Q & A Day…..Beans, Bullets, and Life Philosophy

Alright folks – another installment of “Q & A Day”. Basically, ask me a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, or “What happens when you get scared half to death twice?” – whatever.

Go ahead – “make my day.”

JR

 


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Recommended reading for every Patriot? 

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58 Comments

  1. Thomas The Tinker says:

    I’m finishing up our clubs IDPA match Sunday.. talking to the rest of the squad.. good conversation.. Sunny.. breeze.. resolved a two nagging glitchs in my ‘muscle memory bank’… Fella says.. “Hey any of you interested in a Gook shotgun”… He’s my age and so I understood the Viet era slur.. I respond.. “Chi-com” iron may be cheap but that never ment it didn’t work well.” He says… “Got a hundred bucks and you decide.” So…. I’ve been of the opinion for some years now that there is a growing number of lower priced firearms of good quality.. just like you can find more and more good … cheaper wine.

    I now own a PRC/Stevens pumpgun. Any warnings out there… otherwise I’m going to run it’s metaphorical socks off next month at TDI shotgun.

    1. JR says:

      I do not have any experience with Stevens shotguns but have only read positive things. Agree on the quality cheaper guns nowadays. Quality control has spread amongst even the lesser known firearm manufactures with Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, Lean, Kaizen, and ISO leading to more consistency in manufacturing. Good thing for shooters.

    2. Panhandle Rancer says:

      I remember how surprised everyone was years ago when a ‘cheap’ rifle manufacturer was discovered producing surprisingly accurate rifles, better than many of the more expensive brands. Quality is where you find it and often in surprising places.

      My first shotgun was a Remington 870 Wingmaster in 12ga. Later, I was pleased to discover it was a standard albeit with 14″ barrel, with the organization I worked with. I’ve always liked the two actuating rods on the Remington pump as opposed to the single rod on others.

      Mossburg and Stevens, as lethal as any.

      PR

  2. Nancy says:

    QUESTION: What should a newbie purchase on a budget of $20 per week? What order: food, medical, protection, information, etc.? Size family: 3 adults (2 senior) or 2 adults and 2 children (small families). Location: suburbs, small town or rural (forget urban – they need to relocate). Please make this general and treat this as if they have nothing. Make it easy. Specific items / brands are okay. There are many of us who need to help extended family members who are starting to wake up!

    Yep, I know this is a tough one, but I don’t want the family horde showing up empty handed at my back door when SHTF.

    1. Goingray58 says:

      If you’re counting on them coming to you and they need to bring what they need. Then food certainly is a top priority. Staple foods either packed in mylar after division or dried foods. At $20 a week medicines or medications are going to be a little tougher. For $20 a week one of the places I would go to would be the flea markets and around here it to Goodwill stores. You can find some decent outdoor wear and manual appliances. It just depends. I don’t know what kind of distance you’re talking about but if you want them to come to you then they’ll need to ensure they have a way to get there. Assuming gas will be at a premium then those red gas cans filled and stabilized would be a really good thing to have. If they don’t have something defensive to help them get there then not knowing what their capabilities are I can’t really advise but they’ll need something. That’s quite a lot on $20 a week. Depending on what kind of time frame you’re talking about. In addition to food sitting up inexpensive GO bags for them. Just something Grab & Go. The food should be packaged so they can grab and go with them as well. You can get food grade buckets from your local donut shop for Firehouse Subs for a dollar $2 apiece. So they could grab go back and grab buckets into the trunk or back of the truck grab defensive stuff and roll. I really don’t know them or your situation so I don’t know if that’s even realistic for the folks you’re talking about. If I were counting on bugging in instead of out my list would be focused unstable foods and water and defensive capabilities. That coupled with staying in the learning into things. Also depends on how avid they are as to how much effort they put into it I suppose. Good luck

      1. Nancy says:

        I want them to be able to care for themselves. They live over two states. Yes, some are a 20 minute drive, but they need to be able to survive without my help.

        I picked $20 a week, because they spend that much or more on fast food a week. Niece was showing off her $1200 phone recently while her mother was complaining how hard it is to pay bills in the same visit. They need to get their priorities right.

