Security of the "other than physical" sort

 So current events seem to have a whole new batch of people out there worrying about information/operation/electronic security. Here's a good start from the EFF.

So, if you're curious or serious or somewhere in between, welcome to the fold. I'll give you some easy methods to secure your information and communication, and I'll give you some more difficult ones, and you can figure out what you're willing to do.

Firstly, if you want to completely remove the ability of people to snoop in on your communications and behaviors, you're going to have to do something that you don't want to do. You already know it, but I'm going to tell you anyway. You'll need to take your smartphone, turn it off, and dump it in a drawer away from wherever you are. If you have any voice operated devices or apps, those need to go. Alexa or any similar device is just an eavesdropping device that you've brought into your house. Any other device such as a TV with that sort of functionality built in, same issue. Make 'em go away. On top of that, you're going to have to switch to cash transactions. Any time you're in public, wear a hoodie and your covid mask. If you drive any toll roads and use a fast pass or similar, you'll want to avoid that. Any conversations that you want to be actually private need to be held in an open space with no electronic items on your person or the person you are talking to.

Now those steps that I just outlined are pretty hard in the modern world, but not impossible. That said, if you don't want to do all of that, there are steps you can take that are easier.

Pull out that smartphone. Turn off all the tracking. All of it. Delete any app that you aren't using. Any app that you're using that can be accessed through a browser, delete that app and only use the browser. While you're at it, use a browser like Duck Duck Go, it'll be better than the default browser on your smartphone. If you want to do anything even remotely close to private messaging on this phone, use Burner and Signal apps. Use Burner to generate a disposable number and then use that number for Signal. No other messaging app on that phone is to be even remotely trusted. Do any browsing through a VPN like Mullvad. You need a VPN that doesn't log your activity and are based in another country. Mullvad checks that box.

If you want another layer of separation, get a true burner phone, one you paid cash for, or use a gift card to purchase it that you paid cash for. Use that burner for any messaging that you want to be private. 

Also, any time you don't need to use your phone, don't. Turn that bitch off and throw it in a Faraday bag, like this one.

Anything you purchase needs to be in person, and use cash. Wear your hoodie and mask when you're in public, but especially when buying things. Anytime you are even remotely near civilization, you're being recorded on video, and quite possibly, audio. So whenever you're out and about, wear your facial recognition obscuring stuff, ala hoodie and mask. Nobody is going to look at you funny by doing those things now. Three years ago you might've created a stir, but no longer. And I suspect that your ability to wear your "hazmat gear" will probably continue for years before anybody really notices or cares.

Your number one enemy is you when it comes to infosec/opssec/comssec. Remember that you have the right to remain silent, fucking do it. The more people that know a secret, the less likely that said secret will remain secret. If you honestly are worried about a piece of info, then keep that info tight and keep your mouth shut.

124gr vs 147gr: a weighty question

 The age old question, which of these bullet weights to pick for 9mm defensive ammunition? Proponents of both abound and they all have valid arguments. Heavier bullets tend to penetrate better due to the retained velocity they carry due to mass. Lighter bullets, especially when loaded to +p pressures, give you more slide energy and velocity to cycle your semi-auto, which, in theory, can lead to greater reliability, especially if you've gotten a less than amazing grip on the gun. Heavier bullets are subsonic, and therefore tend to be quieter, especially when suppressed. Each of those bullet weights has its very strong proponents.

That said, when it comes to terminal ballistics, most of the time there isn't any real difference, especially when it comes to Federal HST rounds. When I say "real difference," I'm talking about expansion differences between 0.60" and 0.66". The only place that makes a difference is in a lab where you have somebody taking precise measurements. And when it comes to penetration, if you look at Lucky Gunner's ballistics tests, the lowest penetration they recorded was 15.2" for 147gr HST, and the highest penetration they recorded was 19.2" for the 147gr +p HST. The 124gr stuff came in near the middle, with the regular pressure and +p pressure rounds penetrating at 18.3". These numbers truly fall into the "semantics" category, because these rounds perform quite well.

Lucky Gunner ballistic test results compiled.

So with that out of the way, it is obvious to me that terminal ballistics isn't the decider in this issue. There are only two other factors that I really care about.

Firstly would be if you're running a suppressor/silencer/gun muffler. If that is the case, you'll want a subsonic bullet to capitalize on the sound reduction. While the 124gr loadings are nominally subsonic depending on altitude, the 147gr loadings are definitely subsonic. And if I want less sound, I want less powder pushing the bullet, as more powder means more gas which means more sound. That means I'm probably going to stay away from a higher pressure loading, so standard pressure 147gr wins this argument hands down.

