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Three Letters Re: All You Need to G.O.O.D. You Can Carry on Your Back, by Charles M.

From SurvivalBlog.com

James Wesley:
That was a fine article by Charles M., but there are some important differences between hiking the Appalachian Trail and Getting Out of Dodge. G.O.O.D. When hiking the Trail, you are able to resupply frequently, so food is not a major concern.  You don’t need to carry very much with you, and you can easily buy more when you run out. 

When G.O.O.D., you will need to carry as much food as possible, and the means of collecting more food. 

Predators, both four-legged and two-legged, will also be a much greater concern in most G.O.O.D. scenarios, so that must be accounted for as well. 

Thanks, – A.T.M.

Jim:
The article by Charles M. on hiking is excellent. I would like to add, having done long marches as a Civil War reenactor, I learned the single most important part of a rifle is the carry strap. I know they get in the way and caught on things, but when walking for hours on end, not only will you use the strap, but you will use it in many positions. I recommend anyone planning long hikes (or Bug-Out) with a rifle always have a good strap installed, and be familiar with the different "route march" carrying positions. You can make cord or rope into an acceptable strap, but it will take time and be more prone to issues than one designed for the purpose. – J.D.D.

JWR:
I really…

Letter Re: Switching to AR-10 Rifles

From SurvivalBlog.com

James:
I happened to notice that in a recent posting you’d mentioned transitioning at your ranch from a FAL platform to a Stoner-designed AR-10. I imagine that a number of your readers would be interested in how this decision came about. I’ll I bet a number of other readers would be interested to hear why. – P. Z. in Arizona

JWR Replies: The decision to switch to AR-10s was based upon the following factors:

1.) Training compatibility. Since my kids all did their transitional training to high power shooting using M4geries, and some of them might end up serving in the U.S. military.

2.) Parts shortages and expense. The supply of L1A1 (and FAL) parts is definitely drying up.  So there is the question of long term sustainability for our firearms battery. A nice British L1A1 parts set (sans receiver) now sells for $ 500 or more. As of 2005, military rifle parts sets could no longer be imported with barrels because of a BATF dictate. Meanwhile, AR-10 parts are getting more and more common, and falling in price, since there are now more than 15 AR-10 makers in the States

3.) Magazine commonality with HK91s. Since we have a couple of HK91 clones here at the ranch, it will be nice to be able to share magazines.

4.) Weight. AR-10s weigh more than a pound less than a FAL, L1A1, BM-59, HK91,…

Letter Re: .22 Handguns and Other Options For Self Defense

From SurvivalBlog.com

James,
I’m writing to follow up on the recent SurvivalBlog article ".22 Handguns and Other Options For Self Defense". Another consideration to keep in mind when discussing the .22 rimfire: In a TEOTWAWKI situation the need for stealth will be paramount. The .22 LR cartridge lends itself to silencing better than any other caliber. [JWR Adds: Most of the "Target"-designated .22 LR loads are subsonic.] I think the legal purchase of a suppressor in the U.S. ("All NFA rules apply") should be very high on the “to do” list of every “prepper”. The ability to silently eliminate pests, and to take game (in extremis) could go a long way in keeping you under the radar.
  
I’ve heard the old argument about being put on a Government “list” by buying a $ 200 transfer tax NFA item (suppressor, full auto weapon, short barreled rifle or shotgun) but the truth is that if you have bought any type of firearm, been on Internet sites such as this, or bought any number of items with a credit card or over the Internet you are already on one or more likely many “lists”. – Regards, – R.A.S.

Firearms Training/Exercise #1, by Sparky

From SurvivalBlog.com

I have been a “gun nut” for some time now and I think that everyone should own a firearm of some sort whether it for personal carry or just home protection.  With everything that has been going on in today’s world, I can see no better time to own a firearm. There comes a big responsibility with owning a weapon of any kind and you must make sure that you are up to taking on that task.

I believe that good shooting skills are going to be needed very soon to come.  We are set in the front seat to possibly see a major change in life, as we know it.  When the less fortunate have nowhere to go they are going to come for you. Buy a firearm and learn to use it.  You can already see this happening every day, from people with handguns robbing convenience stores to home invasions. Buy a firearm and learn to use it.    There are approximately 14 million people (at least that is the number that the Government is putting out) out work in the US.  Desperate people will do desperate things in times of need especially when there is a family involved, Buy a firearm and learn to use it.  I think I said that earlier somewhere?  Here is where I step in and hopefully help you learn for use it.

I would like to start something here at SurvivalBlog that I hope everyone will…

All You Need to G.O.O.D. You Can Carry on Your Back, by Charles M.

From SurvivalBlog.com

In 2000 my wife and I decided we would do a through hike of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.  The distance traveled would be 2,168.5 miles of foot trails through the wildernesses of the eastern United States.   We climbed more than 250 mountains.  Our elevation change was equal to climbing Mount Everest from sea level to the summit and back nineteen (19) times. The trail is very challenging and can be dangerous (two people died on the trail the year we hiked).  The trail follows the crest of the Appalachian Mountain through fourteen states.  Although this was a long “backpacking trip” it required us to have everything we needed to survive the outdoors for an extended time while living and walking through all weather conditions.  Rain, sleet, snow, hail storms, 100 degree weather, in it all we walked an average of 14.7 miles a day, seven days a week for months.  The lessons learned are very valuable when it comes to surviving extended periods of having to “make it” on your own.  I’ve read many books, articles and heard many conversations about what is needed to survive natural disasters, terrorist attacks or bad economic times, but until you’ve spent weeks and weeks in the wilderness with just what you can carry, that information at times is valuable but very often overstated and dangerous.

