It may have fallen out of fashion in recent years. But there was a time when using a cross draw (sometimes called a cross-draw) holster was the only way to carry. Cross drawing involves placing your gun grips forward on your hip and reaching across your body with your opposite hand to draw it. There’s plenty of reasons to use a cross draw holster. For example, it’s more comfortable while driving when compared to many other holsters. In this post, we’ll look at some of the main reasons to use a cross draw holster.

3 Reasons to Use a Cross Draw (or Cross-Draw) Holster

It’s More Comfortable while Driving or Seated

If you have to spend any significant amount of time driving or sitting while carrying, cross drawing is likely going to be the most comfortable way for you to draw. This is actually a pretty significant factor to think about.

Appendix inside the waistband carry (AIWB) is one of the most popular ways to carry a concealed weapon these days. There’s several reasons for that. First, this method reduces printing (your gun showing beneath your clothes). It also gives you fast and easy access to your weapon.

But one of the major shortcomings about AIWB carrying is sitting or driving. This technique will cause your gun to naturally push into your body as you sit. And if you have to sit for a long period of time, the feeling of your gun’s grips jamming into your gut is going to get old. But cross drawing eliminates that sensation. That makes it the most comfortable carry method while driving or seated.

Lower Chance of Enemy Drawing Your Gun From Behind

This is perhaps one of the most important reasons to consider a cross draw holster. Since the grips of your gun are facing forward, it’s much more difficult for an attacker to come up from behind, draw your own gun, and use it against you. This can be particularly useful if you have some kind of concealed carry holster. These holsters generally don’t use any kind of retention, so anyone can draw the weapon without much difficulty.

There is a drawback to this, though. Since your gun’s grips are facing forward, it’s easier for an attacker to draw your weapon if they’re standing face-to-face with you. However, this is generally less of a problem since you’ll be able to see the attacker coming. If you’re really worried about an attacker using your own weapon against you, you can also buy a holster with some kind of retention.

Ease of Access in Certain Scenarios

In certain desperate situations, cross drawing may save your life. If you’re engaged in hand-to-hand combat and an attacker pins your arms to your sides, cross drawing gives you a way to stay in the fight.

Think of a larger attacker trapping you in a bear hug. You may not be able to raise or move your arms at the shoulders. However, you can still move them at the elbows. That will give you enough mobility to get your hand onto your gun if you’re wearing a cross draw holster.

Want to learn more about cross draw holsters and if they’re a good fit for you? Answer this simple 4-question survey to discover the perfect holder for your specific needs.

Shop All Holsters Here