What's wrong w/Cross-Draw?

[brownie0486]

1911 guy:

Retention is more difficult with a crossdraw.

That depends. I'll profer that if an attempted disarm comes from behind or the side of the weapon, the strongside carry will be much easier to take from the defender than crossdraw.

Drawstroke is slower.

Maybe, but I can put my hand on my gun in crossdraw, resting it there quite easily without drawing undue attention and with the hand on the gun, the "draw" is going to be much faster than strongside.

Pretty hard to walk around with strongside and your hand on the gun, look comfortable and not draw everyones attention in the process. Crossdraw, easy to place your hand on the gun [ which also translates to being able to control/retain it ] in a struggle.

Brownie

 

[mightyike]

Good information for everyone

I still like Cross Draw myself.

I think the previous comments by Brownie are how I feel....to me it's less likely to gather attention....and my age/physical status prevents a lightning bolt reaction....if it's do or die and the man is 30 years my junior, I'm dead.

But I'm a fair shot, Doc in Tombstone wore Cross Draw (for the people who believe in movies) and the pix from William Fairbairn's biography show the Shanghai Police with a holster-less cross draw handguns....I know it's dated, but cross draw seems faster and less conspicuous to me....

 

[DawgFvr]

In order to keep the weapon concealed...one would have to have the cross draw holster at 8:30 - 9:00...otherwise the butt will show as you move around if it is at 10 - 11 oclock. That is a pretty good reach if you ask me...and very, very slow presenting. Now...are you going to tell me you can keep your arms crossed and your hand on the butt? I can just imagine somebody walking around with their arms folded all day...No way is the cross draw fast drawing or less conspicuous. Ok...it might be one way to carry while driving in a vehicle that is comfortable...I'll give you that. Personally, I'd rather have a car holster myself. I can also see somebody in the field with a large bore/barrel weapon carried in cross draw fashion. I carry a rifle in the field myself. Aside from that...it is a bad idea IMO. Doc in Tombstone? Shanghai Police? Sounds like you are really reaching...hee, hee...pun intended.

 

[Strings]

See, this is where people need to learn that 'one size fits all doesn't"...

>In order to keep the weapon concealed...one would have to have the cross draw holster at 8:30 - 9:00...otherwise the butt will show as you move around if it is at 10 - 11 oclock.<

Wrong.

I can carry a Smith 19 at 10:30-11 completely concealed. A loose shirt (like a jersey) or sweater/sweatshirt will conceal a gun there...

 

[Lonestar49]

Butt will stick out.. errr, show.. what?

...

Thanks Strings, as when I read that, I was speechless..


Ls

 

[DawgFvr]

Of course everyone is different...and yes, I'm sure somebody could explain to me that carrying a pistol under their hat works for them...all right...I can actually see somebody completely covering up a cross draw weapon butt with a shirt, sweatshirt, etc., but tell me again just how this is a faster draw using one hand to clear the concealed garmet while presenting and swinging the weapon onto target. Slow...slow...and with the chance of a BG taking your weapon from you. Naw...I think Jordan had this one pegged just right...but I'll assume it works for you because you might have developed some unique technique...or perhaps your physique makes it work...to each his own.

 

[brownie0486]

but tell me again just how this is a faster draw using one hand to clear the concealed garmet while presenting and swinging the weapon onto target

I don't wear a pull over type garment with crossdraw, but an open front shirt. I can and have had the gun butt in hand with no one the wiser while on EP details. Yes, it's faster when performed correctly.

As to Jordan, he didn't wear cover garments in his gun battles, he wore an open duty rig with no impediment to access to the weapon. He practiced exclusively for the way he carried. With that in mind, his comments would make sense but can be completely taken out of context when discussing cover garments and crossdraw as civilians carry here in this thread.

If I wear a sweater or pull over with either crossdraw or strongside, I'd still have to move the cover garment by lifting it up and out of the way in either case. I'd guess a man who had practice doing so crossdraw extensively could outdraw a man who carried strongside and had not put the same amount of thought and time in to his own drawstroke.

Again, two men of equal skills would likely shoot each other, and neither would win/survive if they started at the same time. Thats where other skills come into play, as well as the drawstroke.

Brownie

 

[sm]

Something in this thread reminded me of a fella, a taxi driver.
Not always a taxi driver, still always a UC Cop *wink*

Right handed, still being in a taxi as he was, two guns on weak side.
One cross draw, the other weak hand draw.

He could shoot weak handed really really well! His environment, the taxi, meant he has some concealment needs, and if he needed to access for different situations, he could.

He also was mentored by a Seasoned Cop, to actually draw weak hand hand first, as BGs, like anyone, tend to focus on right side (being as most folks are right handed) and folks tend to focus on gun, therefore gun fire being directed at gun side.
So if matters got bad, and he did get shot, maybe the weak side and therefore allowing strong side to be the better side to finish the fight.

Quite a few Seasoned Cops, often suggested this weak side being first side to draw from...

Environment often dictates what a person needs to do for them.

Take out windows, drive thru, ticket takers, waitress in a diner, the cook, all sorts of folks.
Some with amputations find cross draw best, whether driving or answering the door.
Young lady, going through medical problems, wore a pain pump, we came up with a way for this 17 to carry a K frame while around her apt, and on complex...cross draw, and she was wearing shorts during the summer.

 

[Shawnee]

A point I don't think has been mentioned is that the weapon can be drawn from a cross-draw rig with either hand whereas that's not so with a strongside carry. I'll take that advantage over a 1/10th sec. draw speed any day simply because I have no intention of letting it all come down to draw speed.

My revolvers all ride crossdraw for masny of the reasons others have mentioned.

Super Blackhawk
Ruger Old Army
Colt 1861 Navy
Ruger SS-6

But then, the only time I carry my gun in a holster is when I'm hunting. It will already be in my hand if I think I may require its' services.

 

[Charles S]

I would just like to point out I can easily draw from a strong side with my left hand.

Like it has been said before everyone is different.

Cross draw is fast enough...but strong side is faster.

 

[Lonestar49]

Looks like we win.. lol

...

~ I've got 2 guns, one for each-of-ya ~

Cross draw _ Winner: Say when..



Strong side _ Loser Johnny Ringo



My hypocrisy only goes so far..


Ls
____


Doc's strong side friend, and his lady..

 

[Super Trucker]

I have 2 different semi autos that I carry cross draw. Do what you are most comfortable with. I always have a revolver on my strong side, but sometimes carry a semi auto.