In experimenting with various concealed carry methods, I keep coming back to left side carry. It is more comfortable in the car, and easier to conceal the butt on a service sized pistol or revolver, because it faces forward, with less bulge.

I prefer a holster that puts leather between me and the gun for comfort and isolating the pistol from sweat, like the Safariland as seen in the picture. A J-frame Smith will also fit in this model.

Looks good, who did the holster?

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the world is round everywhere

One bit of wisdom about off side carry.

As someone appraoches you, their right hand is going to be where they can draw straight from your holster. You would have to reach across your body in an effort to retain control and that action will put you at a disadvantage. A lot of plain clothes officers used to carry off side and they learned a perp can pull the gun easier from you.

I like cross draw better too. I have a cross draw rig from Mernickle that works great for carrying my 4 5/8" single action 44. Much more comfortable than strong side carry for me. Same with the 45 acp or the 38 snub nose. Easier to get to also.

There are so many reasons why "cross draw" is NOT used by professionals...

1. It takes longer to reach your gun;
2. Your gun arm is exposed, greatly;
3. No one's backhand is as strong as their forehand (see #2);
4. If in a fight there is very little chance you can access/use your gun (see #2 and #3); and,
5. If someone accesses your gun they instantly have it in their strong hand/hand on trigger.

ad infinitum (just a bit of exaggerating)...

Yes, it may be more comfortable in a car but how much of your life do you spend in a car?

Crossdraw is NOT a good idea.

Be safe.

The butt of even a large auto or revolver disappears strongside in the holster has a nice cant of fifteen degrees or so.

I agree that it's not the best idea for all the reasons posted. If car carry is your concern consider a good shoulder holster. If you can find a comfortable one you can easily conceal a pretty large handgun.

I carried that way for awhile. It is comfortable. Remember bill jordan said in his book, no secound place winner: Some people figgure it isnt safe because someone can grab your gun, well he would have to be faceing you. I would rather have him faceing me and try rather than grab my gun from behind! Something to think about!

I have been carrying that way almost daily for almost 40 years.... The gun is behind, not in front of the left hip.

When one speaks about the old timey LEOs who used to carry "crossdraw" most of these guys carried their guns in a holster well in front of the left hip that just about handed a gun to your aggressor. It was about the same setup that Cowboy Action shooters use for their "second" gun. Second if you CC and do it right, how exactly is a BG know where to grab or even if there is anything to grab...

Slide a 1911 in behind the right hip and watch it disappear...nothing prints less because the butt faces forward and is in line under your arm. In addition to the Commander that has resided there almost daily for 30 years I have also carried the following in the same spot...

S&W 29-2 6.5"
S&W 58, 57, 657, 29, 629, 357, 19 all with 4" barrels
Browning High Power
Colt Government Model in .45 and Super
Several different snubbies with 2-3" barrels
Taurus Ti Tracker .41 Magnum 4"

Never used a holster for any of these guns until recently. Changed Commanders and the front sight on the new gun had a corner that was ripping a hole in all my pants... So now the Commander rides in a Bianchi swede leather IWB holster.

When I ride a motorcycle if I had to draw I can do so without letting go of the throttle. In a vehicle the gun is away from any unknown passenger and can be quickly deployed with the left hand...a lot quicker than trying to draw a strong side holstered gun, especially if you had to fight someone in the passenger seat.

Is it slower to draw than strong side carry..absolutely..but as I tell my students...if you need a fast draw to save your life you probably screwed up your tactics. I have had to draw "for real" several times and the gun was always in my hand well before any fight would have started...

Bob Makowski

What Bob M. said.....

The cross-draw holsters offer some distinct advantages in certain circumstances such as when seated or when driving. Those with range-of-motion issues in the strong-side shoulder can also benefit from a cross-draw holster.

We all know the litany of objections to cross-draw carry, and these are largely very valid concerns. But, judging from the number of orders that I receive for cross-draw holsters, there are still a lot of folks out there who find this to be a comfortable and convenient way of carrying a handgun.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

It seems like a long time ago, I carried a Super Blackhawk in a right hand shoulder rig. [I am a lefty.] I use to FLIP it out with my legt hand. What a suprise it was, when someone required me to take a self-defense stand.

[QUOTE=The Big D;135435557]There are so many reasons why "cross draw" is NOT used by professionals...

