Looking for a suitable holster for a 36 and wonder if a c-d is a good option.
They seem like they would be easy to get to, especially when seated.

Don Hume and Fobus have a couple of Paddle Holsters that work well!
I have a Don Hume Paddle for my Chiefs Special that I purchased in 1978 and it still serves me well and looks "like new"
I'm kind of anal about my stuff so that explains the primo condition for so long!

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Mike...ConquestN98858

...the proverbial two-edged sword; but then again, all holsters are a compromise. None work in every condition.

I own a couple of crossdraws. Except for seated in the car, they're a bit too awkward. In some self-defense classes, we were always advised that in close quarters, your arm could be pinned against your body while trying to draw. The BG could then grab your gun with his right hand. The same holds true with shoulder rigs. With a strong-side carry, your drawing hand was always away from the threat, and less likely to be grabbed.

That stated, to each his/her own. Just my $.02 worth.

I like the 3-slot holsters. Allows strongside and crossdraw in the same holster.

I have Galcos and Simply Ruggeds for a lot of my stuff. For seated, driving and riding, the cross draw option is great. Strongside and seated, the draw is going to be tricky.

Ss

i like the bianchi 111 crossdraw.

Take a look at Lobo Leather. I have been considering either the Model 1 or the 1-SL.
Lobo Gun Leather - Home

I prefer cross-draw and am wearing an old dedicated cross-draw one now now...a Bianchi #111 Cyclone with a 2.5" 19-2 stuffed in it. The newer ones will work strong side or CD. I once owned the same holster for a 1911 but did not like it. The thumb break strap would constantly disengage the safety.

I also found a Galco open top cross-draw for a J-frame that I've never seen another like. It works great with my J-frame S&W's, Charter Arms Undercover, and Ruger SP101.

I've also have a couple other Galco cross-draw holsters. Galco makes the Phoenix model and the (DAO) Dual Action Outdoorsman. Both of those are great. I have the Phoenix for N-frames and the DAO for Python's and L-frames.

Another cross-draw advantage is that the gun can be drawn/re-holstered with either hand.

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C & L

They have their place, (use when seated) but be aware that you have to be careful as when you draw the gun you will often sweep yourself. For that reason, they are not allowed in competitions.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

In his book "No secound place winner" Bill jordan defended the cross draw with the same logic I always had wondered about: He said people claim a cross draw lets someone faceing you can draw it as easily as you can. He answers that with this: I would rather be faceing someone reaching for my gun than haveing someone from behind me trying for it! Sounds reasonable to me!

i prefer cross draw with any of my revolvers. for me its easier to grab and present the firearm.

I think they are VERY viable tools, but as previously noted, ANY system has advantages and disadvantages. Seated a lot is a big plus for this method, same as shoulder holsters (which I also like/use).

As long as you are aware of the potential downsides, like learning retention skills with your off hand, I think they work as well as any other. The key is practicing with them, as it is with any system.

Just my .02.

If you are say, right handed, can't you use a right hand holster as both a strong side and a cross draw, just by moving it from the right side to the left side? I have never seen a holster designed just for "cross draw".

A vast majority of right side holsters are canted slightly forward, or are at most straight up. This does not work well when put in the crossdraw position. It can be done though. A holster like the Texas Cross Draw angles (cants) the holster in the opposite direction, so you are basically drawing across your abdomen and upward as opposed to straight up or in the other direction.


WG840

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Freedom above all else.

For many years I wore a don hume holster where the butt was kicked back a few degrees and the barrel kicked forward. The front was cut down a little deeper to faciliate a smooth unimpeeded draw. That type also made a good crossdraw. It got stolen. I never did like those extream butt forward types. Why should you un naturaly twist your wrist backward? Of course physical build dictates what works best. I have always been a blimp. When I first started out I did wear a crossdraw but that was with a six inch, when I went to a 4" I went conventional.

I hate the cross draw....I have a lot to cross before I get to it.
I also never had much luck with concealing it, I always seemed to be in the open. I have to stick with a 4-5 o'clock.
When driving, I know it's not the best, but I use the "wedge it between the seat" mode to have it ready.

I like the Galco cop 3 slot and will probably get one as I can use it in the two ways you mention.

Although it is possible for your (strong) arm to get pinned against your body by the BG, the appropriate response is to then draw the gun with your offside hand. With a cross-draw, this is fairly easily down with the old "cavalry draw." It's actually probably easier to draw from a cross draw holster with either hand than it is with a traditional strong-side holster.

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LEO since 1981.

3 slot hoster variants, particularly pancakes, are among the most versatile types to own imo. 2 in 1 so to speak.

Several posters mentioned "girth" as an issue and while I am not so built, I'd never thought of it that way before. I find when concealing with CD, if you move the gun to the side, and NOT angling forward, it will be much easier to conceal. But if you're having to cover "a lot of ground" so to speak, that might make it harder to manipulate.

God bless that He made us all different, and that we live in a country with so many options...for carry.

I had a friend that flew choppers for los angles co. sheriffs dept. Cross draw and shouder holsters are good for that. You just got to try different ways and see what you like best. But then again you may have no choice if you work on various departments.
When I was doing gate guard duty or desk work where you are up and down every couple secounds it didnt take long before you scooted a comfortable desk chair with arms out of the way for just a armless stool. Your gun would hang up on the chair. The last number of years I worked I wore suspenders to help. Captains probley wasnt thrilled, but I had them color coded with the uniform shirts, plus I always had more whiskers than my superiors and they left me alone.

Since no one has emphasized it, let me be clear: the crossdraw is a poor concealment holster.
Like it's relative, the shoulder holster, it is almost impossible to use without flashing the gun in public. If you carry a badge and drive a Ford Crown Vic around then concealment is not much of a priority. Likewise if you are driving your tractor or riding your mule on your own property or hunting with a backup gun along, then, sure, use a crossdraw.
If concealment is a priority then highly recommend you go strong-side close carry.

