Bump for Jason

Recently a new job and almost stalker has me looking into alot of new things. I want to be geared up and really prepared in the next two weeks.

This is going to be fun!

I've had a lot of time to revisit my gear this year, and have been making small modifications to my own Bug Out Bag. More than anything, I've been moving gear from the BOB to a Bug-Out-Belt...something that I can have on me all the time.

The belt contains the basics. The bag contains more advanced gear.

I like this idea. I don't have a bug out belt though. I have a light pack, MaxPed Monsoon, I carry with me everyday. It has small amount of food, water bottle, small water proof first aid with Katadyn water tablet etc etc. Weighs about 7 pounds without the laptop in it.

The full size BOB is always in my ride though.

I am thinking on body, in briefcase, in BOB and in truck.

The full extent of my gear is sort of extensive. My wife has an identical EDC and GHB. Her Bug-Out-Belt and Bug-Out-Bag are lighter weight versions of mine.

PERSONAL SURVIVAL KIT (PSK)

This is on my person nearly 100% of the time (except in the shower or while sleeping). If you asked me to empty my pockets right now this is what I'd pull out:

(1) Ferro Rod, LMF Army Model
(1) Flashlight, Leatherman Serac S3
(1) Battery, SureFire CR123
(1) Folding Blade Knife, Spyderco Delica4
(1) Swiss Army Knife, Victorinox Hiker

* I also routinely carry a handgun with at least (2) spare magazines.

EVERYDAY CARRY KIT(EDC)

This "pouch kit" goes with me everywhere. It sits on my desk at work, goes with me to job sites, etc. Basically, this small kit allows me to travel light and inconspicuously but with more advanced survival gear. My wife carries an ideal kit.

Carry Pouch

(1) Small General Purpose Pouch, Diamondback Tactical (CB)

Fire Making

(1) Butane Lighter, Bic Classic
(1) Ferro Rod, LMF Army Model

First Aid & Hygiene

(3) Bandages, Assorted Adhesive
(1) Sanitation Wipes, Germ-X Singles

Food

(1) Emergency Ration, 1200 Calorie MayDay

Navigation & Signaling

(1) Compass, Engineers
(1) Flashlight, Guidesman LED
(2) Batteries, Energizer AA
(1) Flashlight, Streamlight Nano LED
(1) Marker, Sharpie Industrial
(1) Whistle, Generic

Shelter

(10f) ParaCord, 7-Strand 550
(1) Poncho, Emergency
(1) Survival Blanket, Emergency
(1) Trash Bag, 1Mil 39 Gallon

Tools

(1) Can Opener, USGI P38
(10) Duct Tape, Wrapped on Business Card
(1) Knife - Small, SYKCO Scrapivore
(1) Sheath, Mashed Cat Kydex
(1) Knife - Swiss Army, Wenger Highlander
(1) Knife Sharpener, Gatco Triseps
(1) Knife Sharpener, Gerber Ceramic

Water

(1) Emergency Water Filter, AquaMira Frontier
(1) Water Bottle, Platypus 1L Collapsible
(1 btl) Water Purification Tablets, Portable Aqua
(2) Water Purification Tablets, Katadyn

* I also carry a 32oz Nalgene BPA free water bottle EVERYWHERE I go.


GET HOME BAG (GHB)

We each keep one of these in our 4x4 SUV's. The idea is to use the contents to GET HOME in an emergency.

Gear

(1) Versipack, Maxpedition Jumbo (K)

Apparel, Wool (Store in Dry Sack)

(1) Cap, Watch-Type 100% Wool (B)
(1 pr) Glove Liners, USGI Wool (OD)
(1 pr) Socks, Cold Weather Wool

Fire Making

(1) Butane Lighter, Bic Classic
(1) Candle, UCO Emergency 9-Hour
(1) Matches, Strike Anywhere in Waterproof Match Case
(1) Tinder Bottle, Film Canister with Petrol Cotton

First Aid & Hygiene

(3) Bandages, Assorted Adhesive
(1) Hemostatic, QuikClot Sport
(3) Sanitation Wipes, Germ-X Singles
(1 pkt) Tissue, Travel Size
(1) Tourniquet, North American Rescue CAT

