Survivalism May Come Back

Andreas over at The Western Confucian forces me to think about a subject that used to be near and dear to my heart.

I have mentioned before my life growing up was a combination of half military brat half country boy. During the times I got to spend on the family farm I learned essentially everything that Hank Williams Jr. talks about in his song "A Country Boy Can Survive". I learned to plant, fish, hunt, grow, skin, clean, cook, fix and "gerry-rig". Of course my knowledge of these things was greatly reliant on an ordered society - no matter how much country folks like to believe otherwise their skills generally require other people and other resources to actually work. From that standpoint, "country boys" are not ready made survivalist.

Much like Andreas describes, I too spent a lot of time in my teens during the 80's reading survivalist materials. It was not so much that I was convinced then that the world was going to end, I thought that R.E.M. could have been right in their description of "The End of The World as We Know it." I was primarily fascinated with the notion and concept of making due without the conveniences of life, roughing it and beating the odds. To me that all sounded like a challenge, something akin to what early settlers (very early as in the mountain men) faced.

Now we are faced with several possible scenarios that could indeed spell the end of the system we know and rely upon; Peak Oil Theory being but one of these possibilities.

I think everyone ought to own a piece of land that they can call their own - a place that they can live on in good and bad times. Not everyone can be a full-blown individual survivalist but everyone should be able to grow a little bit (think British WWII Victory Gardens) or have a skill that they can trade.

Items to consider:

1. You must own the land/house you plan to use in bad times outright - no bank note!
2. Water - you must have access to it and be able to clean it.
3. You must have a skill that others need, have a massive storehouse or be able to produce everything you will ever need. The best plan is to store a little of hard to get things, be able and ready to grow things (hobby garden during good times) and have a skill that is tradable.
4. You have to be able and ready to defend yourself. (more on this below) The defending yourself part of surviving bad times is the lowest of concerns, it does not matter if you can defend yourself if you cannot first take care of yourself. Most of the old survival stuff I read placed guns first - these are just tools to ensure all of your other hard work remains yours.

Andreas asks about firearms for protection when things go bad. First you should have a shotgun - good for close range, easy to learn and maintain, hard to miss. Shotguns are good for defense and hunting - and if you were ever faced with three or four hungry vandals in a close fight a shotgun cannot be beat by the ordinary shooter. If you have only one gun it should be a shotgun - a pump action Remington 870 12 gauge.

If you have two guns then pick a pistol, in fact get one pistol for each adult capable of carrying one. Even in bad times most folks will not want to walk around with a long gun all the time. A pistol is easy to carry, and does not make you look like you are seeking a fight when you are just going out to the shed. Pick revolvers in a caliber that the owner can be comfortable with. Ignore all the talk of stopping power etc, it makes no sense to load up your wife with a .45 Colt revolver if she is not comfortable with it. Sure you could take her to the range every Saturday but honestly how long will that last - either she is a gun person or she is not. It is better to get her a .22 revolver that she can become comfortable with in short order. Avoid automatics unless you are very comfortable with them, better to go with a revolver (P1970 Peacemaker in .45 caliber). Remember load five and leave the hammer on the empty chamber. If you are really comfortable buy an automatic (as a secondary pistol) - you cannot beat a 1911 Colt .45.

For most folks a rifle is not the best use of funds. If it came down to either buying say some farming tool or a rifle - buy the farming tool. If you are willing to spend time figuring out how to shoot a rifle and hit things then buy a Ruger Mini-14. It is easy to use, there are tons of after market "goodies" available and it fires 5.56mm (which could be laying around if things turn bad).

Remember if it really came to defending your family and home such an event would likely occur when you were not particularly prepared for it (i.e. you are out minding your business in the garden or sleeping). Thus my recommendations tend toward weapons you can carry about loaded for extended periods of time without fear of springs etc. degrading and that allow you the best tactical advantage in a close fight.

Of course if you are a male and healthy enough you have a duty to assist the militia if and when it is formed to protect the community - for that you need a rifle. So if you are interested in doing your community duty go ahead and buy the Ruger Mini 14.