. This sling cannot be used effectively as a USMC-training hasty or deliberate sling. Might work ok for a kid's BB gun, or for a wall hanger, but if you want to use a sling for its intended purpose, stay away from this one.
I'm trying to get back to more video production. Here's a quick review of the Card Sharp credit card knife from Survival Gear Bags (to order it, please use the SGB link on the right side of the page here).
13 Rules of Gunfighting
Anything you can think to add?
I don't know the source of this, who the guy in the photo is, or if the quote from TJ at the bottom is real or not.
.22 Rifle Build - First Fail
The new Savage is coming along nicely. I'm ordering an aftermarket stock tomorrow. I got this sling from Amazon.
Don't waste your money. It's junk. The cotton webbing might be good for a beach tote bag. The slide clamp won't get tight enough to hold it in place. It's too short. This sling cannot be used effectively as a USMC-training hasty or deliberate sling. Might work ok for a kid's BB gun, or for a wall hanger, but if you want to use a sling for its intended purpose, stay away from this one.
12/5/12
Prepper Ponderings
Another Free Kindle Download
Duncan Long is a preparedness writer that I am connected to on LinkedIn. Today he let folks know that one of his books YOU CAN SURVIVE the Very Worst Manmade and Natural Disasters: A Handbook for Self-Reliance
is available through tomorrow on Kindle as a free download.
From Amazon's book description:
Now America's foremost survival author gives you and your loved ones the tips and secrets you’ll need to prevail in a dangerous world.
Whether you’re concerned about localized disasters, government meltdown, or an end-of-civilization catastrophe, this manual tells you how to survive the worst, and how to survive it in style. Easy-to-read chapters offer information you’ll find nowhere else, revealing practical instructions covering everything from dealing with the next super storm, to living through to a government collapse, to surviving terrorist attacks and war.
Chapter after chapter offers detailed, lifesaving plans: How to feed your family (for just pennies a day) if the stores are closed, how to heat your home if the gas and electricity are out, and how to protect your loved ones from rioters and looters when the police are nowhere to be found.
You’ll also discover ways to minimize damage to your home and belongings before an earthquake, storm, or other natural disaster as well as what you must do after such events to quickly recover and remain safe.
The result of decades of hands-on experience, this manual was written by an author who’s no stranger to preparing for the worst. Duncan Long has been writing survival books and articles since the late 1970s; buyers of his manuals include the FBI, CIA, and US Marines. His articles have appeared in American Survival Guide, the Journal of American Civil Defense, and Modern Survival Magazine.
Now Long has boiled down his survival know-how into one thorough manual covering subjects not generally found in other similar books, and often overlooked by preppers and survivalists (but which could spell the difference between life and death). He also gives you a realistic assessment of the best defensive firearms (and which are less effective), ways to find food and water during an emergency (in both urban and rural settings), and how to improvise (as well as where to purchase) decontamination kits for countering chemical and biological agents. Also there are tips for dealing with the highly contagious plagues that often appear in the aftermath of disasters, including ways for treating the victims of such diseases.
YOU CAN SURVIVE also contains tips on barter (and why precious metals might be a poor investment for emergencies), shows how to travel during emergencies (including ways to defeat roadblocks and avoid being forced off the road), and discloses when “bugging out” might be a good strategy – and when it would likely be a fatal mistake.
You’ll even find ways to protect yourself from the “unthinkable,” whether a “dirty bomb” created by terrorists or a nuclear exchange between nations.
Always with an eye toward saving you money, YOU CAN SURVIVE offers a comprehensive assessment of the equipment you need to prepare for the worst – and also exposes the truth about some often-recommended gear you don’t need. You’ll learn how to handle medical emergencies (even when there’s no doctor available), how to avoid being targeted by criminals (whether kidnappers, burglars, or muggers), and tips for crime-proofing your home and business.
YOU CAN SURVIVE the Very Worst Manmade and Natural Disasters will enable you to deal with the unexpected and protect your loved ones. Currently selling at a low price (due to an agreement with the author so that as many readers as possible can access this lifesaving information), there will never be a better time to buy this manual. Purchase it now so you can prepare for tomorrow’s disasters – which may be arriving sooner than you think.
Duncan has several other books out, so like all free downloads, if you like this one, consider picking up his others.
Some Have "A-Ha" Moments, I Had A "Duh-Huh" One
As I type this, I am out in my shop, enjoying a cigar and I just finished shooting a product review video for a knife (should be uploaded tomorrow). As I started the video, I inadvertently cut my finger, thus demonstrating the amazing sharpness of the knife. I finished the video and stood there dripping blood, thinking that I would have to go inside and get a bandaid... Remember, I was in my shop. I have an entire wall of supplies, including a jim-dandy collection of first aid supplies... that was about 2 feet away from me. Duh-huh!
