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Choosing a "Tactical" Handgun for SHTF![]() Choosing your "Tactical" handgun can be a daunting task. By "Tactical" handgun I mean the handgun that will be your duty handgun in an Emergency whether its conceal carry or for your defensive gear. I will break down some of the things I want and what I choose as my "Tactical handguns" first if is money a good quality handgun can set you back a pretty penny. now some people think of Sig or HK or some people think Glock or Ruger or maybe FN (As shown in the picture)
I like to look at the quality and price and what YOU are looking for in a handgun. You don't need an HK to ride in a holster. you can use a Makarov or an old S&W wheel gun. what ever works for you. Price is where we will start first what is your budget? $300? $500? $800? For low budget handguns I would look at surplus guns. Many many countries still use the old BHP or "Browning Hi Power" and you can find knock offs made in other countries that will serve you well. mags are cheap and since its 9mm its the most used round in the western world for a handgun caliber. Other surplus handguns to consider are guns like the Makarov A lot of Russian Special Operations still carry the small little guy. the draw backs is a small round with a small magazine but it makes up for in reliability and ammo being cheap. parts being cheap. and its very concealable gun reason their not 100 bucks anymore is because people use them as CCW guns. The Tokerev is another handgun that is low budget and very reliable how ever ammo is rare but not expensive. the round it fires is a very hot round 7.62x25 and can pierce most body armor. For a modern tactical handgun there are tons of other options in the $500 range. such as the Glock. I'm sure you heard a Glock fan talk about "Glock Perfection" for hours by now if your reading this but there are more options such as the Ruger SR9,Ruger P89,Ruger P90,S&W Sigma, S&W 59, S&W 459 and other relatives,CZ75,Beretta M92,Taurus PT92 and a whole lot of other 1980/1990's "Wonder-Nines" My EDC pistol is a Browning BDM one of the last of the "Wonder-Nine" generation. As for higher end handguns things such as real Brownings,Sigs,HK,Kimber etc etc make great handguns if you want a nice show piece The 1911 deserves its own paragraph I feel. Almost all handguns today are based on 2 of John Brownings designs. the 1911 and the Hi power or BHP. the 1911 is a great handgun and can be found at many price points and brands mine is a Llama which was 200 bucks after my small mods I done to it. Dura coat,new grips it comes out to about 280. and its great! A lot of the 1911's in the $400 range are good even better in the $700-900 range. Don't overlook Revolvers. Revolvers can be chambered in damn near any caliber you want and many share ammo together such as the 38 Special can be fired from a 357 Mag same for the 44 and some people dont know the Nagant Revolver can shoot a 32 out of it. and buying a 32 cylinder will make sure the gun is not damaged. Now lets talk about what to look for or what I look for in a "Tactical Handgun" Ammo) A common caliber is a great idea. if SHTF you dont want a handgun that shoots a weird caliber. many people don't have the means to reload 7.62x25 but that ammo can be obtained by the case for pennies on the dollar. its your choice what you want between a 9mm, 40S&W,45ACP,22LR (Those are the majorly popular rounds) 38 Special,357 Mag, 44 Special,44 Mag are a little less common. 32,25,38 S&W are a bit more rare. but some of the surplus ammo is 7.62x25,7.62x38R,9x18Mak,etc are pretty rare but really cheap. so you could stock up easily. Remember Ammo should be a big part of your choices. If you have enough money you could skimp on a common caliber and go with a surplus gun and have crates of ammo for what it cost for 1 high end HK and a few boxes of rounds. this being said you could standardize your family & group with 1 round 1 gun. like everyone has a Beretta M92 so you share mags,ammo etc Spare Parts) Is your gun common can you get spare parts? maybe its a good idea to research that! dont stay away from older guns like the old Wonder-Nines because of 1 or 2 things wrong you may just have to pay 4 or 7 bucks more for a part then a Glock part does not mean it will "break the bank" Holsters & Accessories) I'm only mentioning Holsters because form fitted Kydex is the new sliced bread these days. what many don't know is my BDM fits into both a Hi Power Holster & a 1911 Holster. your S&W M&P will fit into a Glock Holster etc. if you rock a light or a rail maybe a universal holster is best for you (would be good anyways for handguns that are more rare) If you like the older firearms but want something more "tactical" scroll back up and look for Ariete Arms they make lights,lasers,rails etc for the old guns anything from the Hi Power to the 1911 to the Tokerev. Also making your own gear is a good choice I will be making my own Kydex Holsters for my handguns soon Kydex is cheap 5 bucks a sheet get a few Chicago screws and a drill use your oven stand on the damn thing to "form fit" it and presto you have a kydex holster some guy makes in his garage and charges you 100 bucks for.. Use of handgun) What is your use and idea of a tactical handgun? is this a full size duty handgun for TEOTWAWKI? or is this a concealed full size or compact gun for TEOTWAWKI? DO you plan to openly carry a handgun or do you plan to conceal? Gray Man vs Patrols etc if you plan to conceal maybe a Makarov or a compact Sig may be better for you instead of a Kimber full size Government 1911 or an M92 Beretta. What YOU want) DO NOT buy a handgun you dislike or is not comfortable to you. This is not a pissing contest if all your friends are Glockaholics then it does not mean YOU need a Glock. if it does not fit your hands or your needs it does not mean you need one. If your friends rock 1911's dont let that stop you from buying an SR9 or a M&P. The BDM fits my hands like no other handgun like a glove. Glocks are to thick. and the 92 or 1911 is pretty thick for my hands too. each design is different. Just because I like steel guns does not mean you should buy a golden 1911. Consider your options. Far to many times in our gun community I see guys who have tricked out AR's who have no idea what their doing. but some guy with a $400 AK wipes the floor with them and their $3.999 AR's because they don't know how to shoot. I want a guy who will back me and back me reliably If he rocks a Ruger 10/22 and an old S&W Model 29 and can shoot really well and knows his platforms well then I want him on my team. These are just my opinions and thoughts on the matter. Always do your research and if you like something and something works for you don't let the fanboys tell you other wise! Nothing more I hate in this world when going into a gun shop and having the gun shop commando tell me I don't want what I want because the casing on the round is 1cm shorter then a damn 9mm... The Best Survival Knife (My Opinion) Victorinox Trekker![]() The best survival knife in my opinion is the Victorinox Trekker. Mine was a gift from a good buddy of mine on youtube Suburban Sentinel. http://www.youtube.com/user/suburbansentinel
The Victorinox Trekker is used by a few different Armed Forces. Both Germens and Swiss have their own but the citizen market knife is the Trekker with minor differences. The Trekker is outfitted with a ton of great tools. A locking blade, Wood Saw,Locking large flat head screw driver,Bottle opener,Wire stripper,Can opener,Small flat head screw driver,Phillips Screw Driver,Reamer and of course toothpick and tweezers. This blade can handle any task you can throw at it. Its a great woods blade and my EDC "Survival" knife I carry many knives on me but if an EMP happened and I needed to survive and walk 60 miles then the Trekker will aid me in building a shelter. the wood saw is scary sharp and can cut through a branch in no time. you can even baton small pieces of wood with the locking blade (but the saw handles a lot of those tasks) Every part of this blade has a use and I have used every tool in the past. for 30 bucks for the basic Trekker or the German Army Knife for 40 or the Swiss Soldiers knife for 50 you can't go wrong! If you have never handled a *REAL* key word real Victorinox Swiss Army Knife or "SAK" You are missing out and have no idea the quality of blade you get This is no dollar store flimsy junk. These blades are made for explorers,soldiers,campers,hikers and ordinary citizens. Old School Side Arms![]() I love old school guns. The Reason I'm writing this post on Old School Guns is because most people stick their nose up at older firearms. Now I won't lie I love old guns. As I always say "I love the classics, not the plastics"
