Anybody carry a pistol in a crossdraw holster for CCW?

I dont carry crosdraw but I think it would be just as easy to conceal as if it were on your strong side.

I think seated in a car, it might have a use.

But cross-draw also has several disadvantages.

* You sweep your left arm with the muzzle of a loaded gun every time you draw it.

* You sweep everyone on your immediate left with the muzzle every time you draw it.

* The gun butt is sticking out from under any cover garmint unless it is kept buttoned, zipped, etc.

* The gun butt is presented to a gun grabber in a better position for a draw then it is too you.

* Very difficult to use an elbow press over the gun to retain it in a struggle.

* Fat guys arms often aren't long enough to reach the gun unless worn in a kidney position out front for the whole world to see.

rcmodel

You're absolutely right rcmodel, 25 years ago I thought & bought a cross-draw as the "ideal" holster for my 4" Ruger Security Six...until a friend (Dep. U.S. Marshall) demonstrated a successful pistol-grab faster than a cat can say goodbye. I was, henceforth, convinced they weren't so cool.

I use an IWB and set it up for cross draw when driving.

I realize there are plenty of disadvantages to using a cross draw holster. That said, I'm now one of those guys with a shoulder that has parts in not given to me by the maker. I can't reach a pistol on my right hip as I've done in the past. I can no longer shoot IDPA. It's to the point that I either look at an alternative holster or not carry. The latter part of the previous sentence is not desirable. If anyone can recommend a good cross draw set up I would like to hear about it. I'm willing to stick about anything in it if the set up works well.

With the proper holster and cover garment it is really no more difficult to conceal with a cross-draw than with any other OWB holster.

I used to refuse to make cross-draw holsters for customers unless they had a shoulder injury because I believed it wasn't as safe on the range and it was an inferior fighting platform. That is no longer the case, assuming the user has had the proper instruction; I have seen techniques that allow consistent draws and excellent retention positions without sweeping yourself or anyone else that is not directly in front of the you. I still very strongly recommend that those who are interested in carrying via cross draw rigs should check out Gun Site's methods for cross-draw carry.

The only time I use cross draw is when I am carrying two handguns. My all time carry is a 2" .357 in a pocket holster or in my coat pocket on my strong side. I like my foward cant holsters on the cross draw holding my .40 cal auto or the 7 rd. 6" .357.

the fallguy,
What do you sell in the line of cross draw holsters. I really like the sky cop by desantis, but they do not make that holster for very many guns. I would like a very close reproduction of it for an XD, Is that possible?

Super Trucker, this is a Cross Draw Scabbard for a 1911. This is my standard cross draw holster. It's fairly similar to the one you mentioned, so I thought I would post a few pics of it for you to compare.







To the OP: I am surprised this thread hasn't drummed up more discussion than this. A lot of folks are very passionate about this mode of carry, whether for or against it. I hope you don't consider my pic posting as hi-jacking your thread. If you do I will promptly remove them. Thanks.

cross draws look cool,but thats about it,if your worried about easy access while driving might want to think about mounting a holster under your dash in the car,know a few cops that do that,when they get out the gun goes back in their side,just a thought

http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=SS 682

that's the ticket to me.

You sweep your left arm with the muzzle of a loaded gun every time you draw it

Click to expand...

Only if you can not move your left arm. One of the elements of a very basic strongside drill is to thrust the weak up and forward. Or the weak hand can be moved over the stronghand and against the body - and then forward if a two hand grip is in order.

You sweep everyone on your immediate left with the muzzle every time you draw it

Click to expand...

Not if the muzzle is pointed down, a more natural wrist movement, until actual presentation on target. Rather than sweeping a pistol to the target using a crossdraw, one should adjust the body attitude to target to make the transition from draw to presentation on target as direct as possible. No different than moving the body to the optimum position to present from a strongside draw.

The gun butt is sticking out from under any cover garmint unless it is kept buttoned, zipped, etc.

Click to expand...

This depends on many things; the particular handgun, holster, position on body, body build and shape, and garment.

The gun butt is presented to a gun grabber in a better position for a draw then it is too you

Click to expand...

.
This depends on where the grabber is.

Very difficult to use an elbow press over the gun to retain it in a struggle

Click to expand...

An elbow press is likely to be too little too late. You have more power using all of your upper body muscles to control something at your "weakside front".

For one thing, in such a situation you have a better chance of getting your strong hand on the grip first. Failing that you have more power to break his grip with both hands at that point.

Your bad guy has a choice; concentrate on that - or block the blow you are going to give him in the adams apple with your weak hand or the thumb he is going to get in his left eye socket.

In a strongside grab your strong hand is going to be likewise tied up one way or another, and your weakhand and arm has the least amount of leverage and power grappling at someone at your strongside.

-------------------

http://searchronpaul.com
http://ussliberty.org/oldindex.html
http://www.gtr5.com
http://ssunitedstates.org

another advantage of cross draw is if the BG comes up from behind and is within arms reach,you only have to make a small turn instead of a full turn to aim. Also, you dont tele your draw as much on CD try drawing strong side and have someone behind you you can tell you are drawing a gun. IMHO

Yet another. Two badguys; number one approaches from 11 o'clock, attempts to engage you in conversation, asks for a cigarette light or something else. Number two comes from 6 o'clock and 1) grabs you around the neck, or 2) a bear hug around both upper arms.

Now, there are plenty of what ifs from here. But in 1) when number one actively joins in you can, if having reasonable belief that number one is number one in a two man assault - shoot number one. If he suddenly draws a knife and says give me your wallet, now you know he is number one - and you can still shoot him.