        I do have a stack of food grade buckets from the bakery. We are good for 6+ months if we don’t have any “guests”. Small garden is not doing great this year. I will be soil testing again. We are ready for after the election issues. The seniors and I have the fear that an event will occur and the Walmart truck cannot make it to our town.

        1. Goingray58 says:

          Well.. you can lead a horse to water.. and all that. You want it ore for them than they want it for themselves. That’s a tough spot. So they have money.. just no commitment. The best you can do is set a good example.Gently talk about it. Do more than you need for just yourself. In case.
          JIT inventory says 3 days and stores are empty.
          Educate them if they will learn. Pick one or two to mentor. Not preacy.. just take them with you and make it fun. Like takling a bittee pill in honey, you get both.
          Put together your list.. and share it. Positive enthusiasm and example will do more that instruction. Hope that helps.
          Really the rest is in God’s hands. I have em in my family too.
          And I ocassionally go off by myself and holler and stomp..until it’s out of my system .. then come back and keep going with a smile. That I can’t do it all doesn’t mean I should not do all I can.

        2. SingleMom says:

          It sounds like maybe the seniors are on your side but don’t know where to begin, and the others are just clueless. I’d work with the seniors first to see how much effort and money they’re willing to put into their preps. Once you get them rolling, drag the others along with you on scavenger hunts to find good deals and turn it into a game. I’d start at Goodwill and the Dollar Store. Look for mylar blankets, lighters, rain ponchos, and some kind of totebag or small duffle that will also hold a change of clothes or at least spare socks and a baggy t-shirt. From there, I’d go to Wal-Mart for a decent flashlight (I swear by the smaller Maglites, because they’re easy for a woman with weak hands to operate) and some protein bars (better than jerky or granola for people with dentures or bad teeth). If you want to expand on the bug-out theme, add sturdy water bottles and water-purification tablets. Don’t forget prescription drugs, OTC medications (aspirin, Neosporin), and band-aids. For seniors, you want enough “stuff” to make them feel confident but not so much that it’s a burden to carry. If they’re comfortable with the bags, I’d work on emergency kits for their car (blankets, water, basic tools, tarp, cheap rope). After that, I’d just see how much more involved they want to be. For your own sanity, you might want to just start adding to your stores for the day when these people show up on your doorstep.

          1. joyce says:

            SingleMom….just wanted to give you a shoutout for your simple but effective comments, i always enjoy and take them seriously. In April you brought up using Yarrow for mild injuries then went on to describe your method and that one of your sources was Euell Gibbons. Anyone out there remember the commercials that used him as a spokesperson on TV ? 🙂 Was able to find and purchase a couple of his (used) books to add to my library-books, rather addicted to them. Bless you for bringing up such a goldmine of very relevant reference material ! Hope Nancy is able to implement the suggestions given and be more ready than she felt when posting her question….agree that sometimes you just aren’t able to have the physical preps you’d like but KNOWLEDGE is a great equalizer.

    2. jh says:

      Sorry JR can I get this removed link above? These idiots put pool shock into their buckets with the food inside mylar bags – that’s a horrible idea.

    3. Panhandle Rancher says:

      If you have land, then I’d first invest in non-GMO seeds and take the Master Gardner class put on by the Agricultural Extension Service (available in most states for only a small fee covering training materials). Next, I’d want a backup water source and if you live in a region blessed with rain, consider a roof catchment system. You can find a description of mine by searching the old MS site. If you wish, ask Rourke to forward your email to me and I’ll send you a copy of that article with photos. There are some cleaver and inexpensive ways to harvest and store water. Rourke recently mentioned some cheap water filters. Get one for each family member.

      For those with propane or natural gas heat, the modern ‘on demand’ water heaters make economic sense and minimize fuel usage. On the input side of the ‘on demand’ heater, add two 80 gallon gas fired water heaters in series. That way you have 160 gallons of constantly refreshed water in reserve and an additional way to heat water if the demand system fails (which can happen with low water pressure).

      Knowledge of how to grow your own food, proper seeds properly preserved, and water – these things can all be had for minimal expenditure, perhaps not for $20 but certainly within that savings allotment.

      My thoughts,
      PR

  3. Fred C says:

    JR, Google this on the Web and see what you think. Halal Certification Services.