There is a feeling when holding a 1911 or a Nagant Revolver or a Hi Power that comes over me and the feeling is "Wow...I can take on the world" then I step back and look at the craftsmanship of the firearms. I think to myself This is when firearms were made with pride. there is no pride of craftsmanship when you hold a Glock. I think to myself..."Meh.." Now Glocks are great guns for what they are. How ever..the reason I'm writing this is for the people who don't have a handgun. Most times you walk into a gun shop you say you want a handgun the guy is handing you either a $1,000 dollar 1911 or a $600 Glock. they never take you over to the Rossi or Taurus Revolvers. They never take you to the Makarov's or Llama's. You tell them your on a budget and they scoff at you. This post is for anyone who needs a handgun. Don't feel bad if you can't afford the latest and greatest new gun. Truth is..our grandfathers carried 1911's or Revolvers in Leather holsters and took on the world. When in WWII from Europe to the Pacific it was a 1911 in a leather holster that was the side arm of the officer. back at home up until the 80s and 90s it was the Revolver that peace officers carried to keep us safe while we sleep. Don't forget the roots of firearms. with enough training you can get good with any platform Don't let someone tell you that you NEED something that you really don't. if you have $300 maybe its best to spend it on a Revolver or a surplus handgun you spend $200 on a TT33 Tokerev get 2 or 3 mags and a holster with a few boxes of ammo out the door for $300 total In my OPINION (Which is key word) that is money well spent then you not having a handgun at all. because your "Saving" for an M&P and once you drop $650 on a "modern" gun you have no money for ammo or a holster. So all i'm saying is try and get set up with what you can. You don't need this this and that. You need what will protect you now and what you can train with now. in closing I have seen some really hilarious stuff. from Mall Ninja's with HK's who don't know how to shoot. to an old farm boy with grand dads S&W Model 10 who can out shoot the Mall Ninja (A term used for a guy with more money then sense & experience) because he spent his money on ammo and training. Its not about the gear its about the user. the gun is always more accurate then you are. its the operator that makes everything happen. If your prepping for "SHTF" and have a MBR (Main Battle Rifle) and don't have a handgun maybe you should invest in an older gun. Also if you have a $2,000 1911 and a Mosin Nagant as your MBR something is wrong... your sidearm is just that a side arm. so what difference does it make if you have an AR15 and an old Colt to someone who has an M14 and a XDM. If your using your side arm your already in deep shit. and again our grandfathers carried these old guns and it got them through the shit. So don't pass up that old S&W or that old CZ52 lurking in the corner or at the bottom of the gun case. The first rule of a gun fight is to BRING a gun. your bank account won't get you out of a firefight with some punk breaking into your house. Down below is the same gun that is in the picture up top. It belongs to a great friend of mine check out his video on it. you'll love it! Antibiotics for SHTF![]() Antibiotics are a great prep however their hard to come by...Using fish antibiotics is an old trick from farm antibiotics to birds and fish these can be bought over the counter at a pet store or be found online and shipped right to your door. from my research and personal experiences they work just as well as human antibiotics. being made in the same factory. But you should not take my word for it do some research to see if this is right for you!
Book Review: Sun Tzu The Art of War.![]() The greatest Military genius in history hands down is Sun Tzu. Many have said that the Art of War is THE book on warfare. Sun Tzu himself being a Chinese Military General and Tactician in the Spring and Autumn period in Ancient China. Sun Tzu himself was born in 544 BC and died in 496 BC. There are many stories on Sun Tzu himself and most copies of the modern book do include a few. The book its self is broken into small chapters of how to conduct a war. full of philosophy and tactics. From supplies to spies. from terrain to engagements. The Art of War is a book you can knock out in a few days but it takes a lifetime to understand his mindset.
The lessons in this book are a sure way to win any war if you follow them and learn from history. My personal favorite chapter was the use of spies. If you have not read the Art of War you can find free PDF copies online or audio on YouTube. I suggest buying a copy from a local book store or ordering it online. A physical copy is recommended to have it on hand for a lifetime of reading. I'll end this short over view with a few quotes "Appear weak when you are strong and strong when you are weak." "The Supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy with out fighting" "All warfare is based on deception" "Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust" "Strategy with out tactics is the slowest route to victory and tactics with out strategy is the noise before defeat" - Sun Tsu (The Art of War) The Sheep Have Claws! We're already in the Zombie Apocalypse.......![]() The Sheep do indeed have claws. So here is the threat assessment. Black Friday & "Grey Thursday" Formally known as Thanks giving... brings out the worst in people. the sheep get violent by sheep I mean the sleep walkers the domesticated ones. I am referring to the masses. During black Friday and grey Thursday people stood in lines for ever and ever and when the doors open the crazy begins. We already live in the zombie Apocalypse this is disgusting how our society is...
People kill each other for a gaming console.(Then brags about it because they feel their son is "entitled" to it and its Honorable to kill for their family to have material Chinese junk) others trample a department store employee while taking the doors off the hinges. a women pulls a stun gun to intimidate another women to win her argument. Shoplifting a cart full of crap while being chased down by police dragging an officer because hes half way in the get away car.. Stabbing people for a parking space...A man being robbed for his big screen TV. Trampling over a 20 yr old 8 month pregnant women just to get "deals" on raised prices and raised MSRP to make you think your getting a deal This is just the tip of the iceberg...These people are disgusting yet your the crazy one for not taking part in their human zombie consumerism sacrifice bull shit. What happened to the days of having a dinner sitting down with family and having a good time. What happened to shopping being a family event. not killing each other for a piece of plastic material crap you don't need or have the money for. If these people are willing to kill 3 people for an Xbox you better believe they will kill you for a cup of rice and a bottle of water. This is our society now. Keep telling your self we are civilized. If you want to know why I own a gun and carry a gun its because of this RIGHT HERE! Get your beans bullets and band aids because this country IS going down hill and you will need it my friends. I apologize for the ranting but it needs to be said. down below are some links these are the sights I got the info from. http://www.myfoxny.com/story/24102642/cops-woman-pulls-stun-gun-in-fight-over-walmart-shopping-cart http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/29/black-friday-violence_n_4360899.html http://nypost.com/2013/11/29/cop-shoots-shoplifter-near-chicago-amid-black-friday-chaos-others-hurt-around-country/ http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2013/11/29/terrible-irony-new-york-wal-mart-employee-killed-by-rampaging-black-mob-who-trampled-him-to-death-on-black-friday/ http://dailycurrant.com/2013/11/30/woman-kills-three-for-last-x-box-at-chicago-wal-mart/ The Pessimist's Guide To History Book Review![]() This book is a great read for anyone who lives in a bubble it can be a good way to get people to prepare with out that "Survivalist" targeted audience that most books have.
