Author Topic: Cross Draw vs. Two Strong-Side Holsters (Read 1774 times)

Cheyenne Ranger · « **on:** January 11, 2004, 04:08:11 AM »

Wanted to get an idea of how many pards use a cross draw/shoulder holster vs. two strong-side holsters.

Cheyenne R.

howdy doody · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2004, 04:37:35 AM »

I started with a cross draw and it wasn't long before I saw that having two strong sides would eliminate all the having to think about 170 degree planes and doing dances and all that stuff, so I switched to double strong sides and I would just swap my left to my right hand and shoot away. I shot traditional style when I started, (heathen powder too) then I progressed to duelist and for more than a year now I have shot double duelist style and have learned to shoot duelist with my left. This works out way easier for me to simple pull left gun, shoot it with left hand and reholster. Another thing I have always done is start with first pistol shooting a stage, I always pull my left side and since I always shoot my left pistol first, I don't get to the second pistol in a stage and start trying to reshoot a pistol I had already shot with. Ever see that happen to a pard?
Cross draws look cool, but just too much hassle for this cowboy. Your mileage may vary though., :grin:

Big Hext Finnigan · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2004, 11:27:39 AM »

Both, of course..

When I shoot Traditional style, I tend to use a cross draw.
When I shoot Duelist style, I like double strongside.

Because I put my crossdraw close to my belt buckle and I stand in a weaver like stance, I don't have to shuffle, so I like the crossdraw in those situations.

Adios,

Lazarus Longshot · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2004, 02:45:07 PM »

I shoot duelist using one strong-side, one cross-draw.

Lone Yankee · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2004, 04:22:48 AM »

i would forget to do the crossdraw dance and get DQ'd at every match. I, like Howdy Doody, draw the left revolver first and do the Border Shift. Doody, I like your statement about progressing to duelist. Thant is exactly how I feel about it.

Lone

DB Leath · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2004, 08:54:41 AM »

I have one crossdraw...I like it but am gonna make some new holsters so I am gonna make two strongsides...

Db

howdy doody · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2004, 01:57:34 PM »

Ya know DB, alot of the fastest shooters use crossdraws and a few like Evil Roy don't, so it really isn't much of an advantage either way really. I myself just got to where I didn't want to think about drawing and concentrate on shooting. Speed isn't all that important when you figure in a miss at 5 seconds. No matter what you have for holsters it would never take you 5 seconds to yank your pistol. It mostly gets down to what you feel comforable with.

California Lawdawg · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2004, 06:16:41 PM »

At present, I use strong side and cross draw. My next rig will be strong sides only. I have carried cross draw for a time when in L.E. and never had any problems. My usual duty rig was strong side only.

Lawdawg

D R Greysun · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2004, 09:59:45 PM »

Hey thar,
Tried both, settled on the 2 strong side. Now I use the crossdraw fer me 357 Security Six. Works well when ridein and sittin.
D R

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2004, 04:31:49 AM »

Guess this will show you what old age will do--never thought about getting another holster and being able to holster-up either way. Probably cause I keep looking at the bank account. Some day I'll figure what I have tied up in SASS but not anytime soon. :grin:

Cheyenne R

p.s. Some day want to get an 1860 Henry just because of the way they load (I live on the edge :grin: ) but that will have to wait till I win the lottery (someone says you have to buy a ticket to win but I'm thinking that I'll win without buying one--harder that way)

Dutch Canyon Red · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2004, 10:45:34 AM »

Cheyenne Ranger,
I started shooting duelist with both hands.... wasn't called double duelist then... with two strong side holsters. Then, I injured my left wrist at work and had to get a crossdraw holster and shoot one-handed duelist. I couldn't get comfortable with "the dance" but had to put up with it for about a year until the wrist healed. About the time I got back to shooting with two hands, Gunfighter was started up and I usually shoot that way now. One thing I discovered while I was hurt is that holster makers are happy to sell their products in sets of three. :wink:
My preference is to use two strongside holsters when shooting duelist.

Lazarus Longshot · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2004, 11:57:03 AM »

Quote from: Cheyenne Ranger

..... that will have to wait till I win the lottery (someone says you have to buy a ticket to win but I'm thinking that I'll win without buying one--harder that way)

Yep, nuthin' a cowboy likes better than a real challenge.....

:shock:

Jeff Vicars · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2004, 12:26:03 PM »

Would y'all kindly explain "the dance".

Lazarus Longshot · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2004, 01:36:01 PM »

Jeff,
From the SASS Shooter's Handbook--
"Extreme care must be exercised when drawing
a pistol from a cross-draw or shoulder
holster or returning the pistol to leather.
The user must twist their body, if necessary,
to ensure the muzzle never breaks the
170 degree safety rule during the process."

This body twist movement is sometimes called 'the dance'.

Jeff Vicars · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2004, 02:03:49 PM »

Thank you sir.

Calamity Jane · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2004, 12:17:53 AM »

Only ever used two strong side holsters, but then I never know when the urge will strike me ta shoot Gunfighter :shock: :wink:

Col. Nathan C. Riddles · « **Reply #16 on:** January 22, 2004, 03:29:19 AM »

Wife & I started using two strong side holsters from day one so we wouldn't have to worry bout the 170 dance.