Jamie Jackson

We have a mixture of canned goods (short term storage), MRE's (intermediate term and convenience of use), and LTS (Freeze dried #10 cans of Provident Pantry & Mountain House, 5 gallon buckets with mylar bags & o2 absorbers, etc.) We have several raised beds for gardening and grow things we like to eat and cook with. We can and dehydrate most of the garden foods. We live in suburbia, so the raised beds and containers work well for us. And they aren't really that much work. We keep at least 100 gallons of water on hand, and have a couple of 55 gallon rain barrels for water collection. A good, quality water filter is a must. We also keep at least 3 cords of firewood seasoning. Cooking with wood is not as convenient as the microwave, but sometimes you simply don't have electrical power available. Every Day is a learning experience. But the less I am dependant on the "system", the more I can protect what rights and freedoms I have left. I have a family that depends on me and they are my primary motivation. Hunting, fishing, and living "off the land" sounds great, but I can't see it as very practical, especially in a real SHTF situation. I don't want to be where a hundred other goobers are when they are all armed and shooting at everything that moves. Preparations are never wasted. They are probably the best insurance investment we can make. These are interesting times, very uncertain to say the least. Tappan on Survival, while a bit dated, is a really good read on the subject, imho. Dare to Prepare by Holly Deyo is an excellent resource book for those starting out on preps. Great thread!

I certainly hope so. But is this something you heard from your distributors? The folks I talk with in the shooting/training industry and per e-mails to various distributors and manufactures don't seem as optimistic. I hope they are wrong, and you are right. Most seem to think it'll be mid-2010. The companies that produce ammo in the U.S. are busting their butts to meet demand. But, If our twits in Congress or the Obamanation stir up more anti-Second Amendment rhetoric, Who Knows? Regards,

Monday 6/8/09 0800 AM Oak Ridge Walmart has Federal 9mm @ $9.00/50 round box. They also have some .357, but I didn't price it. Limit of one box at O.R.

I usually order mine from Sportsman Guide. They usually have some in stock and the quality has always been good.

Much obliged. Regards,

Does Walker Springs Walmart have a purchase limit? I know I've seen it posted, but can't locate it. Thanks in advance. Regards,

I've used thousands of Federal Primers in my Lee Auto Primer (handheld tool) with no problems. I much prefer the Auto Prime for any of my single stage press work! Like musicman said, they are the softest, but I prefer them for my revolver loads. Good on you for finding some of them!

As of 0830 AM (4 June 2009) Turkey Creek Walmart in West Knoxville had 6 boxes of 40 S&W Blazer Brass @ about $12.00/50 rds. I don't shoot 40 S&W, so they were there when I left.

I wouldn't even consider going into a bank unarmed. I'm not paranoid, but Banks get robbed. That'd be like going into a Shop-n-Rob unarmed and without first looking through the windows. Condition Yellow, for a longer and healthier life.

I have a friend that's LEO. He mounts his shotgun in an OverHead Rack in his truck. The darkly tinted windows help. I'm not suggesting it, but it is an option. This under seat storage system has promise. The more I search, the more options I keep finding... Cabela's has several listed... I have room behind the seat of my truck, and my SG or Carbine would still be easily accessible. I've carried a LG behind the seat in more "long gun" friendly states that I've lived or worked in. Hopefully TN will soon be one of those. even Walmart carries them...whaddaknow..

I would second the AA#2. Low flash and accurate loads. I generally use it for my .38 snubby loads. My masochistic tendencies run a bit shy of the .357 loadings...

It is frustrating. There are a few online site that sporadically have 9mm in. It's not inexpensive, but 9mm is challenging to come by, to put it mildly. "Ammunition to go" has Fiocchi 147 gr 9mm for $29.95/50 rds as I type this. I tend to miss the shipments that make it to wallyworld. I check several websites, at least every other day. The ammo that arrives is generally sold out in 8-10 hours. Cabela's and SG list that they will have some in the next month or so. I do have some on backorder with a few vendors, and I tend to get deliveries periodically. This may be an option for you. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I reload... primers are as hard to find as 9mm ammo is. Good Luck!

Good for you! I've been running one for nearly 20 years now. Quality! and great customer service...rare these days...