This book talks about all the bad things that happen through out history. Massacres,Natural Disasters etc. It is a very easy read and each story is interesting in its self. I was recommended this book by some one years ago and would like to recommend it to you. If you have read this book and would like to talk about it head over to Survivalist Network FB page and drop a comment! any comments will be added to this review. Cooking Post SHTF: The Dutch Oven
![]() The Dutch Oven is a neat device It is a thick walled cast iron cooking pot with a lid that is tight fitting. They have been used for hundreds of years in Europe and America. Casserole dishes as the English called them French called them cocottes. The American versions of the dutch oven are equipped with legs and a concaved top for coals. instead of hanging over a fire or being placed in a brick oven settlers used them as a main source of cooking up meals. Dutch Ovens being cast iron weigh a ton but are well worth the weight. You can make literately anything with a dutch oven from baking bread or a pie to making soups,stews and casseroles the dutch oven is a great tool for your cooking needs. The ovens were so important to the settlers and European family's that they were put in wills. even people fought over dutch ovens. Dutch Ovens are an investment and the best brand is Lodge. Be careful of Chinese Dutch Ovens because they use lead in some of their cast iron products. (Good friend had tipped me off on that one. Montyv8 on youtube) so if your serious about SHTF Preparedness then you might want to invest in a dutch oven because the propane grill will be almost useless!
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Survivalist Network's store is now open! Swing by and check out the products if you have not already!Shooting While Pepper-sprayed!Training & Realistic TrainingMSA AR 15 Mag Adapter for Saiga 223How to make hard candySurviving the zombie Apoc. pt.2Surviving the zombie Apoc. pt.1Budget Water StorageJust Water Bucket Filter InstallationDisassemble Clean Assemble of a Hi PowerRapid Response System for SHTFReview of the Fiskers X7 HatchetBola in actionDyed ACU Camo TestBudget Home Defense Poor Mans MaceEmergency Heater DIY Low Cost Car HeaterGet Home BagViruses & RadiationLow Budget 30 Day Survival PlanField Craft: Face Camo From Burnt CorkSo you want to be a Prepper,Survivalist,Homestedder...Gravity Operated Battery Tester!Liquor for PreppersFearless PreppingNight Vision TipEspionage & Profiling for SHTFUltimate firearm choice for Self Defense in SHTF (Semi Auto Rifles) - MrRogueSharkSugar,Salt & Spices![]() Sugar,Salt & Spices are very overlooked when building a food storage. Spices will make the most blandest of foods taste like a really good meal. drinking plain ol tea or coffee will get old with out a little bit of sugar. and you actually need Salt & sugar to keep your body healthy. War's have been fought for the control & supply of salt and sugar in parts of Africa Salt was even used as a currency. When your on your 90th can of spaghetti or what ever you like now that you prepped a little steak seasoning or pepper or onion powder will go a long way! The barter aspect of sugar,salt,spices will be just as much sought after as food,ammo,knives,tools,spirits,tobacco. I don't see gold & silver being king of barter I see addictions being the king of barter. If there is a fat man eating some bland food he is gonna want to make it taste a whole lot better and probably willing to give the shirt off his back to do so. Its the comforts of the "old world" Coffee & Tea will also be great for barter but its best to keep that stuff for you self and have some sugar to go with it!
The Mosin Nagant "Budget Rifle"
![]() The Mosin Nagant series rifles were the main battle rifle of Communist Bloc countries during the turn of the century to the late 40's. From the trenches of WWI to the Russian Revolution and to war torn Eastern front during WWII. The Mosin Nagant was the right arm of the Communist world. It can still be found today used by terrorist and freedom fighters around the world. Its hard hitting and fairly accurate. and best of all simple. for under 140 bucks you can't go wrong with a Mosin Nagant series rifle. There are a few different types of Mosin Nagants.
The M1891/1930 or M91/30 for short. is the most produced rifle in the series. with over 17 million made just from the Soviet Union. its the most common rifle in the series. all the rifles are chambered in 7.62x54R (R being rimed) the cartridge is the oldest Military round in service today. Its still used for LMG's and DMR's. With the ballistics being in between a American 308 and 30-06 its a devastating round and can drop any game in North America. The Mosin Nagant series rifles are fed the 7.62x54R through a fixed 5 round magazine and the magazine is reloaded by opening the action and either loading the rounds in by hand from the top or using a stripper clip or "charger". The Mosin Nagant has had little change since the first M1891's different sights different barrel lengths hardly any change to the bayonet etc. The two types of bayonets for Mosin Nagants are fixed bayonets and folding bayonets the M44 has a folding Bayonet while the others have a fixed bayonet the rifles were sighted in with the bayonet on and it is a spike style bayonet with grooves on it to create a wound that is almost impossible to stitch up. The Bayonet tapers to a flat head so it can be used as a screw driver. There are also scoped Mosins that were used as DMR's during war time. a real sniper variant will cost you over 700 bucks but a scoped refinished rifle will cost around 400. There are different ways to mount a scope on a Mosin the cheapest/popular way is to replace the rear sight with a "Scout" style scope mount. probably the best way is to man up and buy a scope/mount and have the receiver drilled & tapped. Model specs are as follows. M91, Russian Weight 9 1/2 lbs. (4.3kg.) Over All Length 51 1/2" (130.8cm.) Barrel Length 31 1/2" (80.0cm.) Stock Length 47 1/2" (120.7cm.) Sight Radius 27" (68.6cm.) Stock is Birch with a Shellac finish. M91/30 Soviet Weight 8 /34lbs. (4kg.) Over All Length 48 1/2" (123.2 cm.) Barrel Length 28 3/4" (73cm.) Stock Length 45" (114.3cm) Sight Radius 24 1/2" (62.2cm.) Birch stock with Shellac finish. M38 weight 7 1/2 lbs. (3.4kg.) over all length 40" (101.6cm.) Barrel Length 20 1/4" (51.4cm.)Stock Length 36 1/2" (92.7cm.) Sight Radius 16 1/2" (41.9cm.) Birch stock with Shellac finish. M44 weight 9 lbs (4.1kg) Over All Length 40" (101.6cm.) Barrel Length 20 1/4" (51.4cm.) Stock Length 36 1/2" (92.7cm.) Sight Radius 16 1/2" (41.9cm.) M91/59 Weight 7 1/2 lbs. (3.4kg.) Over All Length 40" (101.6cm.) Barrel Length 20 1/4" (51.4cm.) Stock Length 36 1/2" (51.4cm.) Sight Radius 16 1/2" (41.9cm.) Birch stock with Shellac finish. M91/38 Weight 7 1/2 lbs. (3.4kg.) Over All Length 40" (101.6cm.) Barrel Length 20 1/4" (51.4cm.) Stock Length 36 1/2" (92.7cm.) Sight Radius 16 1/2" (41.9 cm.) Birch stock with Shellac finish. Finnish M24 Weight 9 1/2 lbs. (4.3kg.) Over All Length 51 1/2" (130.8 cm.) Barrel Length 31 1/2" (80.0 cm.) Stock Length 47 1/2" (120.7 cm.) Sight Radius 27" (68.6 cm.) Arctic Birch stock with varnish,pine tar,oil or oil/wax mixture finish. Finnish P series Weight 9 1/2 lbs (4.3kg.) Over All Length 51 1/2" (130.8cm.) Barrel Length 31 1/2" (80.0 cm.) Stock Length 47 1/2" (120.7cm) Sight Radius 27" (68.6 cm.) Arctic Birch stock with varnish,pine tar,oil or oil/wax mixture finish. Finnish M91 Weight 9 1/2 lbs (4.3kg.) Over All Length 51 1/2" (130.8 cm.) Barrel Length 31 1/2" (80.0cm.) Stock Length 47 1/2" (120.7 cm.) Sight Radius 27" (68.8cm.) Arctic Birch with varnish,pine tar,oil or oil/wax mixture finish. Finnish M28 weight 9 lbs. (4.1 kg.) Over All Length 46 3/4" (118.7 cm.) Barrel Length 27" (68.6cm.) Stock Length 43 1/4" (109.9cm.) Sight Radius 23 1/4" (59.1cm.) Arctic Birch Stock with varnish,pine tar,oil or oil/wax mixture finish. Finnish M28/30 weight 9 1/2 lbs. (4.3 kg.) Over All Length 46 3/4" (118.7cm.) Barrel Length 27" (68.6cm.) Stock Length 43 1/4" (109.9 cm.) Sight Radius 23 1/4" (59.1 cm.) Arctic Birch stock with varnish,pine tar,oil or oil/wax mixture finish. Finnish M91/30 Weight 8 3/4 lbs. (4kg.) Over All Length 48 1/2" (123.2 cm.) Barrel Length 28 3/4" (73 cm.) Stock Length 45" (114.3cm.) Sight Radius 24 1/2" (62.2cm.) M44's of the world. The M44 has been produced by many countries so finding an M44 from other then just Russia is common. countries that produced an M44 are as follows. China (known as the T53) Romania,Poland,Hungary,Yugoslavia,Vietnam,Egypt,Syria. Stocks for the Polish,Hungary,Romania made M44's are Beech wood with a Shellac finish, The Chinese M44 stock is a Catalpa wood with a Shellac finish. France & America also produced Mosin Nagants in small numbers M91's and the stocks were made of American Walnut for United State (Remington/New England Westinghouse) with an oil finish. The French rifles (Chatellerault) were European Walnut with a Shellac finish. |
