Peter Gunn's Holster

[.38SuperMan]

Peter Gunn, Dragnet and Mr Lucky were some of my favorite shows as a kid. My wife and I still love watching them.

Edit: another show that came along later but was Mike Hammer. Hammer carried a 1911 but the directors representation of the 1911 was unrealistic the way Hammer handled it. You’ll catch a lot of mistakes. The theme for Mike Hammer was Harlem Nocturne another great theme.


The theme to Mr Lucky is outstanding and another Henry Mancini piece.

 

[31FordA]

I recall that a number of the detectives I knew as a kid carried their revolvers cross draw, but I don’t remember too many after the early 80’s.

When I started work in ‘97 I carried my Model 36 back up in a old cross draw holster I got from the box of $5 used holsters at a gun show. I wore it about 8 o’clock, figuring that reduced the chances of it getting snatched. I practiced drawing it cavalry style with my left, instead of cross draw with my right. At some point in the early 2000’s I switched to a left hand 5BH.

 

[Father Joe]

As a practical matter, it seems like it would be very easy to unintentionally "sweep" a large piece of real estate when cross drawing. Maybe that's the cause for the cross draw's current lack of popularity?

 

[PHS327]

Or, maybe these guys are just wearing their strong-side holsters on their off side as a practice similar to wearing one's wristwatch with the watch face facing down, on the bottom of one's wrist, buckle at the top of the wrist, as was a custom among some, for a time?

You wear your watch with the face down for a number of reasons. One is to minimize the risk of the sun reflecting off the face and giving away your position. Another is to help protect the watch face from being banged on something and damaged. Also, if the face is down and you are holding a cup of coffee in the hand your watch is on and someone asks you what time it is, when you look at your watch, you spill your coffee on them instead of yourself.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

During my LEO days in Colorado, the CHP were issued and required to carry their Pythons in a cross draw holster. Several of our detectives also used a cross draw holster. I didn't like them at the time, but I've been reconsidering that the last few years for my daily wear revolver.

 

[Onomea]

During my LEO days in Colorado, the CHP were issued and required to carry their Pythons in a cross draw holster. Several of our detectives also used a cross draw holster. I didn't like them at the time, but I've been reconsidering that the last few years for my daily wear revolver.

- What was the rationale for the requirement for cross draw?

- Was it that officers should have ready access when seated?

- And, why did the requirement change? (I'm assuming the CHP Colorado no longer has the requirement.)

As Father Joe notes, sweeping of bystanders is a common concern raised with cross draw. As is the concern that, unlike drawing from the hip, there is a tendency to over travel laterally when aiming. (I've heard the arguments against this concern, too.)

But I am curious why the popularity of cross draw — now that we have established that it was popular, and not only in Hollywood — faded.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

I guess it was that the revolver was readily drawn when seated.

They now use a strong side holster the last time I noted.

I will note that many experienced horseman and packers in Wyoming bear country prefer the cross draw holster when around the very aggressive grizzlies there, particularly when they have an elk down. I prefer a muzzle down shoulder holster for my 41 when in that country thinking that is my fastest draw option when worn over a jacket.

 

[lihpster]

For woods carry, I find the crossdraw to be the most comfortable for me. Shoulder holsters get caught in rifle slings and pack straps. Strong side holsters are either behind your hip, and usually under your pack, or on it to catch on brush and bash into trees and rocks. Crossdraw is accessible to both hands and isn't covered up by alot of gear.

 

[Ingramite]

Sans-A-Belt Slacks

Peter Gunn was a cutting-edge series for its time! Henry Mancini did the sound track and there was action, suspense, smarts and babes. I love it!

Craig Stevens played the part well. I don’t know what type of holster he wore, since his S&W 2” M&P magically appeared in his hand whenever he needed it.

This is the only photo of his holster I could find and it’s a screenshot from a clip. The classic cross draw holster of the day was a Lewis, but they didn’t ride this low or have a cant. Peter usually wore Sans-A-Belt slacks, so that rules out a belt holster! Probably just the magic of TV!

This thread needs music!
Peter Gunn Theme - YouTube

Yeah, I wore em.
That wide elastic waistband solved holster problems. I could carry a 4" Model 10 stuffed in that waistband and it never went anywhere.

Looking at my physique today?
I'd probably have to supplement that elastic with a pair of suspenders to keep it from rolling over due to the overhang.
Otherwise it would look like a blown out whitewall tire.

The Original Sansabelt |35,000 pair in stock|Waist Sizes 30-70 - SANSABELT.COM

 

[lihpster]

Yeah, I wore em.
That wide elastic waistband solved holster problems. I could carry a 4" Model 10 stuffed in that waistband and it never went anywhere.

Looking at my physique today?
I'd probably have to supplement that elastic with a pair of suspenders to keep it from rolling over due to the overhang.
Otherwise it would look like a blown out whitewall tire.

