Pocket Pistols For Survival

I'm sure many readers will question the logic of including a “pocket pistol” in the survival battery. After all there are better, more effective tools available for self-defense and survival.

I agree there are better weapons for saving your skin. But the pocket pistol, being small and light is likely to be with you when you need it and not left behind because you didn't want to carry the weight and bulk of a more effective weapon.

Even a mid-size handgun like the Glock19 can be a pain to lug around all day, especially while doing chores like cutting firewood, mending fence or tending the garden. A small handgun like the Beretta 21A Bobcat can be carried all day, without any trouble and be available when needed.

For example; a few days ago I was picking tomatoes from the garden, dusk was filling the sky and I was in a hurry to get what I needed to fill the canner, before the last minutes of light slipped into darkness.

Just as I was reaching in to pluck a big juicy red one from the vine I spotted a torquata lying beneath the plants on the ground - to be honest, when I saw the thing, I nearly pooped my pants.

The first shot from the little Beretta Bobcat missed by about two inches (danged small sites) it quickly curled into strike mode, the second and third shot found the target.

It measured 30 inches end to end and was as fat as I've ever seen. I hope this is the same one that bit my dog a few nights ago. He has been bitten two times within the last four months. Looks like after getting hit the first time he would have learned his lesson. But then he's always been kinda slow.

I always carry the Beretta in my hip pocket when working around the place, it's not the best defensive tool, but it's always there; unlike the 12-gauge taking up space in the rack.

It's been said before that a handgun is best used to fight your way back to your shotgun or rifle. I couldn't agree more.

What do you think are pocket pistols useful for the Survivalist?

Let me know your comments on this.

Top 10 Smart Ways to Build Your Food Storage

1. Make a list: Never go shopping without a list – know what you are going to buy and how much before heading to the market. Lists save time and money by giving you order and preventing impulse buying.

2. Don't go into debt: This should be self explanatory, still many will max out the credit card for a years supply of freeze dried survival foods. Don't do it. Buy what you can afford and pay cash.

3. Stick with the basics: There is no need to get fancy, the basic foods like wheat, beans, rice, sugar, salt and canned fruits, vegetables and meats are some of the cheapest foods you can buy, they store well and provide a balanced diet.

4. Grow your own: Seeds are cheap, plant a garden and preserve your own foods. You will save money and eat healthier meals. Not to mention the satisfaction that comes from producing your own from seed to table.

5. Store what you normally eat just more of it: Sometimes this is easier said than done, if the bulk of your diet comes from the drive-through at the local burger joint, you need to change your meal plan. By including your storage foods into your everyday meals you avoid the shock of a radical change in diet if forced to live from your food storage.

6. Don't forget candy and other comfort foods: This is a must; especially if you have children in your group. Hard candy stores well, is cheap and your little ones will love you for it. Just make sure they get a balanced diet and not to much of the sweet stuff.

7. Multi-Vitamin and Mineral supplements: One a day helps insure you are getting everything required for maintaining your health. Also B-complex helps control stress and vitamin C helps the immune system. Keep in the refrigerator for increased shelf life.

8. Drink mixes and coffee: These help to alleviate boredom, giving a sense of normalcy during hard times. Refrigeration may not be available so look for mixes meant to be served hot or at room temperature.

9. Vegetable shortening: Fat is a necessary nutritional component, just not at the level found in the typical American diet. Shortening is needed to make foods such as biscuits and pan breads. Be sure to rotate.

10. Spices and Seasoning: If things get as bad as I think they will, we could be forced to eat some strange and unusual things. Several days without food and the cat starts to look like chicken and the dog like meatloaf. Having an assortment of spices and seasoning will come in handy as you roast the dog.

by Jonathan Hunt

Two Videos NOT to Buy For Survival

Several months ago, a reader sent ( thanks Mike) me several boxes of books and videos, most of which were very informative, to the point and useful. I love it when readers send me free stuff (hint) especially books and videos that I can review here on The Survivalist Blog.

Most of the stuff Mike sent was utilitarian, but at least two of the videos presented little usable information or instruction. But that doesn't matter - since the bulk of the package was great and even the few subpar items where greatly appreciated - at least I can review them here, so you don't get burned by an uninformed purchase.

The first video not to buy for survival is "Tactical Concealed Carry 2" put out by Gunsite Training Academy. I have to say this was one of the worst instructional videos (of this type) that I have ever had the misfortune of viewing.

During the course of the video presentation, it was stated several times that this was advanced instruction, with the suggestion for those not at this "advanced level", to purchase one of their more basic videos or to seek other instruction.

If this was their advanced video training course, I can only imagine what their basic "Tactical Concealed Carry 1" video would consist of. This is a gun. This is a trigger. This is the grip. Or probably something to that effect...

Aside from being extremely boring and painful to watch "Tactical Concealed Carry 2" offered nothing unique, useful or even interesting. Everything presented here; safety, firearm and holster selection and carry positions, can be learned by attending just about any state required concealed carry permit class.

If you know anything about shooting or firearms this video is a total waste of your time and money. A much better and useful production is Jim Grover's Inside the Crucible series. Don't waste your money on Tactical Concealed Carry.

The next video not to buy for survival is Whispering Death - Secrets of Improvised and State-of-the-Art Silencers put out by Paladin Press. While I enjoy most of the work done by Paladin, I have to say that "Whispering Death" was below their usual standards.

The author spends the majority of the 40 minute video shooting through soda cans, two litter plastic bottles and other improvised "sound suppressors". While a silenced weapon would be a great survival tool, under certain conditions - you will not learn anything from this video that isn't available for free by doing a Google search for improvised silencer construction.

What is the worst survival related instructional video (or book) that you have had the misfortune of viewing? Please let us know in the comments below - so it can be avoided by the rest of us...