Cross-body carrying:Pro's & Con's

Protected One

Protected One

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I was experimenting with different carry methods and want to get some comments on Cross-Body carry. I know there are drawbacks, but here is one benefit; what if I were carrying at 3 or 4:00(right hand being my strong side), and for some reason my right hand can't be used to draw? My left hand would catch hell trying to retrieve my gun. Not so, in a cross body carry.
I'd like to hear other thoughts on it.
 
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Cross body leaves the gun grip pointed at the potential perp. He can grab it and start shooting. You are already lined up with your own barrel. OR .....when you reach across your hand can be pinned to your body (this also a problem for shoulder holster). When the gun is on your strong side you generally move that hip back as you go for your gun. This makes it harder yo pin your arm and at the same time your weak arm is out front to punch, grab or do any other prevention to stop your gun from being grabbed. Cross draw you reach across yourself and are not taking that step back. I can stand on your strong side and pin your arm and with that in the way your weak arm is going to have a problem reaching me. Say none of that happens, it will still take you longer to reach across, pull your gun then swing it back. ...in the mean time i can also block your arm and now your gun is pointed somewhere else.....and when you clear the holster your gun is still not pointing where you need it to. On the strong side once you clear the holster the gun is pointing at your target

Another problem is when you unholster you sweep everyone on your weak side with the barrel.


The scenario youre talking about (broken arm/some sort of surgery) is less likely then what i mentioned. If it happens you can carry the way its easiest to get draw your gun. But, till than its not the greatest idea.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
 
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I prefer cross draw. I can have my hand on the butt of my S&W revolver, under my cover shirt, before anyone knows. when the time comes, its out with one continuous motion and ready.
 
Protected One said:
I was experimenting with different carry methods and want to get some comments on Cross-Body carry. I know there are drawbacks, but here is one benefit; what if I were carrying at 3 or 4:00(right hand being my strong side), and for some reason my right hand can't be used to draw? My left hand would catch hell trying to retrieve my gun. Not so, in a cross body carry.
I'd like to hear other thoughts on it.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily so, if you have been taught the procedure and have practiced it. Cross draw is fine if gun is well concealed or when driving.
 
I feel cross draw is the way to go. If you carrying at the 9 o'clock position for a right hand draw your doing it wrong. the holster should be at close to the 11 o'clock so that the weapon's grip is pointing across your body and in a completely natural position for grabbing with your strong hand.
With a gun in this position your not really in danger from someone grabbing the gun and if they make an attempt you can easily secure the gun with either or both hands. You CAN NOT do that with a strong side carry. You CAN NOT have the weapon taken from you from behind also. Can't say that for strong side carry either.
One of the main benefits of cross draw ... and its a huge one if you ask me, is your not reaching across your body in order to lift up a garment so you can draw your weapon. With cross draw your off hand can much more easily lift a shirt and your main hand can grab your weapon from a very easy position at the front of your body.
In every photo I have seen (and from personal experience as well) when you look at someone drawing a weapon from a strong side position it looks and feels awkward to say the least ... almost like trying to scratch your right hand armpit with your right hand ( bad analogy guys sorry, but its the best thing I could think of haha).

This what I use for both my carry guns, pro series 1911 sub compact and a Kahr pm9 with a crimson trace laserguard.


Andrews Custom Leather - Carjacker Crossdraw

Its a fantastic set up and I swear by it.

IB
 
The problem with a cross draw is that you may over-swing the target. Shooting a tad too soon or too late often results in a miss. With a strong side draw, early or late shooting still results in a hit, be it low or high. In other words, you're on the center line of the target more quickly and you tend to stay there. A cross-draw has you approaching that center line from the side rather than the bottom.

A cross draw may also swing the muzzle past non-compatants as well as your weak arm.

Have you ever been to the range with the guy on your right using a shoulder holster? He points his gun at you each time he draws and re-holsters.
 
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federali said:
The problem with a cross draw is that you may over-swing the target. Shooting a tad too soon or too late often results in a miss. With a strong side draw, early or late shooting still results in a hit, be it low or high. In other words, you're on the center line of the target more quickly and you tend to stay there. A cross-draw has you approaching that center line from the side rather than the bottom.

A cross draw may also swing the muzzle past non-compatants as well as your weak arm.

Have you ever been to the range with the guy on your right using a shoulder holster? He points his gun at you each time he draws and re-holsters.
Click to expand...

^^^^THIS^^^^

The only time I ever used a cross-draw is when I was the driver on a protection detail. If the principal is in the car, you drive him/her away from danger. If stopped/parked and danger approaches your side of the car and driving away is not possible at that moment, you have the option of a draw and presentation while seated. But drivers have one job...drive.

