Update: First Firearm on a Budget

First Firearm Update: ARMSCOR 1911 CS .45ACP

I was finally able to pick up my first firearm at the Squires Bingham shop on Col. Bonny Serrano in Quezon City last Friday. I initially expected that the unit will have some cosmetic defects based on what the salesperson I talked to during last year's gun show said but I was surprised. There were no noticeable factory cosmetic defects. Aside from some almost unseen scratches that were maybe because of the handling during the production and transport of the firearm. Overall I was a very happy and excited customer. Like a kid who got what he wanted for Christmas from Santa Claus!

The firearm with wood grip panels came in a standard plastic gun case which included 2 7-round ACT magazines, a user's manual, inspection certificate and a gun safety flyer inserted in the manual.

I only purchased 20 rounds of Armscor .45 ACP FMJs at Php25.00 (50cents in USD) each just so that I have some ammunition on hand. Just to remind you, this is a blog about prepping on a budget. As I always say, it's better to have something on hand when you need it than totally nothing at all. The next gun show will be in 2 weeks and I'm planning to get at least 2 boxes (100 rounds) of FMJs, usually around Php22.00 and if my budget would allow it, maybe some JHPs as well for home defense. I might also get an extra 7-round ACT magazine at the show. Will update you of the purchases after.

I haven't tested/shot the firearm yet, the Philippines has some strict rules regarding bringing your firearm. I need to get a PTT (Permit to Transport) first from a gun club so I can legally bring the firearm outside my residence which would require being a member first. I'll inquire about other firing ranges aside from Armscor at the gun show. So I have to be contented just dry firing it for now. (Safety First: I make sure I don't insert a magazine, always safety check the chamber and to point it at a safe direction inside the house)

By the way, as per the staff from Squires Bingham, they will have the same models on sale in the next gun show. If you have plans of buying a firearm, check their booth. I'm sure they'll be happy to assist you in processing the government requirements for purchasing a gun.

That's it for now, remember to always take small steps towards being prepared you can do it even if you're on a budget.

Prepper Skills: First Aid and CPR

Being a prepper is not only about having a gun or guns and knowing how to shoot them or having a stockpile of necessities for when S*** Hits the Fan (SHTF), you also need to learn and gather basic skills needed to survive not only for you, for your family but also for anyone you know or don’t know, especially in medical emergencies. We can experience medical emergencies not only during SHTF but also during a regular day and it’s best if you have the skills and know what you can and cannot do to help. And the most practical way to learn and gain those skills is through proper training.

I personally wanted to learn and gain those skills not only for me and my family but also, so that I can contribute to the community as a volunteer. So I decided to sign up for a paid training of Basic Life Support with CPR and Standard First Aid at our local Red Cross branch. It was a 6 day training that ran the whole week, Monday to Saturday. The first part, Basic Life Support with CPR for Healthcare Providers was for 2 days. During the first day, they taught us what the difference is between a Cardiac Arrest and a Respiratory Arrest, how to check which of the two a victim is experiencing and what steps to take. We were also taught the proper way to do CPR, how many repetitions or cycles you had to do, how fast you need to compress the chest and how to do rescue breathing for adult, child and infant victims. The second day was for assessments, written and practical. We had to do CPR to three dummies (adult, child and infant) and the timing had to be correct or we had to do it over again.

The second part was Standard First Aid where we were taught a lot! I would not give you all the details as it is not allowed however, maybe I can list down the topics that we covered.

1. Introduction to First Aid

2. Human Body

3. Guidelines in Giving Emergency Care

4. Patient/Casualty Handling

5. Shock

6. Soft Tissue Injuries

7. Poisoning

8. Bones, Joints and Muscle Injuries

9. Basic Extrication

10. Common Emergencies

I would not elaborate on them but all these topics were discussed and first aid procedures were also taught and some we had a chance to practice like how to use and mount a victim to a spine board, transport a victim on a spice board, attach the cervical brace (neck brace), use splints for bone fractures and triaging victims from a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI).  The last day were again for assessments, we had a written assessment and a practical assessment where we had to demonstrate the proper use of a triangular bandage on different types of injuries and different kinds of transfer methods without the use of any equipment, basically we had to carry someone alone, with a partner and with a group. We also had a chance to see the insides of their ambulance and check the equipment that they had. On the side, I finally learned how to use a regular blood pressure monitor which I’ve always wanted to learn. Haha!

