Firearms/Shooting/Self-Defense:
- "Handloading The .38 Special: The Pocket Pistols" by John Taffin, GUNS Magazine. Taffin gives some recipes for handloading practice rounds for the snubby .38 revolvers. He uses cast lead bullets: an 158-grain SWC or 148-grain WC. His standard loads are either 3.5 grains of Bullseye or 5.0 grains of Unique. But he uses a lighter powder load for Oregon Trail cast bullets. Read the whole thing if you are thinking of using the information.
- "The M1 Garand: History & Disassembly"--American Rifleman. After giving detailed instructions together with some illustrations to help you along, the author warns:
A few precautions: The operating rod for the M1 has a bend that is intentional, and it should never be hammered on or straightened out. The crown of the operating rod should also be kept bright by using a solvent and nylon brush. Do not scrub with a metal brush or other harsh abrasive. The tolerances within the gas operating system are quite close and nothing should be used that can affect the system.All operating parts should have a light coat of lubrication except the inside of the gas cylinder. This should be free of carbon deposits and other fouling, but should be kept dry.
- "Skill Set: Spray & Bake"--Tactical Wire. A discussion on DIY firearm finishing:
I use Gun-Kote, by KG Industries. After years of providing dry film lubricants and thin coatings for aerospace, military and other industries they introduced their Gun-Kote finishes in 1998. Today they list a wide variety of products, including finishes that are perfect for firearms. The 1200 series is an air-dry product, perfect for plastics and materials that can’t withstand the baking temps to cure. The NaNo series is Gun Kote’s newest entry. The abrasive resistant coating exceeds all military and aero specs. This is a hard, flexible finish that protects from almost everything.
The 2400 series is what I use. It’s a one-part finish; there’s no measuring and mixing involved. Whatever you don’t use goes back into the can for later, so nothing wasted. It’s also easily repaired or touched-up. The final product is tough and resistant. According to their website, the 2400 series, “has an average particle size less than 10 Microns.” This is 0.000393700787… of an inch. This means you can spray multiple coats, getting complete coverage without worry about buildup, which is critical with tight tolerances. Plus, again according to Gun-Kote literature, it’s “guaranteed not to Chip Flake, Peel or Rust Creep.” What I know is that Gun-Kote finishes work. They’re affordable – always a consideration these days – simple and produce consistent, reliable results.
As with any finish, properly preparing your parts is mandatory. They have to be completely free of grease and oil. We have a religious system of degreasing, “gassing,” which is baking it in the oven to expose/remove embedded matter, degreasing, washing until finally, blasting. Rushing this part of the process will only result in disappointment.
An airbrush is the best way to apply the finish on firearms. This way you can control the spray pattern for small nooks and crannies. I usually spray three coats. After painting it’s into the oven for an hour at 325. You can’t get much simpler than that.
- ".357 Magnum: The Pros And Cons For Self-Defense"--Gun Digest. The pros listed in the article are a simple manual of arms, (at least in duty sized revolvers) recoil is manageable by most people, and uses a proven defensive cartridge. On the latter point:
Used and studied extensively, the .357 Magnum has, again and again, demonstrated itself a superior self-defense cartridge. Is it the cock-of-the-walk option touted in the once-popular “stopping power” studies, able to neutralize a threat in one-shot 80-plus percent of the time? Given those survey results are shaky at best and useless at worst, we’ll leave that to the gun forums to hash out. However, the cartridge has acquitted itself well in the hands of law enforcement over the years and has one of the widest selections of ammunition capable of passing the FBI penetration tests. For the average armed citizen, the .357 Magnum has more than enough punch to neutralize a threat in most circumstances.
The cons listed are the heavy double action trigger, limit capacity, and that the .357's velocity is sensitive to changes in barrel length.
The article is a bit superficial, so let me add some points to consider. I've always felt that one of the advantages to the revolver for the prepper is that there is no need to stockpile extra magazines (although it does help to have speed loaders or speed strips, they are not necessary nor, generally, as expensive as magazines). Although the revolver is harder to master than the semi-auto, it is easier to pick up and use for someone that is not going to do much practice with a handgun: one of the reasons that it was traditionally favored for law enforcement and civilian self-defense. Absent it being dropped in mud or sand, it is more reliable than the semi-auto: you don't have to worry about misfeeds or failures to eject due to poor quality ammo and/or a low quality or damaged magazine and/or due to not correctly holding the weapon. For some people (e.g., using the weapon on a boat or those that reload) it may be beneficial to have a weapon that doesn't throw casings all over the floor or ground.