Food

(2) Emergency Ration, 1200 Calorie MayDay
(20) Fishing Hooks, Eagle #2
(110y) Fishing Line, 10# or 14# Trilene
(1) Spork, Light My Fire

Navigation & Signaling

(1) Flashlight, MagLite MiniMag AA
(4) Batteries, Energizer AA
(1) Headlamp, Coleman LED
(6) Batteries, Energizer AAA

Shelter

(1) Cap, Watch-Type 100% Wool (B)
(50f) ParaCord, 7-Strand 550
(1) Survival Blanket, Adventure Medical Kits 2 Person
(1) Survival Blanket, Generic
(1) Trash Bag, 1Mil 39 Gallon

Tools

(1) Knife - Large (Gary's Wife), SYKCO 511
(1) Sheath, Kydex
(1) Knife - Large (Gary), SRKW RMD
(1) Sheath, Kydex
(1) Knife Sharpener, Lansky Dog Bone

Water

(1) Canteen Cup, USGI
(1) Pre Filter, Bandana
(1) Water Purification Bottle, Berkey Sports
(1) Ziplock Bag, 1 Gallon Freezer


BUG OUT BELT

As stated before, this is a condensed version of the Bug-Out-Bag that can be worn at all times while in a "bug-out". It can be used alone, but is really intended to be used in conjunction with the Bug-Out-Bag.

Gear

(1) Belt, Padded MOLLE
(1) E&E Pouch, Medium GP
(1) Holster, Tactical Tailor Modular
(1) IFAK Pouch, Small Medic
(1) Hydration Pouch, Tactical Tailor Joey
(1) Magazine Pouch - Handgun, Triple
(1) Miscellaneous Pouch, 6"x4"
(1) Sheath, Spec-Ops Long Combat Master
(1) Shelter Pouch, 10"x6"
(1) Shelter Pouch, Large GP

Ammunition & Spare Magazines

(550) 22 Long Rifle Ammunition, Federal 36gr HVHP
(1) Storage Bottle, Nalgene 16oz
(4) Rifle Magazine (Wife only), Ruger 10rd

Fire Making (Stored In Red Zipper Pouch)

(1) Butane Lighter, Bic Classic
(1) Candle, UCO Emergency 9-Hour
(1) Ferro Rod, LMF Army Model
(1) Matches, Strike Anywhere in Waterproof Match Case
(2) Tinder Bottle, Film Canister with Petrol Cotton

First Aid & Hygiene

(1) Airway, Nasopharyngeal 28 with Lube
(3) Antibiotic Ointment
(6) Anti-Diarrhea, 2mg EXPIRES 1/13
(10) Bandages, Assorted Adhesive
(6) Benadryl, 25mg EXPIRES 2/14
(1) Burn Cream
(1) Compressed Gauze, H&H
(1) Compression Bandage, Israeli
(1) Floss, Travel Size
(4) Gauze, Sterile
(1) Hemostatic, QuikClot Combat Sponge
(1) Hydrocortisone Cream
(8) Ibuprofen, 200mg EXPIRES 1/13
(1) Insect Protection, Lotion
(1) Light Stick, Cyalume
(1) Moleskin
(3) Prep Pads, Alcohol
(3) Sanitation Wipes, Germ-X Singles
(1) Sunscreen, Lotion
(1) Tape, Adhesive Surgical 2"
(1) Tourniquet, North American Rescue CAT
(3) Wound Closure Strips, Butterfly

Food

(1) Emergency Ration, 3600 Calorie Mainstay
(20) Fishing Hooks, Eagle #2
(110y) Fishing Line, 10# or 14# Trilene

Navigation & Signaling

(1) Compass, Silva Starter
(1) Headlamp, Coleman LED
(6) Batteries, Energizer AAA
(1) Whistle, Generic

Shelter

(1) Cap, Watch-Type 100% Wool (B)
(100f) ParaCord, 7-Strand 550
(1) Poncho, USGI Ripstop (WD)
(1) Survival Blanket, Emergency Essentials
(1) Trash Bag, 1Mil 39 Gallon

Tools

(1) Can Opener, USGI P38
(10) Duct Tape, Wrapped on Business Card
(1) Knife - Large (Wife), SYKCO SOD
(1) Knife - Large (Gary), SRKW Chopweiler
(1) Knife - Small, SRWK Warden
(1) Sheath, Kydex
(1) Knife Sharpener (Gary Only), Stone
(1) Knife Sharpener, Lansky Dog Bone
(1) Knife Sharpener, Gerber Ceramic

