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Role Reversal: The Collapse of the Dollar-Enforced Empire

This article was originally published by Patrick Barron at The Mises Institute. 

The Soviet Empire started to crumble around 1989. The time period between the forming of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the late 1940s and the retreat of Russia from Eastern Europe with the eventual collapse of communism in Russia is known as the Cold War. There was a great power confrontation in Europe that did not result in war.

Essentially, US-led NATO stood its ground to prevent further Soviet expansion from the territory it occupied at the end of World War II and waited for the inevitable collapse. Now, perhaps not everyone saw the collapse of the Soviet empire as inevitable. But all one had to do was view the Soviet empire for oneself, up close and personal, which is what I did in the early 1970s as a young Air Force officer.

The State of the Communist Economy

The Russian economy at that time is painful to describe. Moscow and Leningrad (Saint Petersburg), the so-called jewels of the Soviet Union, were depressing. Everything was shoddily built. There were very few cars on the streets. There were no retail shops deserving of the name. Lines formed in the middle of the night awaiting the opening of the few bakeries. I saw this for myself from my hotel window on the Nevsky Prospekt in Leningrad. GUM, the “world’s largest department store” near Moscow’s Red Square, sold nothing that was equal to what could be found in any garage sale in the West.

Actually, that should not be a surprise since at one time all those garage-sale goods were marketable. I did not visit Berlin, but those who did say that crossing the Brandenburg Gate from West Berlin to East Berlin was shocking. The very idea that the Soviet economy and lifestyle was in any way superior was ludicrous. It took brutal police power and the infamous Berlin Wall to prevent mass exodus to the West.

The Peaceful Collapse of the Soviet Empire

I’m sure that life only got worse in the years between my visit to the Soviet Union in the early 1970s until its final collapse. And the collapse occurred without a shot fired between the Great Powers. The collapse came very quickly and without warning. Author Amity Shlaes was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal Europe at the time.

Returning to New York from Berlin, Shlaes called her boss between planes in London and was told to return to Berlin. Something was happening. She told her boss that she had just left Berlin and that nothing was happening. Her boss told her to go back for a few days anyway. She did as ordered and witnessed the German people tearing down that despicable insult to humanity.

How the US Enforces the American Empire

The American empire is not enforced by walls with armed guards to prevent its citizens from escaping but, instead, by the almighty dollar. Since the enthronement of the dollar as a reserve currency in 1944 at the Bretton Woods conference and then the establishment of the petrodollar in the early 1970s, almost all international trade has been conducted in dollars. Thusly, dollars are held by every country’s central bank to settle international trade flows. Alasdair Macleod of Goldmoney calculates that foreigners hold around $31.8 trillion in US liabilities, of which $5.8 trillion is held by “official” institutions. (Refer to US Treasury International Capital figures.)

But the US has abused this “special privilege” by printing dollars out of thin air. It has funded its empire of hundreds of bases worldwide with excess dollars. Furthermore, it has enforced compliance with its expansionist foreign policy by freezing dollar accounts held by foreign central banks, foreign businesses, and foreign individuals whom it dislikes. By cutting them out of the international financial messaging system known as SWIFT, it has created great hardship on nations held to be offensive to the US.

Today the Roles Are Reversed

But these nations have discovered America’s Achilles’ heel and are doing something about it. The almighty dollar rests on a base of sand known as fiat money, which is not redeemable in a desirable commodity such as gold or silver. This characteristic has led to the inflation of the dollar over the past fifty years at an ever-accelerating rate. Such inflation causes the exchange value of the dollar to shrink.

Since President Richard Nixon took the US off what was left of the gold standard in the fall of 1971, the dollar’s value against gold has shrunk by 98 percent. No one believes that this debasement will end or even slow down. In fact, the US seems determined to accelerate the dollar’s depreciation to pay for its military adventures and expanding welfare programs. Combining the debasement of the dollar with the trade sanctions has created an intolerable situation for those currently in America’s bad graces.

But these nations are countering American hegemony by deploying their own arsenal—not nuclear weapons but gold. Like America and NATO during the Cold War, these nations are standing their ground and arming themselves with an alternative and better reserve currency; i.e., a currency backed by gold and to be used at least initially for settling international trade.

Russia has been working on the framework of a new trade settlement currency for quite some time, and now China and others—such as Iran, India, Brazil, and South Africa—are joining the project. There is nothing nefarious per se about establishing an alternative trade settlement system. One may call it rational self-interest.

It is a peaceful project, but its results may be devastating for countries that depend upon a stable dollar. Those who join the new system will no longer need to hold dollars. This fall in the demand to hold dollars will lead to an inevitable fall in its purchasing power, perhaps even to its total collapse. This could happen literally overnight and without warning, just like the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Blinded by Fallacious Ideologies

Of course, no one in a position of power in the US understands anything about real money and real finance. They are blinded by the promise of Keynesian economics and modern monetary theory, which posits that creating aggregate demand (Keynesianism) funded by massive money printing (modern monetary theory) is the sure path to economic progress. They fail to acknowledge that the steady fall in the purchasing power of the dollar and the rise of an alternative trade settlement system are the inevitable consequences of their blindness.

I see nothing that can stop the continued debasement of the dollar, now coupled with arrogant and harmful financial sanctions, that will prevent the peaceful establishment of an alternative international reserve currency and all the consequences that it will bring to an unprepared US-dominated world.

SHTF Plan: Step-By-Step Guide To Surviving Any Disaster

When disaster strikes and the SHTF (sh*t hits the fan), the time for planning has passed, and you need to be ready to rock and roll. Buying stuff and putting together kits is easy, but having supplies doesn’t ensure your survival. A good emergency plan and survival skills will give you a huge headstart. As…

The post SHTF Plan: Step-By-Step Guide To Surviving Any Disaster appeared first on Survival Cache.

10mm Glock Pistols: Enough Gun And Then Some

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10mm Glocks Offer the Perfect Combination of Magazine Capacity & Sheer Power

I’m often asked: “If you could have only one survival handgun, and ammunition availability was not a factor, what handgun would you choose?” My answer, without hesitation: 10mm Glocks—any of them. 

Why? 

The simple reason is its versatility. 10mm Glocks can easily accomplish every task a serious handgun can be called on to perform, from personal protection to hunting game, and it has all the advantages the Glock design offers—durability, reliability, accuracy, and ease of shooting and maintenance.

Glock currently has six handguns chambered 10mm: the Glock 20 Gen4, Glock 20 SF, Glock 20 Gen5 MOS, Glock 29 Gen4, Glock 29 SF, and Glock 40 Gen4  MOS. The Glock 20 Gen4, Glock 20 Gen5 MOS, and Glock 20 SF are full-sized pistols that fire the potent 10mm cartridge, and though the three are nearly identical, each has distinctive features that may appeal to different shooters. The Glock 29 Gen4 and Glock 29 SF are both subcompact handguns while the Glock 40 Gen4 MOS possesses a longer slide and barrel.

Glock 20 Gen4

The Glock 20 Gen4 provides interchangeable backstraps that allow you to better fit the pistol to your hand, and the texture of the grips is more aggressive. Gen 4 Glocks also feature a reversible magazine catch that’s much larger than those found on prior generations and accommodates both left- and right-handed shooters. 

  • Size: Standard
  • Caliber: 10mm AUTO
  • Magazine Capacity: 15
  • Barrel Length: 4.61 inches
  • Overall Length: 8.07 inches
  • Overall Width: 1.34 inches
  • Height (with Magazine): 5.51 inches
  • Weight (with Empty Magazine): 30.69 oz.
  • Weight (with Loaded Magazine): 39.86 oz.
  • Trigger Pull Weight: 6.29 lbs.

Glock 20 SF

The Glock 20 SF’s design allows for enhanced controllability and accuracy. The SF (Short Frame) design features a reduced grip size, making it easier to handle for those with smaller hands. It retains the 15-round magazine capacity and 4.6-inch barrel found on the Glock 20 Gen4.

