In the struggle to find a holster solution that will work for me (small waist, but with hips and a bit of a bum), and is concealable in Florida clothing (OWB holsters look like I have freaky weird growths, even in loose, long blouses and/or jackets; IWB only works in appendix and is really uncomfy sitting), I'm considering trying a crossdraw holster. I'm aware of some safety concerns and that most ranges won't allow them, but what other advantages or disadvantages are there? I'm looking for input before I put yet more money down in search of right holster. Oh....right now my two guns are a Wilson KZ45 and a S&W M&P 9c. I'm probably going to have to go to a Kahr PM9 unless I can find a better set up, but really like both my guns a lot and would prefer to spend my money on ammo.
Pros and Cons of Cross Draw
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boomana,
Many will tell you that cross draw invites the gun being taken away from you, though I disagree with that premise myself.
I've carried cross draw often enough to understand one can defend that position [ of the gun ] quite well if they have a modicum of physical self defense skills.
The gun is in front of your hips, where you can easily defend it from a gun grab, at least as easily as appendix carry which many are enamored with. I'd prefer the cross draw carry to the appendix carry myself, but each has to make up their own mind where they are going to carry concealed.
Square range training with a cross draw can be dangerous to the students but not necessarily has to be dangerous. Most instructors will prefer you not carry thusly for safety reasons due to the potential for "painting" others during the draw.
Brownie
Many will tell you that cross draw invites the gun being taken away from you, though I disagree with that premise myself.
I've carried cross draw often enough to understand one can defend that position [ of the gun ] quite well if they have a modicum of physical self defense skills.
The gun is in front of your hips, where you can easily defend it from a gun grab, at least as easily as appendix carry which many are enamored with. I'd prefer the cross draw carry to the appendix carry myself, but each has to make up their own mind where they are going to carry concealed.
Square range training with a cross draw can be dangerous to the students but not necessarily has to be dangerous. Most instructors will prefer you not carry thusly for safety reasons due to the potential for "painting" others during the draw.
Brownie
+1 to brownie.
With a fair bit of understanding and a large dose of common sense, the retention aspect of carrying cross-draw shouldn't be too big an issue.
To me, the bigger risk would be sweeping non-threats with your muzzle as you draw, which may come more from my IDPA shooting than any self-defense mentality. When you need to draw in a self-defense situation, sweeping other folks as you present your weapon is probably on the back burner in your mind...the bad guy threatening the lives of you and yours will have the UTMOST priority.
That being said, you can train to draw cross-draw in such as way that you don't sweep others AND take care of any perceived retention issues.
-JT
With a fair bit of understanding and a large dose of common sense, the retention aspect of carrying cross-draw shouldn't be too big an issue.
To me, the bigger risk would be sweeping non-threats with your muzzle as you draw, which may come more from my IDPA shooting than any self-defense mentality. When you need to draw in a self-defense situation, sweeping other folks as you present your weapon is probably on the back burner in your mind...the bad guy threatening the lives of you and yours will have the UTMOST priority.
That being said, you can train to draw cross-draw in such as way that you don't sweep others AND take care of any perceived retention issues.
-JT
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As far as I'm concerned, cross-draw is the best way to carry if you're seated...and it just looks really cool for open carry. 
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also: "That being said, you can train to draw cross-draw in such as way that you don't sweep others AND take care of any perceived retention issues."
Would you please explain what this means? I think I know what this means but want to make sure. Is "painting" and "sweeping" the same thing? Does that mean you spray bullets as you draw your gun from the holster?
MamaBear
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PAINT and/or SWEEP - To inadvertently point you muzzle at something (or someone) that you don't intend to shoot.
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I use the term "painting" to describe the act of someone pointing their muzzle on me.
When you sweep the muzzle, it could paint someone cross draw more readily than stronside carry or appendix carry. Sweeping is the path the muzzle/bullet path takes even while in the holster.
Brownie
When you sweep the muzzle, it could paint someone cross draw more readily than stronside carry or appendix carry. Sweeping is the path the muzzle/bullet path takes even while in the holster.
Brownie
Sweep = paint = cover = point muzzle at something you don't intend to shoot = bad juju. In general.
Does not just apply to cross-draw scenario. If you don't draw from a shoulder holster correctly, you'll sweep your own arm. If you draw improperly from a small of back (SOB) holster, you can sweep all kinds of parts you'd rather not sweep.
