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Cross draw holsters are gun holster models that are designed to be worn in a crossdraw fashion, which is usually on the weak side (non-shooting hand side) of the body with the butt of weapon being positioned so the shooting hand moves across the body to draw the handgun. The cowboys were most likely the first to start carrying in this type of cross draw set-up mostly due to the amount of gear they carried and the fact they spent most of their day mounted on the back of a horse.
While the crossdraw style of holster has been a popular choice for both law enforcement and civilian concealed carriers for many years, it’s not without its detractors and criticisms. As with most any holster on the market, this holster style has pros and cons that bear discussing:
Safety – Depending on how the holster is designed, the user can sweep (point the weapon) in an unsafe direction during the draw process as he or she is trying to come on target. If you are a right handed shooter, than you typically sweep the muzzle to the left as you come up on target and lefty shooters sweep to the right.
Retention During a physical altercation – We understand that most CCW holders are not out looking for a physical confrontation while carrying, but the unfortunate truth is, it can and does happen. With a strong side holster, you can initiate some basic retention of the weapon my just locking your shooting hand onto the pistol and moving away from the physical threat. However, with a cross draw style of holster, retention during a physical situation becomes more of a challenge. With a crossdraw model holster, you will have to defend a gun takeaway using your weak side hand, which most likely isn’t as strong as your strong side hand. Also, for a RH shooter, the cross draw model would carry the butt of the weapon in a position so that a right handed assailant standing directly in front of you, would be going for the pistol with his or her strong hand and the pistol is angled for them to simply grab the gun and draw it. Now is that scenario ever going to happen? Probably not, but it’s important to think these thing through when making a holster decision.
Reduced draw speed – While this may or may not be a legitimate issue, it bears discussing. Many professional shooters feel that the overall draw motion and time it takes to get on target from this style of holster is a slower presentation as compared to a strong side holster. Is there truth in that theory? Hard to say for sure, but you won’t see any competitive shooters in IDPA or IPSC running a cross draw holster. Now, the average shooter probably won’t notice the alleged draw speed and presentation issues, but, with practice, one can learn to draw from a cross draw rig pretty darn quick.
Situational Advantages – By that, we mean that there are certain situations where the cross draw style can be an excellent CCW option. For example, if you spend most of your time behind the wheel of a car or truck, then a cross draw model can be an excellent option, especially if you are a RH shooter. For RH shooters, a crossdraw style holster puts the weapon in a position where it can be easily accessed without any interference from the seat belt. Now, if you’re a LH shooter, then a cross-draw model holster won’t work as well since the seat belt can interfere with the draw. Other situations where a cross draw rig can be advantageous: hunting seated in a blind, while driving or operating heavy equipment in a seated position, etc.
Limited Mobility – Depending on your mobility issues, this could be either a pro or a con. If you have a shoulder mobility issue that keeps you from raising your shoulder in an upward motion than drawing from a crossdraw set-up might be a better option compared to drawing from a strong side holster, But, if your mobility issues for your shooting hand shoulder prevent you from reaching across your body, then a crossdraw holster might not be a good choice.
Now the listed pros and cons are not provided in an effort to deter you from or suggest that you should not purchase a cross draw style holster, but to help you make an educated buying decision.
Cross draw models are produced in variations where the holster is worn on the belt or inside the waistband. Models worn inside the waistband are typically labeled as IWB crossdraw holsters. Some crossdraw models come standard with a thumb break, while others are basic open top models. If you have concerns about the weapon retention on an open top cross draw holster due to the cant angle, then consider getting one with a thumb break.
Here are some commonly asked questions that we see regarding cross draw holster models:
A thumb break (or retention strap) is a strap that is built in into the holster and snaps in over the weapon. The thumb break helps keep the pistol or revolver in the holster until it's needed. To draw from a cross draw model holster with a thumb break (or really any holster with a thumb break), the shooter has to unsnap the thumb break before starting the draw or the weapon won't come out of the holster. We understand that sounds confusing so here's are images that might help.
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| Cross Draw Styled Holster with Thumb Break - Front | Cross draw Styled Holster with Retention Strap - Rear |
Currently, all the crossdraw models that we carry are OWB only. We don't currently carry any crossdraw IWB holster models.
We carry and offer cross-draw models that are made to fit a variety of popular revolver models. Here's a sample picture of a cross draw model made for a Ruger LCRX 3".
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| Crossdraw Model for a Ruger LCRX 3" - Front | Crossdraw Model for a Ruger LCRX 3" - Rear |
The MTR Custom Crossdraw model listed below is available in a configuration to fit your G23 with that Streamlight TLR-2 HL attached. MTR can actually support a large number of popular pistol models with various mainstream lights or lasers mounted to them.
Cross draw holster models that we carry are listed below.