  • Size: Standard
  • Caliber: 10mm AUTO
  • Magazine Capacity: 15
  • Barrel Length: 4.61 inches
  • Overall Length: 8.07 inches
  • Overall Width: 1.34 inches
  • Height (with Magazine): 5.51 inches
  • Weight (with Empty Magazine): 30.51 oz.
  • Weight (with Loaded Magazine): 39.68 oz.
  • Trigger Pull Weight: 6.29 lbs.

Glock 20 Gen5 MOS

The latest in the Glock 20 series is the Glock 20 Gen5 MOS. Shooters will appreciate the nDLC surface finish on the major metal components that withstands years of hard use and resist rusting. Other features include a texturized frame, reversible magazine catch, ambidextrous slide stop lever, Glock’s  Modular Backstrap System (MBS) for customization, and shooters can add optics if so desired.

  • Size: Standard
  • Caliber: 10mm AUTO
  • Magazine Capacity: 15
  • Barrel Length: 4.61 inches
  • Overall Length: 8.07 inches
  • Overall Width: 1.38 inches
  • Height (with Magazine): 5.51 inches
  • Weight (with Empty Magazine): 29.81 oz.
  • Weight (with Loaded Magazine): 38.80 oz.
  • Trigger Pull Weight: 5.85 lbs.

Glock 29 Gen4

The Glock 29 Gen4 may be smaller than its other 10mm Glock counterparts, but it doesn’t scrimp on punch. The Glock 29 Gen4 design offers an aggressive grip texture for a secure hold on the handgun which makes it ideal for concealed carry or as a backcountry traveling companion.

  • Size: Subcompact
  • Caliber: 10mm AUTO
  • Magazine Capacity: 10 (optional 15)
  • Barrel Length: 3.78 inches
  • Overall Length: 6.97 inches
  • Overall Width: 1.38 inches
  • Height (with Magazine): 4.53 inches
  • Weight (with Empty Magazine): 26.81 oz.
  • Weight (with Loaded Magazine): 32.63 oz.
  • Trigger Pull Weight: 6.29 lbs.

Glock 29 SF

The Glock 29 SF features a reduced-yet-ergonomic grip size, to make it more comfortable for those with smaller hands without sacrificing accuracy or magazine capacity. 

  • Size: Subcompact
  • Caliber: 10mm AUTO
  • Magazine Capacity: 10 (optional 15)
  • Barrel Length: 3.78 inches
  • Overall Length: 6.97 inches
  • Overall Width: 1.38 inches
  • Height (with Magazine): 4.53 inches
  • Weight (with Empty Magazine): 26.81 oz.
  • Weight (with Loaded Magazine): 32.80 oz.
  • Trigger Pull Weight: 6.29 lbs.

Glock 40 Gen4 MOS

The G40 Gen4 MOS couples a longer slide and barrel for amplified velocity and a higher magazine capacity. The MBS design and the reversible magazine catch allow for customization for all hand sizes. The MOS configuration makes adding a reflex sight on the slide a breeze–no need to mill the slide or purchase a separate mounting system.

  • Size: Long Slide
  • Caliber: 10mm AUTO
  • Magazine Capacity: 15
  • Barrel Length: 6.02 inches
  • Overall Length: 9.49 inches
  • Overall Width: 1.34 inches
  • Height (with Magazine): 5.47 inches
  • Weight (with Empty Magazine): 35.45 oz.
  • Weight (with Loaded Magazine): 44.62 oz.
  • Trigger Pull Weight: 5.39 lbs.

10mm Brings the Power

10mm is the most powerful cartridge in the Glock product line. With 15 rounds in the standard-capacity magazine (limited to 10 in certain states) and one in the chamber, it easily eclipses the firepower of any other 10mm handgun made. Several companies make 10mm ammunition, and it is one of the few pistol cartridges made in two power bands. Considering that the .357 Magnum is relegated mostly to six-shot revolvers, the advantages of owning a Glock 10mm are clear—not only is your ammunition more ballistically potent, but you’re also afforded six to 11 additional shots (depending on your state’s magazine laws).

The usual downside of having greater power is increased recoil, less control of the handgun, and more difficulty shooting accurately. Polymer-frame pistols are also lightweight, which means that, in shooting them, more recoil is transmitted to the shooter than with heavier steel builds. However, Glock’s series of 10mm pistols are easily the most controllable 10mm handguns that I have ever shot—a fact attributable to their stellar engineering.

Glock pistols place the center axis of the barrel nearer to the shooter’s hand while other pistols rely on a hammer to strike a firing pin. The Glock design uses a steel rod called a striker that is under spring tension and is released by the trigger, which drives the striker forward and into the primer. Without needing the necessary room on the frame to incorporate a hammer and its arc of movement, the barrel can be mounted much lower. Consequently, the recoil impulse is channeled mostly rearward, rather than rearward and upward as with pistols with greater bore-over-hand height. When recoil is directed rearward, you can recover your sights more quickly, making follow-up shooting easier, quicker, and more accurate, whether you’re holding the pistol with two hands or one.

The second reason why these Glocks handle the full-power 10mm load better than their competitors is its polymer frame, which flexes slightly to absorb some of the shock of the recoil.

Six Choices

Which 10mm Glock is ideal for you? Much depends on the size of your hand, whether you wish to use it for competition or purely for self-defense, and if you intend to use full-power loads frequently. Grip size and handgun fit are very important to marksmanship. To accommodate the longer 10mm round, the frame is necessarily larger than those used on Glock’s 9×19- and .40-chambered pistols. Consequently, shooters with long fingers and palms will find the standard sizes suitable, ergonomically speaking. Those with medium or small hands, however, won’t be as comfortable handling the standard grips, especially if they intend to shoot while wearing gloves. For them, the Glock 20 Gen4, with its adjustable grip size, or the Short Frames are the answer. 

10mm Glock: Accuracy & Reliability You Can Depend On

Are 10mm Glock pistols reliable and accurate? Absolutely. I still own a Glock 20 made in the late 1980s. That pistol and the pistols tested for this article worked 100 percent with several brands and loads of ammunition. Their accuracy is very good. Using Federal American Eagle 180-grain FMJ ammo, my G20 Gen4 test pistol easily turned in five-shot groups measuring less than 3 inches. Moreover, the trigger pull was extremely smooth, and with its fixed sights the Glock 20 Gen4 shot very close to point of aim. No drifting to adjust for windage was necessary.

Glocks are simple to maintain, and removing the slide assembly shows why. The striker-firing mechanism is enclosed and has fewer dirt-attracting components than hammer-fired designs. The machining of the steel slide is simple and neatly done without leaving tool marks. My Glocks take less time to clean than most pistols I own. When all is said and done, I’m proud to say I’m a “Glock guy.”

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The post 10mm Glock Pistols: Enough Gun And Then Some appeared first on Ballistic Magazine.

Best Portable Stoves To Cook Meals In An Emergency

The Best Portable Stoves To Own In An Emergency

Best Portable Stoves

A portable stove is both lightweight and compact.

We’re talking light enough to transport from place to place with ease.

The critical word here is; “ease.”

Sure, “technically,” you can move your kitchen stove, but not with ease.

Portable stoves are the kind you can pick up, pack, and store in a vehicle or backpack without hassle.

For it to be genuinely” portable,” it must be extremely small and lightweight.

At least small enough for a petite human to carry by themselves (without throwing out their back).

Yet, just because they’re small and light doesn’t mean they’re not fantastic at cooking food.

The best ones function as well as your standard kitchen stove.

So today, we’re going to be covering the following topics:

Are You Ready For The Tough Times Ahead? Take My 60 Sec Quiz To See If You’re Part Of ‘The Fragile Masses’ Or Not… Start Quiz Now!

Best Portable Stoves On The Market Today

Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to test many different stove models across various designs.

Each type has great features, but no stove can be the best for all situations.

Here are a few of our favorites for some of the most common stoves on the market today.

1.


Coleman Gas Camping Stove | Triton Propane Stove 2 Burner

The quintessential camp stove that nearly everyone grew up with. The Coleman white gas stove has been a mainstay of the campground for decades.

Set on a flat surface like a picnic table, they opened like a suitcase. With the lid and side screens providing a wind block.

They were easy to use and relatively indestructible – and you can find many from decades past still in use today.

Over the years, many other manufacturers have copied the design. There are now dozens of options.

