BigMike349
New member
How do you carry? What do you feel are the pros and cons of both?
Cross draw vs strong side?
- Thread starter BigMike349
- Start date
The two biggest advantages offered by the cross-draw location are (1) it's the easiest way to access a handgun from a holster while in the sitting position and (2), most people will find it easier to draw the gun from the holster if they have to use their "weak" (non-shooting) hand.
Some people object to the fact the muzzle sweep from the draw from a cross-draw holster covers more "non-shooting" area when getting the barrel to the target than a handgun drawn from a strong-side location.
Some people object to the fact the muzzle sweep from the draw from a cross-draw holster covers more "non-shooting" area when getting the barrel to the target than a handgun drawn from a strong-side location.
Theohazard
New member
I carry strong-side inside-the-waistband at the 3.5 - 4 o'clock position and I have no trouble reaching my gun when driving; the seatbelt doesn't get in the way at all. All I need to do is lean forward slightly to have easy access to my firearm.
Here are some other problems with cross-draw: The gun doesn't sit in a position that makes it as concealable against the body for most people's body types. It also takes longer to draw for most people. It's also more obvious that you're reaching for something when you're drawing. And in a close-encounter situation it would be much harder to fend off the attacker with your support hand while you draw, not to mention the possibility of getting your strong hand trapped against your body before you managed to draw.
Here are some other problems with cross-draw: The gun doesn't sit in a position that makes it as concealable against the body for most people's body types. It also takes longer to draw for most people. It's also more obvious that you're reaching for something when you're drawing. And in a close-encounter situation it would be much harder to fend off the attacker with your support hand while you draw, not to mention the possibility of getting your strong hand trapped against your body before you managed to draw.
bedbugbilly
New member
From a seated position - such as in a car - either driving or riding - I would prefer to carry cross draw as it's easier to access, at least for me, from that position.
In AZ a couple of years back, a guy drove in to a drive in pharmacy to pick up a prescription. From the write up I saw, two girls - yes - I said girls - approached his car. One from the driver's side and one the passenger's side. His doors were evidently unlocked. They surprised him and attempted to rob him on the spot. He wasn't carrying but one of the girls had a pistol - he managed to get it away from her - she shot one and the other one got away. While he wasn't carrying, I have run that scenario through my mind a number of times. If it was me, I would have had major problems trying to draw from my strong side (right) in that circumstance but could easily have cross drawn. You learn from such incidents as these . . we always lock our car doors and try to be aware of situations where someone could approach the car either to rob or hijack the car.
My normal carry is on my right side - I carry OTB - I'm talking in AZ where even though you can open carry, I usually have a shirt tail covering so it doesn't print. If I had to cross draw while standing, it would be hard as my right shoulder just doesn't work as well as it once did - it's hell to get old.
As far as the mention of "cavalry" carry - butt forward on your strong side - if you can do it, more power to you but I doubt if most folks can or could draw that way quickly if necessary. The one thing that has always been drilled in to me by instructors, and I've had some good ones with not only military special ops experience but solid street experience as well - is to carry in whatever manner works for you so you can draw if necessary as if it is "second nature". That requires practice, practice, and more practice. Your body should be trained so your hand finds the weapon naturally and that you can not only draw without looking, but replace the weapon in you holster without looking. All the time doing this you should be scanning back and forth looking for further trouble and more perps. At a recent range session, scanning was one of the most important things they concentrated on as well as draw and replacement of the weapon without looking. If we went to the "at the ready" position with the weapon in front of us, pounted down range and down at an angle, our eyes and heads had better be scanning or else we were promptly and sternly reminded.
In AZ a couple of years back, a guy drove in to a drive in pharmacy to pick up a prescription. From the write up I saw, two girls - yes - I said girls - approached his car. One from the driver's side and one the passenger's side. His doors were evidently unlocked. They surprised him and attempted to rob him on the spot. He wasn't carrying but one of the girls had a pistol - he managed to get it away from her - she shot one and the other one got away. While he wasn't carrying, I have run that scenario through my mind a number of times. If it was me, I would have had major problems trying to draw from my strong side (right) in that circumstance but could easily have cross drawn. You learn from such incidents as these . . we always lock our car doors and try to be aware of situations where someone could approach the car either to rob or hijack the car.
My normal carry is on my right side - I carry OTB - I'm talking in AZ where even though you can open carry, I usually have a shirt tail covering so it doesn't print. If I had to cross draw while standing, it would be hard as my right shoulder just doesn't work as well as it once did - it's hell to get old.
As far as the mention of "cavalry" carry - butt forward on your strong side - if you can do it, more power to you but I doubt if most folks can or could draw that way quickly if necessary. The one thing that has always been drilled in to me by instructors, and I've had some good ones with not only military special ops experience but solid street experience as well - is to carry in whatever manner works for you so you can draw if necessary as if it is "second nature". That requires practice, practice, and more practice. Your body should be trained so your hand finds the weapon naturally and that you can not only draw without looking, but replace the weapon in you holster without looking. All the time doing this you should be scanning back and forth looking for further trouble and more perps. At a recent range session, scanning was one of the most important things they concentrated on as well as draw and replacement of the weapon without looking. If we went to the "at the ready" position with the weapon in front of us, pounted down range and down at an angle, our eyes and heads had better be scanning or else we were promptly and sternly reminded.
