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A long, long, time ago I asked one of our firearms instructors about using a cross draw holster. He gave a very negative response. He acted as if I were an idiot for even posing the question. I guess I bruised his little ego with my stupid question. Here were his reasons why a cross draw holster is a “stupid ideaâ€.
1. Too easy for a bad guy to take from you and when he pulls it from the holster it’s already pointing at you.
2. Your weapon isn’t pointing in the right direction when you draw your weapon so now you have to make both a vertical AND a horizontal adjustment.
I was a mere cadet so I didn’t argue with him but I’d like to discuss the issue w/ you guys now that I have 20+ years under my duty belt.
I think he’s right about number one IF you wear it out on the hip but he’s obviously incorrect if you wear it in front of your left hip and if you use a proper bladed interview stance. With such a stance your weapon is basically already pointed at the interviewee’s feet. Granted if it’s worn as I described you wouldn’t have your entire body shielding your weapon BUT in a crowded barroom his buddy can’t sneak up on you as easily from your off side and relieve you of your weapon either. I might argue that anyone approaching your weapon has to approach more from your front and is more likely to at least be in your peripheral vision. Meanwhile, my off-hand can casually rest on the holster or weapon while I “talk†or do whatever with my strong hand. Additionally, if someone were to reach for my weapon I could secure it further by bending over and twisting away to create distance. One more note… if Jimmy Dummy reaches for my weapon worn as described he has to extend his arm into an area where it’s easier for me to strike the invasive arm.
Number two is also, IMO, incorrect. I shoot from a modified weaver stance, much like a bladed interview stance, so the weapon only needs to be adjusted vertically once it’s drawn. Actually, carrying my weapon on my right hip and shooting from a modified weaver position results in a need for both vertical and horizontal adjustments. Drawing from a cross draw holster positioned in front of my left hip requires less adjustment. If you consider economy of motion a cross draw seems to make more sense if you're shooting from a modified waever PLUS it's a whole lot easier to draw a weapon from a cross draw IF you ever need to while seated in your patrol vehicle.
Addendum: I’ve personally always been more concerned with weapon retention as opposed to being a Quick Draw McGraw. I don’t know what the current stats are but back in the day it was reportedly true that 7 of 10 cops who were shot were shot with their own weapons.
Addendum #2 – Another bonus = increased comfort while seated.
What am I missing? What say ye?
Oh yea… they issued us tactical vests and guess what… it comes with a built in cross draw holster! LMAO! Should I return it to quartermaster because wearing a cross draw holster is patently unsafe, foolish and only to be considered by an idiot? (That was a rhetorical question.)
1. Too easy for a bad guy to take from you and when he pulls it from the holster it’s already pointing at you.
2. Your weapon isn’t pointing in the right direction when you draw your weapon so now you have to make both a vertical AND a horizontal adjustment.
I was a mere cadet so I didn’t argue with him but I’d like to discuss the issue w/ you guys now that I have 20+ years under my duty belt.
I think he’s right about number one IF you wear it out on the hip but he’s obviously incorrect if you wear it in front of your left hip and if you use a proper bladed interview stance. With such a stance your weapon is basically already pointed at the interviewee’s feet. Granted if it’s worn as I described you wouldn’t have your entire body shielding your weapon BUT in a crowded barroom his buddy can’t sneak up on you as easily from your off side and relieve you of your weapon either. I might argue that anyone approaching your weapon has to approach more from your front and is more likely to at least be in your peripheral vision. Meanwhile, my off-hand can casually rest on the holster or weapon while I “talk†or do whatever with my strong hand. Additionally, if someone were to reach for my weapon I could secure it further by bending over and twisting away to create distance. One more note… if Jimmy Dummy reaches for my weapon worn as described he has to extend his arm into an area where it’s easier for me to strike the invasive arm.
Number two is also, IMO, incorrect. I shoot from a modified weaver stance, much like a bladed interview stance, so the weapon only needs to be adjusted vertically once it’s drawn. Actually, carrying my weapon on my right hip and shooting from a modified weaver position results in a need for both vertical and horizontal adjustments. Drawing from a cross draw holster positioned in front of my left hip requires less adjustment. If you consider economy of motion a cross draw seems to make more sense if you're shooting from a modified waever PLUS it's a whole lot easier to draw a weapon from a cross draw IF you ever need to while seated in your patrol vehicle.
Addendum: I’ve personally always been more concerned with weapon retention as opposed to being a Quick Draw McGraw. I don’t know what the current stats are but back in the day it was reportedly true that 7 of 10 cops who were shot were shot with their own weapons.
Addendum #2 – Another bonus = increased comfort while seated.
What am I missing? What say ye?
Oh yea… they issued us tactical vests and guess what… it comes with a built in cross draw holster! LMAO! Should I return it to quartermaster because wearing a cross draw holster is patently unsafe, foolish and only to be considered by an idiot? (That was a rhetorical question.)
Because the muzzle would swing around from facing behind you to facing in front of you - 180 degrees.
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