A Nation of Plinkers

by
posted on June 20, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2012628134812-new_plinking.jpg

Plink, plink, plink plink, plink. The sound soothes good folks’ ears even if muffled by foam plugs. It’s the sound of everything we know to be good.

Plink, plink, plink, plink plink, plink. It’s the sound of fun on a Sunday after church. Most of us will never compete in the Olympics, but then again plinking isn’t an official sport yet. Show us a Winchester 61 or a Ruger Mk II and a good backstop and we’ll go for gold until dark or the bottom of the 550-round carton of .22s shows cardboard. Nobody’s keepin’ score—unless you count friendly wagers on the trickiest shot—and you won’t hear any sappy Bob Costas commentary save for the satisfying plink plink, plink plink of lead on aluminum can, lead on plastic and lead on whatever else needs pluggin’. “See that piece of clay pigeon way over there?” Plink. Not anymore!

Plink plink, thud thud, plink is the sound of mostly good shooting. And it’s more than merely for giggles. It’s fun with a purpose; it’s the sound of a good hunter getting better; it’s the glorious, ringing sound of success. In contrast, misses are hardly audible, forgotten the instant they thud into dirt. But they are helpful to the astute shooter for aim corrections—and for hearing more gratifying plinks!

Plink plink plink is the sound of freedom. Think the average North Korean can walk out onto his back yard or go to the local Izaak Walton League and send a hundred bullets into an old Coors can as fast as he can pull the trigger? Highly doubtful. Fact is, one reason why our soldiers routinely whip our enemies is because they grow up plinkin’.

Plink plink plink; pause; plink plink plink. Unlike the deer stand we love but occasionally becomes boring and cold, it’s mostly all action out here on the sunny plinking field, where the only lulls come when resetting pummeled targets and reloading. Paper targets and a benchrest? Great for zeroing a rifle—and for sapping all the fun out of an otherwise peachy endeavor. Stand up, quit trying to be perfect and just plink. If you miss, you didn’t miss by plinkin’ much!

Plink plink, plink plink plink “That’s how you do it, boy!” Plink plink. It’s the sound of our girls and boys learning the fundamentals of shooting and the lessons necessary to become responsible adults and productive Americans. It’s learning that even though it only goes plink, it can have permanent consequences.

Plink plink plink, click. It’s the alarming sound of running out of ammo. If you don’t have more, it’s the sound of a gun about to be cleaned and put away until you can go plinkin’ again. Remember your New Year’s resolution? If it wasn’t to plink more this year, it should have been, because plinking is good for your health. So plink away, NRA members, for July is prime plinkin’ time, and best of all, everyday is the opener.

Latest

W H2026 03 Elkdraw RE345 Elk Copyright Mark Kayser
W H2026 03 Elkdraw RE345 Elk Copyright Mark Kayser

5 Steps to Win Your Next Elk Draw

Want to find success in your next elk lottery? Get some tips from Mark Kayser on how to beat the point creep, find less-applied for honey holes, and more.

Savage Arms Expands Model 110 Line

Savage Arms has added three new rifles to its Model 110 lineup: the 110 Core Predator, 110 Core Tactical and 110 Ultralite Predator. In addition to the all-new AccuFit V2, these rifles feature a beavertail fore-end that incorporates an ARCA rail with M-Lok slots. The Predator and Tactical rifles also have higher capacity magazines, holding up to ten rounds.

Zander's Exclusive TriStar Setter LT

Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has announced the release of an exclusive new shotgun offering in partnership with TriStar Arms: the TriStar Setter LT, featuring a custom black engraved receiver designed specifically for Zanders dealers and customers.

Behind the Bullet: .450/400 3” Nitro Express

Among the lot of Nitro Express cartridges—a term coined by James Purdey to compare the power of these cartridges to a locomotive and newly loaded with smokeless powder—the .450/400 3” N.E. represents one the best blends of hunting power and ease of shooting. Curious? Read on, as Phil Massaro goes in-depth on this classic, though esoteric, favorite.

TriStar Arms to Exhibit at 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

TriStar Arms will exhibit at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, taking place April 17–19, 2026, in Houston, TX. Attendees are invited to visit TriStar Arms at Booth #3103 to explore the newest firearm offerings and learn more about the brand's continued commitment to the shooting sports community.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.