1. It takes longer to reach your gun;
2. Your gun arm is exposed, greatly;
3. No one's backhand is as strong as their forehand (see #2);
4. If in a fight there is very little chance you can access/use your gun (see #2 and #3); and,
5. If someone accesses your gun they instantly have it in their strong hand/hand on trigger.

ad infinitum (just a bit of exaggerating)...

Crossdraw is not a good idea.

I have to disagree with , 1--the reach for me is gun at 11 clock--under a sweatshirt. Very fast for a covered garment. 2--at that location, not a great deal of exposure. 4--the reason you have two hands.

There is no carry position faster than cross draw at 11 on the clock, in a vehicle, for the right handed person.

Last, as to time in vehicle, an individual thing, but seat belted into a seat makes firearm access much more difficult if carried in other locations.

And Last last--very easy to reposition firearm when leaving vehicle, I often go to strong side before exiting, to extra holster in that location, or if using an IWB as in the picture, the same holster if properly setup.

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the world is round everywhere

Cross draw for me!

JD

I like the part about you having a gun with you . We all know people who would be willing to put up a heck of a gunfight if the criminal would make an appointment so they could open their safe ,

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Idaho , Elmer and Milt

I like cross draw but its to easy for someone to pull your gun out.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

I've never really spent any time with a crossdraw rig so I don't have an opinion one way or another. I do spend a lot of time AIWB and crossdraw shares many of the benifits that AIWB offers.

I will say, if someone is close enough to draw your gun, you're already in a world of hurt and what rig you're using probably isn't the most important thing you've got to worry about!

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Centennial Every Day

I agree that when carrying in the open, the cross draw presents a lot of tactical problems.....concealed, I think is a matter of comfort and choice. If I carry my Sigma, I will generally carry it cross draw, but not in a holster. I often carry it in the small of my back so I can reach it with my right hand as if I am getting my wallet. I prefer a two inch, inside the waist band, on my right side. and when in a restaurant, an ankle holster makes perfect sense to me...You see, I vary my carry, depending on where I am, what Im wearing and what I carry....anything from a 2" model 36, Sigma 9mm, Ruger 357 or Keltec .380, the latter in my back pocket or front pocket or windbreaker.....sometimes I even carry two......the gun carried no matter where is better than the one at home in your safe.

Definitely Cross Draw for me, been doing it for the past 20 years.
I am more comfortable with it, and find it much easier to draw.
Especially when wearing a heavy coat in the cold months here in the northeast. With a coat on, I am able to pull the coat back with my left hand and grasp the gun quickly with my right hand.
Strong side with a coat on is a lot different, push coat back with the same hand you use to draw.

I guess it is a preference thing, if you are uncomfortable with either than you have a problem.

And if I ever have to defend myself, maybe I will luck out and be attacked by a southpaw, hoping I will never be tested ever.

Almost like playing Golf, did alright until people began giving me pointers, than I actually played worse.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

So true! My son used to hit a baseball like Babe Ruth and then he started playing team ball and they taught him the "right" way to hit. Needless to say, he couldn't hit doodley-squat after that.

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Centennial Every Day

I carry my primary weapon cross-draw. Much more comfortable in the car and no more difficult to draw with a suit or blazer on.

A few years ago I injured my shoulder.It has since healed but for a while it was painful to lift up from my usual carry method which was strong side,high ride,behind the hip.As stated,my shoulder has healed and I've gone back to that method of carry but for a number of months,I found cross draw to work out very well,at least,for me.

At times,we can be a bit too analytical.Human beings can be very resiliant,flexible and adaptive.Get used to it,apply common sense and cross draw carry works just fine.

Seems like some of the posts are from an 'all or nothing' perspective. Having a firearm available due to driving or sitting etc when the main gun isn't just seems to make sense. Also, if your strong hand can't get to a 'better carried gun' it don't do you any good. Try to get a gun from 3:30 strong side, with your weak side hand.
As far as the open carry aspect, I'd rather have something that wasn't visible when I had to open carry. Walking in the woods with a 1911 in a visible weak side shoulder holster, and a J-frame tucked in at 3:30 worked.
Why just consider having only one firearm - unless your state doesn't let you carry more than one.

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Pete.