The other factor would be accuracy. Now every gun is different, but I've noted a very interesting trend with generation 5 Glocks. If you're not running one of those, this won't apply to you, but it has held true in my Glock 19, my Glock 17, and my Glock 45, all 3 of them being Gen 5 guns. The 124gr bullets tend to give half the group size as the 147s in all three guns. In my Glock 45 the difference was notable even at 15 and 25 yards, but where I saw it play out the worst was at 100 yards. The 124gr load gave me a 6" and 9" group at 100. (This was sandbagged/rested, but not machine rest.) 147s gave me a 15-18" group. Now neither of these groups is horrid, but I know which one I would pick, and in case you're curious, I'm converting over to 124s in all of my Gen 5 guns. The only gun in my house that's going to keep the 147s is the one with the can on it.

So what about you? Which should you pick? Well in this market, whichever is available is probably a big deciding factor. In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king. So whatever is decent fodder out there, pick it up. But secondly, since we know that HSTs work, do we really care? For most of us, it doesn't really matter. And if you are picky, do an accuracy test, see if one works better for you than the other. Whichever you shoot most accurately would definitely be my pick, were I you. 

And if you're having difficulty with your accuracy, perhaps this video will help.

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On a completely different topic, here are some items that I recommend. Note that as an Amazon Affiliate I get a small commission on qualified purchases, which I use to help offset the costs of blogging and video production. 

Atomic Bear Tactical Pen

Civivi Cogent Folding Knife

Casio G Shock GA-2100 1A1 Watch

Zak Tools Handcuff Key

Knives, Guns, and Support Items

 I have several actual articles on deck, but all of them require some additional work and research. In the meantime, I have been doing several videos that will debut over the next several weeks. I know there are actually 5 of you that read, but mostly people really engage with video. If anything, I've had to try and limit my video length, because I can get really long winded. Hell, the one video I did on taking off the Steiner and putting on the Holosun has in excess of 1500 views. In case you missed it:

For whatever reason, this one hit the "sweet spot." Some of the videos that I think are more important really didn't, but that is the way the algorithms work, I guess. 

In case you're wondering, videos that are going to debut over the next 2 weeks:

• B8 Accuracy: Ball and Dummy
• Blowers Rifle/Pistol Transition Drill
• Fenix GL19R Pistol Light Unboxing
• Fixing a Struggling Shooter

I am planning on doing a video on:

• Lumens/Candela, and why more is almost always better
• Gen 5 Glock Accuracy: 124 vs 147gr bullets

And as always, I welcome any input or suggestions on other topics. Dan did suggest proper lubrication of guns, and I'm probably going to do a few on that one. But if there's something you'd like to see, let me know! I do have plans to do collaborations with a few individuals, and if they're reading, trust me, I haven't forgotten you!

Stop Saying That!

 

As an instructor it really behooves me to pick my instructional words and cues thoughtfully. Words are powerful and have consequences, both for the good and bad when it comes to teaching students. I've seen instructors pick some less than stellar verbiage in their time with students, and I strive not to follow them down that path.

In general, shorter is better. Most people can remember three things, maybe four things at once. If you have to tell somebody twenty steps, it is likely that they won't remember them, at least not without exceptional and ongoing effort.

No, I try to keep my instructional cues as positive and short as I can. I try not to tell people "don't do this," rather I try to tell them to "DO THIS." If you say "don't slap the trigger," what they'll likely fixate on is "slap the trigger." It would be 100% better to say, "take up all the slack, and then smoothly press through." While that is longer, it is giving them something to DO, not something to avoid. 

There are a whole list of phrases I'm compiling that I'm going to do videos on. It's going to be my "Stop saying that!" series. It probably won't premier for a while, as I have a lot of other content I want to do first, but it is on the list.

I think the comments on blogger are rough, so if you want to interact with me, your best bets are via my email: juan.laluz@graydogllc.com, or via my youtube or instagram. I'd love to hear things that instructors told you that worked really well. I'd also be curious if anything they shared with you was less than awesome.

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Feeling the pinch? Here are some money saving items that may be of interest:

Cheapest Knife Ever: Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops

Slightly better: Ganzo Knife

If you got $70, this is one of the best knives I've ever tried: Civivi Cogent

Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Winter Air

 If you checked your tire pressure and adjusted accordingly during the winter months, it is highly likely that your tire pressure is a bit high right now. As you are doubtless aware, air pressure is affected by temperature. Colder air is more dense, warmer air is not. And if it was 35 degrees when you adjusted your tire pressure, unless you have a slow leak, that pressure has increased.

Given the fact that gas prices are pretty awful right now, it makes sense to check and adjust those tire pressures regularly. Properly inflated tires give better mileage, longer tire wear, and a better ride. It also affects how much traction you have by giving you an optimal contact patch between the tire and the road surface. While many of you may not drive at such speeds or angles that you're using 99% of your traction, having more traction available is not a bad thing.

