If one tries to draw a long barreled Model 3, or a 7 1/2" Colt from a waist high holster, you must pull your hand up to your armpit and the barrel is still in the holster. It is a very uncomfortable draw style. My bet is that the reason why the US Cavalry chose cross draw is for that reason in the first place. A C&B Colt was as long as an American, so very difficult to use with a standard strong side holster and certainly cannot be drawn quickly.

I have shot Americans, Schofields, and NM3s without having to move my hand to cock and I do not have large hands. They are remarkably easy to use and the "handilibilty advantage" of the Colt I believe is over-rated. S&W draws easily and cocks quickly and for me the biggest difference is that the Colt is not forward heavy and is more balanced in the hand, while the S&Ws are barrel heavy, making the Colt a little quicker in acquiring the target.

I will agree with you about moving your hand when using the Russians. They are very difficult to cock from the hand draw position and their stiff action makes it a two handed gun to draw, cock, and fire. They were a very poor choice for a holster gun and I do not believe they were very popular in the Old West.

Where I did my SASS shooting, they required a strong side holster and a cross-draw on the left side. The cross draw, actually set up in front, was an easier side for me to reach across with my right hand and pull the longer barreled guns and shoot. Their reason why they do this is that when drawing the barrels of the guns were less likely to be pointed behind as you draw and with a standard rig and a right handed shooter, there is a chance that you can drop the gun while transfering it from your weak hand to strong.

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Gary
SWCA 2515