.

Thursday, May 31, 2018

NYPD ends use of six-shot 38 special Revolvers

Image result for nypd ends revolver 38

The last 29 NYPD officers are finally turning in their .38 revolvers in exchange for Glock 9mm pistols.

Police brass believe that in an era of terrorist attacks and active-shooter situations, a six-shot handgun simply leaves cops outgunned.

According to Inspector Richard DiBlasio, the commanding officer of the NYPD’s Firearms and Tactics Section ““A 9 millimeter has a capacity to access of 15 rounds in the magazine. A revolver has six. If you get into a situation where you're exchanging gunfire, you exchange six rounds you now have to reload and it takes that time,”

In 1986, rookie cop Scott Gadell was killed when his revolver ran out of ammo and he was shot in the head while trying to reload.

http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/05/30/nypd-officers-trade-in-revolvers-for-semi-automatic-guns#

FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Europe: Denmark Bans the Use of burqa and niqab in public

Woman wearing a niqab with baby
Finally some common sense.

Denmark just passed a law banning face veils, outlawing the burqa and niqab worn by some muslim women. People can still wear party costumes or pull up a scarf during cold weather, but its up to police to determine if the law is being broken, in which case a fine of 1,000 kroner (€134) must be paid.

Denmark’s Justice Minister Søren Pape Poulsen said covering one’s face was “disrespectful” to others and “incompatible with the values in Danish society.”

Denmark follows France, Belgium, Bulgaria and parts of Switzerland, who have similar bans.

FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

5 car Stickers that Criminals use Against You!


They seem innocent enough, but many of these bumper stickers say way too much about you and your family.

Ohio SAR point out some of the information you are giving away without noticing with these three stickers.
https://www.statesman.com/rf/image_large/Pub/p5/KRMG/2014/03/24/Images/photos.medleyphoto.4806547.png

They clearly think about leaving the house alone and home invasions. I can tell you that from my perspective there are other serious crimes you should be careful of as well, in particular fraud and kidnapping. It would be very easy to kidnap Bill for example “Hey Billy. Your mommy, Tammy, she had a car accident and asked me to pick you up. I’m an army pal of you dad, John”. Simple as that. It is very easy to trick through the phone not only children but adults as well if you know some of the first names of the family members. “Hello, I’m calling from XYZ, your husband John contacted us because of the slow wifi problem you’ve been having. I need you to change these numbers from your end so as to optimize your connection”.

The stick family decals along with the rest of the stickers, the way you dress and the car you drive, give any bystander with a good eye a pretty accurate idea of your socioeconomic background. I know of several people that have been kidnaped alone by the car they were driving and even the clothes they were wearing.

A private school sticker? That’s anywhere from $10,000 -$20,000 bucks tuition or more depending on your State, therefore that’s probably how much disposable income you can expect to come up with if they grab your son. You don’t have the money you say? OK pal, you’ve got an hour to sell that fancy new BMW of yours then or we kill the kid.
Image result for car gun stickers
Huh... so you own a lot of guns then?
The typical gun decal in your car is a dead giveaway too. NRA stickers, Colt, Glock, etc, they all scream gun person. It would be logical for a criminal to check out a busy parking lot for such stickers and break into the car to see if he can get himself a nice new gun. I know of a member at Glocktalk forum that had his Glock 17 stolen from his vehicle. Cops told him that he might want to remove his NRA sticker from his car.

Any organized gang looking to procure some hardware simply has to follow you home and either force you into your house at gunpoint or wait until you all leave to break in. If they see some good security around the house maybe just wait until mom gets back home with the kids from school while you’re at the office.
Image result for car rental sticker barcode
Rental car Stickers and Barcodes.

Another problematic sticker. Maybe you didn’t even notice that your rental has a company sticker somewhere but criminals sure do. A rental car means business travel or tourist. Its worth breaking into and maybe stealing a suitcase with electronics, cash or jewellery.

FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Friday, May 25, 2018

Video: Cop vs 3 Armed Bad Guys

Image result for Raúl Regner tres delincuentes 9mm
Typical situation in Argentina.

While driving his car into the garage, his young daughter in the car with him, this off duty cop gets jumped by three armed attackers. They had two 38 revolvers and a 9mm pistol. The cop was also armed with a 9mm.

In spite of being outnumbered and at very close distance the cop waits for his opportunity, fights with the closest attacker grabbing his gun while drawing and shooting with his own firearm.
He manages to kill two and leaves the 3rd attacker in critical condition.


