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Accuracy seems to be all over the place with AR-15s. Some cheap one shoot great. But most cheap ones ($500-$700) shoot pretty poorly.
What prepping mistakes have you made?
- Thread starter Proud Prepper
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My AR shoots fine for what it is. Its not much of a hunting rifle in my opinion. If I need more accuracy or longer range I'd use my 22-250, but not for anything larger than a coyote. In my lifetime I've never needed to shoot anything out past about 300 yards.
I believe that any given weapon placed in ten different peoples hands will result in equally different results.
The AR 15 is versatile rifle with mods and lots of PRACTICE. Just about any weapon is basically useless in the hands of an unaware person who is attempting to USE it without any knowledge of the weapon itself. IMO.
An individual with some experience can use a low end AR 15 and do just fine with it.
The AR 15 is versatile rifle with mods and lots of PRACTICE. Just about any weapon is basically useless in the hands of an unaware person who is attempting to USE it without any knowledge of the weapon itself. IMO.
An individual with some experience can use a low end AR 15 and do just fine with it.
I seriously don't want to derail this thread with weapon discussion, and thank you in advance.
Not knowing one’s own defenses including weapon familiarity and training is a very valid prepping mistake, that’s like getting a CCW license and weapon but never getting know one’s new weapon or ever fired it.
I have a family history of self-reliance so prepping was not that far off. Being a history buff helps as I have a great curiosity about how things used to be done in days of yore. I had collected several books regarding old tools, how to raise animals, pioneer living, etc., before I started doing some prepping, but as for hard core prepping I haven't been. My mistake was not being more focused on prepping 17 years ago when I purchased land. My idea at the time was to get back to living on dirt and not in a second story apartment. Using sliding glass doors in building was a mistake as far as security. I wish I had been more serious earlier on as I would be in better circumstances now. I did save some old dried milk for a long time but it was a freebie. Now the cat gets it. I bought a chainsaw that I couldn't pull to start and traded it for some labor, still got the short end of the deal. Other than that I don't have enough money to make very big mistakes. It takes cash and that is in short supply around here.
You can tell when you mention small things and from the reaction you get to those small things if you can enter into a deeper discussion. My close family know I have a home store and know my mind set but don't know to what degree. My extended family thinks I am a nature nut, except for perhaps one cousin.
I created a list of basic items to keep in stock to each family member and they were appreciative but I don't think any have followed through. Recently my brother is leaning towards prepping but he wouldn't be using that word, he has some alcohol for trading and he has been working on the old basement, he says "for storage" but I really believe he is thinking of something more. He is also stocking some ammo. Yep, gave him a book to read, he is interested but doesn't like the terminology I think. I would like to reach out and have a small group but not sure how to start this. I don't trust people very well. Even some of my own relatives.
The small group we are part of took a long time to get together. It is people I know and know well, but I still did the dance - dancing around the subject.
I see all over the internet were the rave is in tactical gear, a lot of tactical porn! My take on it, you dress for a fight you're more likely to get one, the younger folks need to learn that they are not military, they military works as a cohesion unit that cannot be replicated by a self train youngster that received the training from youtube, you take a good o'l boy from the back country who hast never served in the military can make a Vet and civilian **** himself. Buy all the tactical gear you want, it's not going to make one better except bragging rights. Avoidance and recognizing danger is the most valuable equipment to ascertain.
I honestly think that a weapon in the hands of someone with no training or respect is probably just a dangerous as one in the hands of a navy seal. At least the seal is going to kill a specific target where an undisciplined ass is likely to kill anyone.
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One thing I recently noticed and thought of as a mistake is buying a lot of stuff for the pantry. Most think this is a good thing, and normally I agree. I just realized though as I pulled out a bottle of onion powder that it was two years old from the date I put it in the pantry. I am really good at rotating stuff, but by having a good stocked pantry it is making sure everything I eat is already old. I looked at the dates on a lot of items that are one to two years old already. I buy fresh stuff and put it behind the old stuff, ensuring it’s old by the time it makes it to the front of the line. Seems kind of self defeating....
The prepper shows we have been to had tons of geniuses wearing either tactical stuff or camo stuff. The last one wasn’t during any hunting season, so......
I was walking around in my jeans and t shirt wondering if it wasn’t the same reason a lot of people have expensive cars... small wee wees..... it sure as hell didn’t help them blend in to the general public....
And I agree that a redneck with a gun would scare the crap out of a lot of people. Them folks can shoot!
To me dressing like that is just shouting to all the unstable psychos out there to take you on for the challenge.
Maybe you aren’t eating enough, lol.
That was part of the thinking behind the freeze dryer.
Reminds me of an article a long time ago about why you shouldn’t pull a gun on a redneck. Basically, it ended with the statement that if you do, it’d be a good idea to take the front sight off before you do so it’ll be a little easier on your butt when it gets shoved up it...
Lol!
Yeah, with just my wife and I here we don’t go thru it like we did when the kids were around. My wife has a whole list of physical issues and really eats so little I’m suprised she can sustain herself. Oh well, I eat enough for the both of us anyways....