- "NOLA mayor promises to 'lock up' looters in wake of Hurricane Ida: Thieves ransack stores in scenes reminiscent of Katrina as city faces at least THREE WEEKS without electricity"--Daily Mail. From the lede:
Louisiana residents have reported cases of alleged looting in the wake of Hurricane Ida amid fears crime could spiral in New Orleans and other cities after energy suppliers warned that power will be out for at least three weeks as utility crews work to restore more than 2,000 miles of downed energy lines across the state.
New Orleans' mayor also announced that the death toll from the storm has officially risen to two after a driver drowned in their vehicle in the city. On Sunday, a 60-year-old man died when a tree fell on a home just outside Baton Rouge. Authorities have not released any information about the identities of the victims.
Rescue crews in St. John the Baptist Parish reported that 800 people were rescued as internet and communications services began to come back online, though officials said that 18,000 residents in the parish remained without power as of late Monday.
Ida has been downgraded to a tropical depression. The National Hurricane Center said Ida’s maximum sustained winds had dropped to 35 mph by Monday afternoon as the storm’s remnants churned northwest of Jackson, Mississippi. Forecasters said heavy rain from Ida remains a threat as it moves northeast.
Accuweather's Dr. Joel N. Myers said on Monday that the total economic damage caused by Ida will likely fall between $70billion and $80billion.
Mississippi's governor, Tate Reeves, said that 20 water rescues were staged in three counties on Monday. In total, some 85,000 Mississippians were without power as of late Monday.
- "US Nuclear Power Plants Fallout Map – Locations & Live Time Wind Flow"--Modern Survival Blog.
I’ve authored a number of articles on the topic of nuclear reactors, and risk mitigation thereof. In the process, I’ve built several location maps of these nuclear reactors / power plants here in the U.S.Here’s one that illustrates the location of all the operating nuclear power plants in the United States (I believe there are 104). I have added a 50 mile radius (100 mile diameter) circle around each one.All fallout is not created equally. Without some kind of massive explosion, the really dangerous radioactive material will remain in the reactor.With that said, I’ve chosen a 50-mile radius as a distance factor, given that generally any radioactive fallout will dissipate according to the inverse-square-law. The most dangerous radiation / fallout will likely remain much closer to the reactor than my chosen distance. However, the illustration provides geographical perspective.
- "Stock Up on These Prepper Medical Supplies NOW"--The Organic Prepper. The author notes that pandemics often have consequences as to the availability of medical care and medicines. She warns that as the pandemic continues we will see:
- A shortage of healthcare workers in the US
- The likelihood of continued supply chain disruptions
- Medical providers denying service due to COVID-19 vaccination status
Also:
With fewer healthcare workers available to treat patients, plus the likelihood of additional port closures, now is the time to do two things:
Stock up on medical/trauma care supplies.
Learn how to use them.
Below is my list of OTC medicines and medical supplies I keep on hand for my family, broken down by category. I have included brand names next to the generic name or active ingredient for name recognition when appropriate.
Don’t panic when you see the list. You don’t have to buy absolutely everything at once, and you may already have many of these items on hand. But all of us at The OP strongly recommend doing an inventory of your home medical supplies and plugging holes as soon as possible.
I have included multiple options in some cases because different medications may be more appropriate for different situations. For example, there are several options for general pain relief. However, some people are allergic to ibuprofen and other NSAIDs. Others may not be able to take aspirin due to blood-thinning medication. Know your health and use your best judgment.
Be sure to read the product labels of each item to make sure these specific items are safe and appropriate for you and your family. Some medications have cautions for children or individuals with specific health conditions. Make substitutions to suit your individual needs.
Go to the link to check out the lists.
- "Grow some winter squash this year"--Backwoods Home Magazine.
We can a lot of our summer crops but canned vegetables just don’t retain that fresh-picked flavor. So we use a variety of means in order to enjoy fresh vegetables year-round. By overwintering some crops in the garden (Swiss chard, kale, and spinach), growing microgreens inside, and growing crops that will store for long periods of time, we manage to keep a variety of fresh vegetables in our diet throughout the winter months.