Great Rifle - New Price
I mentioned this about a month ago, but I now realize I was asking way too much money. Here's the scoop with the new price:
Rifle For Sale
I need to make some adjustments in the gun safe. I've got a PTR91, which is the American made clone of the venerable HK91/G3 main battle rifle in .308/7.62x51. It is made with many HK parts, and a chrome lined match grade barrel. This one has the 18" barrel and the aluminum foreend capable of taking rails and other attachments. It is like new, less than 100 rounds through it, and for$2150 $1,750 I'm including
over 1,000 rounds of ammo and 26 very nice surplus magazines for it. I'll make
that deal face to face with a Virginia resident and will meet you anywhere in
the area bordered by Charlottesville, Fredericksburg and Hampton. If you are
not a Va. resident, I'll send you the magazines and send the rifle to your local
FFL dealer, for $1,200 (includes the shipping costs). Shoot me an email here
if you are interested and want pics or anything.
Duncan Long is a preparedness writer that I am connected to on LinkedIn. Today he let folks know that one of his books YOU CAN SURVIVE the Very Worst Manmade and Natural Disasters: A Handbook for Self-Reliance
is available through tomorrow on Kindle as a free download.From Amazon's book description:
Now America's foremost survival author gives you and your loved ones the tips and secrets you’ll need to prevail in a dangerous world.
Whether you’re concerned about localized disasters, government meltdown, or an end-of-civilization catastrophe, this manual tells you how to survive the worst, and how to survive it in style. Easy-to-read chapters offer information you’ll find nowhere else, revealing practical instructions covering everything from dealing with the next super storm, to living through to a government collapse, to surviving terrorist attacks and war.
Chapter after chapter offers detailed, lifesaving plans: How to feed your family (for just pennies a day) if the stores are closed, how to heat your home if the gas and electricity are out, and how to protect your loved ones from rioters and looters when the police are nowhere to be found.
You’ll also discover ways to minimize damage to your home and belongings before an earthquake, storm, or other natural disaster as well as what you must do after such events to quickly recover and remain safe.
The result of decades of hands-on experience, this manual was written by an author who’s no stranger to preparing for the worst. Duncan Long has been writing survival books and articles since the late 1970s; buyers of his manuals include the FBI, CIA, and US Marines. His articles have appeared in American Survival Guide, the Journal of American Civil Defense, and Modern Survival Magazine.
Now Long has boiled down his survival know-how into one thorough manual covering subjects not generally found in other similar books, and often overlooked by preppers and survivalists (but which could spell the difference between life and death). He also gives you a realistic assessment of the best defensive firearms (and which are less effective), ways to find food and water during an emergency (in both urban and rural settings), and how to improvise (as well as where to purchase) decontamination kits for countering chemical and biological agents. Also there are tips for dealing with the highly contagious plagues that often appear in the aftermath of disasters, including ways for treating the victims of such diseases.
YOU CAN SURVIVE also contains tips on barter (and why precious metals might be a poor investment for emergencies), shows how to travel during emergencies (including ways to defeat roadblocks and avoid being forced off the road), and discloses when “bugging out” might be a good strategy – and when it would likely be a fatal mistake.
You’ll even find ways to protect yourself from the “unthinkable,” whether a “dirty bomb” created by terrorists or a nuclear exchange between nations.
Always with an eye toward saving you money, YOU CAN SURVIVE offers a comprehensive assessment of the equipment you need to prepare for the worst – and also exposes the truth about some often-recommended gear you don’t need. You’ll learn how to handle medical emergencies (even when there’s no doctor available), how to avoid being targeted by criminals (whether kidnappers, burglars, or muggers), and tips for crime-proofing your home and business.
YOU CAN SURVIVE the Very Worst Manmade and Natural Disasters will enable you to deal with the unexpected and protect your loved ones. Currently selling at a low price (due to an agreement with the author so that as many readers as possible can access this lifesaving information), there will never be a better time to buy this manual. Purchase it now so you can prepare for tomorrow’s disasters – which may be arriving sooner than you think.
Duncan has several other books out, so like all free downloads, if you like this one, consider picking up his others.
Some Have "A-Ha" Moments, I Had A "Duh-Huh" One
As I type this, I am out in my shop, enjoying a cigar and I just finished shooting a product review video for a knife (should be uploaded tomorrow). As I started the video, I inadvertently cut my finger, thus demonstrating the amazing sharpness of the knife. I finished the video and stood there dripping blood, thinking that I would have to go inside and get a bandaid... Remember, I was in my shop. I have an entire wall of supplies, including a jim-dandy collection of first aid supplies... that was about 2 feet away from me. Duh-huh!
Great Rifle - New Price
I mentioned this about a month ago, but I now realize I was asking way too much money. Here's the scoop with the new price:
Rifle For Sale
I need to make some adjustments in the gun safe. I've got a PTR91, which is the American made clone of the venerable HK91/G3 main battle rifle in .308/7.62x51. It is made with many HK parts, and a chrome lined match grade barrel. This one has the 18" barrel and the aluminum foreend capable of taking rails and other attachments. It is like new, less than 100 rounds through it, and for
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