I have something that I need to get off my chest.

I recently decided to start shooting my model 60-10 with live ammunition.

I have not done it yet since my dad has been ill. I feel confident that I can do it and be successful at it. But In the back of my mind I still have this terrible fear and anxiety about doing this.

Its gotten so bad that sometimes have nightmares about this experience. Does anybody here have any suggestions. on how to deal with this situation.

mg357 a proud member of the S&W Forum.

What's the source of this anxiety?

is your S&W model 60 your first firearm?

perhaps you should take a firearm training course with the supervision of a qualified nra instructor.

they will be able to guide you on gun safety and proper shooting techniques.

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There's nowt so queer as folk

Mjr. Honestly I don't know maybe I have fear of the gun's recoil or the noise or muzzle blast I honestly do not know.

+1 on seeking some one on one help. Even just having someone else with you when you first shoot it could be helpful.

Start off with .38s when you do fire it. Proper ear protection will keep the noise perfectly tame, and wear eye protection for added safety.

Keep a firm grip, hold the gun steady, and enjoy! I bet you'll be relieved after the first shot and enjoy it after that.

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- The Federalist #46 -

mg357

I suggest you look on the internet and find out how to make yourself a simple "Bench-rest"
That way you can focus on shooting the gun without worrying about recoil as much

I also have physical infirmities that might stop some people from doing things
But I have almost always found ways to help me overcome my "limitations"

I believe your are the same type of person
and will find a good way to make it "work" for you

Jeffsmith

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Compact 9mm Just my $0.02

It's normal if it is "your first time"

Wear your ear protection and safety glasses and go for it. The more you dwell on it the harder it will become.

It's called anticipatory anxiety. It can become worse and cause problems.

Best thing is just go do it if you can, nothing to fear but fear itself and all that stuff. You are married yes? Will your Wife go with you or a friend? That will help.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Oh, and don't worry about your accuracy. Just get used to the feel of the gun first.

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- The Federalist #46 -

Start off with .38 wadcutters--they are pretty gentle. Better yet, work up to the wadcutters by starting with a .22.

And by all means, find somebody you trust to stand by you and encourage you the first couple of times at the range.

And finally, don't beat up on yourself for feeling the way you do. Nearly all of us have unreasonable fears from time to time.

If I am guessing right, dont you need your father to drive you to the range etc? Is a big part of your problem of your mobility and needing him or someone else to transport you? Or is it the shooting of the gun?
I have a similar concern in my life. Many years ago I flew my own plane for a few years. I even flew it on a big loop around the states. Then I got out of it for many years due to various circumstances. Now the plane is almost restored and I am wanting to fly again. I was single in those years. Now conditions have changed, I have a wife and daughter and her family to worry about etc. By being away from it for so many years I have a few aperhensions about getting back into it. Some about my selfishness as my wife wont fly, the expense etc. Then I look back at when I was flying and have to remind myself that I lived through it before and had fun doing it. As us gamblers used to say, "you cant win if you dont play!"

I am an NRA pistol instructor and I know how you feel because I see it in a lot of my students. You need to find a 22lr pistol or revolver, I recommend a revolver. I also started my wife this way and she had never picked up a gun before. It would really help if you could take an NRA class. They will help you especially on safety. Learn all of the safety rules and NEVER break them. One lesson I teach is to pretend that your pistol has a laser coming out the end of it. The kind that you see in Startrek. This laser if you cross anything, your leg, arm, friend, etc. will cut it in half. Learn to only point it at something you are willing to destroy.
A 22 will help you to get used to the recoil and muzzle blast.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

feralmerril Yes as a matter of fact my dad does have to drive me back and forth to the range but I enjoy that because that time is a bond time that I have with my dad. This fear is strictly about shooting the gun itself.

Get some mild target loads in 38 special to start with.Handling recoil is hard to explain,but hold the gun tight enough so you don't drop it but not so hard that you make your body rigid.I think of it as letting the gun roll.Remember,this is supposed to be fun!

Pretty good advice here. If you are afraid (for whatever reason) go find an experienced buddy or better, sign up for a beginner class.

Once you get used to it I bet you'll love it.

Be safe and enjoy your range time!

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Jorge

vytoland: As a matter of the Model 60 is not my first gun I have a .22 caliber revolver that I have been using for all of my live fire gun training. So far that training has gone well.

Go For it. You've been practicing for awhile, you know what your doing. Let us know when you get back.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

Some advice I got from my dad before my first time:

Protection is very important!!

A firm grip is helpful.

Aim is paramount. You do NOT want to miss.

A little mood lighting can help you relax.

... wait a minute.... OOOPS! Wrong list!

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Kirk / Spock 2020

Have you shot anything but a 22?

It doesnt hurt its not as if someone is smashing your hand with a hammer. Theres just some kick.The flash is so fastif most likely you wont notice it. Ear protection will make the noise a non issue. Ive stot 44 mags without ear protection once to see what its like. No pain just a moment of laud followed by a moment of muffled sound (like you hear when you stick your fingers in your ears)

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Arik: no as matter of fact I have not shot anything bigger than a .22.