As you see folks, sometimes it’s 3 vs 1 (or more), and they have the drop on you but nerves of steel and resolve means you still have a chance to win.

FerFAL

Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Relationship between Economic Crisis and Crime


    Barracas, where an 88 year old woman was beatent to death.

I pride myself in having a different take on survival and preparedness in this website.   Here we go beyond the best gun, the bets knife and the best whatever (even if we do that too) but we go beyond into the finer details of how disasters and SHTF events go down.

In this case yet again Argentina is a source of valuable information, like a lab rat of what happens when societies go to hell. Unfortunately for the people living there, it’s as if there’s a crisis every 5 years and a collapse every decade or so.

I recently wrote about yet another financial crisis taking place in Argentina. The currency devaluated sharply after investors fled en masse and panic spread across the society. There were rumours of “another 2001”, when banks closed the doors, froze accounts and stole people’s money.  Truth is that this time the situation is pretty different and objectively speaking the conditions aren’t there to expect a bank run and liquidity problem.
Still, people remember and they feared another “corralito”. Of course the opposition, led by the leftists Kirchnerists that used to be in office do their best to spread these rumors and fuel panic as much as possible.

Because of this a lot of people closed their bank accounts and took their money home. What happened then?
Crime and robberies. A lot of them. In recent days there’s been a clear spike, fueled by this opportunity for criminals to get that cash no longer kept in banks.

There was a woman in Mar del Plata who closed an account and when she left the bank, she got mugged and they took her life savings. Seems it was an insider job by someone in the bank, which is fairly common. Another woman, 88 years old, was beaten to death in Barracas, Buenos Aires. Beatings and torture are fairly common practices so as to make sure the victim gives up any cash they may keep hidden.
So, unfortunately that’s whats going on right now in Argentina. Sad to see how little things have changed and how while history may not be repeating itself this time, it sure does rhyme.
FerFAL

Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Monday, May 21, 2018

5 Reasons why you need a Glock Airgun



It goes without saying that shooting is an expensive sport. The guns aren’t exactly cheap, nor is the gear that goes along with it, or the ammo, or the classes. Even 9mm gets expensive when shooting large quantities of ammunition. Sure you can reload, but even that requires an initial investment… and time to reload… and components.
Now anyone that is serious about firearms training does a good bit of dry fire practice. That’s important and it does help a lot. But there’s something else out there that is far better and fills in the gap very nicely between dry fire practice and actual live ammo training.

Umarex Glock 19 offical licensed by Glock

I’m no airgun expert and the Umarex is no fancy pants airgun. There’s airguns out there that cost over a thousand dollars. Thanks, but I’m not spending a grand on an airgun.

Umarex is good enough for my intended use. They make a very nice Glock 19, officially licensed by Glock. Trigger pull is close enough, geometry, grip, sights, all very much the same. So you’re not only practicing trigger pull, but the point of aim is similar, so is point of impact. The lack of recoil allows me to focus on the basics, meaning pulling the trigger without moving the gun. Creating muscle memory in the airgun version translates directly to the real Glock.

Glock Authorized Gen 3 G19 Gas BlowBlock Airsoft Pistol $169.95

So why bother with an airgun?

Five very good reasons.

1)They are cheap.
I got mine for about 100 bucks, and the Umarex Glock airsoft model showed above with a slide that cycles when fired costs 170 bucks. Sure, there’s junk airsoft toys for less, but for a good quality replica that doesn’t fall apart and you ‘ll be using maybe more than your actual gun, its pretty reasonable. Follow the link above and see what other models are available. Umarex makes airgun replicas of most common pistols.

2)Ammo Price
Here’s where these things pay themselves off in a few shooting sessions. Ammo is dirt cheap in both steel BB 4.5mm and airsoft 6mm plastic BB. 3 or 4 bucks per 1500 rounds. That’s a lot of ammo. These guns are powered with small CO2 canisters, and these cost under a dollar a pop, each 12g canister lasting 50-100 rounds. At the end of the day firing 50 rounds of airsoft or steel 4.5mm BB costs about $1. Your typical box of 9mm costs at least ten times that, more like fifteen. As you see, the original investment on the air gun pays for itself in just a few shooting sessions.