Some are based on simpler propane burner designs that don’t require a large fuel tank.

You can find models with 2 burners.

Others feature a single burner on one side and a griddle on the other for pancakes or eggs.

Adapters allow you to use large BBQ-style propane tanks.

Often fueling multiple stoves and even lanterns simultaneously, which is GREAT if you’re in a large camp and cooking for more than a couple of people at a time.

If you’re traveling by car, inflatable boat, or horse, this is the camp stove you need!


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↓ Coleman Triton Series 2 Burner Stove Review ↓

2.


GasOne GS-800 Emergency Gear Camping Mini Butane Portable Gas Stove

This classic butane stove is smaller than the Coleman because it only has a single burner.

However, that can be a major plus since portability is high on your priority list.

It includes heat-resistant knobs (so you don’t burn your fingers adjusting heat controls). It has the convenience of a piezo ignition switch. And can pump out an impressive 7,172 BTUs.

So it’s a bit of a tradeoff from a two-burner setup to a single burner, but that might make sense for you.


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↓ GasOne Mini Stove Gs-800 Review ↓

3.


Jetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System

Suitcase stoves may still dominate the campground; the backcountry belongs to JetBoil.

In the early 2000s, JetBoil released its “personal cooking system.” It was a combination of a small butane canister and a miniature stove.

One with an insulated 1L cooking pot and an integrated heat exchanger.

The whole thing snapped together. This means keeping things from tipping and simplifying cooking.

Boiling 1L of water took only 2-3 minutes, lightning-fast compared with other stoves of the day.

When finished, the entire system nests inside the cooking pot and slips easily into a pack.

Now, the original JetBoil has been replaced by the JetBoil Flash. A new version of the JetBoil with an improved heat exchanger and lighter materials.

It’s an excellent option for one person, especially if you have a lot of freeze-dried meals!


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↓ Jetboil Flash Cooking System Review ↓

4.


Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium Stove

When every ounce matters, even the JetBoil seemed like a brick of lead to the designers at SnowPeak.

A company dedicated to super lightweight gear for thru-hikers.

When you’re hiking 20-30 miles per day, a 2oz stove that fits inside a coffee cup is an impressive upgrade.

SnowPeak has upped the game with their LiteMax Titanium. Cutting weight while bringing the boil time down to just over 4min for 1L of water.

There are few moving parts, making it reliable and simple to set up.


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↓ Gear Review: Snow Peak Gigapower Lite Max Stove ↓

5.


Solo Stove Simple Portable Camp Stove

How about investing in the #1 wood-burning backpacking stove recommended by Backpacker Magazine?

If you want a wood-burning backpack stove, then look no further than the Solo Stove.

These compact stoves have proven themselves to be lightweight and efficient. Plus, you don’t need to carry any fuel canisters around with you.

Just pick up the twigs and small branches on the ground, use a bit of fire-starting tinder, and you’ll be cooking your meal in no time.


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↓ Solo Stove Titan Review (Cool Wood Burning Camping Stove) ↓

6.


BioLite Portable Camp Stove

The BioLite CampStove 2+ is the latest in portable stove technology!

The BioLite Stove is a wood-burning backpacking stove that allows you to turn the heat you generate from twigs and sticks into usable electricity.

The unit weighs a bit more than the Solo Stove; however, that extra bit of weight comes with a very nice feature.

There is just something awesome about being able to use your portable stove for cooking a meal and charging your phone at the same time!


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↓ BioLite Camp Stove 2 Charging With Fire!! ↓

7.


Trangia Alcohol Spirit Burner with Screwcap

An alcohol-based portable burner stove is not for everyone, but some people absolutely love it.

Why the disparity? Because it’s an alcohol burner.

It’s one of the most versatile and user-friendly alcohol burners on the market.

The Trangia’s O-ring lined screwcap allows you to store excess fuel inside the stove without leakage.

The stove could hardly be simpler to operate. Just fill it up with your preferred alcohol fuel and light it aflame with a match, lighter, or fire rod.

Simple, lightweight, and user-friendly, what’s not to like?


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↓ Alcohol Stove Review | TA Outdoors ↓

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Portable Stoves Vs. Grills Vs. Skillets

Before we can get into all the different types of portable stoves, there are on the market. It’s wise to sort out all the confusion between stoves, grills, and skillets.

Here’s the simplest way to think about the differences:

  • Stoves = Cooking food in pots, pans, or special cups over a controlled flame
  • Grills = Cooking food directly over grates (without pots or pans)
  • Skillet = Cooking food directly over a flat heated surface (again, without pots or pans)

See, that wasn’t so hard. Now you can impress all your camping and survival buddies with this new-found knowledge!

And more importantly, you have a better sense of whether you’re truly in the market for a portable stove, grill, or skillet.

If you’re still in the market for a portable stove, keep reading…

Types Of Portable Stoves

Different Types Of Portable Stoves

There are several categories of portable stoves; each has pros and cons depending on your goals and usage plans.

Here are the major categories:

1. Fuel Source Categories

  • Portable Electric Stoves
  • Portable Gas Stoves
    • Propane Stoves
    • Butane Stoves
  • Wood Burning Backpacking Stoves

So let’s go through each of these categories in detail.

↓ What Is The Best Survival Cooking Stove? ↓

Portable Electric Stoves

Regarding “plug and play,” electric stoves are the easiest and most convenient to use. You don’t have to worry about buying and storing a separate fuel source such as propane or butane.

However, that convenience is a double-edged sword.

Electric stoves only make sense at locations with a reliable (and abundant) electrical power source.

This is a decent setup for a modern campsite (with electrical hookups). However, if the power goes out due to a major storm or out-of-control wildfires, etc. – your portable electric stove becomes a large, expensive paperweight!

So for certain locations, a portable electric stove is the way to go, but it’s not very versatile.

If you want a portable stove that will work anywhere (no matter the circumstances), DO NOT get an electric one.

Portable Gas Stoves

Today, one of the most popular portable stove options is the one that burns liquid gas. Here’s a list of the possible liquid gas stove choices:

  • Kerosene
  • White gas
  • Gasoline
  • Alcohol
  • Methanol
  • Ethanol

Now, some stoves can burn multiple fuel types without any modification – which is a nice feature!

Other stoves need specific jet nozzles for each fuel type, which can be a pain to deal with.

Some portable gas stoves are designed to only work with one gas.

Many liquid stoves require some pressurization or priming before they start. Some even need pressurization control during the operation.

Nowadays, most gas-fueled stoves burn either propane or butane.

Propane is easier to find and performs better in the cold. However, the containers are often heavier than butane – which is a concern for backpackers.

Butane stoves have a very high heat output per weight. This makes them fuel-efficient but prone to scorching rather than simmering.

Butane containers are smaller and not easily refilled.

Both options are about as simple as it gets. Just attaching the fuel canister, turning a valve, and lighting the burner – that’s it.

However, with a gas stove, you can cook a meal anywhere – as long as you don’t forget to pack (or run out of) fuel canisters. 

So double-check all your essential camping gear before heading out, and you’ll be fine.

Wood Burning Backpacking Stoves

Finally, the new kid on the block is wood-burning backpacking stoves.

These units are becoming more popular with campers, backpackers, and even backyard bonfires.

You haul the stove around with a wood-burning backpacking stove, using natural fuel like downed twigs and branches. The smaller versions take a few sticks, while larger ones need branches.

Not worrying about transporting gas or depending on electricity is a very attractive feature for those interested in self-reliance.

These units don’t care if the power is out or if you run out of propane. You eliminate these headaches completely with a portable wood-burning stove.

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Best Portable Stove Features To Look For

The best portable stoves share several key features you’ll want.

Lightweight

The “portable” part of the “portable stove” means the stove is designed to be lightweight, but that can mean different things to different users.

A backpacker may consider anything over a couple of ounces to be too heavy. While someone who’s traveling by car, boat, or horse may be happy with a camp stove weighing several pounds.

So pay close attention, but generally, the lighter, the better.

Durable

Anything designed to be portable is bound to get banged around every once in a while. If you are lucky enough to stay in one place, that can be minimal after the initial setup.

However, if you’re always on the move, that means extra wear and tear on valves, fuel lines, and moving parts.