MG357, Don't get yourself worked up over shooting it.

You have a nice firearm with a 3 inch barrel, only shoot .38 Specials out of it at first. The recoil is nothing that you won't enjoy.

Your first trip to the range, just shoot 2 cylinders, not for accuracy but to get the feel of the recoil.

Then you will come back to this thread and have a good laugh.
Good Luck, even I can shoot mine without fear.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

Wadcutters. Two hands (keep the second hand away from the cylinder-barrel gap). Ear protection. If you are indoors, or in a partitioned range outdoors, keep your mouth closed.

It's all in your mind, but there's nothing wrong with your mind. It will all fall into place once you start shooting again.

this is easy.
step one: load one ound and one round only into the gun and index it to be the next chamber up.
step two ... with your finger off the trigger, pull the hammer fully back.
step three: take reasonable aim at the target with both hand full of the thunder, close your eyes and yank the trigger.

thereafter, proceed normally. All things you anticipate should be laid to rest thereafter

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it just needs more voltage

mg357....

Shoot it just like you do your .22 and all will be good.

Standard velocity/pressure .38 specials will do you well. It would be nice if you know someone that has a heavier K-frame to try first

Plink away and good shooting!

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C & L

Advice is generally worth what you pay for it, so here is my free advise. Find a safe place to shoot you M-60, put on safety glasses and HEARING PROTECTION, load up 5 rounds and crank them off. See nothing bad happened did it? Now relax and enjoy your entry into shooting sports.

Remember the first time we do anything is the hardest..

If your upper body strength can hold aim with it you should be able to handle the recoil with light loads no problem.

A bench is a good idea. I enjoy using a bench when I can.

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Dum vivo cano

MG357....Look at it this way; you're wayyyy a head of the game. You've been trained and experienced in shooting a .22. A "soft" .38s wadcutter isn't bad out of a m60 and pretty much a logical progression. I have no doubt you are ready but, like anything else, that little bugger on your shoulder is telling you otherwise. There's going to be some snap and recoil and there will be some muzzle lift but I believe once you shoot it a couple of times you'll say it was much to do about nuthin'!

I took my wife and kids to shoot their first handguns. We started with a Buckmark .22. After a mag or two they were all ready for something bigger. The principals and fundamentals of form, protection and safety don't change, just a bit more "pomp and circumstance" if you will. Now they shoot everything I own as a matter of course and without fear or reservation. They can safely, responsibly and confidently use them all at the range and heaven forbid, if a personal protection situation arises. Truth be told they love shooting.

If you bought your model 60 as a defensive tool then you know you'll need to be proficient at it's use and operation before you can utilize it for protection. You know that you will need to train and be able to shoot hotter defensive loads so....it's time to get the ball rollin' towards that end! Stay relaxed and focused but most of all...enjoy the moment sir!

Report back to us!

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paws for friendship

Start very light and work your way up. .38 special target loads are the ticket. You will hardly notice 'recoil'. I bet if you get off the first shot you'll be hooked!

BTW I'll also bet that you'll get over the nightmares if you go do it.

Get rid of it! Get yourself a CTG.

I understand your dilemma, my neuropathy causes weakness in my right hand and wrist. In order to shoot my 442 I had to change the grips to Pachmayr Compacts so I can hold it properly. With my wife's 66-3, I need to change the grips to Pachmayr gripper professional grips. I'll shoot it with .38 special +P's but there ain't no way I'll shoot it with .357 magnums. My wife can shoot anything through her gun with the factory grips.

After the first shot you will be good to go. When I introduced my wife to shooting she also had anxiety due to the fear of the unknown. After a few rounds her apprehension faded, just as yours will. Relax, have fun and enjoy shooting your Model 60...

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"Shall not be infringed"

Go with a friend. Have them shoot it first.

Use light target loads.

That's what I do when I'm working with first-time shooters moving them from .22 to .38. I load some .38 LSWCs with 3.1 gr of WIN 231 - the weakest published load there is. On film you can't tell the difference between the 34-1 and the 15-2 when they're being shot next to each other at the same time.

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But then, what do I know?

God bless you mg. It'll be fine with standard pressure .38's. Just be careful not to like it so much that you shoot all that expensive ammunition up.
Have a good one,
Gordon

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better have that checked

If you have not shot anything larger than a .22, I suggest you find a friend with a K frame in .38spl and shoot that first. Get accustom to the new felt recoil and report before moving on to your m60.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

With your Mod 60, start with Target WC loads which are mild, then work progressively up to 158 gr. regular loads then +P loads, then (only if you want to) the .357's.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Another vote for the wadcutters. The recoil will certainly be managable. Start with your targets at 7 yards or less, and fire it single action the first cylinder or two. You will be pleased with the results I'm sure. After you have gotten used to the recoil with wadcutters, move to heavier standard pressure loads.

If you find the recoil is an issue, put a set of Pachmyer Compacs on the gun. They really help!

