It occurred to me that I need a term to describe those materials (or materiels) that we want to stockpile but are, for one reason or another, becoming uncertain in terms of their availability. For example, two years ago a ‘bump stock’ was a good that you could buy with no hassle or threat of unavailability. The only thing limiting it’s availability was if the company sold enough to stay in business. Now it’s a different story. With the banhammer being warmed up those things are now an uncertain good…you have no idea if you’ll be able to get more, or even keep the ones you have. (I use this as an obvious example..personally, I think those things are useless toys.)
Other examples? The usual…magazines, semiauto boomtoys, that sort of thing. But non-firearm stuff becomes uncertain goods too from time to time. The old Polar Pur water purification crystals, for example.
So, for my purposes, and future postings, the term ‘uncertain good’ refers to an item (or items) whose availability may become limited or non-existent due to unpredictable factors that influence it’s availability, including legislation, and therefore have a higher priority in the order of acquisition.
Like smoke grenades that I didn’t really need, but had the opportunity to buy a case of them… Next year no civ sales because the fuse was reclassified… I failed that one.
I would imagine anything at all could be categorized as such ( but, sure, prioritizing needed ). We are in unchartered territory as international trade has so many dangers. PetroDollar collapse, Peak EROI Oil, etc. I think rather mundane items you would not necessarily worry about might disappear. Insulation and glass, for instance. Do you build your passive solar capability now, or assume the materials will always be available?
Bumpstock (honestly, your finger works just as well as anything): Get a 3D printer and proper files. That’ll cover a lot of accessories.
So does a rubber band….
Spot on. Especially highly import dependant items. I bought five spare kereosene heater wicks and ignitor button things to last me like forever. It is atypical type items not on local shelves, or easily ordered up online and arrives in a jiffy mid-winter when part failures occur. P.s. I rat holed incadescent light bulbs just because. The type of light emitted is easier on my eyes, they light up instant in cold weather, and were cheaper when they were available thus the quantity stocked is/was cheaper investment. Folks should stay with critical-priority goods, not 10 cases of twinkies cause hostess bakery went out of business. Enjoy the prep-up games!
AP, tracer, incendiary, types of rounds are probably on the uncertain list. Body armor and night vision products may not be far behind.
my gut is telling me that 50 BMG may not be available much longer either
I think you are right. Night vision is high on the “want/save” list atm. The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia has had many bills in the past banning body armor that haven’t passed… but it’s on “the list.”
Got some binary triggers last month to sit in the safe next to the case of smoke grenades that some guy passed up…
Odd. I was pretty sure that CA did pass some sort of restriction on body armor for the masses. Possibly in response to the Newhall gunbattle in ’97?
The problem with soft armor is they seem to have a shelf life, although that might primarily be due to flexing of the weave while being worn. I suppose setting aside a unit for civil unrest, properly stored, might be a viable consideration.
Back in the 90’s Richard Davis of Second Chance had a very nice setup that wasn’t much heavier than a t-shirt, maybe like a cheap sweatshirt in thickness. Company went bust due to a bad batch of material from DuPont, IIRC. I think retail was $900 in ’94. Check out his videos of shooting himself with a .44mag to demonstrate his products. Saw this IRL. Wow!
‘strike-anywhere’ matches…?
Remember those…? Ohio blue tip is mostly a marketing gag now and the greenlight formula has always been a bit sketchy. Don’t start looking at pricing.
I still have a decent time with the Diamond strike-on-the-box – just double bag that stock.