May i ask a similar question but from a left handed person's perspective.I can see how it would be a welcome relief to carry cross draw while driving but what about a lefty like me.I cross draw when driving to and some times the seatbelt gets in the way or if i'm strong side carrying then i can't get to my side arm as readily as ya'll righties.

I actually carry 2 holsters at the same time,one is a clip on cross draw and the second is my 3 slot pancake bianchi holster.Now when i have to take my gun off,it does make it easier with the clip on but the seatbelt still gets in the way.

To all it may concern and no one in particular,

when driving in the U.S. the gun should be used in the right hand. Try to point a gun through a closed drivers side window left handed. Seated on the passenger side of the car, the gun should be used in the left hand. If weakside shooting is super hard, then I just gave you your homework assignment.

I prefer cross-draw, on my left side, right hand draw. I find it more comfortable plus I can easily draw with either hand, right or left. Works best for me in the Jeep, truck, motorcycle, lawn mower, tractor, four wheeler.

If I carry right hand strong side my hip starts hurting bad (age I suppose) and I can only draw with one hand instead of both.

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C & L

I respectfully disagree with that statement. There are zillions of shoulder holsters in use by military and LE professionals. All of them are cross draw.

AGREED!!!!!!.....I've been in some nasty places and several men of experience I've known preferred the cross draw.I'm a bit more comfortable with strong side carry but I've used cross draw without issues.Either one has certain advantages over the other.

Yes indeed. I did some left hand, J frame work end of last week and man do I need some practice there! It's good enough to get the job done but there's lots of room for improvement.

Excellent info regarding shooting from inside a car.

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Centennial Every Day

Gee, I was going to point out that shoulder holsters are cross draw, but I got beat to the punch. Here in Montana, you can get away with using a shoulder holster under a coat, jacket, or wind breaker all but 3-4 months of the year. The rest of the time, an oversized T-shirt untucked will do. Normally, I use a Galco MC 244 Shoulder holster and Galco SOB 244 (worn in the 5:00 position) for a brace of 5903's, as well as a 637-2 in an old Bianchi # 12 ankle holster, and a Freedom Arms .22 LR Mini Revolver which resides in an old eyeglass case which has a flap held closed with a snap closure and clipped into my shirt pocket. (Guns are mechanical devices and as such are capable of failure. Also, you may have to arm someone else. One gun is NEVER enough). In the summer, I carry my 5903's in Bianchi # 6X holsters IWB, one at about 10:30, the other at 5:00. If they've ever printed, no one has ever mentioned it. -Ed.

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Shoot the CPU, not the monitor

No offense, no worries, stiab.

For the record, I was referring to cross draw from the belt/waist ...as was the OP, I believe. And my comments stand as it pertains to that type of cross draw.

However, I own shoulder holsters and have long advocated (and posted) that that is my preferred carry if traveling seated for lengthy periods of time. The problems I cited generally don't apply whilst traveling.

Be safe.

PS:

How many is a "zillion?"

In the sixties Cincinnati police issued Buckhimer Clark cross draw holsters, Illinois State Police issued cross draw flap holsters, St, Louis Metro Police issued flap holsters optional strong side or cross draw. Certain protection assignments still as far as I know, drivers wear a type of cross draw made to be worn almost at buckle level cross draw. All but certain protection details have changed to strong side draw if for no other reason PPC shooting. Go to a PPC training or match no x draw for safety's sake. The guys left of you were a heck of a lot happier with out your barrel crossing their bodies.

So do we pick holsters for carry or range work?

Hi:
In 1962 I started LEO using a Colt Trooper .38spl 4" and a cross draw duty holster. Off Duty was a Colt Cobra .38spl 2" with a cross draw holster.
In 1963 I then attended a FBI Training School. The FBI Instructors were very negative about Colt Revolvers and cross draw holsters.
I went though Training with a S&W Model 10 .38spl 4" and Border Patrol pattern duty holster plus a S&W Model 10 .38spl 2" with a strong side Buchemier plain clothes holster.
I stayed with strong side duty holsters until 2008. Disability Retirement now I carry strong side plus cross draw. If I had to limit myself to only one CCW I would choose cross draw.
Jimmy

I think it might take some research, but I seem to remember that the Illinois state police NEVER had a gun taken away from their cross draw rig.

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the world is round everywhere

That makes sense. The gun is available to either hand. I'll add that to my bag of tricks. Thank you.