Winter squash is one vegetable that stores well so we grow a few different ones for use during the colder months. Stored correctly, some winter squash (Hopi Pale Grey, Blue Hubbard, and sometimes Butternuts) will keep until the next season’s crop is ready to harvest.
Many vegetables and fruits prefer cooler temperatures for storage but not winter squash. I find that they keep better stored at room temperature. Winter squash come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They are beautiful to look at so you can store them in plain sight all over the house. Arrange them in a corner next to a potted plant, make a table display, fill a wire basket or old wooden box, put them in a child’s wagon, line them up on the fireplace mantle — you get the idea.
- "Immigration Is Really Just a Distraction at This Point – It Doesn’t Matter Anymore" by Andrew Anglin, Unz Review. Even though the U.S. Supreme Court is requiring the Biden Administration to reinstate the immigration policy that forces migrants to wait in Mexico while U.S. officials process their asylum claims, the Anglin observes that it is really of no consequence since so many illegal immigrants and so-called asylum seekers have invaded the country.
Please note that this ruling comes after some number of millions of people have been marched into America across the Southern border in the last eight months. No one knows how many millions, because the government doesn’t allow anyone to see what’s happening, completely refuses to release any data, and the media in turn refuses to report on it.People have estimated that it’s roughly 20,000 a day being moved in, which would be about 5 million over 8 months. I have no idea what those estimates are based on, because all data is blocked and we don’t even really have pictures. But it sounds like 20,000 a day would be about what is feasible if you were trying to move as many as possible, which seems to be what they’re trying to do.
In short, the country has been fundamentally transformed.
- Diversity! "Lone wolf inspired by foreign terror group is killed in Texas police station SHOOTOUT minutes after killing female Lyft driver and stealing her car"--Daily Mail. Killer is one Imran Ali Rasheed.
- Pamela Geller reports that "SEVEN BUSES of American Female Citizens Taken by Taliban, NO MEDIA COVERAGE By Biden Media (Including FOX News)." (H/t Marcus Wynne). The women had made it to the Kabul Airport gate, but were not admitted.
- "The Coming Reaction To Leftist Religion"--Wilder, Wealthy and Wise. John Wilder notes that Leftism is a religion which "goal is an apocalypse where everything impure is burned away," and to "immanentize the eschaton to lead to the final worker’s paradise." In other words, kill anyone that doesn't meet their subjective criteria. He continues:
Is it possible to have that level of dedication on the Right?
It is. In fact, I believe it will be inevitable. Is there an apathetic center? Yes, but there’s never been a time when the center really mattered, outside paying so little attention to the issues that they make elections exciting.
The Leftists use the term “reactionary” to describe opposition to their atrocities. That’s what the Cultural Revolutionaries called those they killed: Reactionaries.
The Reaction will take place and will have all of the fervor of the Left, and twice the guns. If it comes down to an attempted Cultural Revolution in the United States, the Left will find we’ve seen this movie before.
- "To survive, we must fire them all"--Don Surber. Writing about the spineless bureaucrats, otherwise known as generals and diplomats and spies, that led us to failure in Afghanistan and destabilized the Middle and Near East, " suggests:
The survival of America depends on firing them all. The good, the bad, and the indifferent must all go because we must send a clear signal to the mediocrities running the military and the Department of State.
The message must be failure gets you canned.
We failed 20 years ago to do so, and it cost us dearly.
9/11 resulted in no firings. Instead of dismissing the people in charge of an intelligence community that failed the nation, Bush 43 appointed a 9/11 commission, which included many of the people responsible for the 9/11 whiff. The commission was a bipartisan circle jerk and coverup. After months of interviews, it concluded that the FBI and CIA had "not well served" Presidents Clinton and Bush.
No shit, Sherlock.
Contrast and compare to FDR's response to the REAL Pearl Harbor.
History.com reported, "Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel was relieved of his command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet as part of a shake-up of officers in the wake of the Pearl Harbor disaster.