Say number one's eyes bulge, he drops the knife as soon as he sees a pistol coming out, turns and runs. Number two doesn't even know you have a pistol in one hand unless he was looking down over the front of your body and saw you draw it out. If you reasonably believe you are losing a life and death fight with one man - in this case you can stick the muzzle in his belly if he is right up against you, and shoot him. If he has you drawn over backwards you, you should be able to draw, and orientate the muzzle and bore axis with his upper body quite easily.

In the case of the bear hug, depending on position and type of holster and grip, the type of handgun (length of the draw required to clear the holster) you still might be able to draw - something you could not do with a strongside. Again, number two may not be aware you are armed until it goes bang. In any case, the first time it does, number two is quite likely to let go and run like a scalded cat. As soon as he lets go, shoves you to the ground, or changes his tactics - you are ready to shoot him if it is neccessary.

IWB Crossdraw

Fallguy,

Do you or do you know of anyone who makes an IWB crossdraw holster?

I like the IWB as it helps conceal a full size 1911 easier.

I'm skeptical of any holstering system that requires the user to draw by reaching across his body.

When some friends and I were having one of those "knife to a gunfight" debates, one guy stated that he would choose a knife everytime if his opponent drew from a crossdraw or shoulder holster.

As someone demonstrated the draw, as soon as he touched the gun, the "knife guy" put his non-dominant hand on the gun guy's elbow. It literally stopped the draw and tied the gun guy up for a the pretend thrust.

Since most gunfights are usually within contact distances, this action should be considered.

ecbaatz,

I haven't run across anyone who makes an IWB cross draw. I suppose it would be possible to do, depending on what ride height you prefer and the angle of draw you want to accomplish.

The Tourist,

That is a very complicated situation. My thought on the matter is that you shouldn't attempt to draw the pistol until your have gained at least temporary control over the attacker's knife wielding arm, or have created sufficient distance to access your pistol safely (this is assuming that you are the victim of a surprise attack). Otherwise, it doesn't matter how you draw your sidearm, since the strong possibility exists that an attacker can mortally wound you with a knife before or even after being shot.

I totally agree that it is unwise to reach across your body to draw the pistol at contact distance, but only if you are facing the attacker chest to chest or strong side to the front. If you are standing weak side forward, which is common among many shooting styles, it may actually put the cross draw shooter at an advantage over other methods of carry. The idea here is that the pistol is drawn under cover of the weak side elbow, which points straight at the attacker as you blade your body sideways. If this is done correctly, the muzzle never covers anything but the floor and the attacker as the pistol is pulled back into a "retention position" common to the shooting styles of instructors like Southnarc or Jim Grover. The aggressor never has the opportunity to jam the drawing elbow as it is out of reach, nor can they pin the gun holding hand to your chest since it is protected by your weak arm. The pistol can also be fired on the way to the retention position, which further complicates the situation for the attacker. The advantage I referred to is the increased speed in which the pistol can be accessed, drawn and fired from the cross draw position.

I am not disagreeing with you, strictly speaking. For the record, I personally only carry strong side. I am just trying to give you food for thought and something to try out the next time you see your training buddies and this debate pops up.

As someone demonstrated the draw, as soon as he touched the gun, the "knife guy" put his non-dominant hand on the gun guy's elbow. It literally stopped the draw and tied the gun guy up for a the pretend thrust.

Since most gunfights are usually within contact distances, this action should be considered.

Click to expand...

Most gunfights are within three yards; that's nine feet. Certainly contact distances are not uncommon, and while I realise that many folk used to city life readily accept people they do not know inside their personal perimeter - any stranger that approaches you on the street or in any public place (excluding the common unavoidable passes and brushes on crowded sidewalks, in restaurants, on crowded buses etc) is too close if all he has to do is reach out and grab you.

In this scenario, as soon as I am aware that some stranger is heading my way (and this happens to me often on the job), if I have any doubts about them I will bring them to a halt when they are at least 3 or 4 long strides away from me. Carrying concealed I would treat strangers on the street exactly the same. I simply say, something like, "That's close enough thank you" and sometimes in response to quizzical looks or further small advances maybe, "I can hear you just fine, what do you want?" For those that keep coming after that, I will pivot on my left foot with the right foot back to the left thus positioning them where I can block with the left arm extended and draw with my right hand (open duty belt RH 3 o'clock). In fact I am usually turning as they approach, and will pivot again if they swing around to square off.

In the case of a concealed crossdraw you can even just clear leather and shoot under the left weakside extended arm through the cover garment if required. But in either case they have to swing around in front do anything with my right elbow.

I carry right side at 3:00 with 30 degree cant. I could click my seatbelt off and have perfect access to my gun. It stands about straight up when sitting down in my car.

Jon

Although I haven't tried it yet, cross draw should be fine for two reasons. First, even though you may sweep your weak side arm, firearms safety rules dictate that you have your finger off of the trigger until ready to shoot. Secondly, if you maintain situational awareness, any BG should not be able to get close enough to take your weapon.

I own a couple cross-draw holsters, but they are for very occasional use, such as cross-country driving trips.

The rest of the time I am a strong-side IWB or pocket holster man.

Cross draw holsters are real buggers to keep concealed, relative to strong side.

If you have physical limitations, though, it behooves you to try anything that might work.

You might want to consider a shoulder holster, too, as those seem to be somewhat easier to conceal in some circumstances.

I'll get beat up for this 'cause it's happened in the past but I love cross-draw and wear my pistol that way. I'd list the reasons why but most experts in thei forum just KNOW that there is but one way to carry, and my way is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Just remember the 1st rule in a gun fight............... bring a gun.