Interesting question isn't it?<br>I will be one of the survivors in any event. A bold statement to make but physcologically prepration is one of the real keys to survival. I read the newspaper, watch TV. and read the posts of several different news websites but what am I missing? There is a lot going on in this world that we do not see. <br><br>Here are my circiumstances: I live in semi-rural Georgia and commute 36 miles(one way) to work. I work in an office with a limited personal zone(7 by 7 cubicle). I drive a Ford Ranger truck with toolbox. I have my own house.<br>My questions for those who have input on survival subjects:<br>1. If you had only $1000 to purchase a rifle, pistol, magazines, ammo, cleaning equipment, slings, scope(s), and other support supplies, what would you have?<br>2. For food, would you have canned, freezedried, or raw materials(flour,rice)? Or maybe a mixture?<br>3. I need suggestions for bugout kits for work, truck, and my car. I already keep 10-15 days worth of food, water, medical kit, blankets, and heating/cooking equip. at work. What should I have in the vehicle? Weapons? Food? <br><br>Peace,<br><br>They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. <br>—Benjamin Franklin<br>Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759 <br><br>Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state. <br>—Thomas Jefferson <br>

Lawdy Mizz Scarlett,are the yankees coming?After Y2K you could have bought 30years of MREs,assuming you LIKE veal parmigan.After McViegh the militia folks were shedding cammies faster than an Iraqi conscript.Chicom SKS are a real bargain,what with all the real patriots digging up their mortor tubes under the septic tank after the spy plane incident.Now that I've had my fun I can only make one suggestion.Take the $1000 dollars,determine what threatens Georgia and get involved.It could be habitat for humanity with President Carter,restoring the Georgia Pines or working with youths at risk.It sounds like you allready have more stuff than most of us combined.Aquaint yourself with your neighbors,make peace with a personal enemy.Re- enfranchise yourself.<br><br>

I would start by listing the things I don't have. Do you own a weapon? Is this weapon capable, considering range and tactics needed for escape and evasion? Are you traveling thruogh rural or urban areas? What is the situation regarding naturaly accuring food sources in your area? What food souces could not be obtained from the land in your area? what is your skill level? Now for some suggestions. If you are in an area where threat distances are within 40 or 50 yards, I would suggest a good riot type shotgun and maybe a used revolver. If distances are greater I would suggest a Mak 90 7.62x39 or maybe an old mauser or smle in good shape. The prefered combination in survival weaponry is a shotgun with enter-changable long and short barrel, a rifle capable of quick accurate shots out to 300 yards or better, a reliable handgun, and don't forget to buy a good .22 cal rifle which could be your most valuable weapon of all. A .22 cal has a low sound signature, cheap lightweight ammo, and the rifles are lightweight also. I certainly prefer the Ruger 10/22. The Ruger is very reliable and cost effective.As far as scopes go, Tasco makes a good scope for the money. I have had bad luck with Simmons scopes. I have consentrated on weapons here because they will probably be your single greatest expense.Check out this forum, I think you will find some answers.<br><br>Ranger.<br>The older I get, The better I was.

Thanks Ranger,<br><br>I am guessing that you have spent some time in the Rangers. In my short military career I ended up in the 880th engineers and thanks to almost 10 years in the boy scouts I did learn the old motto " be prepared ". When I went looking for a house, away from the city, I carefully considered the area for military importance, food supplies, population and the makeup of said population, proximity to interstate highways, income levels, crime, and the all important defendability of the property. When it comes to weapons You and I think much alike. I love the Ruger 10/22's and since I give firearms instructions at a local range I have found that a 10/22 put into the hands of a first time shooter brings them right into firearms gently. I also keep a Ruger mark 2 for those who want to try pistols out for the first time. I pretty much have firearms covered but food storage and water storage have been my biggest considerations lately. I bought several 30 and 55 gallon plastic food grade drums that had vinegar or soy sauce in them. It really was a pain in the ass to clean them out but I finally got them clean and the water doesn't stink. My thoughts are to fill these with water but how can I preserve the water for long periods of time? Another major problem is food. I keep a good 15 days(for 2 people) worth of canned goods & soups, water, oatmeal, crackers, drinks, tuna fish, and assorted necessities at work and at home probably 3 times that amount. But I wonder if I am missing anything. I have a good medical kit at work, home, and my vehicles. Speaking of vehicles what about long term storage of gasoline? I have propane stored for cooking and heating and that I know never goes bad. What about converting to propane and eliminating gasoline all together? I guess it probably sounds like I might have it all laid out but I want the input of others because I may be missing something and like they say two(or more) heads are better than one. I am part of a small group here in the north Georgia area that are somewhat organized and we have a planning schedule for our members involving supplies. And we even occasionally train together. Probably not nearly enough but at least we have started to organize a co-op unit. I value the constructive input of other "suvivalists". <br>Thanks Again,<br>Barracuda<br><br>Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state. <br>—Thomas Jefferson <br>

