Table of Contents
Cross draw holsters aren’t new to the shooting world. They have been here since the age of cowboys and their need to get their guns away from their way while at work or more importantly, while riding a horse. Nowadays cross draw holsters serve a less Clint Eastwood-y purpose but still have their respected place in the hall of fame of holsters. They have taken some criticism in the past years because the shooting world tends more to strong side draw or IWB draw, but years of use and a lot of cross draw lovers prove that the critics can just go and draw their dominant hand holsters elsewhere.
Todays cross draw carry puts your handgun in the front of your non-dominant hip at waist level while the muzzle points toward the outside of the body and the grip faces the dominant hand. For clock lovers, 10 or 11 o’clock. You draw across your body - hence the cross draw - with your dominant hand. The key here is a lot of practice because you need to eliminate any chance of pointing the gun at you or anything else you don’t want to destroy. The key of course is to have a custom made cross draw holster, break it in and then practice practice practice.
There are also other types of cross draw holsters, like chest or shoulder holsters, since you also draw across your body, but for the sake of this article and for the sake of cowboys we will talk about belt cross draw holsters.
What Is a Cross Draw Holster?
A cross draw holster positions your firearm on the opposite side of your dominant hand. For example:
- A right-handed shooter wears the holster around the 10–11 o’clock position, grip angled toward the right hand.
- A left-handed shooter places it around 1–2 o’clock.
The draw motion involves reaching across the body, pulling the firearm out, rotating it toward the target, and presenting. While it may feel slower at first, with practice it can become smooth and efficient.Cross draw holsters come in both OWB (outside-the-waistband) and IWB (inside-the-waistband) variations, and angle (cant) plays a huge role in how comfortable and fast the draw is.
Pros and Cons of Cross Draw Carry
(source: google.com)
Cross draw hoslters have many pros and cons and the same number of followers and haters. Some people love putting their cross draw hoslters for 1911 or S&W 686 on their belts. But let's Put the differences aside, cross draw is a carry style that compensates for the lack of advantages some other OWB holsters have and at the same time doesn't have all the advantages of OWB holsters. Let's take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros Of Cross Draw Carry
- Comfort While Sitting or Driving: One of the biggest advantages of cross draw carry is accessibility in a seated position. Whether you’re in a car, at a desk, or on long trips, cross draw eliminates the digging and discomfort that strong-side holsters cause when pressed against a seatback or armrest.
- Concealment Benefits: Cross draw holsters often print less than strong-side OWB setups. The grip angles inward, making it easier to cover with a jacket, flannel, or even an untucked shirt. This can help avoid accidental exposure when bending or leaning.
- Good for Mobility or Injury Issues: For shooters with back, hip, or shoulder problems, cross draw can provide a less painful alternative. Drawing across the body uses different muscles and can be easier if your dominant-side shoulder has limited mobility.
- Access with the Support Hand: In the event your dominant hand is injured or occupied, cross draw holsters make it somewhat easier to draw with your support hand compared to some strong-side or appendix carry setups.
Cons Of Cross Draw Carry
- Increased Risk of Disarm Attempts: Because the gun sits in front, it’s more exposed to someone facing you. Retention holsters or conscious hand placement are essential to reduce this risk.
- Muzzle Sweep Concerns: The cross-body draw motion can sweep across your torso or bystanders if not performed carefully. This is one of the biggest reasons some ranges prohibit cross draw practice. Training is critical to minimize unsafe angles.
- Slower for Close-Quarters Engagement: Compared to appendix or strong-side carry, cross draw can be slower in tight situations. The extra motion across the body adds fractions of a second, which may matter in defensive encounters.
- Not Always Range-Friendly: Many indoor ranges don’t allow cross draw due to safety policies. Always check with your local range before practicing with this setup.
(source: google.com)
How to Draw from a Cross Draw Holster Safely
Use your support hand to clear any cover garment, then establish a full firing grip with your shooting hand. Pull the pistol straight upward to clear the holster, rotate the muzzle toward the target in a controlled arc, meet your support hand at centerline, and extend to full presentation. Practice the motion slowly and safely with an unloaded gun until the sequence feels natural and your muzzle control is reliable.
Choosing the Right Cross Draw Holster
Select a holster built for cross-draw from the start — a holster designed for strong-side carry will rarely perform well when worn forward and across the body. Pay attention to how the holster positions the gun relative to your torso and clothing: a good cross-draw holster should hold the pistol securely while presenting the grip at a natural, easy-to-reach angle when you reach across.
Cant (angle) matters more for cross draw than for many other rigs. A forward cant brings the grip into your hand more naturally during the sweep and reduces the degree of rotation needed to get the muzzle oriented to target. If the cant is too flat the draw becomes awkward; if it’s too extreme the muzzle can point at your body during the initial pull. Look for a holster that allows small cant adjustments or choose a fixed cant optimized for seated draws if that’s your primary use.
Retention is your primary loss-mitigation tool. Passive tension (adjustable screws) gives a solid balance between draw speed and security, while active retention like thumb breaks or index-release straps provide an extra barrier against a hands-on disarm attempt. For cross-draw use, favor retention systems that are intuitive to clear with your shooting hand but resist manipulation from someone standing in front of you.
Material changes how the holster rides and how it feels under clothing. Leather molds to the body over time and is quieter and more forgiving for concealment; Kydex holds shape, offers repeatable reholstering, and typically gives a crisper draw. Hybrid designs can combine the comfort of leather with the retention and repeatability of a molded shell. Consider what you value more: comfort/concealment or speed/repeatability.
Ride height determines how much of the grip is accessible and how much the holster prints under clothing. A higher ride tucks the butt of the gun more tightly under a shirt or jacket and improves concealment, but it may require more reach when drawing. A lower ride can make seated access faster because the grip is more exposed — useful if you spend lots of time driving — but it may be harder to hide under light clothing.
Belt support is the foundation of any reliable carry system. A stiff, sturdy belt prevents the holster from rotating or sagging when you draw, keeps the muzzle alignment stable, and improves repeatability. If the holster rides on a flimsy belt, even the best cant or retention won’t behave consistently.
Additional guidance: try several combinations before committing. Test the holster on the belt you actually wear, with the garments you normally use for concealment, and run dry-practice draws both standing and seated. If possible, test different cant settings and ride heights to find the balance between concealment, safety, and accessible presentation.
Who Should Consider Cross Draw Carry?
Cross draw holsters aren’t for everyone. They work best for:
- Drivers and commuters who spend hours behind the wheel.
- Office workers who sit most of the day.
- Concealed carriers with mobility or shoulder limitations.
- Hunters or outdoorsmen who need quick access while carrying long guns or gear.
If you’re looking for a fast draw in close quarters, appendix or strong-side carry may be better. But if comfort and seated accessibility are priorities, cross draw is worth testing.
Conclusion
Cross draw carry may not be the most popular option, but it has real advantages for people who drive often, spend long hours seated, or need an alternative due to physical limitations. Like any carry method, it comes with tradeoffs — mainly slower draw speed and muzzle sweep concerns — but with the right holster and training, it can be a safe and effective choice.
If you’re considering cross draw, invest in a holster designed specifically for this purpose, practice regularly, and evaluate whether its benefits align with your lifestyle.