Besides, dropping your heavy pack down to rest has been the cause of many portable stove malfunctions.

This abuse makes a durable, proven design a must.

Reliable

Something as crucial as a stove should be reliable if it’s worth adding to your camping gear or survival gear.

This means it has to light under just about any conditions – wind, rain, high altitude, freezing cold.

Many stoves have a piezoelectric starter. But if that spark fails, I still keep some windproof matches and a survival lighter with most stove kits.

A repair kit for crucial parts and the knowledge of how to use it can also be a lifesaver.

Easy To Use

Another critical factor in choosing a portable stove is its ease of operation.

You want one with fine-tuned controls over your heat adjustments. The simplicity of design, setup, and availability of fuel all play into this factor.

Making heat control one of the most important variables.

Some stoves are hard to put together but work almost like a standard kitchen stove once set up. Others are simple to set up but need tedious adjustments and fuel management.

At the end of the day, choose a portable stove that matches your ability to use it properly.

Reasons To Invest In A Portable Stove

Nowadays, modern portable stoves are designed with camping and recreation in mind.

From backpacking stoves only weighing a few ounces. To “suitcase stoves” with several high-output burners.

But to make a wise purchase, you must understand what, where, and how you want to use a new portable stove.

Camping

Portable stoves make an excellent addition to a campsite.

I enjoy cooking my camp meals over a nice campfire. However, sometimes it makes more sense to cook over a portable stove instead.

One reason is to manage the high cost of firewood. Instead of using costly firewood for your meals, save your firewood for sitting around after the sun goes down!

Not to mention the increase in widespread summertime campfire bans across the arid US.

Because there’s nothing quite as disappointing as showing up at a campsite with no way to cook your food.

If you’re only cooking method is via campfire, and there’s a bane on campfires – you’re going to be one unhappy camper ?

Backpacking

Backpacking and portable go together like macaroni and cheese – which is to say they are inseparable.

If a piece of gear is not portable, then it’s not for backpacking.

That’s why so many backpackers add a lightweight, portable stove for their backcountry meals.

Sure, you can pack meals that don’t require a stove, and many backpackers choose this option. However, a nice warm, filling meal while on the trail is hard to pass up.

With the minimalist, lightweight stove designs on the market today, adding a portable stove to a backpack is not much of a burden.

Bugging Out

Bugging out and backpacking are technically very similar.

With both activities, you carry gear in a backpack to survive a long-distance trek. However, you do this with backpacking to enjoy nature and explore the wilderness.

With bugging out, you’re preparing for a dire emergency when you’re forced to leave your home.

But regardless, portable stoves are an ideal solution for both situations.

Power Outage Emergencies

What’s your survival cooking strategy? How do you plan to cook food if electricity is out for several weeks, a month, or a year?

Extreme? Maybe, but we like to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

So having a portable stove (and a means to fuel it) not only provides you with warm meals just about anywhere. It also provides a warm meal anytime – even if the power is out indefinitely.

Investing in some piece of mind is always a good thing.

Survival Emergencies

In wilderness outdoor adventures, every member of your family (or group) should have a lightweight, portable stove.

If you get split up, a single stove isn’t going to cut it. Someone will be without an emergency stove – a dangerous situation for survival.

They don’t all have to be able to cook a 4-course meal.

But everyone should carry a stove capable of heating up a freeze-dried meal or boiling water to make it safe for drinking.

Tailgating

Tailgating and grilling go hand in hand, so many people may prefer to go with a portable grill. And while that works just fine, maybe you’d prefer not to buy a portable stove and grill.

Instead, getting a portable stove for all the other reasons above may make more sense than using it for tailgates.

You can pan-sear just about any tailgate foods you can think of – plus, you can keep your cheesy salsa deep warm on a low burner!

caution

Portable Stove Safety Tips

Of course, any article about stoves has to include safety tips and warnings.

A quick glance at a manual for any portable stove and you’ll see it comes with pages of warnings.

What does it all boil down to in the end? Make sure you read all the warnings thoroughly, but here are a few highlights:

Stoves get hot. (Duh!)

Even after you turn them off, most stoves remain hot for several minutes (or longer). You can burn yourself or your gear if you don’t let them cool before packing away.

Fuels Release Toxic Fumes

Burning any fuel releases carbon dioxide and other exhaust gases into the atmosphere.

Without ventilation, operating a stove in an enclosed space can be dangerous.

If you need shelter from the weather while cooking, make sure you open some vents for fresh air.

Be careful with stove fuel.

You should clean all fuel spills immediately but with care. In extreme cold, spilling fuel on exposed skin can cause frostbite as the fuel evaporates.

Also, allow any fuel vapors to dissipate before starting a stove. A spark can create a dangerous flash explosion if excess fuel vapors accumulate.

Cannot Fly With It

If you plan to fly with a stove, taking fuel (or even used, empty fuel bottles) with you on the plane is nearly impossible.

So consider fuel availability at your destination when selecting your portable stove.

Final Thoughts

If you’re this far into the article, you’re serious about investing in a quality portable stove.

However, to get the right portable stove for you – it’s important to understand how to intend to use it.

You should also have the key features you want in your portable stove as well.

Once you’ve done that, you can purchase with confidence. An investment purchase you can be proud of and will last a lifetime.

Jason K.

P.s. Do you know where the closest nuclear bunker is from your home?

There are a lot of natural nuclear shelters in the US that are absolutely free. And one of them is near your home.

Click on the image above to find out where you need to take shelter.

The post Best Portable Stoves To Cook Meals In An Emergency appeared first on Skilled Survival.

Best Tactical Watches For The Most Unforgiving Terrain

The Benefits Of A Tactical Watch Go Way Beyond Just Telling Time

Best Tactical Watches

Investing in a tactical watch shouldn’t be about looking cool (although that is definitely a side benefit)!

It’s about wearing a real piece of survival gear.

One that’s ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

The uses of a tactical watch go way beyond merely telling time, especially newer models.

The latest ones are full of useful sensors and technology.

Heck, the best tactical watches are small wrist computers.

They provide critical data in survival situations or outdoor adventures.

It’s the reason tactical watches are on the recommended overseas deployment list.

And it’s why they’re extremely popular with civilians as well,

And the more advanced they get, the more “in demand” they become because a tactical watch is a survival accessory you’ll wear every single day.

So today, here’s exactly what we’re going to cover in this buyer guide:

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Best Tactical Watches on The Market Today

With so many watch choices and features available, finding the perfect tactical watch is an epic challenge.

So to help you narrow your search down, here are a few of the best tactical watches you can find on the market today:

1. Our Top Recommendation (the one I own)


Garmin Instinct Tactical Watch Series

When it comes to rugged tactical watches, Garmin is a name you can trust.

This bad boy is built to withstand even the harshest of conditions and keep ticking like a well-oiled machine.

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Instinct Tactical is its tough, no-nonsense design. The watch face is protected by a high-strength thermoplastic casing and reinforced with scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass.

It’s also water-resistant up to 100 meters, so you can take it swimming, kayaking, or out in a good ol’ fashioned downpour without worry.

But the Instinct Tactical isn’t just a pretty face – it’s also loaded with a whole heap of features that’ll make your survivalist’s heart skip a beat.

First up, it’s got built-in GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems, so you can navigate even the most treacherous of terrains with ease.

Plus, it’s got a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, so you can get an accurate read on your location and altitude at all times.

And that’s not all – the Instinct Tactical also has a range of specialized tactical features, including stealth mode (which disables wireless connectivity and mutes all tones), a dual-position GPS formatting option (that allows you to switch between MGRS and latitude/longitude), and a Jumpmaster mode (that calculates high-altitude release points based on military guidelines).

But perhaps my favorite feature of the Instinct Tactical is its long battery life – this watch can go up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, up to 16 hours in GPS mode, and up to 40 hours in Ultratrac battery saver mode.

All in all, the Garmin Instinct Tactical Watch Series is a top-notch survival tool that any serious survivalist would be proud to wear on their wrist.


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↓ The BEST SURVIVAL Watch: Garmin Tactical Instinct ↓

2.