Rellgar, as I mentioned, this is a great thread for folks to think about and understand why it's a topic to discuss whether you've already begun, or just getting started with it. A Plan, Shelter, Food and Water, Defense/Attack, Fuels/Solar, Etc, etc......
I'll also say that #4 and #5 contradict one another a bit, AND, both are equally valid in the same breath.......... #6 is critical. All are important though.
The biggest mistake I think I made was mentioning to other people I was getting ready for my future. That's something you cannot undo....nor is the trail of your prepping purchases through vendors and financial means. If I buy extra strings for my crossbows on Amazon Prime, along with a lot of other stuff, there are multiple trails. Even neighbors that are actually paying any attention to stuff around them will most likely notice that you're doing something different in your back yard.
I might miss out on some opportunities by not networking with new neighbors, or through connectivity in cyber land, but when I get to my "forever" home, I will be very tight lipped about my preps and plans for sure. I'll try my best to hide whatever I do "prep" from now on.
I'll also say that #4 and #5 contradict one another a bit, AND, both are equally valid in the same breath.......... #6 is critical. All are important though.
The biggest mistake I think I made was mentioning to other people I was getting ready for my future. That's something you cannot undo....nor is the trail of your prepping purchases through vendors and financial means. If I buy extra strings for my crossbows on Amazon Prime, along with a lot of other stuff, there are multiple trails. Even neighbors that are actually paying any attention to stuff around them will most likely notice that you're doing something different in your back yard.
I might miss out on some opportunities by not networking with new neighbors, or through connectivity in cyber land, but when I get to my "forever" home, I will be very tight lipped about my preps and plans for sure. I'll try my best to hide whatever I do "prep" from now on.
connecting with neighbors is difficult,here more so,as the mentality is ;nothing bad can never happen here and if anything happens
the government will provide a safetynet for you.
at one point they wanted me to be safety person here,had to turn it down,as "I don't have enough time 'cause of work" to do it properly
.
it prolly goes here along the lines that those who are worried or slighly worried are those who already are in some form of army reserve training
or have a contract for the active reserve like I do and take part in regular trainings.
on the prepping front here it's quiet,it's "all quiet on the western front"
have to add,that I don't wanna have the responsibility of people who most likely don't have anything in preps;no food,no meds,no training,no security,no plans for a bad day..
the government will provide a safetynet for you.
at one point they wanted me to be safety person here,had to turn it down,as "I don't have enough time 'cause of work" to do it properly
.it prolly goes here along the lines that those who are worried or slighly worried are those who already are in some form of army reserve training
or have a contract for the active reserve like I do and take part in regular trainings.
on the prepping front here it's quiet,it's "all quiet on the western front"
have to add,that I don't wanna have the responsibility of people who most likely don't have anything in preps;no food,no meds,no training,no security,no plans for a bad day..
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I think you have to find that sweet spot between #4 and #5 thats most benificial for you. You need to take your time and vett your family, friends and neighbors to avoid #4 in order to achieve #5.
They have the same opportunity to prep as you do. I guess that would be a good reply.
I noticed I had some Onion salt that has been in the cubby for who knows how long, I know that store went out of business 10-20 years ago. Still smells like onions, I just used a little more. I wouldn't worry over it. stuff gets old, doesn't mean it isn't edible, just lost some of it's value that's all. I just rotate the best I can. If being prepared means it gets outdated then so be it. If a beggar comes along, well I guess since "I have so little to spare", that would be what I'd give them.
one of my besties has been in my house and seen my preps( she thinks I'm nuts)....I'm still kind of new and put too much faith in Jeff Bozos, the company I first bought paracord from sent me " China mart"....I've got some mil spec now...and my first bob turned out to be crud- the zippers ripped off
We have all bought things that weren’t what we expected. As long as I don’t make the same kind of mistake twice I just chalk it up to the cost of education.
I try to buy mostly freeze dried stuff now because I noticed most of my stuff was expired but the time I used it. The freeze dried stuff is more expensive but lasts so much longer. I’m hoping that I never need to actually eat any of the stuff in my lifetime but it’s good to know it’s there if needed. I. Have little doubt my kids will probably see a time where having them will be important so that’s good enough for me.I noticed I had some Onion salt that has been in the cubby for who knows how long, I know that store went out of business 10-20 years ago. Still smells like onions, I just used a little more. I wouldn't worry over it. stuff gets old, doesn't mean it isn't edible, just lost some of it's value that's all. I just rotate the best I can. If being prepared means it gets outdated then so be it. If a beggar comes along, well I guess since "I have so little to spare", that would be what I'd give them.
Like repeatedly voting the Democratic ticket? Some people really never learn.
Lol, I still can’t believe anyone would vote trump over Biden, or anyone else. Give me a sane republican and I’ll come over to the dark side.
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Now I know you have a sense of humor Brent. Because there's no way a free thinking independent minded person could ever support one of these anti American gun grabbing socialist idiots that are currently running on the Democrat side.
Thanks for the laugh.
