Starting a fire is one of the most rudimentary basic activities that a survivalist/prepper must be able to do. Whether for cooking, warmth, light, or protection – building a fire is critically important.

One method of fire starting I have utilized over the past year is the fresnel lens. Basically a large magnifying glass – the fresnel lens can gather the suns light and focus it to a very small and intense spot  - generating tremendous heat. No doubt many of you as kids used a magnifying glass to catch some leaves on fire – this lenses works much the same way.

Fresnel Lens

Why do I like the fresnel lens so much? Here are a few reasons:

• cheap
• durable and flexible
• lightweight
• simple to use

For this post I took a few pictures on November 25th to show what they can do – click to enlarge:

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Someone once told me that survival blogs are like old westerns, there hasn’t been a new idea in ages. That being the case I am going to expand on a thought I had a while back. The great thing about it is it ties in with both survival and old westerns. And since Rourke asked for some opinions I will toss this in the ring as it were.

I like to read a wide range of subjects and one I have enjoyed since I was a very young lad is reading about the old west. My Dad subscribed to True West and Frontier Times magazine for years. I still have all the old issues from the late 50s through the mid 70s we had mailed to the farm. True West is still published, but it is not the same type magazine it was back then, but I still pick up an issue every once in a while when it has an interesting article.

A few years back they ran a piece on the best cowboy guns of the old west. Now you have to think about that for a minute. Every one of us that grew up watching the 50s and 60s westerns already knows that the best gun is the Colt’s .45. No self respecting gunfighter would carry anything else. Of course that was not the answer. Neither was the much loved Winchester lever action. No, the choice of the best gun in the old west came down to what weapon could be used to defend the homestead from crime and Indians, drop a deer, a flying prairie hen or pot a jack rabbit, be ready at all times and easy enough for the women to use if need be.

While the Colt’s were an excellent handgun, easy to carry, available in a wide range of calibers, many that would match a saddle rifle, it was not widely used. It didn’t offer the user a good chance to down a deer or tumble a running jack rabbit. Even the rifle didn’t fill the needs of everyone. The actual old west lawman cared more about the rifle they carried than the handgun. Much like the philosophy of today, the handgun was back up to the rifle.

We however are talking about survival though, not a gunfight. We are talking about the ability to do several things well. Only one gun of that era allowed the owner to cover that wide range of needs, the lowly double barrel shotgun.

From the research I have done and from the article that TW published, I have noted that the shotgun was used in a lot of shootings of note. Billy the Kid shot Bob Olinger with his own shotgun as the Kid escaped the Lincoln County jail. Doc Holliday carried one into the gunfight of the OK corral, and the favorite stage stopper of the bandit Black Bart was a double twelve. Prison guards and stage guards carried the double over the other choices. There seems little doubt that the double barrel twelve had a secure place in the old west.

Let your mind wander back a hundred or hundred and fifty years back in time. Think about all the troubles that faced a homesteader. He would have to hunt a wide range of game to survive. He might be lucky enough to shoot at a prairie chicken or rabbit, or have to shot a rattler. With one barrel loaded with shot and the other either a slug or buckshot he could tackle a deer, antelope or larger game.

Today many prepper/survivalists speak of having an event that will revert us back to a time when a lot of our modern conveniences do not work. Maybe we should take a page from the old-timer’s book and think about the double barrel gun as our first choice of weapons. We could store a few ammo cans of different shot sizes and be able to shoot birds on the wing, ground running animals, take a deer, take out a wolf or fox, and make a MZB think twice about coming through our door.

A while back Mickey Creekmore did a post on the poor man’s arsenal. In that post he mentioned a single shot shotgun as a good cheap weapon to have. Rourke likes the AR-7, and my friend Charlie likes the .30-30 Winchester 94. I agree they are all ok, but think if you go ahead and make it a double you will have the same tried and true survival weapon that help found this nation. History can be a very good teacher if we are willing to listen to the lessons of the past.

Wolverine from the Michigan Preppers Network

© 2011, ModernSurvivalOnline.com. All rights reserved.

I have no delusions that an electronic device is going to play a major role in my and my family’s survival if TSHTF. With that in mind – I love my Kindles.

I enjoy the many conveniences that technology today can provide. This includes GPS, hi-tech cell phones, Blu-Ray, and the Internet. Over the past year I have been using an Amazon Kindle-keyboard for reading several books. I have found the Kindle to be simple to use. With it I have bought and stored many books as well as other documents. Battery life has been incredible. I have generally charged the Kindle about once a month.

If you are not familiar with what a Kindle is – it is basically an electronic book reader. Books can be bought and stored on the Kindle. That is not all. The Kindle can also store music and audio books. Still…..that is not it. PDF files can be transferred onto the Kindle once hooked up to a computer. So – with the Kindle you can listen to your favorite music, sit back and read your favorite book, and also read any PDF you wish. Pretty versatile.

Enter the Kindle Fire.

