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Okay, I get into work this morning, a hap, hap, happy Monday if ever there was one, and my e-mail box is simply overflowing. I think that my minions, those that have actually been paying attention instead of just reading my drivel as the rantings of a Unibomber so they can do the exact opposite of what I advocate, which justifies stockpiling Mattel Toy carbines and building a Bat Cave retreat, were so worried I would next blow another gasket but this time about lacking subject matter, they sent a bunch of article suggestions. I would have said they were so worried about my mental state and the threat of my discontinuation of splattering my drivel their way, but that might have been pushing it. They just don’t want to hear me complaining. So, I wish to thank all those that helpfully responded to my feedback request, and now to all those that took the time to throw in article suggestions. You truly are wonderful minions, but since I don’t want that to go to your heads and swell your egos, we shall never speak of it again but instead pretend it was never brought up at all.

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There were so many e-mails I didn’t have time to read any news updates or any other blogs, so I have no idea what is going on out there. Today’s article will be based on a minion comment rather than me making fun of another published prepper piece. Which should be a nice change of pace for you. But before we go there, an update on the immanent financial crash. The child support being terminated nine months early, hence the crash might be any time-remember? Well, today I got a check in the mail ( I check the mail in the morning from the previous day ) from Florida for the refund for the last twenty five days, the time between his birthday and when the last amount was withheld from my paycheck. This doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t change their mind and not restart withholding, but it is an indicator that perhaps they won’t. I’ll still save anything, awaiting a resumption of my two decade long screw job and a call for immediate repayment, but I’ve allowed myself to let a small ray of hope in. Unfortunately for the rest of you, that MIGHT mean the collapse happens before next summer. Sorry to take down the rest of you with me, but if I can keep the ex from getting another $4k by wishing for the collapse I’ll do it.

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A minion said, in effect, quote me at your own risk because I’ll deny everything, an AR-15 is nice and all, but he could get a regular rifle and a pistol for the same amount. This prompted me to once again blather on about a rifle and pistol combo. Now, I have no problem with anyone using a hunting rifle and a pistol as their frugal arsenal. I think it is just as safe and effective as you need. The thing about the war surplus bolt guns is that, when they and their ammo were cheap, they made a great arsenal in and of themselves. You took the bayonet and the hardwood stock as your in close weapons. You could get by with just the one gun. And since their ammo was cheap, it didn’t matter as much that they weren’t all that accurate. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still happy and secure with my scoped Enfields. But I got them when they were affordable. Nowadays, you need to seek a rifle that is more accurate than a surplus gun, if possible, because of the ammo cost. Ammo costs have doubled, so you can only stockpile half as much, if that, given the state of your paycheck. You need to make each round count. Any rifle, even a rimfire, is sufficient. Because if you have a handgun, it doesn’t matter that the rifle is single shot or only good for bushwacking. Your handgun functions as your high firepower in case of an emergency. Rather than carry a semi-auto carbine with twenty round mags, just in case you are ambushed by a squad of zombies or a pack of dogs, have the pistol for this role. The rifle is the long range precision tool and the pistol is the “get out of an ambush” tool. Yes, the pistol is extra weight, and you know I hate extra weight. Anything past the bare minimum is stupid as it slows you down, weighs you down, makes you a target. But if you are so worried about close in fighting that you want a black plastic turd for a weapon, instead think about a bolt or single shot rifle and a pistol.

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I think the best long term combo ( for total collapse, wearing rat skins and carrying clubs made from rebar long term type collapse ) is still a rimfire single shot and a 357 revolver. You can both stockpile and carry a lot of rounds and with a scope ( you can stockpile a lot at $30each ) and practice you can get to 200 yards ( the power it dumps at that range is another matter ) if needed. Meanwhile, the revolver has enough rounds and a good enough caliber to somewhat protect against wild animal and zombie close in fighting. For immediately after the fighting starts, a hunting rifle in a conventional round such as 308 is great. Now you can easily snipe at five or six hundred yards and really stay away for evil asshats. I’d still have the revolver. They can’t be beat except on the reloading aspect of things. A novice is comfortable with one. You can leave them loaded forever, and they don’t jam as easy with crappy handloads. And they aren’t overly expensive. You might even try not to waste rounds firing it, since you only get six shots.

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Now, I know this is more expensive than my regular advice has been. It doesn’t fit into the $500 frugal budget. The only problem with that is you are now reduced to no choice, having to use the Russian bolt if you want frugal. If that is all you can afford, get it yesterday. It is FAR better than nothing. I’d even venture to say that I’d rather take my life into my hands by using a potential ammo case rupturing into my face than carry the AR and risking it jamming on me during a fight ( assuming I didn’t use one just for sniping, so the fouling was greatly reduced ). If you are only carrying the AR you will run into trouble because it will jam. Just remember, there are no 100% perfect arsenal answers. There are solutions to different problems, such as being poor, but no perfect answers for under the several grand price tag. This is merely one solution. The point is, you don’t absolutely need a semi auto carbine/rifle.

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My e-mail is jimd303@netzero.com
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Anyone can submit a guest article. No minimum word length, no writing skill necessary ( just get the idea across ). You retain copyright ( this must be your original writing ) and I’ll just use the once. I’ve yet to turn down an article, just don’t use the N Bomb or libel another that can sue me. Send by e-mail ( please, label as “guest article” so I can find it easily later ). Payment will be your removal from my enemies list.
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By the by, all my writing is copyrighted. For the obtuse out there.