"Admiral Kimmel had enjoyed a successful military career, beginning in 1915 as an aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He served admirably on battleships in World War I, winning command of several in the interwar period. At the outbreak of World War II, Kimmel had already attained the rank of rear admiral and was commanding the cruiser forces at Pearl Harbor. In January 1941, he was promoted to commander of the Pacific Fleet, replacing James Richardson, who FDR relieved of duty after Richardson objected to basing the fleet at Pearl Harbor."
The removal of his former aide came 10 days after Pearl Harbor. FDR also relieved Lieutenant General Walter C. Short that day of command of the Army base at Pearl Harbor.
Maybe they were scapegoats. Maybe not. That is unimportant.
But the message to all the rest of the admirals and the generals was clear. Do your job or be publicly humiliated and you will lose at least one star.
Won't happen because these generals and diplomats and experts are part of the Deep State and have agreed among themselves that they are the philosopher kings of America.
VIDEO: "Population Implosion Will Cause Global Economic Catastrophe"--Wall Street Millennial (10 min.). I've been harping about the birth dearth since I first started this blog. This video is another look at the future of declining populations (and the countries already experiencing it) and the economic stagnation that will result. The only countries with growing populations are the low-IQ third-world hell holes, so the strategy of mass immigration is not going to save the industrialized world. The instability following from this will likely result in spreading conflicts.
- As you read this, keep in mind the growing reports of contaminants in the Covid vaccines, including the 1.6 million doses rejected in Japan: "Researchers Develop 'Radio-genetics' – New Method Triggers Gene Expression With Radio Waves or Magnetic Field"--Rensselaer News.
In a technical report published today in the journal Nature Medicine, the team describes successfully using electromagnetic waves to turn on insulin production to lower blood sugar in diabetic mice. Their system couples a natural iron storage particle, ferritin, to activate an ion channel called TRPV1 such that when the metal particle is exposed to a radio wave or magnetic field, it opens the channel, leading to the activation of an insulin-producing gene. Together, the two proteins act as a nano-machine that can be used to trigger gene expression in cells.
“The use of a radiofrequency-driven magnetic field is a big advance in remote gene expression because it is non-invasive and easily adaptable,” said Jonathan S. Dordick, the Howard P. Isermann Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and vice president for research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “You don’t have to insert anything — no wires, no light systems — the genes are introduced through gene therapy. You could have a wearable device that provides a magnetic field to certain parts of the body and it might be used therapeutically for many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. It's limitless at this point.”
- Rioting can work: "Clark Atlanta University, HBCUs across the country clear student balances and cancel debt with federal funds"--CNBC.
The Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the finances of many Black Americans, including student loan borrowers. Black college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than white college grads, and over 50% of Black borrowers say their net worth is less than what they owe on student loans.Now, a number of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are stepping in to help alleviate that financial burden. With federal funding and private donations, these schools are wiping out current students’ account balances — including tuition and fees — and giving them a fresh start.
- "The Federal Reserve Is the Monetary Equivalent of the Kabul Airport" by David P. Goldman.
After dumping $5 trillion of helicopter money into the U.S. economy and overstretching supply chains in almost every industry, the Fed is faced with the worst inflation since the Carter era. And the worst is yet to come, as I wrote in Asia Times today (extract below). The rent on a new lease has jumped 10% year-on-year according to the search site Zillow, but rent inflation according to the government is just 2%. That’s because it takes a year or two for leases to expire and the new, higher rents to kick in. A huge jump in inflation driven by higher rents is baked into the cake for 2022. That’s the elephant in the parlor, and Powell didn’t mention it.The Fed can’t control inflation except by reducing demand, and that means slowing the economy. It’s damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t, so it might as well pretend that nothing is wrong for as long as possible — kind of like Biden’s commanders in Afghanistan.Real income is falling and families are losing ground. Powell’s performance recalls Groucho’s line, “Who are you going to believe — me or your own eyes?” Anyone who has tried to buy a pound of hamburger, rent a house, buy a used car or a household appliance, or any other item in the consumption basket knows that inflation is out of control.Note to Republicans: Stay on message. It’s the Biden inflation, and it’s theft. He’s taking food off the table of middle-class families to hand out bribes to his favorite constituencies.
Yeah, but the Republicans are bought off with money for their voters, too. It's all a grift . . . (sigh)
ReplyDeleteAs Alexander Fraser Tytler observed: "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy".
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