Cross Draw Carry?

I carry my 29 3" in the woods crossdraw. I prefer to carry my rifle on my strongside shoulder, so it would be quite detrimental to these super sexy combats if I carried strongside with my pistol too.

I don't like doing it, but if I carry strongside with my pistol, I have to carry weak side with my rifle. Depends on the situation. If I need better access to my sidearm I carry my pistol strongside and carry my rifle weak side. If I feel it's more imperative to have better access to my rifle, I carry my pistol crossdraw so I can strongside my rifle.
 
A strong con, in my opinion, if the purpose of your carrying is self defense, is one I read years ago on this forum.

A member pointed out that a disadvantage of crossdraw is that when you draw you need to swing your gun horizontally, or diagonally, and stop at the right spot, to bring it on target. Easy to swing too far or too little, pull the trigger and miss. Whereas with strong side, you draw, sweep straight up, and pull the trigger. If you are vertically aligned, you are gonna do some damage. Less chance of a miss.

While I have no practical experience, beyond training years ago, that comment resonates with me. It seems intuitively correct.

On the other hand, I think crossdraw makes a lot of sense when seated in a car, in restaurant, on a horse, etc.
 
Onomea said:
A member pointed out that a disadvantage of crossdraw is that when you draw you need to swing your gun horizontally, or diagonally, and stop at the right spot, to bring it on target. Easy to swing too far or too little, pull the trigger and miss. Whereas with strong side, you draw, sweep straight up, and pull the trigger. If you are vertically aligned, you are gonna do some damage. Less chance of a miss.
Click to expand...

There is a way to draw from crossdraw without over/underswinging. Basically, you draw and keep the muzzle pointed down and slightly away to minimize shooting your feet, while you bring it around in front of your chest. From there, you bring the muzzle up and out like the standard drawing technique. It also mitigates the risk of muzzling your support arm or anyone nearby.
 
In my agency, we placed a lot of emphasis on weapons retention training when we carried crossdraw. Honestly, being disarmed wasn’t that much of a concern but I went to an A.E. Nelson breakfront (muzzle angled towards the front, not FBI cant) because it was quicker to get on target.

I knew it was time to transfer to a quieter beat when I had to draw twice on bad guys on a Sunday afternoon/evening shift.
 
Simply Rugged Chesty Puller system became my favorite a few years back. Riding my tractor, ATV, woods walking, deer hunting, & even sitting in my truck, it's always where I can get to it quickly.

The same pancake style holster can also be worn on my belt in cross draw or strong side fashion. I don't ever bang the truck door with the rig there like a hip holster tends to do. (Photo is from internet) Several other manufacturer's are making similar carry rigs as well.
 

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Crossdraw is only remotely relevant when seated, and even that advantage is debatable.
 
Due to arthritis, I been contemplating on a Bianchi Cyclone for my Model 65.

Haven’t seen a crossdraw for my 640.

In reality I don’t really carry all that much, mainly car carry where I can. I’ll probably just stop carrying altogether, just keep doing the car only thing, and avoid places that may become problem areas.
 
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I carry my CCW in an open top clip-on holster which I move from 2-30 to 10 o'clock when driving or I feel the cross-draw would be more advantageous or comfortable.

The clip-on holster doesn't limit my use and positioning. It is easy to fine tune the pistol's cant once I'm seated or doing other activities.
 
If'n when I'm carrying CD, if I need to present the muzzle toward the threat,
I just rotate my hip toward the target and draw,
no sweeping action as if I were squared up to the target.

After a half century of carrying, I got my own way of doin', I guess.

As far as someone taking my CD'd handgun from behind, a sharp
turn of the body to the left and a good right cross will general deter a grabber.

If accosted from the front....I believe, I can still put up a purty good defense.

Crossdraw could be just pretty handy, when standing at a urinal ;) :D


.
 
I like cross-draw however I have only one holster, for my 1911, that allow it.

I like the idea of being able to clear leather with my off hand if I need to, which to me is the biggest advantage of cross-draw.

So if some guy grabs my right arm from behind (knowing I have a concealed gun or not) my strong-side carried gun is out of play for me. I can account for threats coming from the front since that's the side of my head that my eyes are on, but not so much from the rear.

With CD carry, if either arm is grabbed from behind I still have a chance to get the sidearm into play.
 
'Ideal'

My 2¢ opinion only.

The cross draw carry, and it's holsters are for anyone but one, with a large uncomfortable 'tummy" the most ideal 'holster, and carry' of all.

The 'CD' gives the most choices of positions that the holster can be worn in, for concealment, Mounted on an animal , in or out of a vehicle, easy draw, wearing comfort, and styles to choose from.

With all due respect, I must disagree with some our learned forum friends. There isn't one of their so called 'disadvantages' that can't be overcome by just changing the position, or style of the 'CD' holster, still my first choice of them all.

I am honored, to be allowed to give my humble opinion on this matter.

Chubbo
 
Lately Been getting the Itch for a CrossDraw with Bird Heads Single Action.
Kind of a Doc Holiday setup.
Was recently offered a Rugers Birds Head, but it was a 44 Mag.
Really want a little smaller caliber!
Probably Uberti time.
 
keith44spl said:
If'n when I'm carrying CD, if I need to present the muzzle toward the threat,
I just rotate my hip toward the target and draw,
no sweeping action as if I were squared up to the target.
.
Click to expand...

Both Ed McGivern and Elmer Keith perfected this method, using it primarily on targets tossed into the air. Likely Askins, too.

And Bruce Nelson appears to have settled a grab from the rear by drawing from his CD and firing over his shoulder; to good effect (but not for his assailant). I say 'appears' because he wrote the story but spoke of the shooting in the third person.
 
rednichols said:
Both Ed McGivern and Elmer Keith perfected this method, using it primarily on targets tossed into the air. Likely Askins, too.

And Bruce Nelson appears to have settled a grab from the rear by drawing from his CD and firing over his shoulder; to good effect (but not for his assailant). I say 'appears' because he wrote the story but spoke of the shooting in the third person.
Click to expand...


*

I don't know who perfected anything, McGivern and Keith probably was emulating some other ol timer.......

Never heard of that Nelson feller.......But, I have drawn from the CD position while a horseback
and got off a shot from beneath my left arm....for good effect, a time er two.
I get most of my idees from my real life experiences, not what someone had written in some ol book.

I've been a horseback for sixty some odd years,on and off.
Carried a sidearm daily, for over half a century.
Ya soon learn what works for you....

Su Amigo,
Dave

Doc-leading-pack-string.jpg


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