Choosing Your "Fighting Knife!"
![]() Choosing your fighting knife or self defense knife can be a hard task. Why would you need or want a fighting knife? as a last ditch option to survive a deadly encounter. Everyone wants different things in their fighting knife. Like before when choosing a survival knife no knife does everything and to me a fighting knife is not a survival knife. pictured is a Kabar USMC Fighting Knife "Fighting" is the key word. Kabar's have well mystical powers in the knife world. Supposedly god himself forged the Kabar Fighting Knife and gave it unto man to make us all equal's. As you can tell I'm being a bit sarcastic. The Kabar is a great choice for a knife that can do many things. Its used as a "Survival" knife a lot but it lacks in that department the blade is designed for defensive use. but it can preform in other task just not as well as maybe a Mora. BUT this article is on fighting blades not survival knives. So lets move forward
A Kabar is what a lot of people choose for a fighting knife. some choose tomahawks or machetes but those are its own class of edged tools. Personally I choose a Fairbairn-Sykes because its meant for one thing and one thing only. to dispatch enemy combatants. I choose it for its simplicity to use and its history. There are tons of fighting blade designs out there the most popular are Kabar's,Kukri's,Daggers (Like the F/S)many types of Bowie's Tanto's etc. You need to ask your self what you want in a fighting knife. do you want something that is meant for stabbing or perhaps slashing? The F/S is not a great knife for slashing but its piercing ability makes up for it while a Kukri style blade would not stab well its hacking ability is like a butcher knife. American Tanto style blades are a great inbetween the Cold Steel GI Tanto is easy on the wallet and is a crowbar with an edge and a very sharp tanto point for stabbing. Price can be a big factor in choosing a fighting blade a Kabar is around 50 bucks and Ontario makes a great Kabar style blade for 40 bucks. Cold Steel GI tanto is 20 dollars. A Gerber Prodigy Tanto is around 40. You can buy a Winchester Bowie from Walmart for 20 bucks its not my first choice but if its what I had I would make it work. To get into higher end blades it will cost you literally an arm and a leg. A real deal British made Fairbairn Sykes (F/S) will cost you 70+ dollars most of the time in the 90 dollar department. As I said about Survival Knives. it applies to any blades or anything really. Everything is a system if you had a Kabar + Tomahawk then a small survival knife you are pretty well set. like wise an F/S and a machete plus a small survival knife and maybe a "Get off me blade" such as a small neck knife or boot knife or Kabar TDI. Choosing your "Survival Knife"
![]() Choosing your "Survival Knife" or "Bush Craft Knife" or "All Purpose Blade" etc can be overwhelming. So many different brands,makers,models,types etc. Whether you want a hand made or hand forged blade or a big brand mass produced blade is something you have to decide your self. Hand made knives are extremely good quality while they are not the best on the pocket book they can be a REALLY good option.
Or you can buy a knife made by a knife company (Ka-bar,Gerber,Buck,Condor,CRKT,Boker,Becker) I barely scratched the surface. So many types to choose from Bowies,Drop Points,Warren-cliffs etc etc etc etc. Also budget can be a big factor some blades are 20 and under and some are thousands of dollars. First off quality vs price. If you have a Buck 119 Special (you can buy them from walmart for less than 40 bucks) You have a full tang,420 stainless steel 6" blade that is capible of skinning game, processing wood,processing food and it just plain looks cool! Its the same style blade used in a famous horror movie franchise (Scream) But be very wary of what you buy. if your new to knives find a friend who knows a thing or two about knives maybe one who has a collection or ask on forums or youtube etc. Don't get your advice from some one who has a collection of "Rambo Knives" those things are junk "Collector Items" if you will. you can find a decent survival knife for as little as 2 dollars (Wahoo KIller) its a "Filet Knife" but its actually a Mora Clipper knock off which brings me to another great blade company Mora. They make great blades for less than 20 bucks shipped on most websites Many Survival Experts have been using the same Mora for over 10 years! but be careful of "Flea Market" grade knives. Brands like Frost Cutlery make an ok product but it won't last very long in the bush. and for an extra 5 bucks you could of had a real knife. so stay away from flea markets/swap meets unless you know what your looking for. Its not all about paying out a ton of cash for good steel. Things to look for. FULL TANG or at lest Stick Tang. "Bolt" knives are flea market junk the hollow handle blades with the compass in it with the survival kit sounds like a good idea but try processing wood with it. (Please don't I don't want you hurt!) A full tang is the knife is made of 1 piece solid steel. the handle is usually pinned on with the handle scales are sandwiched onto the hilt or grip. make sure the thickness of the blade is decent you don't want a knife you can bend easily. so the spine (top part of the blade should be thick) Now there is much debate over type of steel you should get people say stainless is junk or carbon steel is junk blah blah. If you are new to blades maybe its a good idea to get stainless steel 420 and up on the grade. 420 is as good as the heat treat if its a poor heat treat then its a crap blade (like any blade) Stick with brand name knives when it comes to that like Buck,Gerber etc Carbon Steel rust very easily but sharpens in just moments it takes some care to maintain Blade length is important there is no knife that does EVERYTHING regardless of what people may tell you. a Kabar won't chop down a tree nor will a dagger be a good food prep knife. So its best to have a "System" a survival blade is not the best choice for a fighting knife. a Kabar is more suited as a fighting knife but it can do other task just clumsy at the task. However if your dropping into a war zone and can carry only one blade maybe a Ka bar will be the best option. A great brand for blades is Condor Knife & Tool. They are not made in America but not made in China so its a bitter sweet brand on that. How ever NOBODY can compete with their prices & products. The Condor Hudson Bay is a very big chunk of steel 8.5" blade with walnut handle scales with a real thick leather sheath 40 bucks no one can compete if you want a axe meets butcher knife. or maybe you want something smaller like a Gerber Prodigy which has a 5" blade with really nice gripper rubber/polymer grips that can skin game and process food/wood. A big knife has trouble doing delicate task however a smaller blade has big issues doing big task. so its best to have a system of blades. big fixed blade knifes (1 piece of steel) are usually best paired with a smaller fixed blade and a folder (folding knife/pocket knife) I hope this has helped you get thinking about a "Survival" knife. Any questions or recommendations either ask me via email or contact. or youtube etc. One of the best guys on YT in my opinion for knife advice is WeAllJuggleKnives on youtube. Israel is a great guy and has been very helpful to me over the years. I trust his opinion on knives and survival knives being he is a martial artist and a very serious collector in blades. Hunting. You need to learn!
