Cross Draw?

ZVP

New member
I have noticed that in the Spagetti Westerns, Cross Drw Holsters seem to dominate even with C&B revolvers. I have looked around suppliers like Cabelas and some smaller dealers and they DO carry Cross Draw Holsters but for the most part they are made for large Centerfire revolvers.
I bought a holster on line for my 5 1/2" '58 Remmie and it's a little too big for the frame! It fits my Vaquero perfectly but the Remmie slips down inside too far. You almost can;t notice but getting your finger placed on the trigger in a draw takes effort.
There is NO way a Colt Type frame would fit the Holster!
Is there anyone except for a custom maker who builds a cross-draw for the Colt Type frame?
Thanks
ZVP
 
You almost can;t notice but getting your finger placed on the trigger in a draw takes effort.

In the old days it would have been very hard to do if not impossible.
 
I use a Double Cross Draw rig with two Dragoons!!

I ain't fast but I'm having fun!

I prefer not to touch the trigger until I'm ready to fire myself. Cuts way down on buying new boots...
 
I meant moving the finger towards the triggerguard, it came out wrong, OK?
Yea All my triggers are touchy and I NEED all the toes I have!
Sorry for the mus-type!
ZVP
I'll keep looking for crossdraws, rhanks!
 
The local CASS club really doesn't like the cross draw rigs. as it's more challenging for the shooter to draw & keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, with other stages on the sides... ( stages are all in rows with railroad ties dividing them )

I imagine it's fun though ;)
 
When you stop to think about it - back in the day of our ancestors - a cross draw holster would make a lot of sense if you spent a lot of time on horseback. Rather than reaching to your strong side to draw, which would repair a pretty much straight up pull due to your legs being down while seated in the saddle - a cross draw would allow the pistol to be aged some towards your strong hand and a lot easier for your hand to find the butt and withdraw from the holster quickly.

We all conjure up the visions of "gun slingers" but for a working cowboy of the day, there were lots of "critters" that could cause injury to your "four legged charges" - snakes, coyotes, bob cats, mountain lions, etc. not to mention two legged critters. A person also has to remember that a quick shot could startle cattle and start a stampede causing a lot of work in rounding them up. If I was all alone on horseback, working cattle on open range with nobody around for miles that I knew could be there if I needed them - I would feel a lot more secure being able to pull my cross draw holster around so it rode in front of me where I could get it if necessary - maybe a "case sense of security" - but that's no different in some of the ways we "carry" today.

It's still pretty much the same way today - a lot of folks like cross draw holsters as they spend a lot of time in their vehicles for their jobs. Riding on a horse or riding in a car - a cross draw properly adjusted will put your weapon "where you need it" if a problem arises while in your car. I carry on my strong side (right) OTB but in a car, it's almost impossible to reach your weapon if you need to. If we are going to be in the car and in areas where a problem could happen (at intersections int he city where you are stopped and a car jacking could occur, etc.) - then I switch to a cross draw holster. Like louis Sullivan said - "form follows function".

If you looking for a holster - try going to the leather working section over on CAS - lot's of good makers over there who can pretty much make whatever you want.
 
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I don't get the appeal of cross-draw. Maybe I'm fatter than your average cowboy but I can barely reach around to my opposite pocket for fishing a revolver out of a holster.

Steve
 
I made my own Belly Holster so I could keep my Super Red Hawk .44 magnums weight more centered while stalking or riding. Since I am right handed, it also makes for less movement in a stand to get it out of the holster for hunting. I am not a very big guy so the weight being on the side makes it a really long day in the woods if I use a side holster, and it bangs the saddle if riding a horse, or lately an ATV. Having it in the front keeps the weight in your lap while riding or walking.
 
The local CASS club really doesn't like the cross draw rigs. as it's more challenging for the shooter to draw & keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, with other stages on the sides... ( stages are all in rows with railroad ties dividing them )

I imagine it's fun though

I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard that. Yes, it's a bit more challenging to avoid sweeping anybody, but it is not difficult.

I have been using a cross draw rig in CAS since day one, for over ten years now.
 
I have one Cross Draw which fits a few of my revolvers and I like it!
WHen I ordered it, it was called a Wyoming Rig. I guess that means it's a pocket holster sitting atop a wide flat backing. The angle is supposed to be CAS legal (I forget the required degrees...).
A Cross Draw, as mentioned above, fits many situations and positions that you find yourself in while carrying. Very comfortable in the truck!
I guess I'm just a Holster Freak! I like all sorts of styles and shapes.
BTW, there is a GREAT book on holsters called "Packing Iron" . A high dollar hardcover that shows literally hundreds of Holsters for all types of revolvers1 It's a wonderful read and actually a necessity for the Western Historian! Priced about $45 internet.
ZVP
 
Having spent a good bit of time on horseback in my youth (also a slimmer time), cross-draw, especially with a long-barreled C&B revolver is the way to go. My rig is a cross draw for my 1860 Army or my 1875 Rem with a sheathed 10" blade Bowie (Silver Stag "Big" Bowie" or Cold Steel Laredo Bowie) behind it on my belt.

FH
 
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