    I don’t think I want to buy products that have Muslim certification on them. I don’t want to assist that bunch at all.

    When you Google the above you will see this: http://www.zabihah.com/aut/ch/pmsvAyUfwL

    At that Link you can check your state and city to find those products. South Carolina has several. Looks like I won’t be shopping at Publix!

  4. ralph k says:

    Rourke wrote:

    “What happens when you get scared half to death twice?”

    You still have a quarter of your life to go. Suppose you are let’s say ~50ish, usual
    life expectancy is 82, so thats 32 years, minus 16 ( first scared half to death ), then scared again , another 8 years gone ( half of 16 ), you have til 58 to live life to the fullest. LOL. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Better get a move on. Wouldn’t want to waste any of it.

    1. yooper says:

      if that was the case Ralph, i would have been dead a long time ago and i`ve been scared half to death more than twise. I am 71

  5. D. says:

    Let’s see… completed tritium sites on Detonics and extended bolt release on 10B. Put together a small but extended EDC bag.Work on reinforcing the water tower and repainting the 275 gallon tank black (it also feeds a pull chain shower) Received and put up some med gear and instruments.Inventoried cash and metals stash after adding an additional oz. of gold. Had a meat loaf dinner from my canning from 4 years 3 months ago (some loss of taste, but fine, nothing steak sauce wont fix. Getting peppers and tomatoes from the grow bed..

  6. jh says:

    Is there a place for standard police belts/holsters for the prepper or is it now just about warbelts and tactical holsters? A new prepper asked me if it’s okay to get a lower cost sam brown belt, a mid ride level 1 holster (thumbreak) (from ebay) put a multi-tool or knife on it as a basic open carry belt rig. He doesn’t like the UM84/M12 style flap holster but thought about that using the thumb release. I posed the question on a fb site and was called a cop wannabe, when countered with ‘aren’t you a contractor wannabe wearing those warbelts?’ I was promptly kicked out.

    1. Thomas The Tinker says:

      Just my humble opinion …. some folks seem to think quite a lot about their assumed skills and position. These folks seem to think poorly of any other,s opinion of what might work for them. I don’t care for the weight of a cop rig myself. I have only seen ONE (1) fella carrying ‘open’ in public (Denny’s). ?? dosen’t everyone have an open carry rig for that long hike.. or camp out.. trip through the desert? I see many many many folks wearing ungodly rigs to do IDPA/IPSIC/3GUN. 6 of us are doing TDI’s shotgun this July. I’ve seen many a “War Belt” there and just as many wearing just an instructors belt with a dump sack on their butts. Me… I gonna strap up with a dump sack, a 10 round shell caddy on my left hip and my side mount suspenders to hold it all up.

      A fella once said that “.. you can’t be insulted by a fella unless you respect their opinion..”

      There is a place for anything that works for you so wear the cloths/gear that fit you…

      End of unsolicited response and homely by TTT

      1. jh says:

        TTT, I’m willing to bet you and I are in the same area. 3 gun at U.C.O.A?, a couple times a year go out to Wauseon for IDPA. I do Tac carbine down at SCSC in Gibsonberg (we have had people show up in full armor there).

        1. Thomas The Tinker says:

          jh: Toledo! I was at last Sundays IDPA in Wauseon. Squad 2. UCOA is a fine club…. it just lacks shade in any of the right places. I belong to the Fulton Co. club and it allows me to pretty much train as I see fit. Static paper punching is not of any interest to me. I gotta mix it up. Steve at ADCO has tried to get me to come out to SCSC…. just haven’t done it..? Full turn out gear…. seen a lot of it. I suppose if I truly believed I was going to ‘mix it up with TPTB’ I’d train with it too. I’ll just stick with my plan to stay out of the line O fire and reach out and touch someone when the politics demand it and the conditions permit.