Yes, Of Course. I also have a spare tire in my vehicle. Mechanical devices fail, and it could be at the worst possible time. Murphy is just waiting around the corner... I train with my dominant and non-dominant hand. Events may restrict access to one side or the other. I may not even realize I'm in a fight until I've taken a round. Bad things happen, and not just on T.V. I enjoy having options... I don't enjoy coming in 2nd place... I carry a J-Frame or a 2nd Glock for my "BUG".

I've shot many thousands of rounds of my personal reloads in my 19. I've also shot reloads from reputable manufactures without a problem. As already suggested, I would not shoot a 3rd party's reloads. I've recently pulled out my Dillon 550 to start cranking out 9mm rounds. Until relatively recently, you could purchase 9mm for less or about the same as you could reload them, if you factored in your time and energy. Situations change... I'm just happy to have the gear to start up again. Have you considered getting into reloading?

I would definitely say Yes to carrying a long gun in my vehicle. Several states allow this and it, historically, has been a non-issue. A handgun is a reactive tool. It's niche is for "Close Range Interpersonal Confrontations", esp. in confined spaces. A long gun may well be needed in circumstances where the hand gun just doesn't fill the bill. This is not a Zombie-Hoard Fantasy ... an area of natural and/or un-natural disaster (Katrina/Rita), social unrest and rioting, terrorist activity, etc. You may be cut off from your home when things happen. Legally having an option to transition to a long gun is, to me, a peace of mind factor. We each have a responsibility to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. A little forethought goes a long way. I've carried a long gun in my vehicle for many years and I'm glad to see TN is seriously opening a legal avenue for this. YMMV Prag

In my humble and unsolicited opinion, Trigger Reset and Follow Through are 2 of the most important foundation skills to learn. It's very easy for us to ingrain inappropriate actions into our training, our development of shooting skills. Competent, Professional Training is money well spent and can save a relatively new shooter a lot of time, energy, and frustration. I've been fortunate to train with some quality instructors. Andy Stanford's Surgical Speed Shooting Class benefited me more than I initially realized. We spent a great deal of time on Trigger Reset and Follow Through...the improvement of the majority of the shooters between Day 1 and Day 2 was remarkable. Once ingrained, it's essentially a subconscious action...much like braking your auto when you catch something peripheral coming into your lane. For the cost of a new gun (and don't we like our new gadgets? ) or even a thousand lot of ammo, we can get the professional training we need and improve of abilities dramatically. Todd has it dead on, imho, and sounds like someone I'd enjoy training with. I have no financial interest in any of the professional trainers around. I don't intend to hijack this thread. But sound basics, properly learned, will carry the day. Again, just an opinion. Regards, Prag

I was completely unaware that this was being considered. And I try to keep up with such things...hence my joining this forum... I think this is an excellent move on the part of our State. I have lived and/or worked in states where this is legal, I've never heard of it being a problem. I've only lived in TN a few years and not being able to carry a long gun in my POV has been a concern. There are times and circumstances when only a long gun can deal with the problem. Great News that this is in the works! Prag

National Center for Home Food Preservation has some decent info. I downloaded and printed this for reference. Square Foot Gardening is a good suggestion as well. Good Luck! Prag ETA Square Foot Gardening link

Thank you for the welcome! Prag

Gander Mountain in West Knox had some yesterday...expensive, but in stock...at least then. Anything shooting related goes fast! $39.00/K for SPP Prag

Like others, I like to have the trigger covered, for obvious reasons. If you are concerned about deep concealment, have you considered a bellyband-type system? The size of, and type/weight of the handgun are a consideration as far as comfort goes. And the bellyband isn't going to suit everyone. One hand re-holstering isn't easily accomplished... But it may be an option worth considering. Just my $.02 worth. Regards,

Same here! and it was just a bit over $300.00! It's a shooter! Not pretty, but as reliable as any machine can be. I've run just shy of 10,000 rounds through it and it just keeps ticking. I wish I had picked up a few more at those prices...but Hindsight is 20/20.

Greetings from East TN, Knoxville area. I'm Prag. I found this site a few weeks ago and have been reading a good bit. There's lots of good, useful local and area info. Much appreciated! I'm a shooter, reloader, and a prepper. I'll probably read more than I'll post, but I do on occasion have an opinion or even a thought...albeit never much of an original one. But I'll try not to rattle like a cheap radio... Thanks for the great site. Regards, Prag