![]() My good buddy The Rebel Prepper at The Rebel Prepper Network does some really great articles. I wanted to share this one here on Survivalist Network. I think hunting is a very important skill. I need to learn how to myself. So here is a part of the article to view the whole thing please check out TheRebelPrepperNetwork.net link for the article will be down below! Enjoy!
A lot of preppers say that they will hunt as part of their food plan, unfortunately many preppers who say this have never hunted in their life. There is a level of knowledge and skill that is necessary to take big game, traipsing out in to the woods with a gun or bow looking for an animal to shoot is not enough. As a little kid I always thought it was magic that my Granddad would always bring home an elk for the freezer until I I was old enough to start accompanying him out on hunts. He always said before heading out from elk camp that “we have to be quiet and aware, there is a reason it is called ‘hunting’ and not ‘killing’” http://www.therebelpreppernetwork.com/how-to-become-a-hunter/ The Bicycle
![]() Yeah yeah, laugh it up but a bike is a great way to get around with out fuel and on the cheap. better then the shoe lace express! Bicycle's are used all around the world in first,second and third world countries! From America to China and everywhere in between. last time I went to the windy city I took a train. and my god I saw a ton of people on bikes (that was before gas was this high we are talking a little after 9-11) I see a ton of truckers with bikes strapped to their trucks. in big cities this is the best transportation. bikes are cheap you can find an old one at a flea market or yard sale and fix it up. anyone can fix one I use to work on mine all the time when I was a kid. So having a bike means you can get around! not to mention its great exercise now! and no gas bikes will be awesome for getting around in SHTF so what do ya say? get a bike today!
The Wheel-gun.
![]() Ah yes...the Revolver...A personal favorite in firearms. Yet SO underrated these days. I truly love me a good wheel gun. Just a little before I was born THIS was the standard firearm. This was the go to for anyone who needed to defend them self's. From Peace Officers to Citizens. this was the go to. Why has the Revolver been thrown aside for "Newer" guns is beyond me. they are scary accurate, reliable, powerful and just plain sexy! Who does not like a good wheel gun? Anyways to the point. Reasons the Revolver is STILL a great option is the features that has crippled it is its strength in the long run. I'll explain, think of it this way WHY do people don't like Revolvers? Ok sometimes their heavy and that can be a draw back. but what about no magazine? no common rounds? bulky? lets rephrase this in my language. "No magazine to worry about, practically ban proof!" "Its a gun its heavy more weight to smack someone with" "You say bulky, I say robust!" "No common rounds? some revolvers can fire 45ACP or 9mm. and whats wrong with being able to shoot 2-3 different types of rounds out of the same gun?" Well some revolvers like the S&W Governor shoot 45 Long Colt,410 shells AND 45 ACP on moon clips. Sounds like a steal to me. One from the early 90's could fire 380 to 357 and everything in between because the cylinder had small clips inside that would catch rimless ammo. So ask your self this..Is the Revolver still a great choice? I say YES!
Post SHTF Bartering.
![]() Having a big wad of cash means nothing after a financial collapse what happens if the Dollar means nothing? Most can't wrap their minds around that concept. however some will flock to gold & silver. I don't own any metals yet. However I do have some things on hand that I think will be useful. aside from the obvious (Food/Water) lets look at other things people may want. there is no real order here just throwing out some items that I think would be useful.
Booze,Tobacco,Lighters & Matches,Medical Supplies,Firearms & Ammo,Hand Tools,Toilet Paper & baby Wipes,Soaps & Personal Hygiene Items,Candles,Batteries,Flash Lights,Gold & Silver,Bows & Arrows,Knives,Cloths, Kerosene & Oil Lamps, Fuel & Heaters. I hope this gave you an idea on bartering & extra items you may one. KEEP IN MIND do NOT start buying barter stuff if you don't have YOUR needs covered first. Entertainment During SHTF
![]() You may laugh now. But I'll tell you what. A board or card game can REALLY get you through some boring times! Every time we loose power here (which happens a few times a year) I do get happy. it gets everyone away from computers and video games and it's time to break out the cards or board game and have some REAL quality family time. I enjoy this time very much with my family. I'm sure you and your family has their favorite games or card game. in a real SHTF scenario you will need to pass the time when your not working those calories off. What better way to have fun then kicking back with family. sipping on tea or coffee and passing around some jerky. Moral is VERY important if you have no will to live you wont live! Having a good time spending time with family is just the way to keep your mind off the chaos and have a "Normal" moment with the family. So don't discard your games and cards out of your preps if you have a BoB (Bug Out Bag) make sure you bring a deck of cards or two to pass the time. and game-boy's don't count!
"A Chef's Guide To Stockpiling Food Preps"
![]() My good buddy The Rebel Prepper at The Rebel Prepper Network does some AWESOME articles and one of them was this one. A Chef's guide to stockpiling food preps. He is a Chef,Prepper,Patriot and a stand up guy all rolled into one. So this is some of his article if you want to read more I suggest you click on the link!