Casio Men's GW-9400BJ-1JF G-Shock Master of G Rangeman

Casio makes this rugged, military-grade tactical watch is built to withstand just about anything you can throw at it. When you strap it onto your wrist, you’ll feel ready to take on the world.

The G-Shock Master of G Rangeman features a triple sensor that measures altitude, barometric pressure, and temperature. That’s right, folks, this watch is like having a tiny little weather station right on your wrist!

It’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to stay on top of changing weather conditions.

And speaking of the great outdoors, this watch is also equipped with a compass and GPS capabilities. So whether you’re hiking in the mountains or exploring a new city, you’ll always know which way you’re headed.

But that’s not all! The G-Shock Master of G Rangeman is also shock-resistant and water-resistant up to 200 meters and features a solar-powered battery.

So you don’t have to worry about it dying on you in the middle of your adventures.

 It’s tough, durable, and packed with features that make it a must-have for anyone who loves the great outdoors.


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↓ Casio Rangeman GW9400: Tactical Watch? ↓

NOTE: Casio has an entire series of these G Shock watches with triple sensor technology and hundreds of color options.

So if you like this watch, you might find a variation of it that you like even better.

↓ Top 5 Best Casio G Shock Watches For Tactical ↓

3.


Garmin tactix 7, Pro Edition, Ruggedly Built Tactical GPS Watch

Now, let me tell ya, this watch ain’t your average wristwear.

No, sir, this thing is built tough as nails and ready for any adventure you can throw at it.

With a fiber-reinforced polymer case and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, you can bang this bad boy around all you want, and it’ll keep on tickin’.

But the Tactix 7 isn’t just tough on the outside – it’s got some serious smarts too.

It’s preloaded with TOPO maps and features a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, and multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) to help you navigate like a pro.

Plus, with up to 12 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, you can stay out in the wild as long as you want without worrying about charging up.

It’s got built-in activity profiles for everything from running and swimming to skiing and golfing, and it can even measure your heart rate and oxygen saturation levels.

The Tactix 7 also has advanced training features like workout suggestions and recovery time and performance metrics like VO2 max and training load.

So, whether you’re hitting the trails, conquering the slopes, or want a watch that can keep up with your active lifestyle, the Garmin Tactix 7, Pro Edition, Ruggedly Built Tactical GPS Watch is the perfect companion.

Trust me; this watch is so good; it might just become your new best friend.


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↓ The Most Tactical Watch EVER: Garmin Tactix 7 ↓

4.


Luminox Original Navy SEAL Mens Tactical Watch

The Luminox EVO Navy SEAL watch is constructed from highly durable polyurethane.

Its backlight glows 100x brighter than an average watch.

A durable mineral dial window protects it. And it has a handy date dial at the 3 o’clock mark.

It is water-resistant to up to 200 meters. This watch can be used for any and all outdoor sports, survival, and day-to-day uses.

Just about the only thing you can’t do with it is scuba diving.


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↓Luminox Dive Watch: Navy SEAL Choice ↓

5.


Timex Men's Expedition Shock Digital Compass Watch

Timex is one of the most trusted names in watchmaking. You can trust that their watches are both highly durable and extremely reliable.

This tactical outdoor watch is made with the survivalist in mind. It features an easy-to-read digital display with date, day, time, and compass functions.

It’s both shock-resistant and water-resistant, up to 200 meters.

The Timex Expedition is one of the most affordable and effective tactical watches.


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↓ Timex Watch Expedition Military Series Shock Digital Compass ↓

6. Our Budget Choice


Casio Men's GD100-1BCR G-Shock Watch

Made in the USA, this shock-resistant watch remains water-resistant up to 200 meters.

It has a large digital display face and can track up to four different time zones simultaneously.

It has five separate alarm options, a stopwatch, a timer, a full auto-calendar, and an LED backlight.

This tactical watch is easy to read, helping keep track of various applications.


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↓ Casio G-Shock GD-100-1BDR Unboxing & Overview + Close Ups! ↓

As A Way To Introduce You To Skilled Survival, We’re Giving Away Our #78 Item Complete Prepper Checklist. Click Here To Get Your FREE Copy Of It.

What Is A Tactical Watch Anyway?

In the wide world of everything watches, it’s easy to get confused about what is and what’s not a “tactical watch.”

For example, here’s a random list of typical watch categories:

  • Pocket watches
  • Dress watches
  • Diving watches
  • Climbing watches
  • Collectible watches
  • Survival watches
  • Belt-loop watches
  • Digital watches
  • Analog watches
  • Stopwatches
  • Military watches
  • Etc.

So as you can see, there’s an overwhelming number of ways in which to categorize watches.

And there are even more subcategories within each category.

This extensive categorization only helps to exacerbate the confusion.

But I think we can all agree that the best tactical watches are at the forefront of watch technology.

They are the most durable, toughest, multifunctional, lightweight, technology-filled watches on the market. I like to say:

“I’ll know it’s a tactical watch when I see it.”

Because they are badass, and if you’re serious about survival, you should invest in one.

But a tactical watch should never be an impulse buy.

It’s NOT something you grab in the checkout line of a supermarket. It’s a serious investment!

Navy SEAL “Coch’s” Tactical Watch Collection

That’s why you must determine exactly what you want, need, price range, and goals.

After all, someday, your life may very well depend on this piece of survival gear.

So, don’t be silly and hinge your own existence on a poorly made, basic, cheap, fragile watch!

Make sure you are getting the very best tactical watch for your money.

Trust me; it’ll pay off in the long run.

↓ The Reason Military Guys Wear Their Watch Like This??? ↓

Internal Gears Of A Watch

Best Tactical Watch Features To Look For

Tactical watches come in various shapes, sizes, weights, price ranges, and colors. But, as with any piece of gear, there are a few features that all the best tactical watches have.

A tactical watch does not need all these features to be useful. But ideally, it should have as many of them as possible.

Scratch Resistance

The crystal or plastic that makes up the face of a watch must be resistant to scratches and scrapes.

Otherwise, it may become difficult (if not impossible) to see through it over time.

And if you get to the point where you can’t see the hands on your watch or the numbers – you might as well disassemble it for parts.

Water Resistance

This is a non-negotiable quality of a tactical watch. If water ruins it, it was never meant for survival purposes in the first place.

You need to check and see how deep your watch is rated to withstand water. The deeper it can go without succumbing to water pressure damage, the better off you will be.

Diving watches are particularly useful because they are designed to handle depths of hundreds and thousands of meters.

But a great diving watch will be insanely expensive.

And a quality tactical watch will be able to survive hundreds of meters anyway, which is more than enough for the average survivor outdoorsman.

Backed By A Strong Warranty

Of course, you never want to break your tactical watch or have to send it back for repairs (or replacement). But stuff happens.

After all, these watches are designed to take a whipping, deal with stress and shock, and keep on ticking. Sometimes, they are exposed to more than they can handle and break.

Which is a major bummer when you’re investing in something that’s supposed to last for years.

That is why it is always good to check and see if the manufacturer of a tactical watch offers a damage warranty.

It will offer you some peace of mind as a form of watch insurance.

Warranties are one of those things that you don’t need until you really need them.

Reliability

Some survival tools do not have to run like clockwork, but a tactical watch does. If your watch is not reliable, you should get rid of it.

  • You should stop wearing a watch that measures some days less accurately than others.
  • If the internal compass never points north – take it off.
  • Your watch is unreliable if the altimeter says you’re below where you actually are.

The bottom line is that if you CAN’T trust your watch, it’s time to find a new one.

A tactical watch worth wearing needs to be extremely accurate and reliable.

That’s why people like to buy their watches from brands they trust.

Some tactical watch manufacturers have been in the industry for over a century. Their brand names are synonymous with quality.

This is where it helps to spend the extra few dollars for the brand name. They have proven their value time and time again.

It Looks Amazing

OK, let’s be real for a second: watches are an accessory, no matter how you slice them. And many of them look fantastic, on top of being extremely useful.

I said it before and will say it again – vanity should never be a driving force in a tactical watch investment.

Just because something looks slick, badass, and incredible does not mean it’s any good.

Watch designers, manufacturers, and marketers know humans’ bias towards cool-looking survival gadgets. But that means there are many badass-looking watches out there that are not very good!

