Quick Answer of the Week: What is “Plinking”?
Spend any time at a forum or hanging out in a gun store and you’ll eventually hear someone say something along the lines of “it’s great for plinking” or “I just want something for plinking” or “you want how much for a plinker?!”
What is this plinking? Although there isn’t a formal definition, per se, it commonly refers to using informal targets for shooting. Things like tin cans or buckets and such. Usually the plinking occurs outside of a range in the woods or someone’s own property. Sadly, more often than not, the people who choose to shoot this way tend to leave a mess. If you ever do this, remember to clean up after yourself. Don’t ruin it for everyone else by being a pig. Also make sure you’re on your own property, or at least have permission to be on the property. Do I need to mention you should make sure you’re not breaking any laws either? Didn’t think so.
As of late, plinking has also come to mean shooting a low caliber gun at targets for the sole purpose of shooting. Not trying to work on groupings. Not trying to hunt or bullseye. Just put lead downrange…or down field for the pure joy of shooting. Most think of the .22 as the de facto plinker gun because of its inexpensive bullets.
By the way, the word “plinking”, is an onomatopoeia of the sound the bullet usually makes when it hits a small metal target.
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Beginner Gun Review: Taurus PT92
It makes me smile a bit when I think about how I’m writing a “first gun perspective” review on a firearm that was, in fact, the first gun I ever purchased. This pistol and I have been through a lot. I know many out there would spurn it but she is responsible for the gun nut that I am today.
Enough sappy crap, on to the gun… Continue reading
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Rimfire vs. Centerfire
There are two styles of bullet cartridges you’re going to encounter out there: rimfire and centerfire. What’s the difference? Well, the rimfire is set off from the rim and the centerfire is set off from the center. Well, that was an easy guide. Next!
What? You wanted more? Alright, but remember: you asked for it… Continue reading
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Hydrostatic Shock & Stopping Power: Fact or Fiction?
When you hear people talk about pistol caliber, it is rarely more than a couple sentences before the word “stopping power” shows up. This is one of those funky things that, over time, has become misrepresented to the point that it has different meanings for every person. Ultimately, the concept of stopping power means “how many bullets does it take to effectively stop someone”. In the grand scheme of things, the answer is one no matter what the caliber is. Many have argued for a long time (myself included) that shot placement is far more important than shot caliber. There have been more than enough cases of people hitting the ground and dying after 1 shot to the chest with a .22 and people taking 12 rounds from a .45 to the chest and still charging to effectively disprove the whole concept of “stopping power”.
Or has there? Continue reading
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Meet a Noob!
If you hover your mouse cursor over the “Home” button at the top of the site, you’ll find a link to the new Event Calendar. If you would like to meet one of us in person (for some odd reason), you can check there to see where we’ll be. Little hint: 9 out of 10 times it’ll be a local gun show.
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Tacticool ftw!
I remember a while back when SUVs were at the height of their popularity, the common joke was “all these soccer moms in SUVs that will never go off road. It’s such a waste”. Any time there was a story on the vehicle, you would invariably see something to that effect in one of the first 5 comments.
Funny how the past repeats itself. Continue reading
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1-22-2012 Jacksonville Gun & Knife Show Report
On Saturday (1-22-2012), I had the pleasure of attending the Jacksonville Gun & Knife show at the fairgrounds. One of the things I love most about this city is that there are usually 1 or 2 gun shows every month within a short drive (either Jacksonville, Palatka or St. Augustine). In my experience, however, the ones at the Fairgrounds and the Shriner’s Auditorium tend to be the best.
I should note that the last major show was held at the Prime Osborn Convention center which, for those of you that have never been to Jax, is our largest convention facility. Sadly, I couldn’t make it to that show but it’s nice to see the shows growing to the point that they need the extra space. Continue reading
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TJ’s Quick Guide to Rifle Actions
When someone asks me, “What kind of action do you want?” I usually reply with, “A redhead!” Ba-da-dum-TISH! But when it comes to rifles, an action defines the firearm and is a big player when it comes to the rifle’s strengths and weaknesses. So let’s talk about some of the most popular rifle actions. Continue reading
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Elle Magazine publishes pro-gun piece
Women’s magazine, Elle, has published, what I think is, a pretty fair, pro-gun article by Amand Fortini. In the article, Fortini talks about how she, as someone who is deathly afraid of guns, came to buy one. As with anything else, it’s possible to learn from the experiences of others, so I encourage you to read the article and then come back so we can talk about a few things…
Ready? Good. Off we go.
First, in a few instances, Fortini talks about women who carry a gun in their purse. Please. Don’t. Do. This. I know it’s the cliche and every woman you’ve ever seen on TV with a gun carries it in her purse, but find another way to carry it. Why? You women out there who’ve ever had your purse snatched, how long did it take? A hot second, right? With your gun in the purse, not only does this guy have your money, credit cards and phone, now he has your gun too. How long until that gun shows up at a crime scene? There are better ways to carry it and plenty of female shooters on the internet who can show you how.
Second, even after buying her gun, Fortini keeps it on her shelf, unloaded. She’s still afraid of it and even admits that it won’t do much good in that condition should she need it. Now, whether or not you keep your weapons loaded in your home is up to you, so I’m not going to say, “She should have it loaded!” because I know there are people out there in different circumstances who would not keep their weapons loaded. Maybe they have young kids and don’t want to risk it. That’s fine. Everyone must balance the risks for themselves.
I will, however, say two things on this. First, she’s not doing very well balancing those risks. She bought a gun for protection and then made sure it can’t help protect her. It’s like buying a pitbull to guard your house and then knocking all its teeth out and putting a muzzle on it. She’s still afraid of the weapon, and I get that, but there are better ways of making the trade-off. She could get a small pistol safe that opens to her fingerprints and put a loaded weapon in that. It’s not going to go off in there. The second thing I’ll say on this is that the problem she needs to overcome is the fear. My father once told me something. He said, “Never carry a weapon you’re going to be afraid to use.” Loaded or unloaded, that weapon isn’t going to help her if she’s more afraid of it than she is the danger she bought it to protect her from. Some time at the range, practicing, will do her much more good than putting it on the shelf to rust.
It’s my firm belief that if you’re a woman, or gay, or part of a community where there are people out there who want to kill you for the crime of being alive, you should learn to use a gun. Now, I know there are people who don’t like them. I get that. Really, I do. That’s a personal choice, and I respect that. I’m not saying you should OWN a gun. I’m saying you should know how to use one. In most places in the U.S., you can buy a gun in a day. But learning to use one safely and effecively takes much more time, and if you ever decide you really need one, you might not have that time. I think Fortini taking the class was probably the smartest thing she could have done. Even if she decides to sell the gun she has and never pick one up ever again, she knows how to use one should the need ever arise, and that is incredibly valuable.
TJ
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New Guide: MSRP vs. Reality
Ever notice that there’s quite a difference between the MSRP on a gun manufacturer’s web page and what your local dealer sells it for? Just what is MSRP anyway? GunNoob.com is here with a little Business 101 lesson in our newest guide: MSRP vs. Reality. Check it out in our General Guides section!
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