Multi-tools

Multi-tools, sometimes called Gerbers or Leathermens, are an awsome tool. You should own one of theses; if you don't I suggest you go and spend 30-50 dollars and buy a nice one. Avoid the cheapy seven dollar Wal-mart hunks of junk. But back to the point. Multi-tools are extreamly useful. I carry one every day; especially at work. You just never know when you might need a pair of plyers, a screwdriver, knive, can opener, file, saw or anything else they throw in to a modern multi-tool. It is condensed tool box your can wear on your hip.

True story, a couple of years ago I was up in Canada on a fishing trip, when the shear pin broke on our out board. Well we were a good distance from our dock but had a coupole of oars. If you have ever rowed a sporting boat you know that this would have been quite the task. Not to mention that the wind was creating waves that were pushing us back. Anyways, on our boat we found an old rusty nail. This nail happended to be the same width as the shear pin but a little too long. I pulled out my multi-tool and we used the metal file on it to bring the nail down to size. This make shift shear pin lasted us for about five minutes or so before it too broke. We did get hooked up and towed by another fisherman to shore. Had I of not had my multi-tool it could have been much worse of a day.

Another big reason I carry them is for fishing purposes. I can use it to cut my line or bait. The plyers also come in handy when I get a gut hook or stuborn setting that I can not get with my fingers. If I have any reel problems, I can use the screwdriver to break down my reel. And on occasions when you hook your self or an article of clothing you can use the wire cutter on the hook itself.

Multi-tools are very valuble when you need them your glad you have it , if you forget it you will kick yourself for it. They are not expensive unless you just want to spend a lot on them. Save up and buy one if you don't already have one. I will post and amazon link below to the model I have and trust. What multi-tool do you use? Do you dislike them or love them? Let me know your opinions on the subject or stories about that one time you were so glad to have it on your belt.  

Videos to come.

Going to attempt to get some videos up this weekend. Maybe show you our range, some gear videos and what ever else we decide to do. Hopefully it works out.

Sleep

   As I get ready to retire for the night I start thinking to myself. I sure do enjoy sleeping. I'm pretty sure most people enjoy sleep and get temperamental when they don't get as much as normal.   When SHTF or when we live in a sustained WROL environment; sleep will be a luxury.  Lets think about it, if its all out chaos, somebody will have to be on guard. Not only that but you will have to wake up earlier in the day just to operate in the sunlight.  I don't plan on using all my heating and light preps so I can work during the night.  Can you handle a lack of sleep?  Can you handle the mass's with out a lack of sleep. Will we see a more primitive and violent side of humanity?  I have seen weak soldiers break down and move like zombies (old school) because they only got three to four hours a night for a week. Now it's there guard shift and they fall asleep, it could end in disaster. What do you think sleep will be like in WROL or a short term SHTF scenario?  Will we just get used to sleeping less? Post your ideas, how you plan on dealing with it.

(I will do a more in depth post on sleep, guard shifts and such down the road. This idea just crossed my mind and I thought I should write about it before forgetting.)

Are my guns good enough?

   A lot of Americans hunt, shoot clays, or just target shoot.  Do they need to go out and buy a fighting rifle? Well, no they don't. I would rather have Grandpa's side by side shotgun than a club. Now of course there are better weapons out there than what we use to hunt with. They still work though.  You can defend yourself and your family with what you have.  Your deer gun will do a number on a man at 500 meters plus. Your hunting shot gun will do the same thing as somebody's tactical shot gun.
  In WROL I don't plan on being in sustained fire fights; do you? If you do let me know; lets talk about it.  However, you might end up in one. That's when having an "assault" or battle rifle is prefered.  But you do not have to go out and drop thousands on gear and guns.  If you are comfortable with what you have, that's fine with me .  I'll take a guy with his deer rifle that knows how to use it over, some kid who plays too much Call of Duty and thinks he's a gun slinger with this SCAR.
   This concept of using what you have goes for the whole prepping thing. Use your hunting gear (except blaze orange, that could go badly)  If you plan is to shoot and run than what you have will suffice.  Before you figure out if what you have is suitable, you need go look at your surroundings.  Everything is situation dictated.  If you live in the city maybe your side by side is not the best choice. Its ultimately up to you. Are you willing to fight with your gear. If you are, then spend the money on other preps. If not, then start saving up until you can afford what you feel you need.