However, if you find a functional survival watch that also looks great, that’s a win-win.

Because, honestly, watches are fashion accessories. But that does not mean they are not the first and foremost survival tool.

So try to find a quality one that you’ll also enjoy wearing.

Triple Sensor Technology (optional)

If you can pay a bit more for your tactical watch, you should get one with triple-sensor technology

The best tactical watches are ones that include 3 advanced sensors:

  1. Altimeter
  2. Barometer
  3. Temperature

1. Altimeter

An altimeter measures your current altitude based on atmospheric pressures.

This comes in handy when you’re in mountainous terrain. It’s much easier to find your exact location on a topographical map if you know your current elevation.

↓ Using An Altimeter To Help You Navigate ↓

2. Barometer

A barometer measures the change in atmospheric pressure over time.

And since weather changes are correlated with changes in atmospheric pressure, you’ll be able to predict the weather well before it arrives.

When the pressure rises, the weather is likely to improve; when it’s falling, there’s usually worse weather ahead.

I think it’s fairly obvious how this is a major advantage in a survival or outdoor adventure situation!

↓ The Barometer Explained ↓

3. Temperature

Everyone likes to know the temperature at all times, and with this sensor, all you’ll need to do is look down at your wrist.

But this sensor can do more than tell you the current temperature; it can also help predict your destination temperature based on your current location temperature!

Temperatures generally decrease by approximately 3.6°F with every increase of 1,000 feet. If the temperature at 5,000 feet is 50°F, therefore, the temperature at 8,000 meters will probably be about 39.2°F.

The bottom line is tactical watches with triple-sensor technology are incredibly useful. You should get one with these advanced sensors if your budget allows it.

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Best Survival Uses For A Tactical Watch

Simply put, the practicality of these things goes far beyond their ability to tell time.

So let’s cover those abilities now.

Navigation

If you wear a tactical watch, it will likely have a digital compass built-in.

With a compass, you’ll never be completely lost.

Sure, you might be somewhere you’ve never been, but you’ll know in which direction you’re heading. This is critical for survival situations and any outdoor adventure, for that matter.

Don’t underestimate the power of the compass and having one strapped to your wrist at all times.

Accurate Countdowns

Accurate countdown timers are essential tools when you need to count down things. There is an unlimited number of countdown tasks.

For example, countdown timers come in handy when :

  • Backyard Grilling
  • Lighting Bomb Fuses
  • Coordinating Ambushes
  • Scheduling A Watch Guard

Sometimes an accurate countdown timer is a “nice to have” feature (like grilling), but sometimes it’s a life or death one (like lighting a fuse). But most countdown tasks fall somewhere in the middle.

And with an accurate timer on your wrist, you’ll be ready no matter the circumstances.

 Signaling In Distress

Many watch faces are made of crystal or another highly reflective material.

So if you’re ever lost and forgot to pack a signaling mirror, you can use your tactical watch instead. Angle the sun into it and flash at rescuers to alert them of your distress and location.

If the back of your watch is reflective enough, you can polish it up and use it as a reflector distress signal.

Team Synchrony

Chronological synchronicity is necessary if you plan a raid or escape with others.

You can sync up your times and operate simultaneously if you both have tactical watches.

Which makes the meeting at a specific time and location much more accurate.

Starting a Fire

I recommend this only if you are in serious trouble and your watch is broken or out of battery. (Namely, because it requires disassembling your timepiece, which will almost certainly ruin it).

But, if you take the crystal face out of the watch, it can be used to concentrate sunlight and start a fire.

If the sun is out, this is easier to start a fire than with sticks.

And, perhaps best overall, each of these survival applications is strapped to your wrist.

Like having a multi-tool or a survival kit latched to your arm at all times. Except these are elegant and classy and un-intrusive.

Final Thoughts

When people think of watches, they rarely think of survival gear.

To most people, watches are a simple fashion accessory that can tell time, nothing more.

But as survivalists, we know better. Tactical watches combine a ton of gear and sensors into a single device.

They are a data-based survival multi-tool.

They bring practicality together with durability, simplicity, and ease of use.

Any survivalist or outdoorsman worth his salt should wear a tactical survival.

If you choose not to, you’re at a major disadvantage.

Will Brendza

P.s. Are you ready for the tough times ahead?

Find out now by taking my short Readiness Score Quiz – it’s absolutely free.
Once complete, you’ll know exactly where you stand on the “fragile” vs.” resilient” spectrum.

The post Best Tactical Watches For The Most Unforgiving Terrain appeared first on Skilled Survival.

Glock Guy Vs 1911 Guy: Tactical Tupperware Takes on Old Slabsides

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Talk to anyone at the gun shop or the shooting range and get ready to listen to all the things they “know.” Of all the opinionated, self-righteous, pretentious gun guys (and yeah, I’m one of them), no two are as high and mighty as the self-proclaimed “1911 Guy” and the “Glock Guy.” One has been overbearingly mocking all other firearms since Jeff Cooper declared the 1911 the “service pistol of choice.” The other believes that 2/3 of all law enforcement and the winner of the most stringent reliability testing in history can’t be beat. Both hold their convictions with equal fervor and despise anyone that views things differently.

Glock Guy Vs 1911 Guy: The Battle

I decided a face-to-face, moderated debate would be the easiest way to settle this once and for all. I cast a wide net looking for the most blow hard, I mean die hard fans, then invited them to sit down and chew the fat. Tom “Dubya Dubya Eye Eye” Wilson was chosen to represent the 1911 crowd while Gavin “Glockaholic” Wilson was chosen to represent the Glockaphiles. Interestingly, they are grandfather and grandson. I bet Thanksgiving dinners are a real joy.

A face-off between 1911 and Glock fans.

THE DEBATE

The scene is a dinner table adorned with a red and white checkered tablecloth. Tom and Gavin sit across from each other, scowling. I sit in between as the moderator.

FM: Well Tom, we will begin with you. In 50 words or less, can you tell me why the 1911 is the superior handgun of choice?

TW (angrily): Do I need to explain it again? When John Moses Browning went up on the mountain and received the 1911 design from our Lord and Savior himself, it was the greatest gift ever given to man! It was far better than the Bible! Or life! This gun was given to us to save all mankind from all forms of evil and wielding it is the equivalent of becoming a god yourself.

FM (long pause): …Uh, OK. And Gavin, can you please give me your reasons for believing the Glock is the ultimate handgun?

GW: Well, duhhhh. Gaston Glock designed the first Glock frame from a single piece of space-age polymer. He did it without any tools, just his teeth. Then he carved the slide from a meteorite that fell to earth in his backyard. Also with his teeth. When he was done, the Glock 17 was born in all its glory. The first one fired over a million rounds without a single malfunction and the bullets it fired were so lethal that bad guys died just from hearing the gunshots as they reverberated around the globe. You can Google it.

A modern grip on a Glock
(Photo by Alex Landeen)
FM: …Yeah… OK, let’s move on. There are lots of different versions of each of these guns. Tom, describe to me your ultimate 1911A1 for everyday carry and self-defense.

TW: First, it should be a 1911, not a 1911A1. Those so called “improvements” were for mollycoddles who can’t handle a real gun. Next, it should be made of American stainless steel. None of that aluminum frame stuff to make it lighter for ninnyhammers. The grips should be real ivory from a poached elephant with the USMC globe and anchor scrimshawed into them. Other than that, everything is stock. The gun is perfect from its inception.

FM: I see you are a real traditionalist. Why mess with a good thing? Gavin, describe your ultimate Glock for everyday carry.

GW: Bro, Glocks were born awesome and then redefine greatness every year as they get better. First, it would be a Glock 19 Gen 5 with a Battlefield Green frame, Grey Ghost Precision slide in Flat Dark Earth with threaded barrel that has been gold phosphate plated, Aimpoint Acro P-1 sight, Night Fision tritium suppressor height sights, Surefire X300 Ultra light, Zev Fulcrum Ultimate Trigger and titanium skeletonized striker. Oh, and I would change out the back plate to one made from Beskar steel that has the Mandalorian crest because I like to subtly personalize my gat.