          Tomthetinker2500@yahoo.com

    2. Panhandle Rancher says:

      JH,
      There are many cop stores, LA Police Gear, Brigade Quartermasters http://www.lapolicegear.com, etc. Personally I would avoid cop gear in favor of more utilitarian surplus military. I like flap holsters for my pistols and there are some great canvas and leather holsters. Have a look at Blackhawkhttp://www.blackhawk.com/Products/Holsters-Duty-Gear/Holsters/Tactical.aspx. Of course there is better for concealed carry and I like De Santis and Galco leather for those ends but there is a new variety of plastic holsters for the military that are also available. I don’t like paddle holsters and holsters with funky press the button pistol releases.
      PR

    1. jh says:

      I have a two bucket setup with ceramic filter and the only problems that arose were these 1) The lid was a little tough to put on/take off at times so I replaced it with a gama-lid that screws off that has a small vent hole in it – must either leave the top lid off or drill a vent hole or it will collapse upon itself/not flow. 2) it’s a bit bulky, wish I would have used smaller 2.5 or 3gal buckets. 3) it’s kind of hard to see how much water is left in lower chamber and lastly make sure the lower spigot isn’t really cheap without a locking nut on the inside of bucket. I went a cheap route & just threaded it into the bucket, bumped it and it popped right out spilling 3gal of water onto the ground.

      1. Panhandle Rancher says:

        JH, just remove the O ring seal from the gamma lid and even when threaded onto the rim, it should let in enough air for drainage. Likewise there are quality nylon water fittings available from RO and some travel home dealerships. I’d plug that hole in the gamma lid with RTV and remove the O ring from the lid.

        Considering all of the bad water born diseases, protozoan and parasitic, bacterial and viral, I don’t skimp on water filtration and treatment. Two of the old water born diseases are typhoid and cholera (now would be a great time to get immunized against these) are not trivial and of course there is polio of which the younger generations are not immunized against but still occurs sporadically in third world countries – even hepatitis A can be water born.

        The best water filter I have used is the Katadyn pocket filter. Ceramic with silver, stainless steel, surgical tubing, cleanable, and such high Swiss quality with a 10,000 gallon life. I have a half dozen or so of these spread around. Viral contamination is still an issue with the best water filters and I recommend post filtration UV treatment either from natural sunlight penetrating a clear glass container (plastic won’t pass UV so don’t depend upon sunlight to do anything useful other than heat water if using light weight polycarbonate or plastic) or a UV Steripen should handle any virals. Always apply UV treatment post filtration as the filter removes particulates that can hide virals from exposure to UV radiation.

        For family use, the Big Berkeys have stood the test of time all around the world.

        Me, I don’t skimp on water filtration.

        PR

    2. JR says:

      Nope – no issue with that in fact I have one set up like this and I do not use food grade buckets. I work in the polymer extrusion industry and the “food grade” term is overused and over emphasized. Home Depot buckets are great for this.

      1. Panhandle Rancher says:

        JR, I believe food grade means that a bilogically safe release agent was used in the dies that formed the bucket and similar safe coloring agents (if used) were added to the plastic.

        I wouldn’t skimp on lesser quality buckets where food and/or water would be in direct contact with the plastic bucket. Of course, if using mylar bags to form an oxygen barrier any bucket will do – but for greatest versatility and re-use, I stock and use only food grade buckets.

        A brief description of the difference may be found at http://preparednessadvice.com/food_storage/food-grade-versus-non-food-grade-buckets/#.V2le7bRh28U

        PR

        1. JR says:

          The article MAY be partially correct. I can tell you that the color material used in the manufacturing does not determine it to be food grade or not. Much of the determination is in the manufacturing process and the micron level of filtration of the polymer being processed.

          I’ll stick with Home Depot buckets though food is stored in mylar – I have zero issues with using non-food grade bucket for water filtration.

          1. Panhandle Rancher says:

            Whatever works. I prefer to err on caution’s side with antibiotics (avoiding fish products) and other items where there is a human segregation. Right now we have easy access to quality products (not that HD buckets aren’t adequate) and human grade are always my first choice. Several years ago, I purchased several yards (stacked inside one another) of food grade 6 gallon buckets and gamma lids for all. I was in the basement the other day and noticed that I still have 4-5′ of buckets left, enough for all sorts of bulk foods even after most have already been filled with bulk foods (inside mylar).