Our adventure began on the 3rd day of March 2002 and ended September 26th 2002.  The first night out it was…

SHTF “Go To” Gun photo contest: Entry #64 – OK, one more…..

From ModernSurvivalOnline.com

My apologize to David for the delay in posting his awesome MP5 clone…..

David is ready with……..

Here is my SHTF “Go To” gun entry for the photo contest.  This is my semi-auto MP5SD clone made by ATI/MKE with an MFI low profile scope mount, Vortex SPARC red dot scope, E & L Mfg. SD barrel shroud, HK SEF trigger group housing, A3 collapsible stock and 13 HK 30 round magazines.  I carry this 9mm sub-gun because it easily stores in my 5.11 RUSH 72 “BOB”, allows me 390 rounds of ammo without being all that heavy, and it has an overall high intimidation factor.

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Pat’s Product Review: Century Arms R1A1 (Inch Pattern FAL Clone)

From SurvivalBlog.com

I’ve been a huge fan of the FN/FAL style of battle rifle for many years. I first carried one when I was in Rhodesia, back in 1976. I’ve owned a few FAL-style rifles over the years, and I reviewed the Springfield Armory version on SurvivalBlog last year. Too bad, Springfield Armory doesn’t make their version any longer, it was an outstanding rifle in all respects.
 
About 10 tears ago, I purchased a used Century Arms (L1A1-model "inch pattern" FAL style rifle from a gun shop in Boise, Idaho – it was an outstanding shooter. However in a moment of weakness, I later sold it – one of those decisions I regretted the moment I did it. Last I heard, the gun had passed hands several times.
 
Yes, I know the reputation that Century Arms has when it comes to assembling some of their rifles from parts kits, onto new receivers and new barrels. However, I’ve been extremely lucky in this respect, and I’ve had outstanding luck with most guns from Century Arms – their CETME being the exception – I’ve owned several and they were junk. There is lots of chatter on the ‘net about how poorly the Century Arms AK-47s are made. I’ve owned at least half a dozen, or more, versions of Century’s AKs and loved them all. Some people say it’s a crap shoot to purchase any Century Arms products,but I…

Could America’s Farmers and Ranchers Face a Rhodesian Future?

From SurvivalBlog.com

I envision one possible future for America that is fairly bleak, at least in the short term. If the economy deteriorates the way that I anticipate, and if the power grids ever collapse, then it could trigger that dreaded "worst case" situation. Such a socioeconomic collapse could precipitate a large population die-off in metropolitan regions, a bit less in the suburbs, and even less in the countryside. But an extended period of lawlessness would still cause considerable loss of life and property in rural areas. There will surely be a lot of refugees from urban areas, and some of them will turn to looting, in order to survive. The new paradigm for American farmers and ranchers might resemble the security situation faced by farmers during Rhodesian Bush War of the 1970s.

Life for farmers in Rhodesia in the 1970s was nerve-wracking. Starting in the late 1960s, communist guerillas, trained and armed by Cuban and Chinese "advisors", had been slipping into the country to wreak havoc and terror on the civilian populace. While most of their victims were black, the communist terrorists (or "terrs" as they were called in Rhodesian slang) began attacking isolated farms owned by whites. Early on in the war, they were literally able to catch the farmers sleeping. Later, as defenses were raised, the terrs adopted the tactic of burying pressure-activated land mines on farm roads.

Since phone lines could be cut, a radio network was established…

Letter Re: .22 Handguns and Other Options For Self Defense

From SurvivalBlog.com

James:
R.F.D. is spot on with the write-up, on .22 LR and to take this a step further,  everyone should do their own "field tests". Most people (My estimation) can not or will not spend enough range time to be proactive in having the hands on experience to get not only the right weapon but equally important the right caliber for them and/also the first hand knowledge of what they can do to both living tissue or objects.  I have over my learning period of 50 plus years and hundreds of thousands of rounds shot, understood that I wanted several calibers and types of guns for my use. For distances under 50 yards, maybe a hyper-velocity .22,  under a 100 a .223, up to 200 yards a .30-06, over 200 yards  my caliber of choice is a .375 H&H magnum.  Again my choices. 
 
I differ in my opinion about the .22 rimfire round, be it a Short, Long, Long Rifle, or the hyper-velocity Long Rifle hollow point.   In first hand experience at a shooting range in Kansas City, Kansas years ago I saw first hand an accidental shooting where one shot to the chest with a standard 22 LR bullet that entered and exited a man’s chest killing him on the spot.  My years of outdoor shooting and hunting with most calibers and types of firearms allowed me to to make my own choices on what I determined worked for me.   As everybody has an opinion, the old adage "Do not believe…

SHTF “Go To” Gun photo contest: Entry #59, #59, #60 and #61

From ModernSurvivalOnline.com

Tony sent the following……

This is my go-to SHTF gun – the Smith & Wesson M&P AR15.

I chose it for several reasons.  First of all, I belong to a small group of like-minded preppers and we have all chosen this gun so as to be able to standardize our weapons.  Secondly, I really like the customizability of the AR15 platform.  With the chance to add quad rails, lights, laser, optics, etc., this weapon is like a Mr. Potato Head for grown men.  Make it look like you want.  Make it do what you want.  Finally, the popularity of the AR15 means that, in the event of an “end of the world as we know it” situation, there should be a substantial amount of ammo laying around.

I’ve set it up with a small sampling of some of my other SHTF gear and food stores.  I believe that this weapon will help me to safeguard my life, my family, and my property in event of an emergency.

Greg R. and his wife are prepared with……

Please consider my photo for your SHTF photo contest. It is a combo of mine and my wife’s “go to” weapons. We figure it is not if, but a matter of when we will face a SHTF scenario. Some will reach for the toilet paper, but we plan on something more substantial!

My personal weapon is a Springfield…