In the days of Cowboy movies it wasn’t unusual to see a tough guy carrying his weapon in a cross draw holster, that is butt forward opposite the strong hand. While most pistoleros have traditionally chosen to carry strong side, there is actually a purpose for the cross draw holster that remains today.
The number one reason to consider a cross draw holster is if you tend to be in a seated position most of the time. If you have a desk job or work out of a vehicle they can be wise choices for your handgun. Trying to get your handgun out while seated in a car with seat belt fastened can be difficult to say the least. A cross draw holster allows you the ability to access your gun quickly in this situation.
If you choose this option just remember that it provides minimal security for normal CCW because the butt is forward. It also creates some issues because the strong hand must cross the body. This makes warding of an attacker that much harder. Ultimately, this should only be an option for a select group of CCW holders. However, if you fit some of the qualifications listed above, cross draw may be a viable option for your needs.
I rarely carry CCW… but even then it’s cross draw from the 10 O’Clock position. I also wear a separate gunbelt (normally). I dunno what all this ‘warding off an attacker’ is about… That’s the whole purpose of carrying. You don’t want any close encounters. Open Carry prevents that.
I’ve carried ‘since 1966
Thanks for commenting. Obviously you don’t want any close encounters, but most of them end up being close. We rarely have the luxury of time and distance. If you have a state that permits open carry, that is definitely an option, but open carry in some states, even where permitted, causes more trouble than it is worth.
I rarely carry CCW… but even then it’s cross draw from the 10 O’Clock position. I also wear a separate gunbelt (normally). I dunno what all this ‘warding off an attacker’ is about… That’s the whole purpose of carrying. You don’t want any close encounters. Open Carry prevents that.
I’ve carried ‘since 1966
Thanks for commenting. Obviously you don’t want any close encounters, but most of them end up being close. We rarely have the luxury of time and distance. If you have a state that permits open carry, that is definitely an option, but open carry in some states, even where permitted, causes more trouble than it is worth.
Rights do not require permission, license or regulation. Rights are either recognized or denied. The only ‘trouble’ with open carry ‘in some states’ is the endemic attitude of local government and law enforcement toward the carrier, contrary to their oath to support and defend the Constitution. The right of bearing arms for self defense is not selective. There are no actual problematic scenarios with bad guys when heeled in that mode.
As you may suspect, I live in Arizona. ‘Whole ‘nuther attitude toward firearms here. Also when carrying… we tend not to wander ’round in Condition ‘White’, as seems to be the norm among the non-heeled.
Rights do not require permission, license or regulation. Rights are either recognized or denied. The only ‘trouble’ with open carry ‘in some states’ is the endemic attitude of local government and law enforcement toward the carrier, contrary to their oath to support and defend the Constitution. The right of bearing arms for self defense is not selective. There are no actual problematic scenarios with bad guys when heeled in that mode.
As you may suspect, I live in Arizona. ‘Whole ‘nuther attitude toward firearms here. Also when carrying… we tend not to wander ’round in Condition ‘White’, as seems to be the norm among the non-heeled.