A 1911 Guy carrying a Springfield Armory 1911.
(Photo by Alex Landeen)
FM: Wow, I see. Gavin, I see you have picked the 9mm as the caliber of choice. Tom, am I right in assuming your 1911 will stick with the traditional .45?

TW (face turning bright red): There is no other caliber you Gollumpus! .45 is, was and always shall be the only caliber that is guaranteed to kill a man dead just from the sheer terror of know that is what is going to be shot at him! I load my magazines every other round with 230-grain ball ammo for penetration, then a Speer 200 gr jacketed hollow points. The “Flying Ashtray” bullet can turn a human being inside out. In fact, I once saw it happen on the battlefield with my own two eyes!

FM: That must have really been something. What battle was it?

TW: What?

FM: I asked what battle were you in where you saw a man shot by a .45 and turned inside out?

TW: Uh… it was the uh Mexican American War.

FM (quietly): That was in the mid 1800s…

TW: You calling me a liar boy?!!! (Tom fumbles a small container out of his shirt pocket and puts a nitro pill under his tongue.)

A cup and saucer grip on a 1911.
(Photo by Alex Landeen)
FM: And you Gavin, why do you choose the 9mm when Glocks are available in at least a half dozen different calibers?

GW: Dude, the 9mm is actually the 9×19 parabellum. Para Bellum! That means “for war.” .45 is .45 ACP. ACP stands for “Army of Cadet Pedophiles.” You can look it up.

FM: I’m not sure that is what ACP stands for, but we will move on. Could each of you describe what is wrong with the design of the other man’s preferred firearm. Gavin, you can go first this time. What do you not like about the 1911?

GW: What’s to like? It weighs 8,000 pounds, it holds about five rounds, it has 14 unnecessary safeties levers and buttons, and it jams on everything but ball ammo. It takes 30 minutes and special tools to disassemble, two hours to reassemble and may or may not work afterwards.

FM: Again, I’m not sure all of that is 100% accurate, but we will give Tom a chance to respond.

TW: Blasphemy! I am no longer your grandfather you milksop! I always said you looked more like that travelling Bible salesman than anyone in this family, you ungrateful lubberwort!

A modern, competitive shooter grip on a Glock.
(Photo by Alex Landeen)
FM: Let’s try to stay on topic. Tom, what do you dislike about the Glock?

TW: Dislike? I loath that hunk of plastic refuse. It is inherently dangerous because it has no safeties. Why I have seen them go off just sitting on the shelf in the gun store. Three innocent children were killed! And a dog! You have to pull the trigger to disassemble them. I read that more than 10 million people get killed every year due to this design flaw alone! They feel squishy in your hand and speaking of squishy, have you tried that trigger? Atrocious! And talk about ugly! They look like they were born at the top of the ugly tree and hit every limb on the way down. Kind of like my grandson’s pink-haired freak of a girlfriend!

FM: That is about enough of the personal attacks. I’m sure Rai is a lovely girl. We are trying to have an honest debate here. However, in hopes of salvaging this family, let’s take a minute and each of you have to say something nice about the other one’s preferred gun. Tom, can you find one good thing to say about Glocks?

TW: (grumbles and stares at the floor, kicking at the table leg) I guess the case for them is OK.

FM: The case?

TW: Yeah, I keep sandwiches in it when I go fishing. It keeps the bread from getting soggy. I hate soggy bread.

FM: That wasn’t quite what I was looking for, but I will let Gavin respond. Gavin, what is something you like about the 1911?

GW (eyes roam about the room as if looking for something): Well, since it weighs a ton, I guess you can jam it under the door to keep it from swinging closed.

FM: A doorstop? Yes, well, I see neither of you is going to make a sudden change in your core beliefs. I’ll leave off by providing you with this card that has the number to a local family counselor and remind you both that you can pick your nose but you can’t pick your family. …you also can’t wipe your family on the couch.
A fun shoot-off for Glock vs 1911.
(Photo by Alex Landeen)

No one has more undying, steadfast belief in their weapon system than the Glock Guy and the 1911 Guy. The only thing that brings them together is scoffing at every other type of firearm they encounter. Often their facts about these guns are mired in misunderstanding and unbridled hatred. Which is what makes it so fun to get them riled up. So, the next time you meet a Glock Guy, be sure and ask him about why it’s called tactical Tupperware. And greet your local 1911 Guy with a comment about stacking tolerances. Then sit back and calmly watch their heads explode. It’s possibly the most entertaining thing you will do all day.

THAT’S A WRAP

Editor’s Note: We hope you enjoyed this first installment of Ballistic’s Roundtable. If you care to shoot us over some other “gun debate ideas,” we’d love to entertain them. Hit us editdesk@athlonoutdoors.com.

This article originally appeared in the April-May 2022 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Get your copy or digital subscription at OutdoorGroupStore.com.

April-May 2022 Ballistic Magazine

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Will The Discovery Of The Ark Of The Covenant Soon Be Publicly Revealed To The Entire World?


When the discovery of the Ark of the Covenant is finally announced by the Israeli government, it will be the greatest archaeological bombshell in the history of the world.  Authorities in Israel have known where it is located for a long time, but trying to remove an object of such immense importance from deep under the Temple Mount was always going to be complicated.  In fact, when the Israelis finally unveil the Ark they may not even admit where it was hidden all this time due to conflicting claims of jurisdiction over the Temple Mount.  If the Israelis openly admit that they took the Ark from under the Temple Mount it could potentially set off riots all over the Islamic world.  This is such a sensitive topic, and it really will be a miracle when the discovery of the Ark is finally revealed.

But it will happen.

In fact, I believe that the announcement of the discovery of the Ark is most likely to happen on or near a major Jewish holiday.

So every time another Biblical festival rolls around, we need to be on high alert.

In case you did not read my last article on the location of the Ark of the Covenant, I want to review one very important point.

In the western world, our “scholars” have come up with all sorts of weird theories about the location of the Ark, but the truth is that over in Israel they have known where it is resting for many years.

In fact, on their official website the Temple Institute actually admits that they know precisely where it is located…

The Ark of the Covenant is one of the most fascinating of all Temple-related subjects. There are many theories about what happened to the Ark of the Covenant, and speculation abounds as to its actual location. Some people think it was taken to the Vatican, together with other Temple vessels, such as those depicted on the Roman monument, the Arch of Titus. There are many authentic, ancient historical chronicles, and even more popular legends, that attest to many sacred vessels having been taken away to Rome. However, this does not apply to the most holy feature of the First Temple, the Ark.

While some claim to have evidence that the ark is in Ethiopia, and of course, moviegoers were treated to a fanciful version of the story in “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” in reality, the expression “lost” ark is not an accurate description for the Jewish people’s point of view – because we have always known exactly where it is. So the Ark is “Hidden,” and hidden quite well, but it is not lost.

Tradition records that even as King Solomon built the First Temple, he already knew, through Divine inspiration, that eventually it would be destroyed. Thus Solomon, the wisest of all men, oversaw the construction of a vast system of labyrinths, mazes, chambers and corridors underneath the Temple Mount complex. He commanded that a special place be built in the bowels of the earth, where the sacred vessels of the Temple could be hidden in case of approaching danger. Midrashic tradition teaches that King Josiah of Israel, who lived about forty years before the destruction of the First Temple, commanded the Levites to hide the Ark, together with the original menorah and several other items*, in this secret hiding place which Solomon had prepared.

This location is recorded in our sources, and today, there are those who know exactly where this chamber isAnd we know that the ark is still there, undisturbed, and waiting for the day when it will be revealed. An attempt was made some few years ago to excavate towards the direction of this chamber. This resulted in widespread Moslem unrest and rioting. They stand a great deal to lose if the Ark is revealed – for it will prove to the whole world that there really was a Holy Temple, and thus, that the Jews really do have a claim to the Temple Mount.

Of course knowing where it is and getting it out are two entirely different things.

The area under the Temple Mount is riddled with at least 45 major tunnels, and not all of them are stable.

Any effort to do more digging could cause one or more of those tunnels to collapse, and if any of the structures sitting on top of the Temple Mount were damaged that could cause an international incident.

