New Preppers With “2020” Vision

Me in August ’86, as a young Survivalist. I’d been preparing for about 5 years at this point.

As many who know me understand, I have been a Survivalist since I was a kid. I received a lot of flack about that while I was growing up, and even more as an adult, but I never let it deter my focus on what was important. So now Survivalists and Preppers aren’t all that foolish, huh? Apparently those of us who have prepare for hard times are not the “Doomers” and “Nuts” that we’ve been made out to be.

To make matters worse, the “Anti Gun” and “No need for a gun” crowds are apparently is getting upset that they can’t buy a pistol or other type of “registerable” firearm, and walk out the door with it (who knew?), in States that require a waiting period for purchase. The same people who are upset about a waiting period now, were either indifferent at best, or vehemently opposed to immediate purchase and carry firearms when the “Waiting Period” regulations were being enacted.

Many of us who have prepared for a long time, understand that we all had that epiphany, concerning preparedness, at one or more points in our lives. Some realized it earlier, some later and some had to re-realize it. As much as you’d like to rub it in to those who gave you a hard time in the past, this is not a moment for that. This is a time that should be used to educate those new to the “game”.

I’ve prepared for myself, my family and select friends. My supplies are for that group only. Except for advice on the “what”, “where” and “how” of preparedness, I am not a charity organization. With that being said, I have had no problem giving advice to friends and acquaintances who made fun of my preparedness in the past, but are now asking for advice because they’ve “seen the light”. Be the bigger person and help them out.

On another note, I’ve heard from a number of people, that all the preparedness supplies have been cleaned out. Well, that’s simply not true, especially if you are going cheap. Canned goods are still available. Bulk items like rice and beans are still available. Fuel items, whether gasoline for your vehicle or generator and propane for stoves or heaters are out there if you look. Supplies of ammo or firearms are definitely in shorter supply, but still available.

Get out and practice some scenarios with your preps.

Granted, in some cases, those who need them will have to do some serious searching to find those supplies. I told a guy the other day, the supplies are out there, but to use an analogy, they are pretty spartan and somewhat like the chances for getting a nice, whitetail deer, buck in my area back in the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s.

Considering that this situation is about as light as a SHTF situation can be (and still be SHTF), at least for now, this is definitely a good time to learn, without the steep drop at the end of that “bell curve”. You still have things like electricity, water, sewer and working vehicles. For most, we are getting some form of income, whether you are still working or getting an unemployment check. Compared to many of the scenarios that have been envisioned by Survivalists and Preppers over the years, this one is a “lightweight”.

Let’s review what your needs are for a serious scenario? First, supplies for the environmental conditions. This includes your overhead shelter from weather. Heat makers like gas or wood fired stoves if the conditions warrant it. Also, appropriate clothing for the conditions are a necessity.

Clean filtered and purified water is next on the list. Water is followed by food to sustain yourself each day, and the calories needed depend on your own physiology and amount of calories you’re burning daily. Next up would depend on the threat situation. If violence is not typical in your situation, First Aid items are next. If the environment is “Non permissive”, firearms and other defensive items would be number four.

Some basic supplies for a short term SHTF event.

Many things are needed to make you a sustainable lifestyle. There are many resources out there to find out what you need, and for many, all you have is time for the research, right? If you are a Prepper or Survivalist, pat yourself on the back for sticking to your “guns”, staying prepared and practicing with your preps, when it is so much easier to “Eat, Drink and Be Merry”.

If you are new to preparedness, find one of the people you know (almost everyone has that one friend) to ask advice on “The steps” and “The Preps” required to give you some piece of mind in a “less than peaceful environment. I believe this is a lead in for something more severe, whether a “Round 2” of the pandemic, or “Gov overreach” from their “Plandemic”. We shall see, but being truly prepared is a lifestyle, not a hobby.

Keep prepping, but try to relax and enjoy the little things at the same time.

JCD

"Parata Vivere"-Live Prepared.

 

 

 

 

 

“Adapting To Survive”: Firearms-Part 3, Advantage Arms-Glock .22LR Conversion Kits

 

I put both of my adapters in the same box with the extra mags and cleaning kit.

The ability to use another cartridge in a firearms is a huge advantage. For that second cartridge to be cheaper for training and better suited for things like hunting small game, well, that makes it a practical necessity. For the Survivalist, acquiring tools that performs multiple functions well (Not just “making do”) is not only efficient in terms of space savings and costs, but also practical for field use.

Well over a decade ago, I bought Advantage Arms .22LR kits for my Glock 21 and Glock 30, .45 Automatics. After using them for years and putting well over a thousand rounds through each of them, I can tell you they are one of the best investments I’ve made.