November 15th I received a new Kindle Fire. This new Kindle is quite different in that it displays in full color and is capable of video. It can do everything my older Kindle can do and so much more. All my books from my old Kindle transferred with ease. Now – I have the capability to watch movies, store and read magazines, as well as browse the web. The Kindle Fire also has access to thousands of apps so I can check weather, my email, and create tasks and reminders of things I need to do.

Now - “What does this have to do with survival & preparedness?” many may be asking. The simple answer is “maybe nothing”.

I just got finished reading The Survival Template. I am currently reading The Tehran Initiative. I have several other books on my digital bookshelf waiting. My point is – the Kindle Fire is a great way to store books – both preparedness-related and not. I also have transferred many PDF’s on my Kindle Fire for future reference and reading.

PDF on my Kindle Fire

There are many preppers out there that have bought and stored away several Kindles jam packed with preparedness PDF manuals, books, and other documents. Often packed in .50 cal ammo cans  - these Kindles can be re-charged with a small solar system and information can be referenced when needed.

The Kindle is not for everyone but I am enjoying mine.

Rourke

© 2011, ModernSurvivalOnline.com. All rights reserved.

The MSOnline Preparedness Guest Post Contest will be running from November 15th through December 31st.

This contest is being sponsored by YOU…..the readers of ModernSurvivalOnline. I have collected a few things over the past several months purchased from Amazon.com and SurvivalGearBags.com.

The funds used to purchase these prizes came from credit received through Amazon and SurvivalGearBags. Sales made at Amazon/SurvivalGearBags.com – when entered through my site through links and ads – cost the buyer no more and earn MSOnline some spare change. I use the credit from purchases made by readers to purchase a few things and support this site.

Pretty simple and no additional cost to the reader.

So – Thank You.

Here are the details.

If you have some skill-set, some particular knowledge that could prove beneficial to other readers in a homestead or survival situation – I would love to here from you.

Policies/Info:

• You can write about pretty much any topic you would like – as long as it can benefit ModernSurvivalOnlinereaders in some way.
• Submissions should be at least 500 words in length (unless descriptive and instructional pictures are included).
• I must state the obvious: All submissions must be your original work and not published on any other site.
• Submissions may be edited for spelling and grammar.
• No profanity or racism.
• Rourke, as the owner of ModernSurvivalOnline, reserves the right to approve or deny any submitted material for any reason.

Submissions:

• Submissions can be written in the following formats: MS-Word, Notepad, Wordpad, TXT, and RTF formats.
• Photo’s can be included in the submitted article – but must also be sent separately attached to an email.
• There is no limit to the quantity of articles that can be submitted.
• Multiple submissions accepted.
• Submissions should be emailed to emergencycd@gmail.com – please put GUEST POST in the subject line.

Once an article is submitted and approved I will email you to let you know when it is scheduled to go live. Also – if you have another blog or site I will gladly provide a link at the end of your guest post to that site.

Contest will start November 15th and will run through December 31st

Here are the prizes.

- – - 1st Place – - -

Gerber LMF II Serrated Fixed Blade Knife

Gerber LMF II Serrated Fixed Blade Knife with Foliage Green Handle

The Gerber LMF II Serrated Fixed Blade Knife is designed to be one versatile and effective survival tool. Whether youre breaking through seat belts to save lives, cutting firewood, or building a shelter in the woods, the LMF II is the tool to have! This reliable fixed blade knife features a 4.84 inch 420 HC stainless steel blade with a serrated edge and a drop point. The glass-filled nylon handle includes a TPV overmold for comfortable, blister-free use. The Gerber LMF II knife features a ballistic nylon sheath with a fire-retardant coating for maximum safety.

- – - 2nd Place – - -

5.11 Tactical Bail Out Bag

5.11 Tactical Bail Out Bag

Bail Out Bag features tough 1050D nylon body fabric construction that delivers extreme versatility. While staying close to the body, the Bail Out Bag provides users with easy access to all its compartments while still being compact enough to deploy from a vehicle. The Front Mag pockets hold up to 6 AR magazines with the side utility pocket designed with web platforms. You can rest assured that the 5.11 Bail Out Bag will have all the room you need for easy deployment. By 5.11 Tactical Series.

- – - 3rd Place – - -

Gerber Gator Axe II Saw Combo

Gerber Gator Axe II Saw Combo

The Gerber® Gator® Axe II saw combo helps set you up for your next trip into the outdoors with an all-conditions axe and a bluntnose pull saw that secures inside the axe handle with an internal magnet. The rigid part of the axe handle is glass-filled nylon for a rugged construction and a light weight. Each tool includes a a textured handle for easy handling.

- – - 4th Place – - -

Mountain House Scrambled Eggs & Bacon #10 Can

Mountain House #10 Freeze-Dried Scrambled Eggs & Bacon

- – - Misc Honorable Mention Prizes – - -

Stanley Heavy Duty Clamp Light - 80 lumen

AQUAMIRA TACTICAL FRONTIER PRO WATER FILTER

MAGLITE AA Mini Flashlight in Jewel Case

S&W Galaxy 3 LED Flashlight in Blister Pack

GOOD LUCK ALL!!

© 2011, ModernSurvivalOnline.com. All rights reserved.