And as investigative archaeologist Harry Moskoff has pointed out, getting approval from all of the necessary authorities would be exceedingly complex…

Now, about those subterranean tunnel entrances. Even if one would theoretically obtain all the permits from the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Jordanian WAQF, as well as the halachic permission from the Chief Rabbis of our day, it is simply too dangerous from a spiritual, as well as physical perspective to enter into these tunnels (which I delineate in my book). Further, the Ark seems to have this profound ability to sense who is around it, and if they have permission (as it were) to be there. And if not, the consequences have been proven to be lethal! Why take the risk? After all, even Moses wouldn’t enter the Tabernacle (that he himself built) to speak with God without permission.

So who would be worthy today?

Personally, I believe that God will keep the Ark hidden until the perfect moment.

And so it will continue to rest under the Temple Mount until the proper time.

Moskoff is entirely convinced that the Ark is located directly behind a colossal 570 ton stone that was specifically placed there to protect it…

Moskoff took CBN News to the spot where he believes the Ark really lies.

He believes a key clue lies behind a 570-ton rock and says high-tech search tools give credence to his theory.

“Two years ago, there were tests done by the University of Nebraska, sonar tests…using electromagnetic waves. They actually found what’s called a storage space across from here,” said Moskoff.

“So actually, there was a purpose for putting this giant stone, this massive slab here. One of the reasons, in my opinion, is to protect whatever it is on the other side. And according to my theory of where the Ark was actually buried by King Josiah, I think it was 568 BC – in back of these boulders, these massive stones,” he said.

Time will tell if Moskoff is correct.

Decades ago, there were multiple attempts to get to the chamber where the Ark is.

In fact, it has been reported that Rabbi Yehuda Getz was actually “within 40 feet” of the chamber…

Rabbi Getz believes that in 1982 he was very close, within 40 feet, to finding the cave in which the Ark resides. He was conducting a search in an old tunnel that had been filled with the debris of centuries, which runs perpendicular to the Western Wall and under the Temple Mount. However, when the Moslems discovered that there were diggings being conducted under the Dome of the Rock, they threatened a general riot and the diggings were stopped. The rabbi explains that, for the sake of maintaining peace with their Moslem neighbors, the Israelis had to reseal the entrance to the tunnel, and it remains blocked up to this day.

After all this time, it will take something really spectacular to get the Ark above ground again.

Could it be possible that God will supernaturally intervene in order to make it happen?

We shall see.

Once the Ark is finally revealed, it will send spiritual shockwaves all over the planet

Many hold that it is only a matter of time until the whereabouts of the ark will be revealed. The Temple Mount faithful certainly believe that its discovery will be accompanied by the coming of the Messiah and the building of the Third Temple. Others think that its detection will connect Moses and the contemporary Jewish nation once and for all. They believe that it will forge a permanent, indissoluble bond between the State of Israel and the Temple Mount, in other words affirming the right to settle in the land of Israel. Thus, we see that the Ark of the Covenant is not only a religious symbol, but a political tool as well.

As I discuss in my book entitled “End Times”, the revelation of the Ark of the Covenant will be a critically important prophetic sign.

And once it happens, nothing will ever be the same from that point forward.

I know that literally nobody else is talking about this right now.

But I am going to keep talking about it, because eventually this will be a story that will throw the entire planet into a huge uproar.

Michael’s new book entitled “End Times” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

About the Author: My name is Michael and my brand new book entitled “End Times” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book I have written six other books that are available on Amazon.com including “7 Year Apocalypse”“Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”“The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of these books you help to support the work that I am doing, and one way that you can really help is by sending copies as gifts to family and friends.  Time is short, and I need help getting these warnings into the hands of as many people as possible.  I have also started a brand new Substack newsletter, and I encourage you to subscribe so that you won’t miss any of the latest updates.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse BlogEnd Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, I strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post Will The Discovery Of The Ark Of The Covenant Soon Be Publicly Revealed To The Entire World? appeared first on End Of The American Dream.

Things Are Starting To Get Really Crazy Out There…

I believe that we are going to see more political chaos in the next two years than we have ever seen before.  On Thursday alone, Donald Trump was indicted in New York in an obvious attempt to derail his presidential campaign and radical leftists stormed the Kentucky State Capitol and the Tennessee State Capitol to protest for trans rights.  If things are this crazy now, can you imagine what is going to happen once we get into the heart of the presidential race in late 2024?  Honestly, our nation is not too far away from being completely ungovernable.  Our system of government is starting to come apart at the seams very rapidly, and now there are violent explosions of anger and frustration on a regular basis all over the country.

No ex-president in history has ever been indicted for anything, but there are some ex-presidents that have committed some extremely serious crimes.

But instead of doing anything about those crimes, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has pulled the trigger on some absolutely ridiculous charges

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted as part of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s years-long investigation, possibly for hush money payments.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been investigating Trump for hush money payments made leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

These include the $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, and the $150,000 payment made to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, Fox News Digital has learned.

There is nothing illegal about making hush money payments.

What Trump is being charged with is breaking campaign finance laws.

But if there is a campaign finance violation, it should be handled by the FEC, not Alvin Bragg.

No matter what you think of Trump, it is clear that Bragg is abusing his power, and it is also clear that he is doing this in a desperate attempt to keep Trump out of the White House.

Needless to say, Trump is not amused

Meanwhile, the recent mass shooting of Christians by a trans activist has apparently not diminished the trans movement’s appetite for storming state capitols.

We have seen this happen a number of times in recent months, and on Thursday the Kentucky State Capitol was hit

Nearly two dozen people were arrested and cited for criminal trespassing at the Kentucky Capitol on Wednesday after protesting a bill in the Bluegrass State pushed by Republicans to ban transgender procedures for minors.

The protest — which came as the state House voted to override Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of Senate Bill 150 — resulted in the arrests of 19 people, according to a statement shared with Fox News Digital from Captain Paul Blanton, a spokesperson for Kentucky State Police (KSP).

I thought that if you stormed a capitol building that made you an “insurrectionist”.

But of course the mainstream media will never use such a term when referring to their radical leftist friends.

Trans activists also stormed the Tennessee State Capitol on Thursday, and they got quite aggressive with law enforcement officers…

There is no place for such behavior in a civilized society.

But of course the mainstream media will give them a free pass because they are trans.

No matter how radical they become, leaders on the left will only say good things about trans activists, because that is what leaders on the left are expected to do…

Hold on a second.

The six people that were just ruthlessly gunned down in Nashville were Christians.

It is the Christian community that is under attack.

So why won’t the Biden administration say that their hearts “go out to the Christian community”?

Of course the Biden administration is not alone.  The way that the entire radical left has responded to this crisis is utterly shameful.

If someone on the left does something that is evil, it should be condemned.

And if someone on the right does something that is evil, it should be condemned.

I am so tired of activists on both sides endlessly making excuses for the behavior of their people no matter what happens.

Every single individual, no matter what their political affiliation is, should be subject to the same set of rules.

That means that justice should be applied equally to Bill Clinton, George Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Even though all five of them have done things that are wrong, only Trump is being prosecuted.

And the “campaign finance violation” that Trump is being prosecuted for should be a non-issue.

But this is how the game of politics is played in our day and age.

Things have gotten very bitter, and that isn’t going to change any time soon.

For example, just check out how AOC responded to a surprise encounter with Chaya Raichik

You could actually feel the vitriol in her voice when AOC realized who she was.

Sadly, millions upon millions of other Americans feel the same way about those on the other side of the political spectrum.

We have never seen as much political hatred as we are witnessing today, and it is only going to get more intense as the 2024 election approaches.

No matter how future elections turn out, all of this anger is not going away.

We are a deeply divided nation, and a house that is divided against itself will not last long.

Michael’s new book entitled “End Times” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

About the Author: My name is Michael and my brand new book entitled “End Times” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book I have written six other books that are available on Amazon.com including “7 Year Apocalypse”“Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”“The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of these books you help to support the work that I am doing, and one way that you can really help is by sending copies as gifts to family and friends.  Time is short, and I need help getting these warnings into the hands of as many people as possible.  I have also started a brand new Substack newsletter, and I encourage you to subscribe so that you won’t miss any of the latest updates.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse BlogEnd Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, I strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post Things Are Starting To Get Really Crazy Out There… appeared first on End Of The American Dream.