3)Training
With an airsoft or steel BB replica you get to save a lot of money, but also a lot of time. If I want to practice a bit and actually have an idea of where I’m hitting I have to drive to the range back and forth, which is easily an hour wasted in traveling. With my Umarex Glock 19 I just place a few targets around the basement, garage or backyard and get to shooting. So I’m saving money AND time. Two of the most valuable, and at times scarce resources we have.  Even better, I can put my targets around the house simulating a home invasion scenario, and get to train and shoot in the same place home invasions would occur, not the range.
Also for new shooters and for teaching kids, this is a great way for them to get some trigger time and learn basic firearms safety. These are not toys though so eye protection is very much mandatory at all times.

4)Pest control
The 6mm plastic version isnt powerful enough but the steel BB 4.5mm can kill small birds, rats and bats well enough at close range. 22LR is fine, but keep in mind it may be illegal or simply unwise to fire a gun indoors. Usually discharging a firearm within city limits is not allowed. With 4.5mm steel BB you can dispatch small pests easily.

5)FOF training
Force on force can be practiced with airsoft 6mm plastic BB guns, which cant be done with steel 4.5mm BB. Just make sure you have airsoft protective gear. Ive been to classes were airsoft was used on the FOF scenarios and you do get to learn a lot from the experience.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

(Video) Brazilian Police Woman shoots Bad Guy



Hi FerFal,
Just an article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5724427/Gunmans-attempted-robbery-families-waiting-outside-school-Sao-Paulo-foiled-mother.html
Apart from the praise of her awareness, the lady showed quite a good tactical movement (even the robber down, she immediately went for cover, still maintaining aim), and it's also worth noticing this form of concealed carry: in her bag.
I wouldn't bet she can draw a gun from her bag without alerting the robber, but she did, and exactly how you wrote about the 4-o-clock carry: partially turning away, covering her gun right until taking aim and then shooting immediately, without warnings, without 'just wounding', right for the most probable way of downing the attacker.
In addition to it, this is quite a good pro-gun argument. I don't think too much wannabe-robbers will try again at that school.
Take care,
G.
Ps.: I just wish our police would be this alert too...
.

Hello G.
Yes, saw it a couple days ago. Brazilian police do not mess around. Lots of hands on experience and it shows in the determination displayed when actual fights go down.
She did several things right, many that are quite hard to do in the heat of the moment under such stress.
She picks the right time to make her move, shoots several times, manages not to shoot any of the several bystanders, moves for cover behind the engine of the car, then moves forward again and kicks the gun away form the attacker.
Just a well trained lady with nerves of steel.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Big All-In-One Multitool?

Dear Ferfal,
I like reading your posts. It's because they are sensible, practical and guided by real-world experiences.
I recently came across a Multi-tool that packs in a lot of essentials and is now in Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1349260918/combartm-an-incredibly-rugged-heavy-duty-multi-too?ref=checkout_rewards_page.
Unlike stuff like the Leatherman (Got a Wave based on your recommendation), I get the feeling that big essentials are best separate so as to be good at their job - rather than have a single tool trying to do it all.
What do you think about this development?
Cheers,
-Vivek
.
Thanks for your email, Vivek.
Man, you put me in that position. I do respect my readers greatly so I’ll give you an answer.
Honest opinions sometimes get people upset tough. I know someone involved in the design and creation of this tool will end up reading this and will quickly reply with some angry email.
Keep in mind it’s nothing personal.
My opinion? I agree with you 100%. Too much of a gimmick. Its big, bulky and weights 3.2 pounds. The Becker BK9 is a 9 inch heavy duty knife, 1095 Cro-Van steel and weights 1.05 pounds. Sure, its not a shovel, or a hammer or a saw, but it does excel as a big knife, which is by far the most important tool you need for outdoors survival, and it can chop anything that tool can. You can also pry, dig and hammer with a good big blade like that and it costs $89.99 vs $359.
Ka-Bar Becker BK9 Combat Bowie Fixed Blade Knife
If I need a spade type mutitool then guess what, the military already invented that, its called an Entrenching tool or E-tool. Its an actual mil-spec, proven tool and you can get one for 40 bucks or so. It’s clearly a better spade, probably chops and hammers just as well too and does so at about 2.5 pounds. If a saw is something you really want, then the Glock etool comes with one in the handle.
Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade, Serrated Edge [30-000075]
You mention buying a Leatherman Wave based on my recommendations. You probably know how well the saw in that tool works, as does the folding knife. Its not a spade or an axe but then again it comfortably fits in your pocket! I’ve used the blade in my Charge and Wave plenty and it always gets the job done, and the saw is just great. I’ve used it to cut 2” branches and 2x4s many times.
This tool seems like the answer to a question no one ever wanted.
If I want a handy jack of all trades and master of none tool then I just carry a multitool in my pocket, like I’ve been doing for years. I could never have that thing with my all day, 24/7.