Water

(1) Canteen Cup, USGI
(1) Emergency Water Filter, AquaMira Frontier
(1) Pre Filter, Bandana
(1) Water Bottle, Nalgene 32oz
(1) Water Filter, Katadyn Hiker
(1 btl) Water Purification Tablets, Portable Aqua
(4) Water Purification Tablets, Katadyn
(1) Ziplock Bag, 1 Gallon Freezer


BUG OUT BAG

This provides more consumables and comfort than the BO-Belt.

Gear

(1) Ruck, Tactical Tailor 3-Day Plus

Apparel, Miscellaneous

(1 pr) Gloves, USGI Leather

Apparel, Polypropylene (Store in Dry Sack)

(1) Polypropylene Balaclava, USGI ECWCS
(1) Polypropylene Pants, USGI ECWCS
(1) Polypropylene Shirt, USGI ECWCS

Apparel, Wet Weather

(1) Parka, USGI Gen3 Gore-Tex ECWCS
(1) Trousers, USGI Gen3 Gore-Tex ECWCS

Apparel, Wool (Store in Dry Sack)

(1 pr) Glove Liners, USGI Wool
(2 pr) Socks, All Weather Wool
(2 pr) Socks, Cold Weather Wool

Battery & Battery Charging (Gary Only)

(1) Solar Battery Charger, Silva Tech 4.0
(8) Rechargeable Batteries, Energizer AAA
(4) Rechargeable Batteries, Energizer AA

Fire

(2) Butane Lighter, Bic Classic
(1) Magnesium Bar with Hacksaw Blade, Doan
(4) Tinder Bottle, Film Canister with Petrol Cotton

Firearm Cleaning Kit

(2) Bore Brush, 5.56
(2) Bore Brush (Gary Only), 7.62
(1) Bore Brush, 9mm
(2bag) Bore Patch, 5.56
(1bag) Bore Patch (Gary Only), 7.62
(1) Chamber Brush, 5.56x45mm
(4oz) Lubricant, SLiP2000 Extreme Weapons Lube
(1) Receiver Brush, USGI
(1) Rifle Cleaning Rod, USGI 5pc with Patch Holder

Food - Fishing & Hunting

(550) 22 Long Rifle Ammunition, Federal 36gr HVHP
(1) Storage Bottle, Nalgene 16oz
(100+) Fishing Hooks, Assorted Sizes
(900Y) Fishing Line, Trilene Big Game 15#
(1) Fishing Lure Kit, Pan Fish

Food - Packaged

(4) Emergency Ration, 3600 Calorie Mainstay
(3) Food Preservation Bags, 1 Gallon Ziplock Freezer

Food - Preparation

(3 pc) Mess Kit, East German
(1) Cleaning Pad, Scotch Brite
(2) Utensils, Guyot Designs

Hygiene & Sanitation

(1) Comb (Gary)
(1) Dental Floss, Sample
(1 wk) Female Hygiene Products (Wife)
(1) Hair Band (Wife)
(1) Nail File
(12) Sanitation Wipes, Wet-Ones
(1 pkt) Tissue, Travel Size
(1) Toothbrush

Knives & Tools

(1) Duct Tape (Wrapped on Business Card)
(1 set) Playing Cards (Gary)

Navigation & Signaling

(1) Flashlight, MagLite MiniMag AA
(4) Batteries, Energizer AA

Shelter

(1) Bivy Bag (Store in Dry Sack), USGI MSS Gore-Tex
(1) Emergency Space Blanket
(1) Mosquito Head Net
(100f) ParaCord, 7-Strand 550
(1) Sleeping Bag (Store in Dry Sack - Wife), USGI MSS Patrol
(1) Sleeping Bag (Store in Dry Sack - Gary), USGI Ranger Blanket
(1) Trash Bag, 1Mil 39 Gallon

Water

(1) Water Bottle, Nalgene 32oz
(1) Ziplock Bag, 1 Gallon Freezer


FIREARMS

My wife's Bug-Out Guns

Handgun = Glock 19 with Night Sights and (5) 15rd magazines with a total of 75rds of 9mm.