The Original Sansabelt |35,000 pair in stock|Waist Sizes 30-70 - SANSABELT.COM

I resemble that remark! When I was a young pup with a body that didn't resemble a plastic bag of jello, I used to wear my jeans so tight that ANYTHING I stuffed in them wasn't going anywhere.
Unfortunately I do mean ANYTHING.

 

[stansdds]

Yeah, I wore em.
That wide elastic waistband solved holster problems. I could carry a 4" Model 10 stuffed in that waistband and it never went anywhere.

Looking at my physique today?
I'd probably have to supplement that elastic with a pair of suspenders to keep it from rolling over due to the overhang.
Otherwise it would look like a blown out whitewall tire.

The Original Sansabelt |35,000 pair in stock|Waist Sizes 30-70 - SANSABELT.COM

I resemble that remark! When I was a young pup with a body that didn't resemble a plastic bag of jello, I used to wear my jeans so tight that ANYTHING I stuffed in them wasn't going anywhere.
Unfortunately I do mean ANYTHING.

I'm with ya, fellas!

 

[rockquarry]

As for plainclothes cops fifty years ago, crossdraw holsters weren't real popular. Perhaps 10%-15% at best carried handguns in this manner. Looks impractical to me, though it may have actually worked well for some. I'm not much of a holster fan either way.

 

[jimmyj]

Cross Draw Holsters were popular in the days before patrol vehicle had cages between front and back seats. One officer cars the prisoner rode upfront on the passenger side. The officer's weapon would be away from the prisoner. (days before handcuffing behind the back was used.) Two officer cars the second officer rode in the rear seat behind the driver. Prisoner rode rear seat behind passenger front seat. Also when taking notes with a suspect the weak side elbow covered the weapon

 

[Buford57]

Cross Draw Holsters were popular in the days before patrol vehicle had cages between front and back seats. One officer cars the prisoner rode upfront on the passenger side. The officer's weapon would be away from the prisoner. (days before handcuffing behind the back was used.) Two officer cars the second officer rode in the rear seat behind the driver. Prisoner rode rear seat behind passenger front seat. Also when taking notes with a suspect the weak side elbow covered the weapon

+1. I'm not knocking the combination lock holsters that have become a practical necessity today, but our weapon retention system consisted of a thumb strap and situational awareness. If an officer lost control of his sidearm it was more likely due to failure of the latter than the former.

 

[lawandorder]

One of the largest surges in Officer Survival training came about shortly after the loss of 4 CHP Officers in a OIS known as the Newhall incident.

Many tactics and equipment issues were looked at with regard to better Officer safety.

Cross draw holsters provided a strong and easy temptation to criminals bent on violence toward Officers.

 

[Onomea]

Cross Draw Holsters were popular in the days before patrol vehicle had cages between front and back seats. One officer cars the prisoner rode upfront on the passenger side. The officer's weapon would be away from the prisoner. (days before handcuffing behind the back was used.) Two officer cars the second officer rode in the rear seat behind the driver. Prisoner rode rear seat behind passenger front seat. Also when taking notes with a suspect the weak side elbow covered the weapon

Interesting comments, Jimmy, and new to me. Thanks.

 

[peterGun]

For woods carry, I find the crossdraw to be the most comfortable for me. Shoulder holsters get caught in rifle slings and pack straps. Strong side holsters are either behind your hip, and usually under your pack, or on it to catch on brush and bash into trees and rocks. Crossdraw is accessible to both hands and isn't covered up by alot of gear.

I carry my 5-1/2” Blackhawk cross draw in the woods and dare I say I shoot it single hand, something else that used to be popular.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Darkenfast]

There's a video on YT (that has been linked on this forum more than once), showing the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Gun Club range in the 1930s'. It's silent but in color(!). It covers a variety of subjects, but in one scene (if I recall correctly), you can see plainclothes/detective types practicing quick draw double-action shooting from a cross-draw holster with a four or six inch barreled revolver. The revolvers that I could identify in the video appeared to be Colt Official Police. I also recall someone commenting that at that time detectives in some departments in the area did, in fact, carry the long barrels and often did so in cross draws. Fun video (and definitely frowned upon by OSHA today!).

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDP8BRSEjrA[/ame]

 

[jimmyj]

1938 L.A.S.O:
1. Full Flap Holster
2. Colt O.P. 6" .38
3. 50 rounds .38 reloads-$5.50
4. Firing is S.A.
5. Plainclothes Officer training crossdraw w/ 6" revolver

 

[.357magger]

While strong side carry was mandated for Patrol officers during my time in the Jurrasic era, I routinely wore shoulder holster after moving to Investigations.

Same process as crossdraw, just higher. Main reason is it's more accessible while seated in a vehicle, it's more comfortable during 10-12 hour (or longer) shifts, and it has its own set of retention drills.

Worked for me and many others. "Sweeping " wasn't a thing, and it's not if you train to not put your finger on the trigger as soon as you grip. Those I pointed it at I wanted to be nervous. The more nervous the better.