            I have found that 5 gallon buckets will hold two .50 cal ammo cans and have buried many such with cans full of ammo. Water infiltration is minimal when packing around the container with sand and of course I bury deep. I’ve also packed boots, socks, underwear, clothing, towels, bandages, and even combat helmets in 5 gallon buckets. This deep storage is for the most part rodent proof (as the new containers have never had food stored) and weather proof. I usually back flush with N2 gas before sealing in the hopes that the products will remain good longer and always use desiccant.

            PR

          2. joyce says:

            Reminds me of the”Food Grade”label for essential oils, though purchasing the best quality you can is a help…..

    3. Panhandle Rancher says:

      Not at all, like JH pointed out the stainless steel Berkley tanks does make checking the water level more of a pain but its not much work to lift the lid. I’ve used them for months overseas in third world countries and never had a water related problem. I did however expose the filtered water to at least 8 hours of sunlight (of which there was a lot near the equator). We did this in 5 gallon glass bottles that have now largely gone the way of plastic. Remember plastic filters UV so if you use plastic, you need an internal UV light and cannot depend upon sunlight.
      PR

      1. Thomas The Tinker says:

        God bless the Mason Jar………. thanks Panhandle. One small hole in my cranial hard drive is filled. “Plastic filters UV…”

        1. Panhandle Rancher says:

          Ah Thomas, May our God richly bless you, Mason, Ball – the other glass jar), and of course those reusable plastic lid makers for canning, the Tattler folks.

          I speak in generalities. In our most complex post industrial society, materials engineers have designed both glass and other composites (lexan, polycarbonate, etc) that either both pass or block UV radiation. On top of that, there are a host of applied visible light transparent, UV blocking filters that can be electrodeposited onto materials that would otherwise pass UV radiation.

          Other than use of a spectrophotometer or spectroradiometer, I can think of no easy to make an absolute determination of whether that Mason jar or plastic Coke bottle container passes the most UV.

          Apologies again for speaking in generalities. Somewhere I have an old Beckman spectrophotometer. If I can locate it while this if fresh in the mind, perchance I’ll make a comparison between Coke bottle plastic and the Mason jar.

          PR

          1. joyce says:

            Will be watching for the info on that UV radiation penetration….like TTT, i had added the”plastic filters UV”to my hardcopy information log. Thanks for keeping an eye out for us readers…….

          2. Panhandle Rancher says:

            TT and Joyce, it just gets more complicated when one considers the major bands of UV radiation. Of these UV-C is the most effective at disinfection with a wavelength of around 250nm. Unfortunately this wavelength is almost completely absorbed by the atmosphere and for disinfection is usually generated by mercury vapor tubes and some LEDs. 250nm wavelengths creates intercellular pyrimidine dimers that inhibit DNA replication leading to cell death. Probably no one on this site wants to read a complex discussion and would prefer the simple answer I gave earlier. Sadly, knowledge of coatings and films have greatly increased making generalizations such as I offered misleading at best, for which I humbly apologize.

            Somewhere in my stash of supplies is that Beckman instrument which is almost perfect for making general comparisons such as we desire. Similar instruments are greatly useful in determining fecal coliform concentration – a measure of biological activity in water.

            I’ll preface any further comment as being limited to the specific samples at time of testing. By this I mean that at some time in the future, the quartz composition of the glass used in Mason jars may change and of course the same is true of the polycarbonate used in soft drink bottles.

            If the answer is complex, Rourke may suffer me a semi-scientific post; otherwise this is of sufficient import that a comment by either of us as a header might be sufficient.

            PR

          3. joyce says:

            Just checked back for any update on the UV penetration you might have posted PR. If nothing shows up soon, i will ask on a more current thread…..was wondering if my older jars from 1950-60’s would be more desirable for UV penetration? Have been checking out steripen but always prefer a backup.

          4. Panhandle Rancher says:

            Joyce, humble apologies. I know where the Beckman instrument is in storage. Of course behind of piles of lab equipment and other related. My only alibi is that I have had foot surgery recently and although I’m up and moving, don’t feel quite up to tacking the spares storage area. This is an important issue and should concern all. I have canning jars from the late 20’s (my mom’s) but can only sort due to gravity related distortion in the glass. I’ll try a respective sample when I can get around better. This should be of enough interest that I will work up an article for Rourke and perhaps he will be kind enough to post. Otherwise I’ll have him shoot you an email with my results direct.

