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The first thing that many survivalists buy is often a gas mask, but they seldom ask themselves why. “NBC” stands for nuclear, biological and chemical, so the answer is obviously “well duh, that. Hello!” But what do those scenarios look like on the ground if/when they happen, and what help will a gas mask be if they do? Also, what’s the budget? You can find gas masks with NBC filters on Ebay for $10 up to $700 sometimes. Which ones work? Can you get away with the cheap models? I heard Russian filters have asbestos? And what about kids? Are there any gas masks for traveling with children?

In many ways, the upper and lower receivers on an AR-15 are just shells that hold pieces and parts together. But the barrel? Now we’re getting complex. How much you can expect from your rifle depends in large part on its barrel. Here are some things to look for and some answers to the complicated questions.

Just because I like to have fun with every aspect of my life doesn’t mean I don’t take things like every day carry seriously. Hey, I can make fun of Shannon Watts and her outrageous lies while always realizing the serious threat people like that pose to our rights. Here’s what I’m carrying…

This old Smith Model 30 is made on the J frame and is marked 30-1 on the crane. It dates from about 1970 and shows a bit of wear here and there from its 45 year or so life. This Smith belongs to Jon Hodoway and was his grandmothers revolver. He said she kept it in the towel drawer in her kitchen for defense against 2, 4 and no legged varmints.

I’ve had lots of conversations with gun-geeks about barrels and lowers. We can talk triggers until we’re blue in the face. But I’ve yet to anyone truly debate the AR upper. Uppers are just not that sexy. But this is a crucial aluminum shell that holds some of the AR’s most active components. It can’t be overlooked!

The “disposables of life” is what we talk about this week in Prepping 101. It is kind of an icky subject, but these are things that you have to think about in a post collapse world. Nobody can foresee all of the pitfalls of survival, but as the end approaches it is important to tie up the details of things that are unavoidable as potential survival disasters. Dirty is dead in a survival situation. Most of the alternatives we look at this week are affordable, and they work!

GunsAmerica is looking for a few writers who can handle their keyboards and cameras as well as they handle their guns. Interested? Read this post for instructions on how to apply.

Every Day Carry. What’s yours? What gun do you carry everyday? What else? Knives, lights, tools… we’ll be looking at the practicality and functionality. This is the introduction to a series we’re dedication to the here-and-now.

Jacob Epstein, our Tactical Editor, volunteered for a classic pocket dump. He didn’t have much choice–concealed carry is in his job description. So what’s in his pockets? More than guns. Check out what he’s carrying.