J.P.60
US Veteran
I carry my primary weapon cross-draw. Much more comfortable in the car and no more difficult to draw with a suit or blazer on.
left hand carry/cross draw: good idea?
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canoe on the yukon
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A few years ago I injured my shoulder.It has since healed but for a while it was painful to lift up from my usual carry method which was strong side,high ride,behind the hip.As stated,my shoulder has healed and I've gone back to that method of carry but for a number of months,I found cross draw to work out very well,at least,for me.
At times,we can be a bit too analytical.Human beings can be very resiliant,flexible and adaptive.Get used to it,apply common sense and cross draw carry works just fine.
At times,we can be a bit too analytical.Human beings can be very resiliant,flexible and adaptive.Get used to it,apply common sense and cross draw carry works just fine.
Seems like some of the posts are from an 'all or nothing' perspective. Having a firearm available due to driving or sitting etc when the main gun isn't just seems to make sense. Also, if your strong hand can't get to a 'better carried gun' it don't do you any good. Try to get a gun from 3:30 strong side, with your weak side hand.
As far as the open carry aspect, I'd rather have something that wasn't visible when I had to open carry. Walking in the woods with a 1911 in a visible weak side shoulder holster, and a J-frame tucked in at 3:30 worked.
Why just consider having only one firearm - unless your state doesn't let you carry more than one.
As far as the open carry aspect, I'd rather have something that wasn't visible when I had to open carry. Walking in the woods with a 1911 in a visible weak side shoulder holster, and a J-frame tucked in at 3:30 worked.
Why just consider having only one firearm - unless your state doesn't let you carry more than one.
May i ask a similar question but from a left handed person's perspective.I can see how it would be a welcome relief to carry cross draw while driving but what about a lefty like me.I cross draw when driving to and some times the seatbelt gets in the way or if i'm strong side carrying then i can't get to my side arm as readily as ya'll righties.
I actually carry 2 holsters at the same time,one is a clip on cross draw and the second is my 3 slot pancake bianchi holster.Now when i have to take my gun off,it does make it easier with the clip on but the seatbelt still gets in the way.
I actually carry 2 holsters at the same time,one is a clip on cross draw and the second is my 3 slot pancake bianchi holster.Now when i have to take my gun off,it does make it easier with the clip on but the seatbelt still gets in the way.
flop-shank
US Veteran
To all it may concern and no one in particular,
when driving in the U.S. the gun should be used in the right hand. Try to point a gun through a closed drivers side window left handed. Seated on the passenger side of the car, the gun should be used in the left hand. If weakside shooting is super hard, then I just gave you your homework assignment.
when driving in the U.S. the gun should be used in the right hand. Try to point a gun through a closed drivers side window left handed. Seated on the passenger side of the car, the gun should be used in the left hand. If weakside shooting is super hard, then I just gave you your homework assignment.
Cocked & Locked
Member
crossdraw
I prefer cross-draw, on my left side, right hand draw. I find it more comfortable plus I can easily draw with either hand, right or left. Works best for me in the Jeep, truck, motorcycle, lawn mower, tractor, four wheeler.
If I carry right hand strong side my hip starts hurting bad (age I suppose) and I can only draw with one hand instead of both.
I prefer cross-draw, on my left side, right hand draw. I find it more comfortable plus I can easily draw with either hand, right or left. Works best for me in the Jeep, truck, motorcycle, lawn mower, tractor, four wheeler.
If I carry right hand strong side my hip starts hurting bad (age I suppose) and I can only draw with one hand instead of both.
stiab
US Veteran
I respectfully disagree with that statement. There are zillions of shoulder holsters in use by military and LE professionals. All of them are cross draw.
canoe on the yukon
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AGREED!!!!!!.....I've been in some nasty places and several men of experience I've known preferred the cross draw.I'm a bit more comfortable with strong side carry but I've used cross draw without issues.Either one has certain advantages over the other.
photoman
Member
To all it may concern and no one in particular,
when driving in the U.S. the gun should be used in the right hand. Try to point a gun through a closed drivers side window left handed. Seated on the passenger side of the car, the gun should be used in the left hand. If weakside shooting is super hard, then I just gave you your homework assignment.
Yes indeed. I did some left hand, J frame work end of last week and man do I need some practice there! It's good enough to get the job done but there's lots of room for improvement.
Excellent info regarding shooting from inside a car.
Gee, I was going to point out that shoulder holsters are cross draw, but I got beat to the punch. Here in Montana, you can get away with using a shoulder holster under a coat, jacket, or wind breaker all but 3-4 months of the year. The rest of the time, an oversized T-shirt untucked will do. Normally, I use a Galco MC 244 Shoulder holster and Galco SOB 244 (worn in the 5:00 position) for a brace of 5903's, as well as a 637-2 in an old Bianchi # 12 ankle holster, and a Freedom Arms .22 LR Mini Revolver which resides in an old eyeglass case which has a flap held closed with a snap closure and clipped into my shirt pocket. (Guns are mechanical devices and as such are capable of failure. Also, you may have to arm someone else. One gun is NEVER enough). In the summer, I carry my 5903's in Bianchi # 6X holsters IWB, one at about 10:30, the other at 5:00. If they've ever printed, no one has ever mentioned it. -Ed.
