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Well Rounded Importance There has been much interesting and lively discussion lately about folks focusing on only one aspect of survival. We can't afford to allow ourselves to view all of our options too narrowly. One only needs to consider the possibility of a pandemic and the complexity of having a large quantity of freeze dried food offset by lacking IV bags and antibiotics. The recent earthquake in China has us considering the fact that 2000 gallons of water will be impossible to transport in a single family car over broken roads, likewise a ton of ammunition would be a great hindrance to move in a Katrina GOOD scenario. Staying put may put us into the realm of the 'folly of mankind' situation that General Patton considered fortified structures to be if set upon by a large offensive force. Where is the good middle ground? Is there any 'good' middle ground or would it just be a series of compromises piled on top of one another? Thinking of my family's situation, ten of us let's say (3 grown sons, daughter-in-law, 2 grandbabies and two girlfriends) where should we focus our efforts? As we sit now, I have enough guns and ammo for all of us to be equipped with a long gun, a pistol and plenty of spares, along with three or four knives and bayonets and several thousand rounds of ammo. We are starting to realize that we may be lopsided in the defense part of the survival equation and have started stocking up on medical supplies lately, BTW vet supply stores and websites are great for bandages, topical cleansers, wound ointments and such. Hygiene products have to be considered as things would go south real fast here in summer's 100 degree heat and no electricity. All medical gear is stored in 20mm ammo cans and painted yellow with a red cross on the outside for rapid and certain identification and ease of loading. Transporting a casualty would require some sort of litter or stretcher and we need to get stocked up on these items soon. If someone is sick or injured we will need a doctor, therefore the prevention of injury or illness will be infinitely preferable over trying to find a surgeon and trauma care when SHTF. Water is certainly the #1 concern here in the southwest desert and we have been using the very sturdy, stackable, seven gallon jugs made by Reliance and sold by, cringe, Walmart for about $8. These are about the right size for carrying and would fit nicely in the bed of a pick up or utility trailer. Since we have installed a rain water collection system, a filter such as the Big Berky or similar will be our next purchase when we have the cash. That should cover us for either bugging out or staying put. Food in a broad range will be necessary for both the babies and to prevent food boredom. We have the staples of course, rice, wheat, beans, flour and sugar but we also have a variety of items including beef stew, fruit cocktail, chili, tuna, jerky, MRE's, powdered milk, baby food, formula, Mountain House freeze dried meals, etc. Storage is in tubs and boxes that can be stacked or loaded quickly into a vehicle. They are labeled and dated to allow for rotation and a fast evaluation of the contents. Fuel - Most of our food can be eaten without cooking but the items that will require cooking will need fuel. A large amount of trioxane fuel tabs are stored in several ammo cans and we have a Coleman dual fuel stove that will burn gasoline or Coleman fuel. A large wood pile can be utilized in the winter months but OPSEC would have to be considered if one didn't want their location revealed. Back up 'hobo' stoves have been fashioned from stainless steel utility cans and can burn paper, cardboard or leaves and twigs. Our vehicles all have fresh rubber on them and are kept in good working condition. The main BOV, a '69 Bronco with a 5x8 utility trailer has plenty of spare parts and with a 302 V8 is fairly easy and cheap to repair and has the horsepower to get us to our remote bug out location in about two hours should we need to. Also have an '07 Kawasaki 650cc KLR dual purpose motorcycle that gets 55 mpg and can be used for scouting roads quickly and easliy (also used by the USMC!). Spare gasoline is kept in 5 gallon NATO cans, supplemented with Stabil, along with extra spouts and funnels as a back up. Back up shelter is provided by a large, good quality 14x10 family two room tent. Tarps and sheet plastic can be supplemental to shelter building as well as two chain saws and large two man timber saws. Other tools will be carried on the vehicles such as shovels, picks, axes and basic hand tools. High lift jacks, pry bars, and cribbing are included in the tool category. We are a long way from being in an ideal retreat, but we have a garden, large sentry dogs, and the mind set of lasting as long as possible. Either by staying put or bugging out, a well rounded stockpile and attitude will be vital to survival. Take Care and God Bless. Cactus Jim Tags: survival stores blog
Current Mood: determined
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Yet another reason I like to hang out at gun stores. Went to the local gun shop to look for (and found!) a light mount for my Sig P220. Also got two boxes of IMI 185 gr SWC .45 that looked interesting in the original military box. Someone check for me, do the Israelies as a country shoot more goblins on a per capita basis than anyone else on earth?