“But its for the great outdoors…”

Ok, if I’m going to the great outdoors I always make sure I have a good large knife.

“But the spade and hammer and axe…”

During an emergency I can dig, chop and hammer with a good blade. If I need more than that and I’m already driving around in a pick up truck, then why exactly don’t I have with me dedicated tools? If I’m a survivalist heading to the wild, why don’t I have a hatchet or etool? I keep one of these in my vehicle survival kit along with a good knife, multitool, tool box and hammer. Why would I carry this big all-in-one in my car over cheaper, better, dedicated tools?
Hope that answered your question.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Fancy EDC Setup for the Weekend


Sometimes its nice to change things a bit.
This past weekend I had a special event so I went with more of a fancy EDC while covering the basics.
The ZT0561 is in my opinion one of the best production folders ever made, arguably the best looking one. Today its no longer in production but if you like the general concept the ZT0566 is still in production, certainly a great classy folder and far more affordable.




Also highly recommended is the cell phone I’ve been using, the LG G6. It’s a last year model but every bit as good for my intended use as current flagship models for a fraction of the cost.
Waterproof, dustproof, two cameras, fingerprint reader placed on the center of the back. Big screen in a still small enough phone. Give the LG G6 a try if you’re needing a new phone.  Or try its newer big brother, the LG V30.
Take care,
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Argentina looks for a $30 billion bailout from the IMF


Oh boy…
Not this s**t again.
I just hope the government manages to survive the storm and those damn Peronists don’t try to overthrow the government again.
Argentina Is in Talks to Get a $30 Billion Flexible Credit Line From the IMF
Argentina asked the International Monetary Fund for financing to help stem a five-month-rout in the peso that is sparking a surge in interest rates and threatening to derail the country’s economic recovery.
“This will allow us to face the new global scenario and avoid a crisis like the ones we have faced before in our history," President Mauricio Macri said in a televised address Tuesday.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-08/argentina-said-to-request-30-billion-imf-flexible-credit-line
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Monday, May 7, 2018

Argentina raises interest rates to 40%

Image result for argentina peso rate 40%

Argentina raises interest rates to 40%

Argentina's central bank has raised interest rates for the third time in eight days as the country's currency, the peso, continues to fall sharply.
On Friday, the bank hiked rates to 40% from 33.25%, a day after they were raised from 30.25%. A week ago, they were raised from 27.25%.
The rises are aimed at supporting the peso, which has lost a quarter of its value over the past year.
Analysts say the crisis is escalating and looks set to continue.
Argentina is in the middle of a pro-market economic reform programme under President Mauricio Macri, who is seeking to reverse years of protectionism and high government spending under his predecessor, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
Inflation, a perennial problem in Argentina, was at 25% in 2017, the highest rate in Latin America except for Venezuela.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-44001450
I have been following you since I first saw your write up on Western Shooter (I think) over 10 years ago.  I bought both of your books years ago since I believe that the US will crash after they can no longer keep the economy going through printing money.
-Mike

Hello Mike,
Argentina is going through yet another complicated economic period (and its seen more than its fair share by now).
I still have some hope in Argentina’s president, Mauricio Macri, but with such a devastated country it’s hard to turn that ship around.

A country has basically three ways of financing itself, economic prosperity, printing money or debt. Of course the most healthy way of running a country is with the first way, with a robust economy, growing at a healthy pace and with a strong middle class. Now the truth is a country like Argentina which had its national industry destroyed can hardly rely on that.

What the Peronists have done for years is the second way, just print more money. That works very well, doesn’t it? Need money, lets print some! Of course the problem is that printing money makes it lose value, whats even worse, as money loses vale the people that suffer the most and to whom the debt is really transferred to is the poor and hard working lower class. The guy that works all day for minimum wage is the one that carries the burden. People that are already relying on benefits and social assistance will keep getting them and there’s nothing the State can take away from that guy, often living better that the person that wakes up every day at 6 AM to work. The rich fat cat doesn’t care if a bottle of milk costs 2 dollars or 20. In his budget, things like food and utility bills are pocket change anyway.

Now, Macri knows this and has tried to avoid printing money and went out to get foreign financing, meaning good old debt, which also has a way of drowning a country but is a tad less cruel than inflation, printing money.