I would say that it was a great experience for me. Aside from learning new skills that might prove useful someday, I also met new people and now I get a chance to volunteer and help in case the Red Cross calls us for an emergency. I’m now thinking of getting more training from them so I can volunteer for their Emergency Response Unit (ERU) which is their ambulance team who are always on stand-by.

I paid PhP1,500 for the 6 days training and I was given the manuals, a large triangular bandage with the Philippine Red Cross logo, some supplies we used during assessments, an accident insurance worth PhP50,000, certificates and of course invaluable knowledge and skills. Cheap right? They hold monthly trainings at their office in Mandaluyong City, if you are interested in getting training and signing up, you can call the branch or you can follow their like page on facebook just search for Prc Mandaluyong and ask questions there someone will answer you I promise. They would only require a medical certificate and the fee for you to join.

You will never know when these skills would come in handy, it’s best to be prepared.

As always, prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

My First Firearm/Pistol on a Budget: ARMSCOR 1911 Compact CS PS in .45ACP (Officer's Model)

In my last posts, I had was looking at 2 types/models of handguns that I would most likely buy as my all around self-defense pistol on a budget. I initially wanted to get a commander (mid-sized) 1911 but due to budget constraints I thought of getting a revolver in .38 special instead, may it be a snub nose or a with a 4 inch barrel. So last November of 2013 I went to the 21st Defense And Sporting Arms Show Part II at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City to finally choose my first ever firearm. Though I was still not sure what particular firearm I would get. It could be a revolver in .38 special, a commander 1911 in 9mm or a 1911 GI in .45ACP but one thing was for sure, my first firearm would be an ARMSCOR. So I went to the booth of ARMSCOR/Squires Bingham and while checking the pistols and other firearms that they were offering at the gun show, I saw a 1911 CS PS both in 9mm and .45ACP which is the compact or officer's version of the 1911 and it was on sale for roughly 45% off! The original price of the pistol was Php25,300 (USD625) but they were now selling it for a promo price of Php14,000 (USD350)! Bargain right? So I ask the sales person in the booth why they were selling the firearm for that low price. I was told that it was because those pistols had some cosmetic damage that it did not pass the Quality Control of the company but the gun's function was 100% okay. Trusting the word of the sales person and the company he represents, I ordered that model.

ARMSCOR 1911 Compact CS PS

This was the actual photo that I took at the ARMSCOR/Squires Bingham booth.

Aside from the CS PS model, they were also selling other CS/compact variants in 9mm and .45 auto at the same price and even lower. The CS Tactical, with the standard slide serrations was also for Php14,000 and the CS GI with the standard serrations, GI sights and GI trigger was being sold for Php13,000 all chambered in both 9mm and .45ACP. I'm sure a lot of folks who were also in a small budget like me took advantage of the sale.

I wanted to get the ARMSCOR 1911 CS PS (compact) in .45ACP with two 7-round magazines included. Since I didn't have enough money yet, I settled for a downpayment of Php10,000 (USD250) so that I could reserve one and have the firearm license processed. That's right, most gun shops would have a lay-away promo during gun shows to attract more sales. Good thing is that the new IRR for RA 10591 (New gun law here in the Philippines) was not yet in effect so it was still easy to get a firearm license, and another good thing with ARMSCOR and Squires Bingham is that they will process the license application on your behalf, you just had to submit the complete set of documents that they would need including your pictures. (Yes, it is that hard to get a firearm here in the Philippines.)

The firearm license card was mailed to me in the latter part of January which means that the firearm was ready for pick-up at the Squires Bingham shop in Quezon City. But unfortunately, I did not have enough cash yet and I didn't want to borrow money just to pay for the firearm. I still had a balance of Php10,500 for me to get the firearm. And since I already had the license to own the firearm, the unit is just sitting in their warehouse waiting for me. Haha!

The PNP Firearm License Card

Well, I'm just excited to tell you about the pistol that is why I posted this entry even if I didn't have it yet. I'm hoping that I would have saved enough buy the end of March or mid April to pick-up the pistol. I've got bills that I need to pay you know. Anyway, I will certainly update you on the quality and show you some photos and talk about the specs of the firearm once I already have it.

For comparison

Left: ARMSCOR 1911 CS PS (Officer)

RIGHT: ARMSCOR 1911 MS PS (Commander)

Until then, it's best to have some preparedness measures done than non at all..