Welcome Barracuda,<br><br>It sounds like some of your questions are oriented toward survivalism. It is likely that the members of this forum can be quite helpful to you in that area. However, you should note that this site's stated purpose is to duscuss survival issues, which is a little different than survivalism. In addition to your activity here at this forum, you may want to check out some of the numerous survivalist sites and discussion groups on the net. For example, there are probably entire sites that focus on nothing but long-term food and water storage, with diagrams and source lists. I personally found an excellent book at my public library covering that topic exhaustively. I can't remember the title or author, though (sorry). You may be able to get more useful information that way than in the limited space of a discussion group.<br><br>

Thanks CastAway,<br><br>You are right about most of my questions leaning toward survivalism. I have a belief that I will survive just about anything that man or nature can throw at me with the exception of an atom bomb going off right over my head. My family and I survived the floods of the Mississippi in 1992, I survived a very bad Taxi ride in Mexico while on vacation in 1995. And I survived a hit and run by two drunk drivers at the same time that they left me for dead upside down in a rain-filled ditch in my old 1988 Ranger. Each of these events have left a mark on my life that will not be forgotten. I have been lucky or at least it was not my time to go. Each event I some how remained calm until the end then after it was all over with then I went kind of crazy. Thanks for the advice about looking up strictly water storage and long term storage of food on the internet. I had not really thought about looking in that manner so maybe I'll find what I am looking for there or here. It really doesn't matter where as long as I find what I am looking for.<br><br>THanks,<br>Barracuda<br><br>Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state. <br>—Thomas Jefferson <br>

Chris,<br><br>Now that you have made fun of where I live and the people that happen to be my friends and co-workers let me ask you a question. Why should I get involved with such projects like Habatat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls club, or restoring Georgia pines. Do I not already pay enough taxes? Why should I expose myself to youths at risk? It has been proven that people without scruples or initiative take the easiest road. Why should that road end up leading to my door? I know my neighbors, I have worked with a few of them. That is why I bought my house where I did. I have done missionary work in Mexico before and the last time nearly got my family and I killed. I came to realize some people ARE NOT worth reaching out to. I once had you idealism and beliefs in mankind but no more. I wish you all the success in you outreach to those less fortunate.<br>Barracuda<br><br>Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state. <br>—Thomas Jefferson <br>

Hey CastAway and those reading thru,<br><br>I went looking for water storage sites and found a pretty good one:<br>www.waltonfeed.com/self/water.html<br>they also have quite a bit of dehydrated and whole food info and products for sale. I am glad that there was someone else saying the same thing that I have heard about using these poly drums that I picked up. <br>Hope this helps others.<br><br>Barracuda<br><br>Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state. <br>—Thomas Jefferson <br>

Barracuda,"Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly"Mea Culpa if my humor offended you,but The whole'survivalist'movement is wrapped a might tight.I meet to many angry,disenfranchised people with this bunker mentality(and we know what happens to people in bunkers,ya?).Some of these people seem to look forward anxiously to a Mad Max post apocalyptic scenario.I am merely postulating that preservation is easier than reconstruction;be it a forest,community,nation or individual self confidence.<br><br>

Hey Chris,<br><br>Actually, I am not offended by your comments I just have a different perspective due to personal experience and I like to see how people react. I learned much of my self-reliance from my grandparents whom survived the Great depression as young adult just starting their independent lives. My summers were spent raising and slaughtering pigs and chicken, tending to a 40 acre farm, and all the things associated with living in rural southern Missouri. It did me alot of good and I learned from my grandparents. I have a garden that provides me with enough food to live off of for short periods of time. At my job I usually start bringing in tomatoes and cucumbers by middle of May, peas and green beans before the end of May. I don't sell them I just give away what I have left over from canning or drying. Last year at my old house I ran out of mason jars before the end of July and gave away atleast 200lbs of tomatoes and beans. I could have frozen them or bought more jars but why? I canned enough to last over a year. It took more time moving the canned and dried stores 20 miles than moving anything else. I am still sorting everything out. Anyway, it has been a long night at work and I am going home. May G*d bless your endevors.<br><br>Barracuda <br><br>Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state. <br>—Thomas Jefferson <br>