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Even older, even crankier....

mg357,
I have had the same feelings about things I've been
doing forever, that I had quit doing for a time. The best
way for me was to do as others advised. Make your first target
a sheet of paper, blank, and let'r rip.
After a car accident, I was shakey about driving, so I
got out the motorcycle and rode it. Problem solved.
Been reading your posts for a long time, you have the
will, so go ahead and make some noise. Doesn't have to be
an all-day affair; just a cylinder or two for starters.
TACC1

UPDATE: Well I went to the range today to shoot my 60-10 for the first time today I followed every suggestion that you suggested and I failed miserably. When the shooting was over I was actually shaking like a leaf and I felt like I had been beaten up by boxer Mike Tyson.

So I have decided to upgrade to a K-Frame revolver and continue with my .22 revolver practice.

when I feel I am ready I will borrow a K-Frame revolver from one of the fellows at my gun club and shoot it. If after that I feel I want to buy my own K-frame revolver I will buy my own.

mg357 a proud member of the S&W Forum p.s. Sorry for the long post.

Continuing your .22 practice is a good thing. I need to do the same.

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C & L

Hang in there. When you fall off a horse you have to get back on. You have the right idea of going to a 22 for awhile. I would have advised you to start with one to begin with.

If you eventually find that shooting a larger caliber than .22 is too much for you

There is Nothing Wrong and it is Absolutely & Completely Acceptable to Shoot Only .22

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Compact 9mm Just my $0.02

Most days a fair amount of my practice (ammo allowing) is with .22s. Especially if I'm with my wife or kid.

You know what they say...."no blood, no foul". It will all work out soon enough.

Once you throw a few more down range you'll feel like a seasoned veteran ready to kick that Tyson fella's ***!!!

Keep the faith bro!

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paws for friendship

feralmerril: I have a .22 revolver and I shoot it a lot and I felt I was ready to go to the model 60 unfortunately after today's performance on the range I ain't ready. Which is alright imho. I just need to keep up with the .22 practice, to be honest I really enjoy shooting my.22

nothing wrong with shooting a .22. Its great practice and lots of fun (if you can find ammo!)

I shoot my Mod 63 more than any other revolver because it is fun and about the same size as my 340 (which is NOT fun). Just stick with what you enjoy shooting, nothing wrong with a .22 at all.
You will eventually work your way up to a larger caliber when YOU are ready. Don't put pressure on yourself, just go out and have fun with the .22, it's great practice and will build your confidence. Good luck!

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"Life is short, hunt hard"

MG, enjoyment of shooting is what its all about, if you enjoy shooting the .22 then there's not a thing wrong with staying with that caliber until you really feel like something bigger. Enjoy your range time my friend.

Hey Matthew, if you were beaten up by Mike Tyson you sure wouldn't be posting

Take your time, enjoy the .22 and when you are ready you can become "Bad To The Bone" like your friend labworm.
Hope that brought a little smirk to that kisser of yours.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

One other thing to try, once you move up to the K-frame, if someone has any, try some .38 Short Colts, and they even have less recoil than most .38 wadcutter rounds. Most .38 Short Colts are 125 grain, and are fairly "weakly" loaded, as I suppose most factories think they will be shot from 100+ year old guns. Don't get me wrong, they are still a handgun round, but they do have a bit less recoil and flash than most wadcutter rounds.

.38 Short Colt and .38 Long Colt can both be fired safely in any .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolver.

Remington load: R38SC 125gr lead round nose at 730 fps.
Ten X load: #00111 95gr lead flat point at 663 fps.
Magtech load: 38G 125gr lead round nose at 686 fps.

So, all of the above are as mild as can be had in a .38- especially the Tex-X loading.

It might be a bit before you can find them, as most are out of stock everywhere, they might be what you need.

I started several people out on the .38 Short colt.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Don't let it bother you so much. We all have something that we are afraid of. Take me it's NEEDLES! Yes I know they don't hurt and it's no big deal. This is true if their sticking you. But me it's different. The techs when doing a blood test just look at me when I tell them I might faint. I want them to know that I need a wet cool towel and need to be setting in a chair with a drop down to catch me if I should pass out. Now if we come on an injuried person I can stay in with the best covering and making a bandage. After the injuried is transported I best be near th a seat for I could go stone cold. Now put some 38 spl. In the mag and go to town you'll love it. After a few try a mag round are two. in two weeks I get a blod test. I'll be thinking about you.

Get yourself a mentor (NRA Instructor or trusted, experienced adult).

Always double up on ear protection (plugs and muffs). You will thank your younger self when you are older.

mg357,
We've all got stuff we don't want to do, and ruins our
day just thinking about it. Won't bore you with mine, but,
just havinf an M60 is quite a deal in itself. I have never found
one for a price that beats a "blue steel" gun, but I understand
the value of the SS 60. Do what you want. If necessary, I'll
bring a .38 S&W down there, and you can enjoy that for a while.
(Can I do that, legally?)
TACC1