Whit
Member
Hopefully this does not turn into a “war of words” regarding the use of cross draw holsters with “lectures” about its shortcomings. The desire is just to relay what works for me and why.
Concealed carry methods, like what one chooses to carry concealed, is a personal decision based on what works for the individual. Like many things, there is no one size fits all solution to concealed carry.
In my little simple mind there are three elements to concealed carry. Concealability (if that is a word), comfort, and accessibility. Concealed carry is just that, carrying so that it is not obvious that a firearm is on your body. Thus concealability is a must in a holster. Since we are all built differently as well as have different physical conditions that impact how we carry, we will not all used the same methods to meet the goal of hiding a firearm.
Comfort, yes, I know what Clint Smith says, can be important. Most people spend the vast majority of their time carrying, not using for defensive purported, their firearm, being comfortable is a plus. What is comfortable for one may be excruciating for another.
Accessibility is important. Even though we spend the most time just toting a piece, if heaven forbid we need it, it must be readily available for use, which again may be different for others than it is for yourself.
I’m an a well seasoned mature individual…nah, I’m just an old guy who has found what works to meet the three conditions above. For a point of reference, I’ve been carrying since the late 60’s when I was a young rookie cop. Experience is hopefully a good teacher and long experience an even better one. Over time my carry methods have changed primarily because I’ve changed. As seasoned senior citizen I can’t do some of the things I could in my younger years, at least not the same way I did them them. That includes how I carry concealed.
Back issues, weight of carry pieces, body shape among other things have made it necessary to adjust how I can best conceal and satisfy all the conditions above.
With that in mind I’ve come to the conclusion that, for me, not necessarily for anyone else, cross draw works best. This method takes a load off my back. It moves the weight forward which, again for me, makes things much more comfortable and concealable in my typical attire, an untucked shirt with jeans or casual pants. It is also accessible. Using my left hand to lift my shirttail exposes the butt allowing me to easily obtain a grip and draw. The weight forward actually seems to make my pants fit better. My anatomy is such that I don’t have much of a rear end, in fact some pants are so baggy it appears a large family and all their pets may have moved out. The weigh forward seems to pull the back of my pants a little tighter thus keeping them from slipping south.
Finding a suitable cross draw holster proved to be a bit of a chore. The fine folks at Lobo Leather have solved that issue. They crafted one of their Enhance Belt Slide holsters with a minimal rearward (muzzle forward) cant. The cant is 3-5 degrees. Worn just in front of my left hip bone it is very concealable, very comfortable and for me accessible. My simple conditions have been meet making me a happy carrier. As stated above, might not work for all and you may disagree with my conclusions, both of which are OK. I can’t fault what works for you and hopefully you will be understanding of what allows me to keep on carrying. Blessings to all.
Concealed carry methods, like what one chooses to carry concealed, is a personal decision based on what works for the individual. Like many things, there is no one size fits all solution to concealed carry.
In my little simple mind there are three elements to concealed carry. Concealability (if that is a word), comfort, and accessibility. Concealed carry is just that, carrying so that it is not obvious that a firearm is on your body. Thus concealability is a must in a holster. Since we are all built differently as well as have different physical conditions that impact how we carry, we will not all used the same methods to meet the goal of hiding a firearm.
Comfort, yes, I know what Clint Smith says, can be important. Most people spend the vast majority of their time carrying, not using for defensive purported, their firearm, being comfortable is a plus. What is comfortable for one may be excruciating for another.
Accessibility is important. Even though we spend the most time just toting a piece, if heaven forbid we need it, it must be readily available for use, which again may be different for others than it is for yourself.
I’m an a well seasoned mature individual…nah, I’m just an old guy who has found what works to meet the three conditions above. For a point of reference, I’ve been carrying since the late 60’s when I was a young rookie cop. Experience is hopefully a good teacher and long experience an even better one. Over time my carry methods have changed primarily because I’ve changed. As seasoned senior citizen I can’t do some of the things I could in my younger years, at least not the same way I did them them. That includes how I carry concealed.
Back issues, weight of carry pieces, body shape among other things have made it necessary to adjust how I can best conceal and satisfy all the conditions above.
With that in mind I’ve come to the conclusion that, for me, not necessarily for anyone else, cross draw works best. This method takes a load off my back. It moves the weight forward which, again for me, makes things much more comfortable and concealable in my typical attire, an untucked shirt with jeans or casual pants. It is also accessible. Using my left hand to lift my shirttail exposes the butt allowing me to easily obtain a grip and draw. The weight forward actually seems to make my pants fit better. My anatomy is such that I don’t have much of a rear end, in fact some pants are so baggy it appears a large family and all their pets may have moved out. The weigh forward seems to pull the back of my pants a little tighter thus keeping them from slipping south.
Finding a suitable cross draw holster proved to be a bit of a chore. The fine folks at Lobo Leather have solved that issue. They crafted one of their Enhance Belt Slide holsters with a minimal rearward (muzzle forward) cant. The cant is 3-5 degrees. Worn just in front of my left hip bone it is very concealable, very comfortable and for me accessible. My simple conditions have been meet making me a happy carrier. As stated above, might not work for all and you may disagree with my conclusions, both of which are OK. I can’t fault what works for you and hopefully you will be understanding of what allows me to keep on carrying. Blessings to all.