Anyway, guy comes up to the counter carrying a bag o' gun. Romanian WASR AKM in 7.62 x 39. Condition is dirty, but mechanically sound, with some surface rust, seller says only about 500 rounds or so through it. Counter guy says he can go $140, seller says too low and he will take it home, clean it up and come back. This tells me a few things, it is probably not stolen otherwise he would sell it for the low ball price and get out. Also he takes semi good care of his weapon since he has cleaning supplies at home, but my opinion is lowered due to even bringing a dirty gun to a gun store when you are trying to sell it. He is heavy set, unkempt and looks somewhat desparate for cash, and doesn't appear to have a dental plan.
After paying for my items I am walking to the parking lot and see him backing out talking on his cell phone. I wave and ask him what he was looking at getting out of the gun and he gives the standard "...what will you give me?..." line. I offer $200. He says if I will go $275 he will throw in the USA made tactical bag, 30rd mag, 10 round mag and a bunch of ammo. I check out the gun more closely, which appears to be in nearly new condition, agree to the price and run down the street and withdraw the money from the ATM.
Get it home and there is 500 rounds of Wolf FMJ ammo in the bag, the 2 mags, 150 rds of S&B 12 ga in 7 1/2 shot, 75rds of S&B 9mm, a Winchester shell holder bag, 2 Winchester 12 ga choke tubes w/wrench, a pair of clear plasic shooting glasses, a AA battery and a pinto bean. Score! Tags: gun store buy
Current Location: Tucson
Current Mood:  bouncy
Current Music: Matchbox 20
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Woohoo, got my .02 posted on Survival Blog. Hope this helps with the recent '...I'll fire a warning shot...' mentality. Dear Jim:
As a proud 10Cent Challenge subscriber, I know that the recent subject of Levels of Force could be argued back and forth for a long time. What may help all your subscribers and readers are articles on the defensive use of firearms by Massad Ayoob. I found them at FindArticles.com, for example, and any internet search should come up with them. He gives excellent practical advice on gun situations, what to do, not do, as well as what to say and not say. The reader in Maine who fired a warning shot would know this is never done by law enforcement, too much liability. If one is involved in a shooting, tell law enforcement something like "...I was afraid for my life (or another's) and had to fire my weapon to save a life, I want to clear this up as much as you do but I need to speak to an attorney first..." and then SHUT UP, which is exactly what they would do in the same circumstance.
People need to know the use of a gun is serious, life is not a movie, and shooting people, even those that deserve it, is not glorious. Folks will come back and get revenge, either with a civil or criminal complaint or violent ambush at a later date.
Living here close to the Mexican border, being once mugged at knife point by three illegal aliens (for $1.30 in my pocket), working all hours in these mean streets, I have never had to pull a gun on anyone, thank goodness, and survived many altercations none the worse for wear. My job with the power company for the last 30 years has me on occasion cut electrical service for non-payment at the pole or junction box when the tech's cannot cut it at the meter because of access, dogs, etc. Having encountered angry biker gangs, meth labs, and all other sorts of bad people and bad situations, the use of a gun has always been kept as a last resort. My truck has reverse to get away from most problems and luckily I'm paid by the hour and not by how much work I do. (-:
The point is pulling a gun will get you in a lot of trouble, shooting a warning shot will get you arrested, shooting someone may very well cost you everything you have worked for up to now in your life. Your home, retreat, guns, food reserves, retirement account, everything. I would definitely shoot if my life or another's life were in danger, but that is indeed very rare and most situations can be avoided with a little education, forethought and by setting aside one's ego. Take Care and God Bless. - Cactus Jim Tags: guns
Current Location: Southern AZ
Current Mood: bouncy
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Albertson's had one of their 10 for $10 sales so I got 20 cans of solid white albacore tuna in water, 10 big cans of pineapple, 10 cans of Hormel chunky chili with beans. Came to about $40 and I saved $40 so the stuff was basically half price. Got it home, wrote today's date on the top of the cans with a sharpie and noticed the 'use by' dates are out to 2010 and 2011! Thought about putting all tuna in one ammo can, chili in another but then thought about the possibility of having to take off in a hurry with one or two cans or losing a can in rapid transit so I put some of each in an ammo can (tall .50 cal), that way if someone winds up with only one can at least there will be a variety inside.
The garden is coming up nicely and it just rained a little so the lettuce, eggplant and okra will be getting a good head start. Hope to harvest before the extreme Arizona heat hits. Melon and tomatoes going in next.
Picked up two 5 gal racing fuel jugs on sale a the local motorcycle shop that just had their grand opening, regular $28 on sale for $20. they look like this. http://pitposse.stores.yahoo.net/vp5gafujug.html
AimSurplus has P225 Sig 9mm for $260, #1 son wants two, nephew wants one and I want one. Will call the local FFL transfer guy and line things up before I order. Tags: food, stores shtf
Current Location: Southern AZ
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