"The other day my good friend Noob asked me what foods I would recommend stockpiling for SHTF. As a Chef, a Prepper and an Anti GMO advocate I do have a unique perspective on what should be stocked and what should be left for the unprepared masses to fight over. I have to say there are about a million different “top 10 foods to stockpile” lists on the internet, I will tell you right now there is no perfect list on what is right for you but there are some things to stay away from and guidelines to follow if you want to maintain your health and well being. First thing you will want to do before you get to buying cases of a product is buying a single unit and trying it out, this process is very important before starting a restaurant; tasting, cooking and gathering opinions are all part of the process. Choosing the right brand that you are accustomed to is important so that you feel like you haven’t lost everything you like, for example if you like Heinz ketchup then buying a case of Huntz because it is on sale is the wrong call." Full Article here down below! a list of some awesome food! http://www.therebelpreppernetwork.com/a-chefs-guide-to-stockpiling-food-preps/ Water Filters/Water Treatment.
![]() Water filter's are a must in a SHTF scenario. If you don't have clean water you can get very sick. Water born pathogens & other nasty stuff are in even the most cleanest looking water. You don't need a fancy water filter that is over 200 bucks but if your on the trail maybe invest in one. there are several ways to make a filter for little to no cost. activated charcoal sand rocks and a bottle with a rag is a good on the trail type filter. you can buy filter kits that are the same filters from the costly counter top filters and use food grade buckets to make a filter. down below is a video of me installing a kit from amazon. it was 40 bucks and I used smaller buckets to have a more compact filter.
Another great option to clean water is using a sock,shirt,bandana or any cloth combined with a container such as a bottle canteen or anything like that to collect water and "pre filter" then bring the water to a boil in a fire or stove etc boil for 5 minutes then carefully place it in another container. let sit for 30 minutes. now you have clean water. There are several water treatment options in chemical form on the market. one way is to use a 2 drops of bleach per quart 8 drops per gallon half a tea spoon for 5 gallons if the water is cloudy then double the bleach. You can also use pool shock if you plan on treating water with bleach post SHTF You will need "granulated calcium hyopchlorite" which is basically powdered bleach. mix 1/8 oz granular calcium hypochlorite per gallon of water this will make bleach for water treatment. use 1 parts to 100 parts ratio on the pool shock bleach to disinfect water. 6.5oz to every 5 gallons of water to be treated. let sit for 30 minutes. a quick tip on using bleach you can "air" out the water take the clean up you have your treated water in then take another clean cup. keep pouring the water slowly in each cup back and forth for a few minutes. maybe 5 or so. then your water wont smell or taste like bleach! Big Brother WANTS you to be prepared?
![]() FEMA wants you prepared for a Natural Disaster. SO next time your family calls you crazy for suggesting they don't rely on Walmart or McDonalds for a meal show them this article and say it with pride that "Big Brother" even recommends a food storage!
"Are You Ready? provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by walking the reader through how to get informed about local emergency plans, how to identify hazards that affect their local area and how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit. Other topics covered include evacuation, emergency public shelters, animals in disaster and information specific to people with access and functional needs. Are You Ready? also provides in-depth information on specific hazards including what to do before, during and after each hazard type. The following hazards are covered: Floods, Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Thunderstorms and Lightning, Winter Storms and Extreme Cold, Extreme Heat, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Landslide and Debris Flows (Mudslide), Tsunamis, Fires, Wildfires, Hazardous Materials Incidents, Household Chemical Emergencies, Nuclear Power Plant and Terrorism (including Explosion, Biological, Chemical, Nuclear and Radiological hazards)." http://www.ready.gov/are-you-ready-guide Spam and you!
![]() Spam..America has a love hate relationship with Spam. Some find it tasty some find it disgusting! personally I love the stuff. Spam is a great food to store in your pantry and here is why! It has a history of keeping people on the go & giving the calories for fighting men. it was dropped to allies & our own GI's in WWII. through out Hawaii people eat it as a main staple. Spam is versatile. from spam and eggs to spam sandwiches. bbq spam and spam salads you can do anything with it. and for $3 a can you cant complain. I personally buy store brand spam. $1.50 its a steal. It lasts YEARS upon years so its very shelf stable.
You can fry it up or eat it straight out of the can. its a great survival food. but loaded with salt so drink plenty of water! Spam has a ton of history and a big spotlight in house hold names. Soldiers during WWII even wrote poems on how much they hated it. After all they ate spam for all meals every day when overseas. "Now Jackson had his acorns and Grant his precious rye; Teddy had his poisoned beef---Worse you couldn't buy. The dough boy had his hardtack with out the Navy's jam, But armies on their stomachs move---And this one moves on Spam." Canned Corned Beef Hash
![]() Corned beef hash has had its roots started in Ireland and has been pretty popular over the years in the US. Its a great pantry food cheaper then spam and is REALLY a good meal. a full can will feed the hungriest of people. although it is loaded in sodium it is a great pantry food to stock up on. it last YEARS and is basically diced beef with diced potatoes. it makes a great breakfast food served with eggs and toast you have a pretty good breakfast! fry it up or serve it straight from the can. My fiancee loves the stuff and we cant keep it in the pantry I wont lie I love it too! its pretty tasty. if you have not tried it as any food you should try it before you stock it. its loaded with calories so it will keep you going in a SHTF scenario. at about a buck & change a can you cant go wrong! Its a great alternative to Spam. if you dislike spam. all in all a great survival food whether your on the trail or in your home its a great tasting food easily adaptable & augmented with some hot sauce or spices.
Natural Disaster Kit
![]() Natural Disasters happen. Lets face it, you may be saying "Nothing will happen to me" Well I bet the people who was caught in Hurricane Sandy,Katrina etc Now I know what your thinking...."But Hurricanes don't happen in MY area" No?...How about black outs?..Man made disasters? Ice storm? Tornado? a basic kit won't set you back a ton of money. you DON'T need a months worth of MRE's either.
You should start with a few extra cans of food y'know things you like to eat. Maybe spaghetti is your thing start with a couple of cans of that. Some bottled water. a case (24) is like 4 bucks no excuse not to have one or two laying around. Next you will need some candles dollar store is great. religious candles last sometimes days and you can find emergency candles for a dollar from dollar tree which last like 35+ hours per pack (1 buck) batteries and a light you can buy from China Mart (Walmart) Next up is a change of clean cloths and socks etc. throw in a deck of cards in your "Kit" any medication you take. extra small things like chap stick,triple antibiotic ointment with some rolled gauze and you have your self a REALLY good start. Probably MORE then what everyone around you has. Now WHEN disaster strikes you are prepared to actually feed your family etc. CDC Wants you prepared for a Zombie Outbreak!
![]() Yeah you read the title right! Even the CDC is telling people to prepare! So head down to the local store,buy up Ramen & Canned goods. grab granddads scattergun because the zombies are coming! Well not really but its always good to have a plan & the knowledge along with some neat gear & food!
"Wonder why Zombies, Zombie Apocalypse, and Zombie Preparedness continue to live or walk dead on a CDC web site? As it turns out what first began as a tongue in cheek campaign to engage new audiences with preparedness messages has proven to be a very effective platform. We continue to reach and engage a wide variety of audiences on all hazards preparedness via Zombie Preparedness; and as our own director, Dr. Ali Khan, notes, "If you are generally well equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse you will be prepared for a hurricane, pandemic, earthquake, or terrorist attack." So please log on, get a kit, make a plan, and be prepared!" http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/zombies.htm |
DHS -"Constitutional Free Zone"
![]() Since 2008, DHS (Department of Homeland Security) has suspended the 4th amendment right in all border states. You can have your pc seized and private property searched because the Constitution does not apply on a border or some bs...source is down below in a video. DHS good or bad? you decide....
