Crossdraw-Advantages/Disadvantages

[Brownie]

Your thoughts on the use of the crossdraw methods advantages and disadvantages for self defense?

Have you ever used this carry method?

In what situations?

What holster/gun combination?

I've used a Milt Sparks 55BN crossdraw holster with a gov45 as a secondary gun to my primary 45 in an IWB Milt Sparks Summer Special strong side while transporting/protecting government witnesses to and from the Suffolk County Courthouse in Boston for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts AG's Criminal Division during the late 70's and working private protective details in the early to mid 80's.

Entering or exiting, and while seated in the vehicles, the crossdraw 45 became the primary first line of defense due to the speed of presentation and access while wearing a suit coat.

I preferred the crossdraw on the belt to the shoulder holsters which were always uncomfortable for me. I could also look relaxed and have my hand very close the butt of the gun when moving through areas that were ambush potentials like hallways and stairwells.

The disadvantages I saw? The gun was not secure in a potential struggle as the 55BN did not have a thumb strap to retain the weapon and could be dumped/lost to the street if a situation got very physical.

[DocH]

I use crossdraw when driving,always. Quick and easy access.I use a holster made by Rosen that he calls the Upper Limit. It's actually a high riding straight drop strong side rig,but the design works well for crossdraw.
I looked at a CCR recently by Sam Andrews that wraps under the belt,snaps in back,then folds over and snaps again in front.Very easy on/off and really good retention. I'll probably be getting one for my G19.
I also don't favor cross draw for normal carrry as I feel that in a H2H situation retention would be more difficult than a strong side carry.

[Guantes]

Only as a shoulder rig, usually inverted. Either hand draw, good concealability and great for driving trips. Nowadays it usually holds a 3" GP100.

[Brownie]

G,

I liked my inverted for the chiefs special in ballistic nylon. The gun was light enough and inverted was more comfortable as well.

I could never carry them 45's in shoulder rigs though :D

[DocH]

Only as a shoulder rig, usually inverted. Either hand draw, good concealability and great for driving trips. Nowadays it usually holds a 3" GP100. GP100 is one hellacious tough wheelgun. Would make a fine bludgeon ,too!:D

[Guantes]

B,
Agree re comfort and quick, although I don't like mouse guns.

DocH,
Purposes of a handgun
1. Shoot
2. Sap

[DocH]

B,
Agree re comfort and quick, although I don't like mouse guns.

DocH,
Purposes of a handgun
1. Shoot
2. Sap You nailed it,boss.;)

[kilogulf59]

There's a lot to be said for cross-draw carry. The method has been looked down upon by the "gurus" so it just isn't en vogue at the moment. However, it seems to me that more folks are realizing, on their own, that since most of us are seated quite a bit, it is extremely valid.

The problems with the method are three-fold, as I see it. First, the draw technique; if one is not careful they will cross their non-gun arm and "sweep" that area. A negligent discharge could be very serious to the shooter and/or anyone standing in that area (though I, personally, have never heard of this occurring).

Second, as the weapon is rapidly brought up to eye level, one can over-shoot his sight plain. Both these issues can and should be overcome by correct technique practice.

Third, and maybe this is a personal issue, I haven't found a CD holster that pulls the butt into my body. They seem to sit too high on the belt IE trigger guard and cylinder above the belt. The combination holsters are notorious for this.

Perhaps I should try one of the "chauffeur/body guard" holsters now on the market...thinking out loud here.

[Coops]

During his time in Shanghai, Fairbairn had all uniform officers carry their sidearm in a holster set up for crossdraw due to it's retention advantages. I know, as KG59 said, that modern day gurus frown on the practice, but I can't think of a better qualified 'guru' than WEF:~)

The downside these days with the crossdraw used then, would be the problem of concealment as the holster was worn on a Sam Brown belt; if your jacket blew open the weapon would be on show. The advantage of that carry is the retention aspect: the weapon is covered by the off hand easily and any blows deployed could be with the strong hand. For someone who is in a vehicle a lot (commercial traveller, close protection work etc)the advantages of a cross draw holster are obvious.

I have never used a shoulder rig - when I carried in plain clothes, it was in a belt holster (and a long time ago), so I cannot comment.

Coops

[JMusic]

I've used it, though outside of a car I found no advantage. I don't use it today. In a vehicle I usually keep a weapon on me plus one in the consule in my vehicle.
Jim

[Roundeyesamurai]

I use crossdraw for carrying a second gun when I think I'm going to need it.

That way, the second gun is available to either hand.

[Dave James]

I think the reason for the cross draw to drop from favor,for the last few years has been the LEO field,, like it or not most who carry CCW have looked to what the so called COP experts have said to carry and how,,,, I still have some great ole CD holsters from the late 50 and into the 60's the Federal 'Lawman" is one,,,,,

THe PD's by and large started to go away from them in mass,, some where around the mid 60's as I remember,, I think it was St.Louis or there abouts, but they lost a state SC case, over a shooting due to a CD holster being used,....

If you look at this carry on the federal level, you will see that it stayed in vouge longer, and is still done ,,, its very hard to beat for a right hander in the VIP arena and or car jockeys..

THe bigest down side to a good CD set up are holsters and body build.. most holsters I have seen carry the hand gun to straight up and down, and to the body style,, look at people who use it well,, they tend to be slimmer in the waist and chest area,, they don't have to fight the "dunlop" or "barrel" chest.

Younger days I carried the Colt 357 on the hip in a Berns and Martin rig and the 27 in a B&M I had done up as a shoulder rig, down the road I went to the 27 in a hip rig and a dick spl in a shoulder rig.