Rourke

© 2011, ModernSurvivalOnline.com. All rights reserved.

At that time I was looking for a way to always have some type of weapon on me without having to carry a handgun or some other bulk devise. I looked at a number of websites for different types of knives for this purpose, but I could never seem to find one that fit. I looked at boot knives; punch knives, hidden belt knives and so on. I don’t wear boots to the office and with dress pants a knife would be very noticeable strapped to my leg. The punch knives were nice, but again having them on my person without letting everyone know I had one would be a little difficult. And the hidden knives that were concealed in a belt were kind of novelty(ish) and I did not want to bet my life to a novelty. With what was on the market and with the desire to be armed at all times I would have either had to have boots on 24/7, or somehow strap a punch knife to my body, me or wear a belt to bed – not going to happen. I could not find what I was looking for online or anywhere else that worked for me. I know I could have explored more, but I really began to think I was on to something. Plus I realized that this is one place a person who might search you (not law enforcement, always tell LE you are armed, but a possible intruder or etc) might not want to pat search you or put their hands. Plus being a male we tend to have bulges in that area anyway so you can kind of explain it away as just another large package..

Due to my little discovery I now always have my Benchmade folding knife attached to my boxer briefs (The knife is roughly 8 inch long in total and when folded it is around 5 inches) . I keep it/clip it on the right (inside) front side of my bower briefs close to the crease in my leg. To date I have never cut myself or any “important” flesh down below. Nothing fancy, but I even sleep with the knife on my boxer briefs. My thought is that if I am attacked by an intruder in my house I will at least have something to protect my family and myself with (trust me I have more the my Benchmade to protect myself with, but if someone were to try and pin you down or lay on you in your bed, before you can get to a gun or etc, while you sleep they will get a shock of a lifetime when you come up with a 3 and ½ inch razor sharp blade). I work in law enforcement and know that many acts of violence start at or around the bed. You cannot have a real heavy knife, but I barely even notice mine. The only time I am not “armed” is in the shower. It also comes in handy when you need a knife for just a general reason and it makes you feel a little more comfortable knowing that you have a little “edge” on you in case you needed it. I like the fact that I always have a way to protect family, myself and cut anything that needs it. I like it best because I can have it on me at night while I am sleeping and when you are most vulnerable. It also comes in handy in case of a vehicular emergency, you could use it to cut a seat belt because it is always there. The best part is that if you already have a comparable folding knife with a clip on it you don’t even have to spend any additional money. Even if this does not win anything I hope someone finds this idea/tip as helpful as I do.

Chris Neiman
Associate Constituent Services Officer
Missouri Department of Corrections

© 2011, ModernSurvivalOnline.com. All rights reserved.

GearHOG’s is hosting another great deal: Purchase a $25.00 gift card to Brownell’s for $12.50!

Deal Overview

Take advantage of the Brownells.com gift card deal today and this weekend by using it during the Brownells annual Black Rifle Friday event! Brownells has hundreds of items on sale, with a handful of exclusive door-buster items. Also look for a special coupons available on Brownells.com to save you even more money! We wanted to time this offer to give you the most bang for your buck, and we got Brownells to pitch in plenty of gift cards to make sure all your friends could get involved too! Shop Black Rifle Friday now as this event ends soon.

Happy Shopping…….this deal is going on while supplies last on Friday and into Saturday.

For more info click HERE.

Rourke

© 2011, ModernSurvivalOnline.com. All rights reserved.

1. What is a reflex sight?

Aiming is still done by lining up the fixed metal sights on the fore and aft of your weapon. Laser sights took the market by storm projecting a visible marker on the target object. Reflex sights come in two groups, red-dot, and holographic. They use a common design theory, but operate differently, as not all reflex units are of the holographic type. Both are essentially head-up-displays mounted on the gun. The red-dot system reflects the laser back towards your eyes replacing the traditional iron sights. When aiming all you have to do is position the red dot that registers in your vision where you intend to fire. Holographic sights use a more complex set of mirrors to project the laser illuminated target marker into a sealed glass viewer through which the weapons operator aims.

2. The advantages of a reflex sight.

Reflex sights are superior for a host of reason beginning with the fact that you will no longer have to squint to aim. The old style of looking down a gun sight with one eye disappears. This enhances speed significantly, as aiming gets done with both eyes, keeping a high level of spatial awareness, and the ability to work from a wider variety of angles. These sights can also function under a wide range of conditions from low light, to bad weather, to physical damage. In the case of holographic reflex sights, the aiming marker can change to suit your shooting style, whether the normal centered red dot, or a calibrated circular gradient. It will also never obscure the target, as the marker is an overlay.

While there is no replacement for proper weapons practice, the key benefits of having one of these devices is hard to ignore. Reflex sights offer great flexibility to seasoned veterans while reducing the difficulty levels for rookie gun owners.

Author’s Bio:

Guest contributor Chris Blair writes for AlliedTactical.Com a site offering tactical gear such as body armors and a lot more.

© 2011, ModernSurvivalOnline.com. All rights reserved.