Primary on a budget

   Ok lets face it guns are expensive a good AR-15 is going to run around 1000. So what you have to decide is how much are you willing to spend, and what do you want from this. To me budget is under 300 dollars.  There are quality options out there for under 300 dollars.
    Right now the winner in most bang for you buck is the Mosin Nagant 91 30. You can pick these up for 70 to 125 dollars. Thats as inexpensive as it gets.  Lets not forget that these are former service rifles that were made for the sole purpose of war. Here is the down side they are a bolt action rifle with iron sights. On the other hand you can get 440 rounds of 7.62x54R for 80 dollars. So for just under or above 200 dollars you have a high powered rifle with a good amount of ammunition. Also if you are on a super tight budget there are no magazines to worry bout buying.
  Another good option if you can find it for a under 250 is the SKS. I would not pay any more than 225 myself for an SKS.  They are very solid rifles that have a 10 round box magazine. They fire the 7.62x39, which for under 200 meters is one hell of a round.  Now why wouldn't I pay more than 225 for one. Well thats because for about 200 more dollars you can pick up an AK 47 or AK74 which is a much better FIGHTING rifle. Don't get me wrong I love the SKS it is currently my primary. I picked mine up two years ago for 175. But to pay damn near AK price is absurd.
   To me a primary weapon system should be a semi automatic rifle with at least ten rounds. However do not forget about shotguns. While there are many tactical shot guns, its not needed. Yes, they are better for a combat role but any pump will do.  One can pick up a used Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 for under 200 dollars. While you are limited in range, and capacity you do have a man stopper. 12 gauge slugs or buck shot is no joke.
   Do your research; figure out what you need out of your weapon and how much you can afford. Save a little each month if you must. But in WROL your going to need a gun and know how to use it.
   Leave a comment on what you think is a budget fighting rifle. How much money do you think is budget for a rifle. Your favorite inexpensive rifle. Or anything else.
 

Firearms

   The ownership of Firearms, the right given to us under the second amendment, must be preserved. Guns are here to protect us from a tyrannical government.  Look at any government with an oppressive dictator. Nine out of ten times they took the right to bear arms from them. Without a way to fight back what could the citizens do.  
  Fire arms are tools. Doesn't matter if they are used for sport, hunting or self defense, they are tools and if employed right will get the job done.
  Now this post is just a starter post.  I am going to cover rifles, shotguns, handguns, what should you get for WROL, should you buy different guns than you already have, caliber choices, uses for the weapons and more. Of course these are all my opinions right or wrong.
  Just because you have a gun does not make you any more safe. Do you know how to use it, clean it, maintain and repair it, what do you do if it malfunctions, have you learned the limitations of the weapon and yourself? Having a gun only makes you more safe if you know what your doing, and you train. Training is key.  Not every body grew up shooting, and that's perfectly fine. Go to a NRA Basic class and learn the  fundamentals, ask your friends, go to the range and ask people to help you out. You would be surprised how friendly most shooters are.    Use the internet and other publications to your advantage. Learn as much as you can.

Mexico no longer has free press... could it happen to us?

" Mexico can no longer be considered to have a free press because of the threats and violence associated with drug trafficking, but an eight-year decline in press freedom around the world appears to have begun leveling off in 2010, an independent advocacy group reported.

In its annual accounting of press freedoms, Freedom House said the Middle East and North Africa showed a dramatic deterioration in those freedoms in 2010. The assessment of 196 countries and territories will be released Monday.

Among the results: Egypt was downgraded to "not free," while Libya, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Tunisia continued to rank among the worst countries in the world for media independence and press freedom. Only Saudi Arabia, among those five countries, was not swept early this year by uprisings and appeals for freedom."

What would go through your head if we replaced Mexico with the Good Ol' US of A.  If we loose one God given right under the constitution. How easy would it be to loose the rest?  How you react if your right to free speech was revoked? Would you take up arms, protest, write you congress man or maybe just sit down and cry. Hopefully it will never happen here. Remember that NO ONE in America is above the constitution.