i saw this cross draw holster (model 17) from "active pro gear".... nylon and velcro, not expensive , but if it works well, it may be worth a try.

any comments or experience pro or con would be appreciated . thanks.

The holster your showing is very popular with bodyguards or "wheelmen"(drivers) as it allows a very rapid draw from the seated position. Also it's fairly low profile and should be able to hide under a sweater or jacket.
The bugaboo about most crossdraw holsters is while their very fast and accesible to the user, they also present the butt of the weapon to a potential threat! So retention would be the higest priority!! Personally I like the crossdraw for long barreled hunting guns, and the above for the reasons I already mentioned. If you like it, go for it! Just remember to keep your guard up. Dale

__________________
"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

Once again, I like to counter that point of the gun being as easy to access by a foe faceing you with would you rather someone behind you try for your strong side carry? Personnaly, someone trys for my gun, I would rather be faceing them.

I would think it will take some practice to deal with the location of that "thumb" break. Looks like it's activated with the middle finger.

Honestly I look at it this way. It's $50. In my mind, that isn't cheap. You can get a decent leather 3 slot pancake for that amount which can be used strong side or cross draw and if it doesn't work out, you can get higher resale for it.

Yeah what he said.
And with a straight drop scabbard worn X-draw its even more inaccessible to an assailant and can be drawn with the weak hand if necessary

Most crossdraws are not as radically angled as this one. It would seem as the maker’s website indicates that it is intended as much for driving as it is for serving in a conventional crossdraw role, the rake it employs is intended to facilitate a seated, behind-the-wheel positioning. As such, I would first suggest that if vehicular use is not in the picture for your application (or perhaps, not even the primary of the two applications if it is), you might want to look at a more conventionally angled crossdraw design instead of this model.

That would minimize some (certainly not all) of the front facing issues regarding the butt as rightfully pointed out by “Badkarma 1”. For while still facing forward, it would not be angled as favorably toward an attacker (perhaps facilitating unauthorized removal) as it appears to be with this model.

My real concern here, however, lies more with the point brought up with “blujax01” regarding what both he and the manufacturer call a “thumb break”. And for the record and looking at the pictures supplied by you and apparently taken from the maker’s website, I don’t believe that it is a “thumb break” but instead it appears to me to be a “finger break”.

Operating it could be problematic.

Problematic for the reason expressed by “blujax01” (that is unfamiliarity with this different positioning of the device and how it is operated) and problematic for another, and I believe perhaps even more serious issue, and that is one of actually trapping the gun in place within the holster by the device and location of the hand, middle finger and middle finger knuckle when making the draw.

In addition to calling the device a “thumb break”, the maker’s website states that things are “Designed for full combat grip.” Yet, that is not what appears to be illustrated in your second photo taken from the site. For while the gun is obviously being removed from the holster in that image, the user’s hand is not in what I think most people would consider to be (or call) a “full combat grip”.

The user’s bottom three fingers do not seem to be wrapped around the grip frame and the web of the hand (the area formed at the juncture of the thumb and index finger) does not appear to held tightly against the backstrap/knuckle/shrouded portion of the gunframe as it would be if a “full combat grip” were established before the gun begins to leave the holster as is generally the recommended practice when drawing a weapon from the holster to fight with it.

I would posit that if a full combat grip were established on the weapon while it was still in the holster (and in its normally carried position as seen in your first photo; also apparently taken from the manufacturer’s website) and one’s middle finger “broke” open the “finger break” in the course of so doing (as is generally the recommended way of accomplishing this task: making it an all-in-one operation and not some sort of multi-stage process – that is, the finger opens the device as the fingers wrap around the gripframe), there is a very good chance that the middle finger knuckle (and possibly the outer surface of the middle finger in general) will trap or pin the retention strap portion of the two-piece, “finger break” assembly against the holster body (opening) and the rear of the still-holstered firearm’s triggerguard and subsequently pin or trap the firearm in place; thereby stopping or at least severely impeding its removal. The adjacent positioning of the same hand’s ring finger can contribute to this too.

The loose, non-combat grip that I believe is pictured in your second photo (where the gun is held in a non-fighting manner and there is room for the strap to fall out of the way) does not necessarily create this problem but then I don’t believe it to be a realistic way to remove and employ the gun under the stress of a life-threatening situation either.

This has always been an issue with similar “finger break”, concealment holsters for shrouded and concealed hammer revolvers. And it is reason for me to suggest that you test this model thoroughly before either buying it or using it in the field.

Hope this helps.

(It should be noted that “finger break” retention devices in and of themselves are not a bad idea. It’s just that their application to designs like these can be problematic.)

That has always been my thought. Great minds think alike! Larry

Quite a rake on the holster, I would think a grip heavy pistol would try to rotate and maybe drop out.
Regarding cross draw in general, the conventional wisdom is that bad guys are always directly in front of you like a target at the range, if you get knocked down on your stomach you can't reach your weapon, if attacked from rear they might reach around and take your weapon, nothing bad ever happens while seated and and finally, should your car roll over the weapon will fall out of the holster and hit you in the head.
Just stuff I've heard from experts. That said, I still prefer the cross draw carry.

That holster looks nice and even with that much rake I'm sure you could get used to the retention strap with enough practice. I personally like this type of cross draw holster and especially this one particular holster for my 37. No retention strap and the holster holds the gun firmly enough that it won't fall out if you stood on your head. When drawing the weapon with this holster you have already established a combat grip. I love my little M37 snub. The holster is an Alessi. Not quite as much rake as the one you posted.
Have a great day,
Gordon

__________________
better have that checked

thank you all for your informative comments.

Gordon.... I went on Alessi's web-site and I couldn't find any cross-draw holsters at all. Can you help?

Purchased from Black Hills Leather for my Model 60 and totally satisfied. At this moment 20% off sale going, 06 Crossdraw scabbard $67.92 with discount.

__________________
Doesn't hasta call me Johnson