In the case of the United States, given that the world still considers the US dollar the global currency, it can still allow itself to work the printer 24/7. Don’t get me wrong, it still causes inflation and it is as cruel as its always been, to exchange honest labour and goods for what someone else just prints or “creates” by pressing zero a few times on a keyboard, but the United States can continue doing it.
The big question is of course, for how long can they keep doing it, with a debt of $20 trillion and still growing.
FerFAL

Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”

Friday, May 4, 2018

How many rounds do you need for self defense?


Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Home invasion in Argentina: 3 Very important lessons learned

Home invasions usually go down in a somewhat similar manner. Bad guys break in, if there’s occupants inside they may or many not get hurt/killed, sometimes they fight back and kill/injure the bad guys and that’s pretty much it.

Its not always that simple though and this recent incident that took place in Argentina is an interesting case study.

79 year old Carlos lives with his disabled wife and grandson in City Bell, Argentina. They are good people and help neighbours in need. One such person is 23 year old Nahuel Alejandro Ferraro, who sells cleaning supplies door to door to make a living. For months Carlos helps Nahuel with money, feeds him when he’s down on his luck, buys some supplies for him to sell. They become friends and Nahuel eventually introduces them to his new girlfriend. One day said girlfriend drops by to visit Carlos, asks if she can use the bathroom and as she walks into the house a man wearing a motorcycle helmet pushes both of them in at knife point demanding money. The old man walks towards his room and gives the burglar what little money he had. That’s not enough and the burglar demands more. When the burglar is distracted Carlos grabs a Doberman revolver, 32 caliber. As he turns he sees the attacker closing in with his knife. He shoots once, hitting the man in the chest, stopping the attack. The man later dies in the hospital.

You can imagine the old man’s surprise when after removing the helmet they ID the robber as Nahuel Alejandro Ferraro, the young man he had been helping all along.
Carlos would later say “I am very sorry, I had no choice but to shoot. I treated him like my own grandson, fed him, gave him money”.

Carlos’s actual grandson would later say during an interview, crying with frustration “You know, we treated him like family. The sad thing is that my grandfather would have given him the money anyway if he had just asked”.
This is one of those sad, ironic stories, but there’s a few good lessons here:

1)You cannot trust strangers… or people in general.
This guy was a friend of the family. They were already helping him out. There was no reason for him to use violence. They knew that he had a troubled criminal past and helped him out in spite of it with food, money and friendship without judging him, trying to keep him on the good side of the law. None of that mattered and he still went after them with a knife.  Was this criminal an idiot? Sure, many criminals are, but he was also evil.
But the point is that while most criminals attack people they don’t know, others are borderline psychotic and will befriend their victims, spending months or years planning and lying, pretending to be friends and earning their trust. This is particularly common in fraud and identity theft, or marriage followed by murder just to keep the inheritance.
You just have to careful with who you trust.

2) 32 long is the best caliber for stopping knife attacks…
I’m joking!  But it did get the job done. My point here is sometimes we obsess over the ideal round and stopping power yet its not the first time I hear of a single 32 long round to the chest stopping someone cold. Shot placement and sure, a bit of luck, goes a long way. If I get to choose I’d go for a 357 magnum. If that’s too much for the person to handle then some good 38 special defensive loads. But a 32 sure is better than no gun at all. So is 22LR.

3)The use of the revolver. The Doberman 32 revolver used in this case saved this man’s life.
It had been inherited and 79 year old Carlos was definitely not a gun person. But remember the post I did just a few days ago, about when is a revolver better than a pistol? This is the perfect example. Little or no training, forgotten for decades, yet a good revolver (in some cases even a bad one) can save the day and go “boom!” when you pick it up and pull the trigger. An auto in the hands of someone with little or no experience is more likely to cause trouble. Empty chamber, safeties, things that just can go wrong at the worst possible moment if someone isn’t well trained in the use of such firearm. Do I recommend getting a revolver over a Glock? Well yes, if you are not going to get professional training and practice with certain frequency then I do. For those serious about self-defense autos are clearly the better choice.
What’s the Doberman revolver like? It’s junk.
Image result for doberman calibre 32
I had a Doberman 22LR revolver myself that belonged to my father. What a POS. The trigger, hammer and frame were pot metal and eventually broke after a couple hundred rounds fired. I literally ended up breaking that gun to pieces with my bare hands, so soft and brittle was that excuse of a gun. Broke it and left it to rust away in a flowerpot, only useful as iron for the plants. I think the barrel and cylinder where the only parts made of actual steel.
FerFAL
Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre is the author of “The Modern Survival Manual: Surviving the Economic Collapse” and “Bugging Out and Relocating: When Staying is not an Option”