Some months ago, I needed a holster for a competition.  I really wanted to use my S&W 625 revolver, and I really wanted a leather holster.  I shopped around, and settled on a sourdough pancake from Simply Rugged. 

It's really a sweet holster.

I intended to wear it strong side, so the fact that it was cut to also fit crossdraw wasn't a selling point.  I got it in, practiced with it a bit in the living room, wore it to the competition, and did poorly. 

Not the holster's fault!  Just bad luck.  It was an Easter egg hunt, and random chance was not my friend.

Anyway, I took that same gun/holster combination out to the HRA fun shoot last weekend, and again was wearing it strong side.  But at some point, I was talking story with friends, and they were admiring my rig.  Did I mention it's a very nice holster?  I said something disparaging about the cross draw option, and was promptly asked if I had tried it.  Well, I hadn't, so in the interests of being fair, I moved it over.  It took a couple of tried to get it situated properly, and then...

I loved it!  It was SO much more comfortable and natural then the strong side carry!  The grip didn't dig into my ribs, the toe of the holster didn't catch seats when I sat down, the grip didn't hit the back of the seat when I slouched.  I'm completely sold! 

I'll have to practice my draw, of course, and my re-holstering, but I don't see voluntarily using strong side carry ever again.

Thoughts?

I prefer to wear it opposite of my dominate hand (fancy way of saying cross-draw..lol). I used it that way when I comp shot. It does take a bit of work to get it right where you want it, but once it was there. Now I found that I did lose a bit of time on my draw, but I made up for it on target acquisition. 

I thought the 3-5 o'clock position was the best for a holster until I took a course.  One guy there had a concealed holster set up for appendix draw.  His speed, compared to when I drew from my the Crossbreed Supertuck  at about 4 o'clock, blew me away.  When I drew from a Safariland OWB Paddle holster, we drew at about the same speed.  The Crossbreed Supertuck isn't really made for appendix carry, and using it that way is sort of awkward, but I'd like to get one of those holsters sometime.  I don't think I'd like a far-over, support side crossdraw, but a holster at about 1:30 canted toward the strong side is niiiiiiice.

Comes to show, I never stop learning.  As soon as you think you know everything, someone's gonna come along and blow your mind.

The only negative thing I'm thinking is you can't shoot as soon as you clear the holster, you have to turn your muzzle.  If that is the case, that would be a no-no imo.  I have two appendix holsters coming (one from raven, and the incog from G-Code); I think appendix is one of the better methods of carry. 

For fun and competition, do whatever you want though! It's all about fun anyways. For defensive use, I think you would be at a significant disadvantage up close, unless you are one of those quickdraw guys lol.

The only negative thing I'm thinking is you can't shoot as soon as you clear the holster, you have to turn your muzzle.  If that is the case, that would be a no-no imo.

This has occurred to me. Also, I'll sweep people behind and beside as I draw. On the upside, tho, I can easily draw while seated.

I'd like to see your reviews on those appendix holsters once you've had a chance to use them!

Appears to me the best solution is multiple holsters & guns!

 

At our range (Glenwood, Big Island), crossdraw (and shoulder) holsters are completely prohibited, because you end up sweeping folks behind and alongside you when you draw.  And ALL of the classes I've taken have required strong side holsters, for the same reason.

Personally, I love cross-draw.
Works good for chubby old fellas like me.

I started carrying cross draw about 30 years ago.  I find the angles you have to crook your arm with strong side carry made it awkward for a smooth draw.   There are disadvantages, notably, as touched upon, you sweep a whole lot of air and  you have to sweep through a small horizontal target area (as opposed to a vertical sweep through a larger target area.)

But almost none of the wide swept area is your own body --only your off arm, and little of that.

With respect to concealed carry, it also makes a gun grab from behind more difficult and it's easier to access from a seated position, as has been pointed out..  It's also natural to reach for something in front of you (as in taking your change from a retailer)  with your strong hand, leaving the gun exposed with strong side carry, whereas with cross draw it's "covered" with your off hand while you reach for something.

As I said, I was sold on off-side carry a long time ago.

But what works for me may not work for someone else. 

Terry

Reminds me of a discussion on Charlie Prince's butt-forward holsters on the 2007 version of "3:10 to Yuma".  He not only had to draw across his gut, but also sweep the entire crowd around him every time he drew. 

Reminds me of a discussion on Charlie Prince's butt-forward holsters on the 2007 version of "3:10 to Yuma".  He not only had to draw across his gut, but also sweep the entire crowd around him every time he drew.

Love those Schofield revolvers, if only there was a modern break front design, I'd be all over it.

..............Thoughts?

GZ is too fat for a cross draw.

Love those Schofield revolvers, if only there was a modern break front design, I'd be all over it.

I'm pretty sure Scholfields can take modern ammunition (oops).  If you can afford it, why not go for what you love?

Edit: By modern, I mean they came in cartridges.  Actually, I was totally wrong and the gun takes black powder.  But it looks awesome to shoot.

Reminds me of a discussion on Charlie Prince's butt-forward holsters on the 2007 version of "3:10 to Yuma".  He not only had to draw across his gut, but also sweep the entire crowd around him every time he drew.

If I'm not mistaken, that was "Cavalry Carry."  The holster was cross-draw for their left hands.  Their primary weapon in the early days was supposed to be a sword or a lance, which was wielded with their right hands.

ETA REF:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalry_draw

(I've seen this explanation in more places than just this.)

Terry, 230RN

If I'm not mistaken, that was "Cavalry Carry."  The holster was cross-draw for their left hands.  Their primary weapon in the early days was supposed to be a sword or a lance, which was wielded with their right hands.

ETA REF:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalry_draw

(I've seen this explanation in more places than just this.)

Terry, 230RN

Huh.  Interesting bit of information.  Ya learn something new every day!