As you might imagine, I use a very nice dial gauge to check and adjust my tire pressure. It is a Longacre Liquid Filled Tire Gauge. It isn't cheap, but it is very accurate. If I need to add air, I use a pancake tank air compressor. I hate having to go to a gas station to try to use their compressor. Half the time it is either not working or the line to use it is long.

If you don't want high end stuff but you still want to be able to take care of your own tires, here are two less expensive recommendations:

Jaco Elite Pro Tire Pressure Gauge ($22 but cheaper with the 5% coupon)

Astro AI Car Compressor Tire Inflator (does car, bike, balloons, etc.) $32

Things are getting economically sporty right now, so in my opinion it makes sense to be able to handle small adjustments and repairs by yourself. I'm not saying that you have to create your own automotive shop, and even coming close to that goal may be cost prohibitive for most. But the very basics can be taken care of by anybody with no need for a garage or even a driveway.

Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Limeflation

 Unless you've been living under a rock lately, you are aware that inflation has risen across the past 12 months. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics claims that consumer prices are up 8.5% as of March, 2022. They further claim that this is the largest 12 month increase since December 1981. When we drill down further, they also mention that food prices rose 8.8%, food at home rose 10%, and energy up 32%, with the special mention of gasoline pricing rising 48%.

Really, if you look at all of these numbers, the 8.5% quote is artificially low, as it doesn't take into consideration the things that affect us the most, i.e. food, energy, and housing. Honorable mentions go to new car pricing (12.5%) and used car pricing (35.3%).

Now, all these numbers aside, let's just assume that for the typical US consumer, the real inflation rate is greater than that 8.5%. Everybody's situation is quite different, obviously, based on things like your spending habits, needs, area you live in, etc. If you own your house outright and don't need to buy a vehicle this year, your rate of inflation will be one thing. If you're renting and you need to buy a car, either new or used, your rate will be quite different.

Now, since we all know these esoteric numbers by heart, I'm proposing a very simple inflationary index for myself. For those of you who know me or have watched my videos or read anything that I write, you know that I love margaritas. And since I've perfected the recipe for margaritas, there are a few things that directly affect me. Firstly, the price of limes at the grocery store, and secondly the type of tequila that I put into my margaritas. I'll be combining the average of those to give you "Jay's Limeflationary Index," or "Limeflation" for short.

In March of 2020 limes were going for $0.33. Last time I hit the grocery store they were $0.72. Amortized over 2 years, the real rate of that inflation is 27%. And my favorite tequila, Husongs Platinum, was going for $55 for 750ml in March of 2020. Now it retails for $69. That equals a markup of 10.1%. Average those two inflation numbers and you can see that for May of 2022 the Limeflation Index is 18.55%.

Is this a worthwhile number? Should anybody care? Is this tone deaf of me to use these particular markers? Who knows, who cares? Either way, everything is more expensive than it was two years ago. I have my theories on why the cost of everything has skyrocketed, and my two big theories revolve around monetary supply and the artificial cap on energy production and transportation that has caused us to more heavily rely on distasteful countries in order to get our energy fix. Energy is baked into every cost, as there is nothing you own or use that didn't get somewhere via energy, or get built because of energy. But I digress.

What would you use for your own personal inflation index? What markers make the most sense to you? Or for that matter, what markers entertain you more? That's probably the only thing I care about now, because we're all getting an ass kicking from inflation. Might as well have fun with it.

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Feeling the pinch? Here are some money saving items that may be of interest:

Cheapest Knife Ever: Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops

Slightly better: Ganzo Knife

If you got $70, this is one of the best knives I've ever tried: Civivi Cogent

Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Cocktail Videos

 So if you are into cocktails, I've done two videos that may be of interest to you. Firstly, the one on how to craft a PERFECT MARGARITA:

And the second one on the French 75:

Look, I know you could drink all sorts of things, but there are a few things you should know. Firstly, cocktails are classy, and a nice way to impress guests. Secondly, these are really tasty. I'm not into weird cocktails for their historic value. My main reason for drinking a good cocktail is that it tastes exceptional and the second reason is that nice relaxation you get from the alcohol content.

These have both been tested by friends and relatives, all have given it their stamp of approval/thumbs up. Every time I go out to a restaurant I wish that their cocktails were anywhere near as good as mine. Seriously, try these out and let me know what you think!

Some items that you may wish to get to enhance your cocktail experience:

Lime Squeezer

Citrus Juicer

Double Walled Cocktail Shaker

Lime Flavored Cocktail Salt (for rimming margarita glasses)

Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.