If you haven't had any training, or like me, can't afford quality professional training, look into IDPA/IPSC shooting. Not terribly expensive, and I've found that it helped me to understand and learn safety issues like sweeping, finger off trigger, etc.
And it's fun.
-JT
Does not just apply to cross-draw scenario. If you don't draw from a shoulder holster correctly, you'll sweep your own arm. If you draw improperly from a small of back (SOB) holster, you can sweep all kinds of parts you'd rather not sweep.
If you haven't had any training, or like me, can't afford quality professional training, look into IDPA/IPSC shooting. Not terribly expensive, and I've found that it helped me to understand and learn safety issues like sweeping, finger off trigger, etc.
And it's fun.
-JT
I'm thinking maybe this spring I'll be looking at this myself.
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Just to resurrect this thread as I was perusing the forum and it's pertinent to my present situation tomorrow-------------
In the last week, I've carried two 5 shot revos when not working the shop on a few days [ and the holsters are set up on the belt for dual carry tomorrow as well.
One is OWB cross draw on the belt with a 5 shot nickel plated j frame Smith in 38spl, the other is strong side carry OWB on the belt with the 640-1 357 snub.
10 rds between the two of them without a reload, and have a 6 round speed strip in the watch pocket of the dungarees for the 38 and a speed loader with 6 for the 357 snub in the front right pocket.
The speed strip/speed loaders are there as insurance and strictly forethought but I understand that I'll likely have to get any scenario that happens accomplished with the 10 rds in the two guns as having to reload the revos isn't going to be a good day if the action hasn't concluded by then.
I'll be wearing both snubs under an untucked t shirt all day. I'm training a lady for a few hours as a favor for her husband who just finished training with me out in the desert last Wed.
I prefer a cross draw for the second gun with the snubs as it could become the primary should I be seated in my truck and have to get to one of them while getting in or out of the vehicle, or bent down for some reason which is easier to get to as well as not being as noticeable on the draw should it require a stealth draw for some reason such as a convenience store or bank situation.
Brownie
In the last week, I've carried two 5 shot revos when not working the shop on a few days [ and the holsters are set up on the belt for dual carry tomorrow as well.
One is OWB cross draw on the belt with a 5 shot nickel plated j frame Smith in 38spl, the other is strong side carry OWB on the belt with the 640-1 357 snub.
10 rds between the two of them without a reload, and have a 6 round speed strip in the watch pocket of the dungarees for the 38 and a speed loader with 6 for the 357 snub in the front right pocket.
The speed strip/speed loaders are there as insurance and strictly forethought but I understand that I'll likely have to get any scenario that happens accomplished with the 10 rds in the two guns as having to reload the revos isn't going to be a good day if the action hasn't concluded by then.
I'll be wearing both snubs under an untucked t shirt all day. I'm training a lady for a few hours as a favor for her husband who just finished training with me out in the desert last Wed.
I prefer a cross draw for the second gun with the snubs as it could become the primary should I be seated in my truck and have to get to one of them while getting in or out of the vehicle, or bent down for some reason which is easier to get to as well as not being as noticeable on the draw should it require a stealth draw for some reason such as a convenience store or bank situation.
Brownie
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Just to add my .02....
I don't have any issues with cross draw. Just learn how to do it right, and you'll be fine. I really like it for long hours on the road, as even the best shoulder rig tends to get wearisome after many hours.
Cross-draw seems to work quite will for the Ladies. When my wife was taking a class a while ago, she just used her range holster (Blade-Tech DOH) for her G19 (she does not normally carry with a holster). The instructor mentioned that for CC with her build, she might consider trying a good cross draw rig. He told her that many of his fairer students found it to be quite satisfactory.
I don't have any issues with cross draw. Just learn how to do it right, and you'll be fine. I really like it for long hours on the road, as even the best shoulder rig tends to get wearisome after many hours.
Cross-draw seems to work quite will for the Ladies. When my wife was taking a class a while ago, she just used her range holster (Blade-Tech DOH) for her G19 (she does not normally carry with a holster). The instructor mentioned that for CC with her build, she might consider trying a good cross draw rig. He told her that many of his fairer students found it to be quite satisfactory.
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