I have a lot of "country to cover", like senecaap, to use a cross draw. I typically use one of those rectangle zippered flat padded gun cases, stuck between the driver's seat and the console during travel. Being left handed, that type carry really doesn't provide me with a particularly quick response but it does provide legal concealed carry. A cross draw or canted holster might provide an acceptable solution. I've thought about it and like the idea. The responses here, especially the photo, are good food for thought. Speaking of food... I think it's time to go eat!

That reminded me of a funny story that Duke Venterino (mag writer in hefty proportions) said: Can't cross-draw-can't reach it. Can't ankle carry: same thing Can't B.O.B: same thing Can't shoulder holster: same thing. He is content with SS carry....
To the OP, I find it comforting, easy reach, no coat sweep to worry about, etc. All these stories of "what if the BG does this & that is all based on the BG knowing everything about you, your strengths, and concealment." All over-blown IMHO....

DITTO......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Big fan of the Bianchi Cyclone 111, I have several for different revolvers.

Very convenient when hunting and packing a rifle.

Not so good for weapon retention for LE or concealment although one time I got the Fish & Game shakedown in the backwoods. I had thrown on my coat since it was freezing and thereby "concealed" my revolver. The DFG guy sprung on us and had us stand by and do a weapons check - no cartridges in the chamber for rifles while in a vehicle. We were good to go, but I'm pretty certain he'd have disapproved if he had noticed my loaded revolver, concealed and all.

So, in some cases crossdraw is possible to conceal.

The Constitution and the 2A is my carry permit.

With a crossdraw the guy your wrestling might take your gun? Well when you are that close you better know how to fight. If the guy is already on you, and is a better fighter, it doesn't matter how well you shoot. At that if he is a better fighter, he will probably take your weapon if its strong side too!

The need for a crossdraw holster:
If you sit a lot or drive a lot
A SHOULDER HOLSTER or PALET would be what you want.

I often carry a J-frame in a Lobo 1-SL. I'm probably average height and weight (5'10" and 170 lbs.) and I find it to be excellent for travel when driving. Easy to reach and no trouble to conceal under a loose shirt or jacket, even with a LG-305 laser grip.
For around town and quick trips, it goes into a Mika pocket holster.

Thanks for the positive reply. Probably my next purchase.

Cocked and Locked....I'm sorry I missed the pictures you posted....I'm leaning toward Cross Draw myself and have both a 2.5" 66 and a 2" 64 to carry......If possible, repost those K Framed choices for us....I'll be PMing you anyway....Thanks....Zebulon

In the field, I carry a 4" something or other strong side and almost always have a 2.5" 66 or my model 60 in a crossdraw on the left side with the speedloader-holder. The angled crossdraw ones work best, but I have a box full of nylon KNJ holsters (que laughter...but I like 'em and they're cheap.)

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But then, what do I know?

As a dedicated cross draw carrier my, usual,
go to rig for the K Frame's are Mernickle's.

I went with the camo on the one holster just as a
color code sort of thing since I have so many PS10DA's.

One thing I noticed on the camo holster was that the leather is smoother (slippery) so
the retention isn't as good as the regular, dyed, leather version. That issue resolved
itself as the inside of the holster got "scuffed in" with use, which didn't take all that long.



Another cross draw holster that I'm pretty fond of is more "old school."
I scored it, and a similar paddle (leather) type, from a forum member
who answered a wtb ad that I had placed in the classified's.

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Ogy

I had a nylon holster that doubled as a cross draw holster for my 4" M28. I carried it like that often and it concealed well and was quick to access.

Same here, and I can present it faster than on my strong side.
Of course if someone sneaks up behind me with a bat I don't stand a chance.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

Cross Draw worked for "Angel Eyes".

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Be obscure, clearly.

I had a Bucheimer holster kinda like the one pictured above. I bought it out of the used holster bin at a LGS because it had that old school look. I've seen pics of a similar holster Tom Selleck packs his Fitz revolver in on Blue Bloods, I guess he carries it strong side but if it's like the one I had it's not especially well suited for that. Mine had a neutral cant which didn't make it especially great for crossdraw and the spring-retention design made it too hard to holster the gun if it was worn on the strong side. Kind of a "neither fish nor fowl" deal.

I like the #111 as a strong side "conventional" holster when carrying shorter barreled revolvers. The muzzle forward rake is actually faster and less awkward for me. The covered trigger guard also allows use in IDPA and Steel Challenge without drama. But it's pretty slow as a strong side holster when in the confines of a vehicle. Mostly because I'm left handed and the vehicle seat is close to the door. A rightie should have less drama unless the vehicle has a bench seat.

Close to 30 years ago, I competed in the South-West Pistol League in southern California. for a couple years. I had a Bianchi Askins Avenger holster which I originally wore in the standard 10-11 o'clock crossdraw postion, but later switched it to the 1-2 o'clock position when I noticed that the SWPL top guns all seemed to wear their guns there. Much faster to get out & on target. Not so great for concealment IMHO, but then again I don't feel that any OWB carry conceals real well (at least for me).
I used to think a high-riding strong-side 3-4 oclock carry was the way to go. Now that I'm older, I find that it's not so easy to reach the gun butt there. I started EDC'ing a 2" j-frame a couple months ago, and have found that IWB carry at 1-2 o'clock (aka appendix position) works best for me for both concealment & accessing the gun. Crossdraw at 10 o'clock or so works pretty good for open carry (woods, BBQ's, etc).

Personally I am not very quick with them, I carry a 640 Pro in my pocket which is easiest in my case.
If you are proficient with your holster and your draw it doesn't matter where it is.

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5