Recreational

Recreational

Recreational shooting & plinking has been popular because, in rural areas, one could start plinking with a minimum of preparation and expense. In hilly country with clay soil providing a safe backstop it is as simple as gathering up a few stray cans. In many rural areas, up until recent decades plinking was essentially the only way to regularly practice marksmanship. Certainly, a rural shooter might improvise a formalized paper target but even then, the rest of the shooting experience had the character of plinking.

Handgun plinking is an informal recreational sport where a shooter can practice with various types of targets. It is noncompetitive and shooters of any skill level can practice plinking. Be sure to check local or city ordinances regarding shooting where you live. The shooting site needs to be in a safe, remote area, with a safe backstop where possible ricochets can be eliminated and where the noise will not disturb any neighbors.

Targets can be swung from strings or pinned to a cardboard backstop. Using glass objects can be dangerous and is not recommended. As in all shooting activities, shooters should wear eye and hearing protection and abide by all the standard safe gun handling rules.