Cross draw for handgun when slinging an rifle?

[WVRJ]

I use a shoulder holster which keeps the handgun on the left side like crossdraw does.It also keeps the pistol out of the way more if I'm in a vehicle or side by side.I use one that hooks on my belt on both sides and it does double duty by holding my pants up when I have other things hanging on my belt.It seems like the shoulder rig has been getting less popular,but I get along great with mine.I usually carry a 44 Mag with an 8 and 3/8 barrel or a 1911 in 10mm and the shoulder rig carries them comfortably for me.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

We often teach “cross slinging” across the back for distance hiking or if you need both hands. It looks like the soldier carrying the water jugs; the butt is up on your weak side, sling is diagonal from weak shoulder across chest to strong hip, rifle muzzle is carried down near strong hip. I wouldn’t carry this way if a fast reaction is expected, but to get from truck to blind, or back to camp, its an easy way to sling the rifle.

Stay safe.

How does that work with a pack?

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I'm not saying slings bad. ! I always have one with me. Not too long ago, last spring I had my Rossi 92 with me, but had not got around to getting sling studs on it yet. Then I had to cross a creek that was running hard from spring run-off. Had to make me a sling out of para-cord, which does not make the best of slings. But, it got me across without taking the ice cold water plunge. Yep she's sling ready now.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

How does that work with a pack?

If I were to be backpacking and needed to sling my rifle, I'd do it with the rifle slung in front.

Experiment and see what works best for the situation!

 

[Riomouse911]

How does that work with a pack?

Probably not very well.

Stay safe.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

If I were to be backpacking and needed to sling my rifle, I'd do it with the rifle slung in front.

Experiment and see what works best for the situation!

Yes that would work. I was not really speaking of backpacking, but rather a smaller day-pack one would have if spending a day in the woods. First aid, lunch, water, etc.

 

[Riomouse911]

Yes that would work. I was not really speaking of backpacking, but rather a smaller day-pack one would have if spending a day in the woods. First aid, lunch, water, etc.

You could probably finagle a day pack over a cross-slung rifle, but you’ll be hard pressed to unsling it with any semblance of grace if you spook your quarry along the way.

With my luck I’d get it all set, start hiking and about a mile in a 5x5 would jump up from the brush and stare at me.

The search party sent out the next day would probably find my body strangled on the trail, my head, neck and arms hopelessly wrapped like a ball of yarn in rifle sling and backpack straps.

Stay safe.

 

[kalielkslayer]

Methinks a cross-draw is what really works best. It's fast, it's out of the way, and with a little cant, and a generous loop on the holster pulls towards your center when you want to sit down under a tree and have a snack or some coffee.

I detach the slings on my rifles and put them in my cargo-pocket, so I won't be tempted to sling the rifle. Dragging out a deer (or whatever) is about the only time I need a sling. Throwing the rifle over my shoulder, for me, is about as comfortable as slinging it.

For hiking/exploring/trekking I might use a sling, in which case it will be on my right side, and I sure don't want my rifle banging into my pistol, although all my holsters are flap style, so it wouldn't really be a problem. Still, for me, packing a pistol on my right side is of no advantage that I can think of.

I too get rid of my sling when I’m hunting, most if the time.

I exclusively hunt the western states. In some places (Nevada) I can usually see for 100s of yards and am only carrying the rifle to another glassing point. In that country, I leave the sling attached.

In timber or brush, I remove it so I’m not tempted to use it.

 

[David Hoback]

When I was mobile, I used (and still choose), a convertable sling. If no pack and distance walking, rifle was slung standard 2-point style, pistol on strong side. If wearing a pack or in run ‘n gun, sling was mounted single point to QD on End Plate, pistol carried strong side.

Never would I think about carrying cross-draw. It’s slow, and makes a person look like they don’t know how to tie their shoes! “Hey Lefty! Your pistol is on BACKWARDS!” LOL! J/K

Seriously, carry how it works for YOU. Not according to what another person says is “correct”. When one’s been an Instructor, ya know some things are set in STONE! Like Grip… “No! Your Cup & Saucer grip is NOT copacetic because it feels good to you!” But slung rifle vs. pistol carry isn’t on the list of shooting Fundamentals.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Never would I think about carrying cross-draw. It’s slow, and makes a person look like they don’t know how to tie their shoes! “Hey Lefty! Your pistol is on BACKWARDS!” LOL! J/K

I've never found the cross draw to be slow, I might concede: "slow-ER". I might argue that when sitting on the ground, as in calling in cougar or bear, cross draw would be faster when you pull it over more towards your middle, closer to the belt buckle. Then it's right under your hand, no reaching down and back as you would have to do if on the strong-side. And of course there's the issue of just how fast do you or would you need to draw the pistol when you have a rifle in hand. ?

But that's okay. I'll just have the wife tie my shoes before I leave the house!!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

You could probably finagle a day pack over a cross-slung rifle, but you’ll be hard pressed to unsling it with any semblance of grace if you spook your quarry along the way.

Well yes, when hunting I'd not sling the rifle in any manner. As mentioned, my sling is usually in my cargo-pocket. Now often I use one of my dirt bikes to go from camp to my favorite spots on the mountain when hunting, and when riding the bike cross slinging the rifle in front of me works well, even with pack on, just takes an extra long sling. Hopefully that 5X5 giant Elk does not cross the road in front of me and stand there, as I would certainly wind up in the strangled and tangled position you mention, motorcycle laying on it's side and still running. Bear chewing on my leg.