I carry crossdraw for a few reasons. One being I can draw effectively with either hand that way so I have a much better chance of getting it out in a scuffle. Being concealed just in front of the hip with the butt facing forward no one could ever take it from behind me. I can stand, sit, lay down, drive or lean and I never have to reposition it. As someone else said for anyone to try to take it they would have to be facing me as well as even knowing it's there and if they reach for my hip I'll have plenty of time to draw while they're picking up their teeth.

One advantage of a cross draw holster is that generally the gun may be easily accessed with either hand, more so then with a strongside holster.

Most of the disadvantages have been argued in previous posts, as have many sound rebuttal arguments.

In the end, if you like cross draw carry, if it suits your needs, if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages...for you, in your circumstances...and if you dilligently and reasonably practice, then carry that way.

I would recommend that folks generally avoid changing up their carry routine....

It's best to find what works and stick with it. Under stress, we all know that so-called "muscle memory" may kick in. Toggling frequently from one method to another adds potential confusion--and a potentially lethal loss of time in a life and death situation.

If you have to select a different method...say, you're using an ankle rig today instead of your normal strongside belt holster due to some necessity...before you head out, consider doing a couple of practice draws (with an empty weapon) to ingrain into your subconscious where the gun is NOW.

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

Good advice! The last thing I want to be thinking is, "Where did I put my gun today?" (!)

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Centennial Every Day

That is one of the best posts I have ever read. Thank you, Mr. Archer.

Be safe.

Can you folks who use crossdraw tell me what brand/model holsters you are using?

I'm looking for crossdraw holster for J frame and K frame snub nose and would like some suggestions from those who use them.

BTW, anyone know of a holster company that makes a J or K frame crossdraw holster that would fit at the 11 o'clock position with the barrel horizontal and a thumb break?

Thanks,
Chris

Here is the one I purchased a few years back and it works very well for me, fits my S&W Model 60 1 7/8"bbl and also my 60 3"bbl. Black Hills Leather - Only the best custom gun leather western cowboy police holsters rigs Expensive, but I waited until he had a sale as of today 15% off. I'm sure others will check in and let you know what they have. You can also look at El Paso Saddlery for a crossdraw. Good Luck

[lang=da]In a recent discussion I was having with some other CCW carriers on this question, it was pointed out that at the moment your strong hand is reaching across your body, it can be pinned against you, rendering your draw (and your arm) helpless. From a self-defensive, CQC perspective, it's not a good strategy.

On the other hand, if you are carrying strong side and you are rushed (test yourself with the Tueller Drill), you can turn your strong side away from the attacker, raise your weak hand to ward off the attack and be able to draw and get on target even if the attacker is directly on you.

This is an extremely important point, because it is not likely that you will identify a threat, weigh the decision to draw, decide to draw, and execute the movement with the opponent at 22 feet away or more in an encounter on the street, in a building, etc.[/lang]

This type of scenario is often used to minimize the cross-draw, but in reality there are a few things that need to be added. I found myself in situations (mostly in dimly lit parking lots) where you are in an alert (yellow-orange state) and with an innocent hand appearing to scratch my stomach: grip on weapon....No shirt or jacket to lift, no outward appearance as to advertise a weapon is to be drawn. You still have the off-hand to fend and feet to move for a more advantageous position.
Besides, chances are that an attacker if thinking about an armed confrontation would be more prone to focus on SS carry; not cross-draw.
I feel extremely comfortable in a draw-presentation for such times. If you use the blind-sided argument; it doesn't matter what form of carry; being aware of your surroundings is numero uno...IMHO

Since crossdraw allows effective drawing with either hand pinning your arm against your body would be a huge mistake by an attacker. It simply preoccupies him even if only for a second as he suddenly finds himself staring down your barrel

Where or how I carry on any given day depends on where I am not hurting that day.

I agree with many responses on cross draw. I feel it's the most
comfortable while driving, and for me, easier to get to the gun.

Here's a pic of my new crossdraw holster.

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Centennial Every Day

Photoman44, hard to compete with that beauty, but here is mine.

Attachment 19187
Attachment 19188

I have two Uncle Mike's paddle holsters that are set up for cross draw in the car but usually get moved to my strong side when I get out of the car.

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Infected by Smith&Wesson