Tactical preps are ultra cool, always good to have some extra kit laying around because…”better to have and not need than need and not have.” Right? Or maybe time and money could be spent elsewhere, after all very few of us have money to throw around at whatever our tactical heart desires. What follows are thoughts on preps that I actually own, things I’ve aquired over time and have a perspetive on and can give everyone (read: you who are new to the game or on a more restricted budget) tips concerning. I’m not saying that one should not aspire to own these items but I can without a doubt state that most of us do not need to have any of these on the “must have” prep list.
Night Vision Goggles
Pro: See what goes bump in the night
Con: Good (or even cheap) ones are expensive, also need extras like mounts, helmets, IR lasers etc.
If night vision goggles were $300 a piece almost everyone would have a set, they are after all very cool and in areas where the bad guys might need some fixin under cover of darkness they are handy. I get it…just in case right? What if you have to jump out of bed and there your night vision will be on your bump helmet ready to go to defend you family etc etc. A valiant effort at justification but unless you have the other skills / preps checked off the list, you don’t need these. Save the $3000 to $10,000 and put it toward something with a better return.
Plate Carrier with Plates
Pro: Level IV Body Armor, stops multiple hits of various rifle rounds
Con: Total package kinda pricey, maybe $1,000 or so.
What’s your plan, jump out of the car and toss the body armor on? Maybe toss it on when jumping out of bed at night when defending the homestead. The reality is more like this: wear it a couple times a year on a flat range for a couple hours and watch it collect dust otherwise.
10 AR’s, 10 Glocks
Pro: Redundancy
Con: Unecessary, unless arming small militia after SHTF
I have multiple weapons in multiple calibers but the reality is I train with my G19 and M4 99.99999% of the time. The rest collect dust in my safe, I train with what I’ll use and only shoot the others for novelty. I look at each of those other guns and remember the rationalization for buying each and think, I fooled myself. No problem collecting what you like but to buy all sorts of the same gun because you “need” them, it’s a bit of a stretch.
The Bottom Line
Consider what you want and what you need and balance that against your budget. It’s not that you shouldn’t own a set of night vision goggles but if you are struggling to make that $250 car payment and put groceries on the table what the F are you doing buying NODs? Prep accordingly.
7 comments
Skip to comment form
I get really hacked off when I see ‘survival kits’ with fishing gear in them. Take a couple of spools of kevlar thread (multiple uses) use wood or leaf for a float, pebbles for sinkers and make gaff hooks. If you have time to sit around fishing your not in a survival situation!
Author
Remember the pocket fisherman? Ha! Great point.
Why not? Times are good and now is the time put things in your BOB that will make it a little nicer if things ever do go south. If your not going to go for fishing supplies why have a knife when you can make a rock work or a ax for that matter. All kinds of videos on how to make a knife or ax out of a rock. Why have a tarp or survival blanket when leaves will work. The list could go on but I would thing that if times are hard anything you could have done before would have increased your survival chances. If you want to go Rambo that’s fine but why cry about what others may want to make it easier. But it all want matter anyway because most who bug out to the woods want make it anyway. Most don’t know what a nomadic life is like or how to make. If most of them ever watch the TV show Alone it says it all. Trained professionals can’t make it so a weekend warrior want have a chance. lets hope it never gets to that point.
Another way to look at all three of your items is having your money in tangible goods that will retain their value, as opposed to say, greenbacks or a new car. It is not that I disagree with the points you made, they are all very valid. It would be silly to go into debt to obtain preps. My point is, the goods described are better than a savings account, and under certain circumstances, WAY better than a savings account.
Author
Definitely see your point, can’t say I disagree.
It might be a good idea to add a good shotgun to your practice. A 20 gauge is a great choice for smaller family members. Especially family members who may not practice as much as they should. I like the Remington 1100 or 1187 for it’s mild recoil and available parts, upgrades, and accessories.
Night vision tools are my favorites an i am always looking for new stuff.