RELIABILITY

Having used a number of brands and types of ammo through my kits, the only ones that will not reliably cycle are the CB Long type. These are not designed to cycle the action and are used for quiet small game hunting. I don’t use the hyper velocity ammo like “Stingers” due to Advantage Arms warning.

I have used, not only the CCI Mini-Mags that they recommend, but the bulk pack solids and hollow points that they say might not perform well (they don’t recommend them, so make your own decision to use or not use that type of ammo). After about 200 rounds of break-in with the CCI Mini-Mags, the bulk pack ammo functions fine.

ACCURACY

Gen 3 Glock 21 with Advantage Arms adapter kit. 10 shots at 25 yards.

On both the Glock 21 and the Glock 30, the average group sizes at 25 yards are approximately 2.5-3″ with Federal bulk pack ammo. both kits/pistols definitely shoot “Minute of Squirrel” and have actually taken small game in the past. Another thing these kits will do is point out issues you might have with things like your trigger pull and sight alignment. You are using the same grip, trigger and sights (they come with factory Glock sights and can be replaced with other Glock aftermarket sights) as you normally would with your regular slide and ammo.

Gen 2 Glock 30 with Advantage Arms adapter kit. Average group of 10 rounds at 25 yards.

KIT USE

These slides weigh about half of what the normal slide weighs. The slides are compact enough to fit in an M16 mag pouch with a mag when the kit is not in use. The slides are identical in size to the original pistol’s slide, so they fit in the holsters you already have and use for your pistol.

If you are looking for the most compact and accurate small game-getter you can keep in your bug out or get home bag, and your carry gun is a Glock, XD, or 1911 full size or compact pistol, you should look into Advantage Arms .22LR pistol adapters. If you are looking for a good training tool to practice with your carry gun, you should look into Advantage Arms .22LR pistol adapters.

They are reliable, accurate and versatile and could be a huge help for your practical Survivalist needs. Give ’em a call, you’ll be glad you did.

JCD

"Parata Vivere"-Live Prepared.

 

A Chilling Scenario and Some Valid Questions

So here’s the scenario and a few questions. Your neighborhood is quarantined and has been for two weeks. Some guys in Hazmat suits show up and start down your street in a couple humvees along with what appears to be an escort of 4 armed soldiers in MOPP4 protective gear.

They start at your neighbor’s house across the street and have everyone in that household take, what appears to be, some type of mouth swab test. A young adult male (your neighbor’s adult Son) apparently tests positive and a Hazmat suit tells two soldiers to take him to the waiting military bus. The Dad asks where they are taking his Son and “Hazmat” says, “To the Medical Camp for observation.” but will give no more information when asked again.

The boy struggles and a soldier buttstrokes him with a rifle, knocking him out. The Dad pulls out a pistol and starts by shooting the soldier who grabbed his boy, then he pops the less than helpful, “Hazmat”. Another soldier drops Dad with two shots to the chest. Knowing they are coming to your house once they get through the other three in the cul de sac, and your Wife has been under the weather for two days, what do you do?

1. Do you wait till they get there, and let them take your Wife away if she tests positive? They are there to “Help”…..right?
2. Do you try to rush her out the back door to safety, and hope they don’t notice, or worse yet, have a contingent of soldiers waiting for just that kind of action behind your homes? Do you have children or others you are responsible for in the home? Have you already scouted out and planned a concealed way to get away from your house undetected?
3. Do you go on the offensive by yourself and ambush the group which has shown hostility and used deadly force against a neighbor? Do you have firearms skills and the training to use them in a tactical environment?
4. Do you get in your vehicle and try to force your way out of the neighborhood? Do you know how to use your vehicle as a “battering ram” without dead-lining it right after you perform the task?
5. Do you get on your radio (Cell service and internet went dead about an hour before the “Hazmats” showed up) and call some Buddies, in another part of the development, for help? Do you have alternative communications for WHEN the cell and internet is interrupted and an accompanying commo plan with like-minded, tactically proficient, FRIENDS in proximity to where you live?

Can the above scenario happen? Sure can. Will it happen in the non permissive environment which we could be quickly approaching? No clue, but I sure hope not. What I do know is this, government stooges, especially bureaucrats, tend to get heavy handed when they are tasked with a job and given too much unchecked, authority and “broad brush”, autonomy.

What would I do? First I would have done what you’re doing right now and “War gamed” it before I ever had to do it for real. Second, it would depend on exactly what happened across the street, because details in a deadly force encounter matter. Third, I’d take into account everyone I am responsible for in the situation. Fourth, I’d assess the threat and what it’s perceived capabilities are. Fifth and finally, No one is separating my family in a situation like we could be headed into. What would I do? None of your business. You are not me, and I am not you. Figure it out, that’s what this post is about.

JCD

“Parata Vivere”-Live Prepared.