If I were going cross-draw, I'd go should rig. The gun is clear of a seatbelt, you don't have to wonder what to do with your gun while using the restroom, you don't have to dress to accommodate the gun as long as you have a shirt or jacket covering (which you'd need anyway), and you can prep your draw discreetly by crossing your arms.
A weak-hand draw might be more difficult than for a cross-draw belt holster, depending on retention snaps and straps and your flexibility.
A weak-hand draw might be more difficult than for a cross-draw belt holster, depending on retention snaps and straps and your flexibility.
Another up side to cross draw is that it frees up space on your strong side for other things you may need to access more often - phone, knife, etc.
I carry cross draw on my belt when I'm hiking/hunting because I keep my knife on my strong side.
When I'm out in town in the colder months I frequently carry in a shoulder holster, but that has more to do with it being more easily concealed and accessed under a jacket than under the tail of my shirt/sweater/jacket. A strong side shoulder rig would be comical, but not very useful.
IMHO people make a bigger thing out of "sweeping" than they need to.
I carry cross draw on my belt when I'm hiking/hunting because I keep my knife on my strong side.
When I'm out in town in the colder months I frequently carry in a shoulder holster, but that has more to do with it being more easily concealed and accessed under a jacket than under the tail of my shirt/sweater/jacket. A strong side shoulder rig would be comical, but not very useful.
IMHO people make a bigger thing out of "sweeping" than they need to.
It depends on what you plan on doing with the gun.
Best advise it to try both and see what works best for the.
Set in a car with the seat belt on, both cross draw and strong side, see which is confined by the seat best.
Set on your couch/recliner like you're watching tv during a home invasion. Which makes it easier to get the gun in play.
Draw the gun with your weak hand in the cross draw position, and then with the placement on the strong side.
Do you ride a horse, MC, bicycle. Try drawing from both while preforming those activities.
Do all above and see what works for you.
Of course if you are shooting competition the question will be answered for you, few if any ranges allow cross draws during competition for safety reasons. Too easy to sweep someone in the cross draw.
However if you're alone, practicing self defense, that wont be a problem.
I get asked this a lot in the self defense classes I teach. I don't answer. I have the students decide for themselves by drills I mentioned above.
For safety sake, its one on one, I position myself so there is no sweeping.
Best advise it to try both and see what works best for the.
Set in a car with the seat belt on, both cross draw and strong side, see which is confined by the seat best.
Set on your couch/recliner like you're watching tv during a home invasion. Which makes it easier to get the gun in play.
Draw the gun with your weak hand in the cross draw position, and then with the placement on the strong side.
Do you ride a horse, MC, bicycle. Try drawing from both while preforming those activities.
Do all above and see what works for you.
Of course if you are shooting competition the question will be answered for you, few if any ranges allow cross draws during competition for safety reasons. Too easy to sweep someone in the cross draw.
However if you're alone, practicing self defense, that wont be a problem.
I get asked this a lot in the self defense classes I teach. I don't answer. I have the students decide for themselves by drills I mentioned above.
For safety sake, its one on one, I position myself so there is no sweeping.
I had a surplus holster that placed my firearm in the front of my abdomen on one strap that went over the right shoulder and attached to my trousers on the left.
I was comfortable and easy to get to. Though not a suitable method for concealed carry, it was nice for kicking around in the woods.
I was comfortable and easy to get to. Though not a suitable method for concealed carry, it was nice for kicking around in the woods.
When I belt carry, it's almost exclusively cross-draw ... at 68 my shoulder doesn't appreciate the movement needed to draw from my strong side, although I can do it if I have to. In addition to ease of access while driving, my draw is measurably faster cross-draw, and practice has eliminated most of the inherant dangers of covering a piece of my hide as the gun comes clear ... I was out today and had my Ruger LCR on my strong side because the holster's forward cant makes it unuseable cross-draw ... I practiced about a dozen draws (empty gun facing a cement wall); speed was okay, but I still prefer cross-draw ...
Very good points you made there RickB...a shoulder rig is one that I've never given much thought to....I need to reevaluate that possibility.
It also makes sense if you do much wet-weather hunting with a short gun, or carrying one as a back up. I strong side carry for the most part, and I do find that it occasionally bumps against the butt stock of my shouldered rifle. Rod
It also makes sense if you do much wet-weather hunting with a short gun, or carrying one as a back up. I strong side carry for the most part, and I do find that it occasionally bumps against the butt stock of my shouldered rifle. Rod
Massad Ayoob...
Id research the articles of gun writer & tactics trainer Massad Ayoob on the subject.
I, for one, see the merits of both methods but overall, would endorse strong-side carry. It's safe, easy to conceal & offers retention/weapon security.
Cross-draws can work effectively with smaller weapons & well made holsters.
I don't really follow the "one gun, one way, all the time" mindset.
Clyde
Id research the articles of gun writer & tactics trainer Massad Ayoob on the subject.
I, for one, see the merits of both methods but overall, would endorse strong-side carry. It's safe, easy to conceal & offers retention/weapon security.
Cross-draws can work effectively with smaller weapons & well made holsters.
I don't really follow the "one gun, one way, all the time" mindset.
Clyde
tony pasley
New member
you should practice both because one size never fits all. It depends what I am doing which way I carry.