Cross draw

My understanding is that "crossdraw" was actually the preferred method of carry back in the day, though I'm really not sure of the advantages.
 
All you have to do is to wear crossdraw for a day or two and the advantage becomes clear that you have an advantage while seated and weapon retention ability goes up.
 
All you have to do is to wear crossdraw for a day or two and the advantage becomes clear that you have an advantage while seated and weapon retention ability goes up.
Click to expand...
Exactly, especially if you have to drive a lot. Drove my chief nuts in the Navy but I wore my 45 cross draw for that reason. Even walking in the woods or working around the place. My right hand is always carrying or using something and the holstered gun gets thumped a lot but I rarely notice it on my left side. I used to carry in competition that way too but some range officers wouldn't switch sides for me when I was up and I don't like crossing them when I draw so I had to switch to strongside carry.
 
I'm ambidextrous to a certain degree. I rather like carrying large revolvers in a cross draw shoulder holster because it keeps the hog leg out of the way of my dominant hand yet allows me to draw it easily with my left or right hand should I want/need to.
 
If you've ever rode a horse it's easy to see why crossdraw was the preferred method back then because riding is all about keeping that center of gravity, and that's crossdraw, not reaching behind you while trying to keep your balance with who knows what chasing you :)
 
I don't think it was preferred, not saying it wasn't done. You have to remember that holsters back in the day weren't low slung fast draw or buscadero rigs. Those are a Hollywood invention. Period holsters were worn high on the waist and revolver grips were above top of belt.
 
catken - if you have a holster that will work, put it on in "cross draw" fashion. If you position it correctly, your "drawing hand" should naturally swing directly to the grip and it should become "second nature". It might take some experimentation but you'll see what I'm talking about. Hung on the hip, the grip (in a period style holster like Hawg is talking about) will be high and take extra effort to locate the grip for drawing. As another gentleman mentioned, if you've ever ridden a horse, you'll see that the crossdraw holster is more comfortable and balanced as far as finding, turning, etc. as opposed to being on your hip and having to pull up high on the pistol to clear the holster if it is on your hip. Everybody has their preferred way of wearing their holster and what works best for each person is the way they should wear it. :)
 
They really didn't have "crossdraw" holsters back then, except for the cavalry flap holsters. They wore regular strong side holsters on the weak side butt forward. Usually, not always, they would shift the holster to one side or the other weather they were on a horse or not. Look at pics of Texas Rangers in the 1870s, 80s, and 90s. When they are pictured mounted, most of the time thier holsters are weak side butt forward. When on the ground the holsters are strong side. I mean pics of the same men. It really doesn't make anything better as far as drawing goes on foot.(unless you have a long barrel pistol) When you are mounted is where it makes a difference.
 
I have tried the regular holster on my right hip, but the crossdraw was much more comfortable for me. It was very awkward drawing and having to raise my right hand and shoulder as high as was required to clear leather. But the crossdraw position was instantly comfortable and natural.
 
Something to consider when using crossdraw: drawing from a crossdraw holster brings the muzzle to bear on a significant area that's not downrange. Many ranges won't allow crossdraw for that reason.
 
Before and during the Civil War, the sword was considered the "primary" weapon of a cavalry soldier. If he was right-handed, he wore his sword on his left side. His pistol, a secondary weapon, was on the right side for a left-handed cross-draw -- though often transferred quickly from left hand to right hand. Cross-draw for both sword and pistol was more practical from a sitting position (as on a horse).
 
Think about the history of the handgun…
In the days before holsters, you kept you "belt pistol" under your belt (or sash) -- more than likely it was in a cross draw orientation. We often see graphics depicting early gunfighters as having a pair of belt revolvers in opposing cross draw fashion. Later, as folks switched to holsters, many found it quite natural to position their holstered revolver in the same general location as it had been while under the belt.

crossdraw.jpg
 
And the movie poster you posted is just that, a movie poster. Look at real pics from the 1800s. Most people carried strong side while on foot at least. I have studied the "old west" for 20 years and have seen thousends of photos. Cross draw carry shows up very little. Not that noone did it, just not a lot.
 
The drawing of John Wesley Hardin is obviously the product of an artist's imagination; however, he's not the first to depict Hardin in a similar posture. I thought the photo of Wild Bill was the real thing. I wonder if Wild Bill didn't square away his pistol presentation for the photo op. And, it looks like he could easily prick himself with that toad tickler while making a move with his left hand.

I must confess, when evaluating an under-the-belt revolver there are some gray areas… How far does a weak side carry need to be moved forward and canted before a cross draw becomes a belly gun?
 
That IS a real photo of "Wild Bill". But it is also a studio photo. Bill more than likely has a knife sheath and pistol holsters slid to the back of his belt too. If memory is correct, this pic was taken while he was on a trip home after a scout with the army. Bill supposedly carried his 51s in a sash when he was patrolling the streets while a lawman, but wore holsters when he wasn't. Tucking guns and knives into belts for long trips would be kinda stupid in reality. It is not a secure way to carry 2 1/2 pound pistols while your horse is bouncing around. Wild Bill also didn't use a "cross" draw either. He carried his guns butt forward but drew right hand, right gun/ left hand left gun, or a reverse cavalry draw. Like I said in a previous post the only time a "crossdraw" would be beneficial would be on horseback or seated. Think about it, someone draws a gun right hand/right side he just has to pull up. Cross draw you have to reach across your body to get a hold of your gun then pull up. That takes time. Also when you "strong side" draw, your gun lines up on the target as soon as it clears the holster and rakes the target from feet to cheast. Cross draw doesn't level on target till you swing the gun across your body leaving a chance to shoot too soon or too late. I have carried both ways. I actually like crossdraw better, it's more comfortable to me. But I think strong side is quicker. Everyone feels differently.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top