            Off topic but our masonry and rock chimney has been struck by lightening twice in the last month or so. Destroyed the top of the chimney hurling rock and block 100s of feet. Been working with USAA (who are great) and getting masons, etc. lined up. When it goes back together and roof repaired (the rock and block punctured the metal roof) I will put up a lightening rod fabricated in my shop. Will pester Rourke to publish a post on that project as well. When I was a lad, all houses had lightening rods – now not so many. The threat is the same and we of a preparedness bent would look foolish if lightening struck and burned all of our supplies…sure made me think long thoughts.

            Bear with me Joyce. Anyone have one of those old round tuits?

            PR

          5. joyce says:

            PR….where are you? Just saying that to hear myself think out loud, i know, (hope i know,) where you are…out of sight, mostly. Your comments/participation are much missed. Sometimes i see you in the phrasing of “someone’s” reply and hope you have quietly returned. You must have sufficient cause that gives ME pause in my participation….missing your deliberate, insightful, experienced and often times humorous sharing. Bless you and yours….

    1. goingray58 says:

      Freedom Munitions seems interesting..
      I’ve done some recent business with http://palmettostatearmory.com/ recently..
      The prices there are reasonable and the customer service outstanding.. Shipping is reasonable.. and if you sign up for their news letter you can hit their daily specials and get some ok deals. Some with free shipping some not .. Luckygunner is ok too..
      That’s just me though..

    2. jh says:

      I’ve bought about 2k from Freedom Munitions and not a single problem in 223, 38 and 9mm (mostly 9mm). Buddy of mine had a problem with their 69gr 223 blowing out primers but found that his firing pin wasn’t spec & too long. They have free shipping on occasion on orders over $99 and especially if you are a first time customer they normally wave it. Next time they have the special shipping I’ll be trying some of their brass plated steel cased 9mm. And don’t laugh, Sportsmans Guide at times has some great deals especially with their free shipping over $49…give them a try.

      1. Thomas The Tinker says:

        Sir: I’m in Northern Ohio. “Luckygunner.com” is, I believe, in Ky. If I order before 3:pm their time on a Monday… its on my doorstep by Weds. afternoon.

  7. Jim says:

    I have recently started watching AMC’s ‘Turn: Washington’s Spies’.
    Not only is it a great show, but when watched with a :prepper’s eye”, is a commentary on what happens when we allow our rights to be subjugated by the government.

    Gun seizures… land seizures… no due process… no assumption of innocence… no freedom of speech… forced reallocation of personal property… no legal representation.

    No wonder we revolted. Let’s do it again in November.

  8. joyce says:

    PR……no apologies needed….any size/shaped tuit is acceptable to me lately. The golden years i have just entered are not as i had imagined. ALWAYS seems to take 2-3 times the time expected to achieve my many goals. Just checked back to see if you had even seen my latest inquiry and since there was no “reply” button available on your comment, tagged this to the end. Just having been made aware, ( by the great and mighty OZ, oops, PR,) i am ahead of my previous assumptions….thank you. This prepping is not an exact science for most of us, we will do the best we can though, by the grace of our great God, AND the help from his many minions….you, JR and the many others i who take the time to share your wealth of experience/knowledge. He amazes me with the path He puts before me, even before i have turned each corner and the ink on the map barely dry. So i trust my journey to Him. He is not only WITH me on this journey, He planned it. I pray/trust you are on the fast track of your recovery as i am sure you chafe at the delay to resuming your normal activities, especially now when the sense of urgency has been elevated.

  9. joyce says:

    Your experience with lightning can’t help but focus MUCH attention on diverting it effects away from that which you have worked long and hard to build. I could NEVER understand my Amish relatives refusal to employ lightning rods as precaution against the power of that unpredictable force. Made no more sense to me than building one’s home in a flood plain. Glad the damage to your property did not include fire. It does make one pause and consider the possibilities/probabilities. On one end of our house is a pretty large pecan tree, with the tallest thing at the other end our stainless steel chimney. Wondering what would happen if………..

    Will be looking forward to your post on lightning rods when you can work it in to an already busy schedule….time flies whether you’re having fun or not…..

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