Faraday Cage for EMP/Solar Flare Electronic Protection
![]() A Solar Flare or EMP from a nuke or EMP weapon can fry your electronics. best way to combat that is with a Faraday cage. A Faraday cage is a box or something metal that allows electricity to move around the box and not through it. a Faraday cage throws the current away from your electronics. you can make one with a sock or a shirt and aluminum foil or a metal trash can or even a metal shed. down below is some more info on Faraday cages. http://www.endtimesreport.com/faraday_cages.html
Canning your own food
![]() Canning your own food is a very useful skill. and can boost your food storage dramatically! Being able to can the foods in your garden or just make a simple canned beef stew is a great skill. Jars are a dime a dozen. you can make tons of meals with just some basic seasonings some meat and veggies. there has been canned food in jars that is still edible that were canned 100 years ago. so you can see how long term canning your own foods can be. it requires much research though so for anyone new to prepping start getting into canning I know I still need to learn but I'm slowly researching and acquiring the stuff for canning. You can can meats,veggies,fruits,complete meals,sauces etc. so do some research and if your getting into canning I suggest getting a canning book you can find books at Walmart for as little as 10 bucks.
Batteries & Electricity
Down below is a video Neil Couey (Great friend of mine) did & I figured it deserved front page publicity. In the video Neil shows you how to make different vault batteries by combining others and running lights with different batteries. It is a skill that we all should learn and I remember doing this kind of stuff in science class. so as Survivalist we should learn from others and think outside the box. Please check out the video you will enjoy it! This has inspired me to do more research on Electricity so stay tuned for some articles on electricity,Faraday cages batteries etc.
Your Local Militia & YOU!
![]() The very word "Militia" conjurers up some bad ju ju in some people. Some people think Militia's are whack jobs others think they are shady criminals. What ever you think. Spend some time with your local Militia and get a feel for them. A Constitutional Militia (very important key word Constitutional) are your neighborhood friends. They are Dr's,Lawyers,Mechanics etc and they are here to help you & the country in a time of need. well if your a new survivalist your in need! spend some time with these guys. they will give you firearms training,survival training,medical training,train you in tactics. all for free. they are mostly ex solders,marines,airmen,sailors,guardsmen,peace officers etc. So if there are any skills you need to learn look up your area's local Militia and talk with some of them and tell them what your doing and be honest even if you have no intention of joining these guys will most likely get you on your feet so its one less person they have to worry about and possibly one more person that may join eventually.
Tips for E&E (Escape & Evade)
![]() 1. A moving object is easy to spot. Our eyes and brain are very adept at noticing movement, particularly against a background of relatively little movement. This is probably the most important fact to remember if you are trying to remain undetected. The keyword here is “slow” in this type of environment while also blending in. On the other hand, in some situations where you are within an environment of moving people, you could potentially blend in, so long as you are “blending in” and being street smart. 2. In the wild, mask yourself with natural cover. Apart from wearing a Ghillie suit, make smart choices for the color / camouflage of your clothes. Consider your surroundings and blend in with them by wearing similar colors. Generally, wearing neutral colors – olive drab, brown, beige, gray – will blend in well with many environments.
3. Movement during periods of low light, or bad weather will reduce the likelihood of being seen. Unlike other predators, we humans are not able to see too well in low light conditions, so use this to your advantage. Be aware of modern technology including IR Thermal imaging, of which there are ways to potentially block it or reduce your signature. 4. Avoid silhouetting. Walking in the open (e.g. across a hilltop, etc.) will present a visible profile to others. Be aware of what is behind you at all times and use it to your advantage by either avoiding it (take another route) or using it blend in or conceal. Be aware of how you contrast with your background (color, pattern, contrast, etc.) 5. At irregular intervals (as in NOT regular intervals), STOP at a point of concealment and LOOK and LISTEN for signs of activity. Don’t just go blindly on, even while being careful. The irregularity of your stopping and starting will not present so much of a pattern. While using your sight, also use your sense of smell and sense of hearing while stopped and scanning. 6. Be quiet. Be aware of the noise you are making as you move and travel including that of your equipment or clothing. A wet and damp environment is favorable to walking silently. Watch where you step. To get the other 6 tips this is the full page enjoy! -> http://www.survivalandbeyond.net/12-tips-for-movement-during-evasion/ Pest Control During SHTF (Cats)
![]() Pest Control is very important in SHTF. Pests (Bugs,Rats,Birds etc) can eat through your food storage. ruin your garden and so on. So its not a bad idea having a cat or two around. I know what your thinking its not "Manly" Well a lot of the old time farmers had cats around the farm for pest control and I think an old farmer is more manly then you. just saying!
Cats are predators by nature. While dogs and other pets will look at pest like they are no big deal cats will go on the hunt. they are way easier then taking care of a dog. and plus their so damn adorable. If cats like you most will bring you "Gifts" like dead birds rats etc may not be the first choice in a meal but believe me if your hungry enough a bird that fluffy killed may be a decent eat. You don't have feed them much they will hunt their own food post SHTF. don't have to take them outside every 3 hours for them to do their thing. a letterbox is cheap. So all in all if a family member wants another pet and they are sold on a cat let them get a cat or two its all prepping at the end of the day! The Mini 14/Mini 30
![]() Ah..yes. The Mini 14! The cool guy gun from the 70's and 80's! A-Team comes to mind. The Mini 14 is some what laughed at by the "Tactical Guru Expert Door Kicking Navy Seal Scout Sniper Army Ranger SWAT" commandos on the internet. I'll tell you what if the Mini 14 is so crappy why not volunteer to be shot by one? Thought so.. Now moving on. The Mini 14 & Mini 30 are great options for the budget Prepper/Survivalist. Now this firearm is not really a "Budget" firearm but it is more accurate than an AK or SKS and more Reliable then those wiffle bats aka AR 15's. The reason why I say budget is because the old ones that "No one wants" are dirt cheap. I have seen them low as $250 for beaters on up to $400 The old 14's are chambered in .223Remington while the new production ones are chambered in 5.56NATO. Mags are the REAL downfall for these. Factory 30 rounders pre Sandy Hook scare is $25-35. Tapco makes some great mags for these in the $14 area.
