(08-26-2023, 07:22 PM)Ninurta Wrote: I've got it if I need it!
That's what'll matter (I think). Doubtful you'll be able to 'get' anymore once SHTF. What you see around you today is gonna be as good as it gets.
(08-26-2023, 07:22 PM)Ninurta Wrote: In all honesty, after the first two weeks, fighting is going to be just a minor part of survival. By then, most of the weeds will have been burned. The bigger part is generating and stashing supplies. I think it's TC 31-21a, Caching Techniques, that will be the more important aspect of making it through the first year or two. Raiders can't take your stuff if they can't find it, and having it cached "around" makes un-assing your AO a lot easier and simpler if they do show up unexpected. He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day - by ambushing the bastards on their way out. They get what little you have at base, and that's all, while your cached stuff is "out there" to provide your own sustainment, and provide the materiel for your counter-ambush of the Bad Guys on their way out, when they will least expect it. You DO already have the choke-points and ambush positions on all your approaches already mapped out, don't you?
There's one road in that would make for a fast approach. Several candidate trees I can drop and drag across that. I figure I can feed and water the first 'smart' dumbass interloper as a talking deterrent to anyone who didn't understand what the first barricade was up for. Got a walkie-talkie for him to sing-out with to boot. Anyone coming in from any other direction is gonna have to deal with the neighbors before they get to my place. Most of them are better off than us in appearance and even the mormons out this way are armed to the teeth.
Funny you mention caching. I started putting up (down actually) bulk rations about a year and a half ago. Army surplus (if you know who to get it from) is much better than any tax refund. The problem (always) is 'proper' space. Getting to it can be a bitch too. Had to fill the pickup yesterday with grub for today's social. You wouldn't wanna do that all by yourself when one can weighs 6 1/2lbs. Yeah ... not too worried about anyone doing a hit-and-run on my place. If they're coming ... they likely mean business.
Beyond that, I had the wife think through how much glass we'd need (everyone considered) if we became 'really' cut-off. Again, it was 'bulk' that made costs very affordable. I think the retail price of a mason jar seal is over a dime ... but, they can be got for a penny. Probably priceless if we ever get down to a bartering economy.
(08-26-2023, 07:22 PM)Ninurta Wrote: The more folks you can deter through psychological operations, the fewer you'll have to expend ammo on.
Nothing to worry about in the ammo department. But, from what I've seen around the world in SHTF 'environments' there's never a shortage of slicky-boys and troublemakers. Never ... a ... shortage. Not any known deterrent for their type that I know of either. Just have to end 'em.
Right now: Silver is up | Gold is down ... but, you can get two kilos of silver for what you'd pay for an ounce of gold.
-Sum Ting Wong