Rifle = Ruger 10/22 Stainless with Leupold 2-7x33mm Scope and (4) 10rd magazines.

My Bug-Out Guns (ONE of the following rifles)

Handgun = Ruger Mk3 22LR with (4) 10rd magazines.

Max Reliability Rifle Option = Arsenal SGL21 (Russian made 7.62x39mm AK47) and (9) 30rd magazines with a total of 270rds of 7.62x39mm.
Max Reliability with Common Ammo Rifle Option = Arsenal SLR-106FR (Bulgarian made 5.56x45mm AK101) and (9) 30rd magazines with a total of 270rds of 5.56x45mm.
Default Rifle Option = Colt 6520 (16" lightweight barreled AR15A2) and (13) 30rd magazines with a total of 364rds of 5.56x45mm.
Heavy Rifle Option = DS Arms SA58 (18" Para FAL) and (9) 20rd magazines with a total of 180rds of 7.62x51mm.

NOTE: The rifle will be selected based upon the situation. My default is the Colt 6520, because its only 5.5 pounds and I can carry more ammo as a result.

Arch,
I appreciate how much thought you've put into your set up. The combo of a hunting rifle and defensive handgun, and defensive rifle and hunting handgun between two people is a great mix. As far as the ammo, with the ability to carry so much 22LR I can see why it is the supreme survival round. I've been looking into picking up a Mark III, I think I would prefer one of the models with a bull barrel and the slightly longer(6.88 inch) barrel. Do you have any preferences with the Mark III?
J

J,

STAINLESS STAINLESS STAINLESS!

The Mk2 and Mk3 are a royal pain to field strip, and Ruger's bluing doesn't resist rust well. Therefore, my first recommendation is BUY A STAINLESS MODEL.

Sorry to shout that out, but its critical.

I've owned quite a few different Mk2 and Mk3 models, and prefer the 6-7/8" Government Target. NOT the Competition Government Target (Slab Side).

The GT has a "tapered bull barrel" which yields a long sight radius due to the barrel length, but also weighs less than the full bull barrel or even slab-side models.

You will not see any real field accuracy differences between a full Bull and Tapered Bull.

The GT features adjustable sights that have a flaw (all Ruger Mk2 and Mk3 sights have this problem):

A pin that goes through the sight cross-wise will work its way out during extended use. The fix is simple: bend a "kink" in the pin and force it back in. It will never work loose again.

The stainless models are worth the extra pennies. I bought a blued 22/45 threaded barrel model because I couldn't justify paying another $300 for a Tac Sol threaded upper or paying to have the barrel threaded. I am putting a suppressor on mine and it will be a fun plinker instead of a survival weapon. But if survival is your key motive for buying a Ruger rimfire pistol, heed Arch's advice.

The cover of this morning's USA Today has an article that I think is important to consider. Taking into account the world's economic crisis - what do you think Americans are doing to ensure their future security? Do you think they are saving money or putting back supplies in case the crisis becomes septic? Do you think they're preparing for another depression?

No.

I'm going to attach the article, but here's a recap:

1) Consumers spent 93.1% of their post-tax income on goods and services in the third quarter.
2) Americans are now spending more on "Quality of Life" items than before. Examples include pet products, and spectator sports.
3) Americans are buying more "prestige" items.

Spending has INCREASED on:

* Games & Toys
* Computers
* Cable & Satellite TV Service
* Spectator Sports
* Amusement Parks
* Salons & Grooming
* Package Tours
* Eating Out
* Restaurant Meals with Alcohol
* Wine
* Hard Liquor

Spending has DECREASED on:

* Repairing appliances
* Repairing furniture
* Repairing clothes
* Repairing shoes
* Repairing vehicles

So, summarized, IN SPITE OF the current economic crisis people are NOT taking care of what they already own or stockpiling supplies. They are drinking, going to sporting events, eating out, and buying consumer crap.

Is it safe to say that those who are preparing will be BOMBARDED by those who wasted their money when something happens? I think yes. [color:"red"]These people are AVOIDING facing reality by playing with toys, going out like the financial future of our country is secure and drinking instead of facing the hard reality that our situation is getting WORSE not better!!![/color]

General society is NOT taking the current world wide economic crisis seriously.




What happens when WalMart runs out of bread, milk and eggs? What are the masses going to do?