EDC Review Roundup for 2018-2019

Upcoming draconian EU gun ban?

Hello Fernando,

first I must say I really appreciate your blog and all informations you share with your readers.
I noticed you posted your opinion on US ban on bump stocks. As you and other readers are surely aware, there is EU directive (ban on semiauto rifles converted from full auto, ban on magazines over 10 rounds, short-barreled rifles, collapsing stocks maximum license validity for 5 years, etc. etc.) which must be adopted by all EU member states.

Government of my country takes it even further and proposing by far worse restrictions. For example, one proposal bans not only semiauto, but also repeating rifles (lever action, bolt action, etc.) with capacity greater than 10 rounds. No grandfathering for previously owned weapons. Also they want to restrict black powder muzzle loaders for owners of gun license only (current laws allow anyone over 18 buy muzzle loader after showing ID, nothing more) and forced registration of "gas guns", airguns and "flobert guns." But wait, there´s more!

Newest proposal also bans certain, if not all types of camo, and all training activities, which I can translate as "training for homeland defense without government authorisation". So basically, bye-bye to all self defense classes with handgun or semiauto rifle. Yes, it´s that idiotically written proposal (and I believe purposelly).

Local gun owners organisation is already negotiating with Ministry of Interior, and we all just hope such totalitalian load of crap will not pass. Government official statement states it´s required for reducing crime rate. I call BS.

In my opinion, it´s by far, far worse than bump stock ban in US.
So, what´s your opinion on this mess? What we should do? Is it worth getting some rifle and risk it can be confiscated later?
At least I will attend some pistol classes as soon as possible.
Thank you for your thoughts and advices!
Take care,
J.

Hello J.

It would help a lot to know what country you are in and what current laws you have.
The good news is, the European Firearms Directive didn’t do nearly as much damage as we feared in spite of what some may say. If you read it you see that its basically given context and regulation to what already exists in most cases and you can still have pretty much any kind of gun you want with the right permit.

If your country is banning anything, its not because of the EU direction, which isnt banning any specific gun at all. Category A – “Prohibited firearms” are treated as “special cases” which require more scrutiny but still legal. Most countries already do this anyway with medical tests, club member, sport shooting activities and such. My advice is to just to it, do what they ask of you but at the end of the day own the guns you want.

My advice is don’t worry about it and get what you can in your country. Get at least a Glock and a semi auto rifle. Learn how to shoot them, learn how to service and repair them and always keep ammo at hand. And by all means, get your classes and training. That is invaluable.
lets hope common sense prevails and those propositions are dropped in your country.
Enjoy, hope you had a great Christmas and have a great New Year as well!

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”

ReadyMan Interview and some thoughts on defense when SHTF

Victorinox Classic: #1 Selling Pocket & Folding Knife in Amazon

Why is it?
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the Victorinox Classic is as popular as it is, #1 Best Selling folding knife in Amazon. After all, we’ve all see it numerous times, everyone seems to have one in their keys, their desk, purse or somewhere around the house.
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. The tiny blade in the Classic is more often than not all you need to open boxes, cut some tape, envelopes, cord and so on. For daily, mundane tasks, 9 out of 10 that tiny knife is all you need. Then there’s the scissors which many love. They can be used for trimming nails, cutting paper articles, string, labels and the list goes on. The file/small flat screwdriver combo is also great for general poking, scrapping and prying tasks. There’s of course the toothpick and tweezers as well. 

Pen and LED light options

Another tool I find terribly useful in my keychain is to have a pen, and the Victorinox Signature does just that, adding a pen to the Classic.

The Signature Lite also adds an LED light which makes for an ideal, all in one keychain mini tool.

A better mini keychain tool?

The Minichamp is the biggest model of the Victorinox small format family. While still compact, it is the heaviest of the bunch and not as minimalistic as the beloved Classic. I guess that for some people, the Minichamp, even though small, is still a bittoo big.

That’s where in my opinion the Rambler and Manager models come into play. These are just a bit of a step up from the Classic, but including the Phillips screw driver and bottle opener. This is maybe the most useful too in the Minichamp, right after the actual blade. The Manager model includes a pen and tweezer while the Rambler has the classic tweezer and toothpick combo.

Whatever it is you like best, there’s a mini Victorinox out there that will fit your needs perfectly.

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”

The versatile, mighty 357 Magnum

I was reading recently about a man taking down a 679-pound bear at 5 yards with a 357 magnum handgun.

Soon after that I read about a woman and her baby daughter being killed by a Grizzly bear at a remote cabin in Canada’s Yukon territory. That woman could have used a good 357 magnum revolver no doubt.

How effective is a 357 magnum revolver against a bear, you ask? While some argue that a 44 magnum is the minimum they would carry, and sure enough many in Alaska carry a shotgun loaded with slugs for defense against bears, handguns in general are more effective than most people given them credit for. This article points towards a 97% success rate for handguns against bear, listing 37 actual cases, the caliber used and the outcome.

Caliber debate aside, if you do your part and shoot accurately and remember to keep up with follow up shots, not many creatures in this world with will keep coming at you with a chest or head full of 158 JSP magnum rounds.

This made me think of my own 357 magnums and why I like them so much. My 4” revolver in particular which my wife used recently at the range loaded first with 38s and then 357 magnum. What a versatile gun! You have enough flexibility with commercial ammo and for reloaders the options are even greater, from hot magnum rounds to light 38s for plinking, target practice of for taking small game with minimal meat damage.

The versatility in a good 357/38 revolver is undeniable. I know I talk about Glock almost as if I’m their sales representative. I’m not, I just see them for the great combat handguns that they are. But a good 357 magnum revolver has its merits too, both against two and four legged predators. Do your part and it’s a hunting gun too, as well as a fun time in the range. And of course it all gets so much better if you can throw a nice lever action 357 magnum carbine to the mix.

If you haven’t got one yet I suggest you keep an eye out for a good deal, maybe a nice old Smith & Wesson 27, 28 or 686, or maybe a Ruger GP100. 4” to 6” barrel length will do nicely.
Take care folks,

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”