Cross Draw Carry?

[JayFramer]

Anyone cross draw carry on their normal pant’s belt such as like this (not my holster just a random pic off the net)?

What are the pros/cons of this method of carry and would it be comfortable for hiking, camping, and venturing? Would be for a 5 1/2” barrel single action revolver. I’d like to keep my right side open for ammo pouches and knife sheaths.

Thoughts?

 

[S-W4EVER]

Pros: Easy to draw from a seated position, easier to draw with either hand.

Cons: Easier for a bad guy to disarm you.

I’m sure there’s more but these come to mind for me.

 

[JayFramer]

Pros: Easy to draw from a seated position, easier to draw with either hand.

Cons: Easier for a bad guy to disarm you.

I’m sure there’s more but these come to mind for me.

Thanks. I’d be using it in the woods, not in public, so disarming probably is a low likelihood thing.

 

[crazyphil]

As S-W4EVER said cross draw is easy to draw from a seated position.
I wear cross draw holsters (or ankle holster) when I will be driving
vehicle for a while.

Here are a few examples Left to Right:

Lewis snap-on cross draw with model 10 2" barrel.
(I know, placement on the belt is not correct, but
i'm too lazy to fix it.)

Chisholm's Trail cross draw also with model 10 2"
A gift from my friend Al who is the maker at Chisholm.

Brauer Brothers cross draw with my S&W 642-1

Maverick cross-draw paddle with vintage Charter's Undercover.

Bucheimer-Clark Sheriff model cross-draw also with Charter.

 

[Imissedagain]

If a gun is not in my strong side pocket or ankle holster.... it’s been cross draw for decades.... revolvers and autos.
Making a simple cross draw for the 460/3.5” before heading to the Rockies.
Mine are worn a bit more forward than that photo.
Skills learned in the Air Force...... your tax dollars at work!

 

[keith44spl]

I carry cross-draw whenever working a horseback.

It's out of the way while leading a pack string,
and can be drawn with either hand if need be.

* I don't always ride a mule....But, when I do, I ride a darn good'n !!!


.

 

[S-W4EVER]

My experience comes from being a young State Trooper. I went to a strong side breakfront holster when they first were authorized. This being said, I’m retired now. I love to RV (which entails hours of driving the Ram) and I am strongly considering carrying my Colt WC Commander in a crossdraw holster I have. It doesn’t interfere with my seatbelt and I’m really not looking for trouble (but I have a moral obligation to protect my wife and to “live to fight another day” so this is probably the way to go for me too...

 

[OLDSTER]

I always carry cross-draw. My favorite rig is this old Hunter with either a CA Undercover or a 642.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have used a cross-draw holster for years when hunting. Lobo Gun Leather Model 5-X with a 4" Model 29. Reasonably good access and comfort, and I can sling my rifle over the right shoulder without interference with the holster.

Cross-draw is not the most effective carry method for concealment. It is very good for those who are seated or driving for long periods of time. Some folks with shoulder, elbow, or wrist problems find cross-draw works better than strong-side carry.

 

[stansdds]

Cross-draw, not the easiest for concealed carry, much easier for a bad guy to grab, but really good when you are in a seated position or for woods/field carry.

 

[Univibe]

If I were a chauffeur, Uber/Lyft, delivery, etc that's how I'd carry. Standard strong side hip carry is surprisingly difficult to draw when belted into a car seat, even more so in winter clothing.

 

[BAM-BAM]

For carrying in Penn's Woods..... I do cross draw as much as possible...... I have several Bianchi 111 Cyclone Holsters for 2 1/2 inch to 6 inch K/L and N revolvers.

For hiking, hunting, 4-wheeling or the RZR I like the gun in a retention (thumb snap) holster riding in front of me ....with a vest or light jacket casual concealment is possible....

I also have a "small" Bianchi X15 holster for a 3" 60-10 micro (5 shot) 686 that works well .... spring pressure and cross strap retention.

I also have a couple of other cross-draw holsters for long driving trips (10-11 O'clock)... get out for meals or gas..... I push it back to a 7-8 or 9 O'clock position... under a season appropriate over sized shirt or jacket.

Both are "Texas Cross Draw" by "Kirkpatrick Leather" ... mine are for a 6906/Shorty-9 and a Beretta 92 Compact or Centurion

 

[double-dipper]

Jay, yes for hiking, woods walking, canoeing, hunting yes a cross draw shoulder holster/bandoleer would serve your needs. I have a cross draw shoulder holster and a bandoleer cross draw holster that I use when handgun hunting deer. I also woods walk looking for shed antlers and carry one of my handguns.

 

[rkittine]

I have been looking for a Left Handed, High Ride, Cross Draw Carry for my Glock 34 Gen 5. Want it to be up high enough to not be an issue seated in my car.

Craft had two listed, one with one set of belt slots and another with two sets so you could change the angle, but now I can't find either of them on their web site. Since it is Sunday, I guess that I will need to wait to tomorrow to call them,

Bob

 

[tops]

I don't understand why it is easier for a bad guy to steal a gun from a cross draw holster.
With a strong side holster the butt is to the rear and a bad guy slips up behind and pulls the gun from the holster before he is seen.
With a cross draw the butt is to the front and the bad guy can be seen approaching and give the gun owner a chance to defend.
Makes sense to me. Larry

 

[ContinentalOp]

Pros: Easy to draw from a seated position, easier to draw with either hand.

Cons: Easier for a bad guy to disarm you.

It's also easier for a bad guy to foul your draw. An attacker could conceivably pin your arm against your body as you reach across to draw. It is possible to defend with your off-hand, but it'd be easier to get one's gun into action in a similar situation with strongside carry by firing from a retention position.

Having said that, I like the idea of crossdraw carry, but as has been said it can be difficult to conceal. Plus, I have some limited shoulder mobility which makes drawing difficult, at best.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I don't understand why it is easier for a bad guy to steal a gun from a cross draw holster.
With a strong side holster the butt is to the rear and a bad guy slips up behind and pulls the gun from the holster before he is seen.
With a cross draw the butt is to the front and the bad guy can be seen approaching and give the gun owner a chance to defend.
Makes sense to me. Larry

1. It's easier to conceal with strong-side carry, so it's less likely to be seen in the first place.

2. Strong side-carry with a FBI cant, especially with a good leather holster, is actually difficult for an attacker grabbing the gun and drawing it from behind the carrier. For example, for my Kramer #3 IWB holster it is actually difficult to draw from if I don't draw it straight out, which would be very difficult for someone behind me to do. Crossdraw holsters, on the other hand, present that "straight-out" alignment to someone in front of you.

Of course, in both situations it's possible to clamp down on the gun with the closest hand and use the other to defend with.

Along your line of thinking, AIWB would actually be the easiest to defend from a disarm attempt.

 

[Rpg]

The only way I ever found to comfortably carry a 6” M29 as a secondary weapon while hunting or on a horse was a cross draw.

That ended in the ‘70’s when I realized that a Colt 1911 did everything I needed done in our Colorado mountains.

 

[Old cop]

We were taught in the police academy that reaching across your body for a gun took longer than strong side and that’s why it was prohibited in both agencies I worked for. Any holster not department issued had to first be approved by the Range Officer, then your shift lieutenant. Shoulder holsters, although worn sometimes, were not okay either.

 

[hoc9sw]

At least one department I worked with (not for) forbade cross draw due to the risk of an accidental bullet in the leg during a scuffle with a suspect (yes, it happened, and they changed the rules as a result).