The Mini 30 are chambered in 7.62x39 (My favorite round) and are not as common as the 14's but are a great buy. new Mini's will cost in the $700 range which is still a great price. Many will say "AR 15!!!!" or "AKM!!!!" but what if you just don't like those two rifles? I myself dig AK's I'm an AK fan boy so don't get me wrong. but I like to explore ALL options out there. People always forget about RC or Dr Pepper when they are bickering about Coca Cola vs Pepsi. SO many more options then just those two rifles. another downside of the Mini 14 is the skinny barrel on the old ones. there are devices that fix the "accuracy" issue however...when people argue accuracy they always revert back to how their AR 15 can hit a flys ass on the moon. You don't need to be able to shoot sub MOA at a bench. you need to be able to hit your attacker and stop the threat, if that means moment of man then so be it. in a fire fight your AR will have crap accuracy because you the shooter wont be able to hold your gun steady. So now that we rule that out. Lets move onto reliability. I never seen one fail.Its just as reliable as its big brothers.People tend to love the M1 Garand,M1 Carbine,M14 but no love for the Mini. its practically the same gun and its American made. there are tons of after market parts for them and it has a major cool factor of being a popular gun in Hollywood in the 70s & 80s The Mini 14 is also comfortable to shoot, not a ton of recoil. they are every where just the gun that is not really spoken about. since AK's & AR's dominate most conversations The Mini 14 & 30 don't get much spotlight these days. chances are you may have one or know someone who will sell you theirs for cheap. So DON'T overlook this beast! if you leave it stock or add aftermarket parts it is an all around great rifle. you can have a real plain jane wood stock so it does not scare the sheep or you can go all out plastic or folding stock etc flash suppressor glass etc! if you buy an older mini 14 opposed to a WASR or something you are getting far better quality. Having Faith.
![]() Having "Faith" or being close to God or Allah or the Holy Spirit what ever you may call him. being close to God can keep you alive! Having faith or some sort of moral compass can be a good in SHTF. I'm not the most religious person I take more of a natural approach to things. I'm not telling you to believe in a God or practice some hokey religion. But being close to a higher power may give you the spiritual strength you need to push on during bad times. When bad things happen people tend to turn toward god. This has happened more times then I can count in history, that when the going gets tough it may be a good idea to ask for help. To get a spiritual boost to lead to that awakening of inner strength to climb those mountains! Also keeping some sort of bible on hand can provide great entertainment. This may offend most people but I view the bible as a test to human strength! David & Goliath for example. A small boy who killed a giant. That is inspiration to me. When things look grim, when the odds are against you. You push on, use your noggen and look for the opportunity to strike. Just some food for thought!
Rabbit Starvation!
![]() Rabbit Starvation also known as protein poisoning. Is caused from malnutrition via eating lean meats such as rabbits without consuming other nutrients. With things like severe cold or severe hot whether. Symptoms are diarrhea headache fatigue low blood pressure and heart rate and discomfort and hunger which can only be satisfied with fat or carbohydrates.
The name was from early trappers who literally STARVED to death because they had no fat in their diet So you can not eat only rabbit alone. Remember that when trapping. you need fat in your diet! What the Native Americans did was hunt rabbits and mix the meat with Deer fat. Full Metal Jacket vs Hollow Points for Ammo Storage
![]() With this article I will just talk about FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) vs HP (Hollow Point) not a caliber debate not which is better. but the reasons I buy what I buy. First off I carry JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point) in my EDC (Every Day Carry) Firearm. I stock cheap JHP and cheap FMJ for prepping. and the reason is because of cost. I can hardly afford ammo as is. and what would be some real major suckage is if I cant even have what I have on hand because I had to have HP. Granted in most cases HP will always win ballistically however I stock what I can stock because I don't have a ton of money I may only have a few hundred rounds for handgun and maybe around the same for a rifle. if I only bought HP I would have like 2 or 3 boxes of each..not cool! So for me it is better to have a few hundred FMJ on hand instead of 50 HP. This is just me. if you can't afford HP for prepping then you can just buy FMJ then slowly build a stock of HP and then target shoot the FMJ at the range! Just my thinking. For me the more rounds I have the more I can focus on other stuff. but don't get caught up in the whole debate. FMJ will still kill you as fast as an HP will with shot placement! What is nice about FMJ is that they will punch through a lot of barriers etc and some old 1911's wont fire HP or JHP there are special rounds on the market that help with that issue like the JHP with the plastic in the cavity.
Oil Lamps
![]() I am a sucker for oil lamps. I have a few. I have some that my dad owned. Oil lamps are a great way to have off the grid lighting. they can run on kerosene or oil from the store. the oil is cheap. couple bucks for a big jug. can even find oil at dollar stores. granted its probably scented but still..."Hurricane Lamps" are a great start you can find them anywhere. Antique Stores,China Mart (Walmart) Farm & Fleet stores etc. The advantages of oil lamps (Hurricane Lamps like in the picture) well they don't call them hurricane lamps for nothing. The only two ways this thing goes out if it runs out of juice or you slide the glass upwards & blow it out. They are more practical then candles granted you can buy candle lamps and those are great too but you can control how much light is put out. with out reflectors or tin foil etc so for like 5-10 bucks for the lamp and having 2 or 3 jugs of oil you REALLY can't go wrong!
Copy Canning (Food Storage Rotation)
![]() Lets talk about food storage! I want to share with you something I learned from Citadel Tactical Solutions. (great store if your in the Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana area.)
A good way to build your food storage is copy canning. if you like beef stew. really like it or spam or what ever for example we will use spam. if you dig spam. buy 2 cans. when you consume one write it on the shopping list for 2 more. each time you use 1 you buy 2 more. this will quickly build you a decent stock of spam if you do this for other canned or pantry type foods pasta etc you will have a food storage in no time and it will be properly rotated if you use the old stock first! It goes back to the old saying "Prep what you eat, Eat what you prep!" https://www.facebook.com/pages/Citadel-Tactical-Solutions/225084674216270?fref=ts (Beans,Bullets,Band aids) "I want to get prepared but don't know where to start!"
![]() Don't panic! Lets cover some basics shall we? If you want to get prepared you will hear this term a lot. "Beans, Bullets & Band aids" What this means is food & water (beans) bullets (guns & ammo or other security devices) and band aids (medical supplies)
You will need those things to help you survive. Knowledge is a whole different category and we will touch on that later. Thins you will want are a food storage. its best to start with pantry type foods you will eat. if you like beef stew then buy beef stew in cans maybe a brand you like. dont buy anything you wont eat! its pointless to have a crate of green beans if you HATE green beans. Please store SHELF STABLE foods. Canned goods,Pasta anything you will see in a pantry. dont go down to a 7-11 & buy chocolate bars and potato chips. Water....you need a crap ton...triple the amount your thinking and your probably not even close to how much you really need. INVEST in a water filter. I will post later on water filters. Everyone's favorite subject: Bullets! Guns Gear Knives!! The manly stuff! Ok...just to be clear...if you dislike firearms I feel very bad for you. because if a Natural Disaster happened and people found out YOU had food & no protection you will be dead. your food taken and god knows what to your family. We don't live in a world of sunshine & unicorns flying on rainbows, just saying.. You may want to invest in a firearm or two. you don't have to be a gun lover..just get on for your family's sake! If your on a budget instead of me naming off a ton of firearms I will make a later post. you can search here at my good friend's website he does some really cool stuff and you can learn a lot from his "Random weapon of the week" or his "Yes you need a firearm" So head on over to http://www.therebelpreppernetwork.com/ The last on the list is band aids...I'm no medical expert but you will need medical supplies! start simple. extra band aids,triple antibiotic cream,bandages,quick clot etc. if you get a cut YOU DON'T ant it infected in a SHTF Scenario (Shit Hits The Fan) So start collection extra medical supplies maybe in a few years have a mini hospital! RESEARCH Natural Remedies. not trying to sound like a salesmen but The Rebel Prepper is leading the way on natural medicine on his website. |