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Prepping 101: Thermoelectric Generators

Prepping 101: Thermoelectric Generators

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Thermoelectric generators are not a new technology. “TEG” power was discovered in 1821, but I have to admit, it is new to me. I recently discovered three consumer products that create electricity from direct heat, and all three of them have survival applications. One of them is the best bugout or camp stove I have ever encountered, and I would take it one step further and say that it is the best bugout cooking solution I have ever encountered, period. A second is made for generating electricity while you cook your dinner, and I had marginal success with it. The third is made for a high level of direct heat electricity production, and you can drive it from your rocket stove, a camp stove, and they have models from 10 watts up to 100 watts that use waste heat from your wood stove.

Even the FMJ "practice" ammo goes through rigorous testing. This machine inserts primers and completes a half-dozen or so inspections in the process.

Ammo Test: Sig Sauer’s .45 ACP and 9mm FMJ

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Have we left the latest ammo shortages behind yet? It would seem that way. There are more new brands and varieties available now than there were three years ago. But how do you know what you can trust? We’ll do our best to test them. This week it is Sig’s new practice ammo.

What Makes a Gunsmithing Screwdriver Different?

What Makes a Gunsmithing Screwdriver Different?

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You shouldn’t take a normal flat-head screwdriver to your guns. Trust me. I know. What should you use instead? Time for a bit of gunsmithing expertise from the American Gunsmithing Institute.

Is It Always Best for One to Have a Gun During a Home Invasion Scenario?

Is It Always Best for One to Have a Gun During a Home Invasion Scenario?

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The latest episode of NOIR, the NRA News series hosted by urban gun enthusiast Colion Noir, raises the question of whether it is always best for one to have a firearm during home-invasion scenario.

Prepping 101: Survival Food by the Numbers - It's About Calories Silly!

Prepping 101: Survival Food by the Numbers – It’s About Calories Silly!

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A few weeks ago I was interviewed on a radio show about this prepping column, and during the commercials I heard an ad for a specific survival food company that claimed to offer more “calories per dollar” than everyone else. On checking their website, that number is 250 calories per dollar. I have been buying and storing food for over a year now, since my original food article, and all this time I have had a really hard time explaining to people the importance of making the most out of their prepping dollars, and focusing on supermarket food, not survival food. The company itself didn’t impress me, especially after they bailed on sending review food when I explained this article. But then I realized, that’s it! It really is all about calories per dollar! And that claim of 250 calories per dollar may be high when compared to other brands of survival food, but compared to the foods below, all from Walmart, they are embarrassing for the actual food you get. Even expensive name brand Dinty Moore beef stew is 238 calories per dollar. Which would you rather eat? Other foods here are well over 1,000 calories per dollar, and one is over 4,000 calories per dollar.

For this test, I decided to use a snub-nose revolver, a Ruger LCR 357.

Blannelberry Gets His Concealed Carry Permit: Ep. 2: ‘What Gun to Carry?’

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Once you decide to carry concealed, the next question is: what gun should you carry?

GOP Presidential Debate: Who Do You Like So Far?

GOP Presidential Debate: Who Do You Like So Far?

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We need a pro-gun president back in the White House. The question is, who do we go with? Who is our guy or gal?

Is It Okay to Look Down at Your Holster When Re-holstering?

Is It Okay to Look Down at Your Holster When Re-holstering?

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Is it really okay to look down while re-holstering? Here’s your answer.

Prepping 101: Building a Mobile Trauma Hospital Bag

Prepping 101: Building a Mobile Trauma Hospital Bag

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Are you a hero? I’m just asking because as much as I hate it, I probably am. It is so stupid from a survival perspective to rush in to the face of a disaster to help people, but the reality is, most of us reading this column are going to do it. So if you believe that there will be an event of some sort to distract the sheep away from who caused this mess, it might help to buy some trauma bandages and learn how to clean wounds now. There is no worse feeling than wanting to help but not being able to do so because you lack the proper tools. It also sucks for the people who would be trying to help of course. You can pull off your shirt, rip it, tie it as a tourniquet, then use a stick to tighten it. But after a couple of those, helping people naked is just asking for trouble. You could use their shirt duh, but how hard is it to get a shirt off of someone screaming in pain? Wouldn’t it be better to get a few tourniquets in advance?

Build an AR-15: Choosing the Right Optic

Build an AR-15: Choosing the Right Optic

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When deciding on the perfect optic for your AR build, the very first thing you need to do is match the performance window of the optic with the performance window of your rifle. And we’re here to help. Here’s a guide designed for those building their own AR-15s.