Other than the above, I don't care for cross-draw.
 
Old cop said:
The only time cross draw is an advantage is when driving a car, but your main goal should be to drive the car out of the danger zone if possible.
Click to expand...

I agree with 'old cop' Being left-handed i had the pleasure (if driving) of 8 hours with my gun sitting low next to the seat...When my partner drove, my left kidney got a workout. In my early years, i worked with 'seasoned guys' who had been around since right after WWII. they mostly carried cross draw in plain clothes...The younger guys, not so much. Maybe it's was those old movies.
 
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When driving, a custom rig for my seat positions my gun between my knees for easy access. Granted, I have to remove and holster it when leaving the car, but thats become a habit and thus - no big deal. So cross body isn't needed when I'm driving.

As I said, I've been experimenting with cross body and strong side IWB/OWB carry, and while I understand all the arguments for and against that have been presented here I think I'm going to have to give this more consideration before deciding. I don't want to wind up with a dozen different holsters because of carrying so many different ways. Even now, I find myself defaulting to pocket carry (it's just so convenient) most of the time.
 
federali said:
The problem with a cross draw is that you may over-swing the target. Shooting a tad too soon or too late often results in a miss. With a strong side draw, early or late shooting still results in a hit, be it low or high. In other words, you're on the center line of the target more quickly and you tend to stay there. A cross-draw has you approaching that center line from the side rather than the bottom.

A cross draw may also swing the muzzle past non-compatants as well as your weak arm.

Have you ever been to the range with the guy on your right using a shoulder holster? He points his gun at you each time he draws and re-holsters.
Click to expand...

I don't intend pulling the trigger until the gun is pointed at the bad guy.

IB
 
KKECK5 said:
I agree with 'old cop' Being left-handed i had the pleasure (if driving) of 8 hours with my gun sitting low next to the seat...When my partner drove, my left kidney got a workout. In my early years, i worked with 'seasoned guys' who had been around since right after WWII. they mostly carried cross draw in plain clothes...The younger guys, not so much. Maybe it's was those old movies.
Click to expand...

I know a certain "Tier 1" Special Forces Operator who carries cross body.
 
Is appendix carry considered crossdraw? Your not really sweeping anything if you pull up rotate forward and to me its always looked the fastest. When Im driving to/from work my 442 rides tucked in my waistband right in front.
 
Poodle Soup said:
Is appendix carry considered crossdraw? Your not really sweeping anything if you pull up rotate forward and to me its always looked the fastest. When Im driving to/from work my 442 rides tucked in my waistband right in front.
Click to expand...

No, appendix carry is on the the strong side if you are right handed.

If there were one perfect way to carry a gun, somebody would be rich holding the patent on the perfect holster. Every individual, every gun, and every situation is different. What works for me may not work for someone else. I try to evaluate the situation, such as spending 8 hrs in a vehicle, -vs- standing around for 8 hrs, -vs- whatever I anticipate doing that particular day. I have holsters that I can carry IWB, strong side, on the ankle (which is great in the winter in a vehicle...every try drawing from the strong side wearing a parka with the seat belt on??? Not a great plan!), and other places.

I know there are arguments for always carrying the gun in the same place so you develop muscle memory, but there are exceptions. My Idea of the basic principles of lawful concealed carry involve carrying the gun so it is safe, accessible, and concealed from those who could use the knowlege that you are armed to your disadvantage. Comfort is an issue, but not in the top three for me. I'd rather be uncomfortable carrying a larger gun than totally comfortable carrying a .22 in my pocket.

Evaluate your circumstances, think things through, and figure out what works for you. You are responsible for the choices you make, so make sure that they are the right ones for you.
 
Look folks,

Over swing your target, muzzle crossing an innocent, flashing the gun so someone can grab it, all show one thing: LACK OF TRAINING.
Lack of training is responsible for many of the so called problems that are brought up on this forum.

To be honest, if you are going to carry a gun, you owe it to yourself, your family, and to all of us citizens whom you may encounter, to be WELL trained. If you are not well trained, I would rather you left your gun at home.

Just the opinion of one very old fart.
 
Cross Draw:
1. when seated
2. accessable to either hand
3. In "The Day" a right hand person was taught to draw and fire with the left hand also--place left hand over the revolver grip, draw with the grip pointing forward, using the #2 or #3 finger pull the trigger, thus firing the revolver with it upside down. This is an emergency method if your right hand is holding off a suspect or if the right hand if disabled.
4. Cross Draw is a good method for "Plain Clothes/Street Clothes.
5. Seated the Cross Draw does not "Telegraph' the draw by raising the shoulder as in "Strong Side Carry.

P.S. I CCW X2= one strong side - one cross draw
 
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