No offense, no worries, stiab.
For the record, I was referring to cross draw from the belt/waist ...as was the OP, I believe. And my comments stand as it pertains to that type of cross draw.
However, I own shoulder holsters and have long advocated (and posted) that that is my preferred carry if traveling seated for lengthy periods of time. The problems I cited generally don't apply whilst traveling.
Be safe.
PS:
How many is a "zillion?"
george minze
Member
In the sixties Cincinnati police issued Buckhimer Clark cross draw holsters, Illinois State Police issued cross draw flap holsters, St, Louis Metro Police issued flap holsters optional strong side or cross draw. Certain protection assignments still as far as I know, drivers wear a type of cross draw made to be worn almost at buckle level cross draw. All but certain protection details have changed to strong side draw if for no other reason PPC shooting. Go to a PPC training or match no x draw for safety's sake. The guys left of you were a heck of a lot happier with out your barrel crossing their bodies.
Hi:
In 1962 I started LEO using a Colt Trooper .38spl 4" and a cross draw duty holster. Off Duty was a Colt Cobra .38spl 2" with a cross draw holster.
In 1963 I then attended a FBI Training School. The FBI Instructors were very negative about Colt Revolvers and cross draw holsters.
I went though Training with a S&W Model 10 .38spl 4" and Border Patrol pattern duty holster plus a S&W Model 10 .38spl 2" with a strong side Buchemier plain clothes holster.
I stayed with strong side duty holsters until 2008. Disability Retirement now I carry strong side plus cross draw. If I had to limit myself to only one CCW I would choose cross draw.
Jimmy
In 1962 I started LEO using a Colt Trooper .38spl 4" and a cross draw duty holster. Off Duty was a Colt Cobra .38spl 2" with a cross draw holster.
In 1963 I then attended a FBI Training School. The FBI Instructors were very negative about Colt Revolvers and cross draw holsters.
I went though Training with a S&W Model 10 .38spl 4" and Border Patrol pattern duty holster plus a S&W Model 10 .38spl 2" with a strong side Buchemier plain clothes holster.
I stayed with strong side duty holsters until 2008. Disability Retirement now I carry strong side plus cross draw. If I had to limit myself to only one CCW I would choose cross draw.
Jimmy
flop-shank
US Veteran
That makes sense. The gun is available to either hand. I'll add that to my bag of tricks. Thank you.
I carry crossdraw for a few reasons. One being I can draw effectively with either hand that way so I have a much better chance of getting it out in a scuffle. Being concealed just in front of the hip with the butt facing forward no one could ever take it from behind me. I can stand, sit, lay down, drive or lean and I never have to reposition it. As someone else said for anyone to try to take it they would have to be facing me as well as even knowing it's there and if they reach for my hip I'll have plenty of time to draw while they're picking up their teeth.
Lew Archer
Member
One advantage of a cross draw holster is that generally the gun may be easily accessed with either hand, more so then with a strongside holster.
Most of the disadvantages have been argued in previous posts, as have many sound rebuttal arguments.
In the end, if you like cross draw carry, if it suits your needs, if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages...for you, in your circumstances...and if you dilligently and reasonably practice, then carry that way.
I would recommend that folks generally avoid changing up their carry routine....
It's best to find what works and stick with it. Under stress, we all know that so-called "muscle memory" may kick in. Toggling frequently from one method to another adds potential confusion--and a potentially lethal loss of time in a life and death situation.
If you have to select a different method...say, you're using an ankle rig today instead of your normal strongside belt holster due to some necessity...before you head out, consider doing a couple of practice draws (with an empty weapon) to ingrain into your subconscious where the gun is NOW.
Most of the disadvantages have been argued in previous posts, as have many sound rebuttal arguments.
In the end, if you like cross draw carry, if it suits your needs, if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages...for you, in your circumstances...and if you dilligently and reasonably practice, then carry that way.
I would recommend that folks generally avoid changing up their carry routine....
It's best to find what works and stick with it. Under stress, we all know that so-called "muscle memory" may kick in. Toggling frequently from one method to another adds potential confusion--and a potentially lethal loss of time in a life and death situation.
If you have to select a different method...say, you're using an ankle rig today instead of your normal strongside belt holster due to some necessity...before you head out, consider doing a couple of practice draws (with an empty weapon) to ingrain into your subconscious where the gun is NOW.
photoman
Member
Good advice! The last thing I want to be thinking is, "Where did I put my gun today?" (!)
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