 

[Riomouse911]

Well yes, when hunting I'd not sling the rifle in any manner. As mentioned, my sling is usually in my cargo-pocket. Now often I use one of my dirt bikes to go from camp to my favorite spots on the mountain when hunting, and when riding the bike cross slinging the rifle in front of me works well, even with pack on, just takes an extra long sling. Hopefully that 5X5 giant Elk does not cross the road in front of me and stand there, as I would certainly wind up in the strangled and tangled position you mention, motorcycle laying on it's side and still running. Bear chewing on my leg.

Stay safe.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

"Crossdraw = slow"

Again, people are thinking a bit more tactically than practically.

All carry is a compromise. If you optimize your carry for one thing, it's sure to be non-optimal for other things.

Everything has it's place and pattern. Find one that works best for you in the circumstances you anticipate being in. If crossdraw works for your situation, then as far as I'm concerned that's the end of it. If you find yourself in circumstances where something else would be more suitable, then by all means swap things around a bit.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I do have one pistol I carry strong side. It's a S&W Airlite .22, and it's holster is not a drop-holster, but it has two belt loops (canvas flap ex-military something) that are above the top of the flap, attached to D-rings, so it does hang down more than usual. That, being so small and light, and the pistol being so light are out of the way on the strong side. Can't really tell it's there unless you look! I've tried it on the left or weak side, but it just hangs down too far to reach it easily with my right hand. Awkward. With the way the flap fastens down, (you'd have to see it to believe it) I think it may be the worlds slowest holster, but having to get to a .22LR pistol in a hurry is not going to happen.

 

[David Hoback]

In most cases it really doesn’t matter. My thinking, as it applies, was in really the only case it would make any difference as far as speed/snagging is concerned; in combined Rifle/Pistol competition.

BTW, the “Tying shoes” line was a joke as indicated. Anyway, don’t feel bad. Truth be told, I’ve been wearing Salomons with the pull-tie, Kevlar laces exclusively since 2010! Not to mention, I’ve only one arm/hand to use since an accident in 2014! So can’t ties me own shoes even if’n I had ‘em!

 

[d2wing]

Hunting I generally use a chest rig. Especially when I had a scoped SRH. or other large revolver. No sling unless I need both hands like climbing. If slung American style. Quickest for me. Muzzle down in bad weather sometimes.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

In most cases it really doesn’t matter. My thinking, as it applies, was in really the only case it would make any difference as far as speed/snagging is concerned; in combined Rifle/Pistol competition.

BTW, the “Tying shoes” line was a joke as indicated. Anyway, don’t feel bad. Truth be told, I’ve been wearing Salomons with the pull-tie, Kevlar laces exclusively since 2010! Not to mention, I’ve only one arm/hand to use since an accident in 2014! So can’t ties me own shoes even if’n I had ‘em!

I knew you was joking, I saw the indication! Actually, I just throw on the muck-boots for hunting close to home. Going up North, THEN the wife has to dress me. That sucks on the arm. Life can change so fast in a couple of seconds. Had a friend that was just tying something down with bungee cords, and snap, half his vision gone just like that. Hope it wasn't your dominant arm and hand, but sometimes that's part of the fickle finger of fate also.

Yes, in relation to the original post, having any reason to quickly draw the sidearm would be unusual. Even on my Airlite and holster, with it's two-stage doo-dad on the flap, I've got all the time I need to get it out for any reason I would need it.

 

[David Hoback]

I knew you was joking, I saw the indication! Actually, I just throw on the muck-boots for hunting close to home. Going up North, THEN the wife has to dress me. That sucks on the arm. Life can change so fast in a couple of seconds. Had a friend that was just tying something down with bungee cords, and snap, half his vision gone just like that. Hope it wasn't your dominant arm and hand, but sometimes that's part of the fickle finger of fate also.

Yes, in relation to the original post, having any reason to quickly draw the sidearm would be unusual. Even on my Airlite and holster, with it's two-stage doo-dad on the flap, I've got all the time I need to get it out for any reason I would need it.

Yeee’up! Got that too! 2010 I had surgery on my left eye and did y go so good. Completely blind in left eye, paralyzed in left arm/hand and constant pain. But still here.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Never give up!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

There's my one and only strong side holster set up, for my S&W Airlite .22LR. As you can see, you have to fish the strap out through two slots to access the pistol. Not a problem, I'll take a clean, dirt and twig and leaf free pistol over a quick draw any time.

 

[Stevel]

I like the topic. I've scratched the stock on a nice rifle carrying both on the same side.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I like the topic. I've scratched the stock on a nice rifle carrying both on the same side.

Used to have a hunting partner, dead and gone now, but he'd always be banging his rifle on his pistol. He'd cuss every time he did it, but just kept on doing it. Sometimes I'd say: "John, why don't you put your pistol on your left side?". He'd just ignore me. clunk. clunk. I can still hear the "clunk", and then him cussing himself for doing it.

 

[Throwbackguy]

Umm... Chest harness? If you're hiking in and out of rough country, and may be carrying a pack along with your rifle, a quick-access area NOT in the way of other slings may be right in front. [Don't mean to derail cross vs regular holster carry... In the deep woods, I have a couple shells for different pistols on a modern 3-point chest harness.]