Henry Rifle Forums

I picked up a real nice cross draw old time slim Jim holster for my 1871 open top SA. From Triple K. Here is my revolver cleaned and oiled up.

Nice

really nice indeed .... I've never worn a cross draw holster, do you find it more comfortable while in the saddle ?

That's a great looking holster - and a great looking revolver, too.

Uberti?

Uberti from Cimarron. 8 inch barrel, 1 piece walnut grip. 45 colt.

JEBar, wish I could pack it horseback but law says no. But I prefer cross draw.

Very nice. I love the combination of Color Case Hardening and the Wood Grips.

What a classic beauty of a rig! Looks like another photo op in the works.

I carry my Heritage about the yard in cross drawer

For one thing it's A LOT easier getting in and out of the truck, makes it like it's not there.

I think with a long barrel it's actually faster.

Also, I feel like I have more control of the gun, harder to take away with the handle pointing to the center of my body.

For 24 years as an LEO, my dad carried cross draw, and many cops did back then.

Probably forgetting something, but those are the major points for me.

I do like cross draw for traveling in the vehicle as the seat belt won't block your draw. However, it was frowned upon in Law Enforcement for the duty weapon, at least back when I was teaching, as it presented the grip too conveniently for the bad guys to grab, IF the weapon was carried away from the center of the belt line, say, in the 8 or 9 o'clock position. You will often find the Taser carried butt forward on the off (weak) side in just that position so it can be reached with either hand, but in a security holster. THE holsters have been getting better and better every year, but a taser is one thing, I still wouldn't want to carry a firearm in a cross draw position.

I used to carry my off duty gun tucked under my leg when I got in the car, so I wouldn't have to fight the seat belt, if I was off duty, since my normal off duty carry holster positioned the gun behind my right hip. My duty holster was a high ride/jacket slot holster, so it wasn't an issue. It placed the Glock 22 above the seat belt line.

When the FBI detailed reports came out on the Miami Shootout, one of the Officers in that shooting had done the same thing as he approached the gun battle, drawing his .38 snubby and sticking it between his legs in preparation for the fight. As he arrived on scene he got in a collision, lost his weapon when it slide into the floor. Lesson Learned.
Fanny Pack or clip on cross draw for car trips for me from that point forward. I also have been considering a holster mounted in the car, there are several available these days. LOL.

That IS a beautiful holster for the 1871.... I used to have a couple of nice western holsters, but for some reason all the belts shrank... and then the rigs didn't fit anymore. (Hey.... ... that's my story and I'm sticking to it. ) As my health deteriorated and I had additional surgeries, I couldn't really wear heavy belts any longer so I sold the rigs... I just never replaced them. I miss the smell and the creak of the leather.

During my career in Law Enforcement, I never really wanted to make the switch from Leather Gear... As a Firearms Instructor I did the Field Testing on the Kydex and other rigs.... I knew all the advantages, but I liked the look and feel of leather and I kept mine looking professional.
Something about a traditional leather duty rig just made me walk a little taller and feel a bit prouder as I swung that rig around my waist at the start of every shift. I liked the Stetson too.

Hey BrokenolMarine,

What you say makes a lot of sense. From the viewpoint of someone facing you, it would be easier to grab the gun from a cross draw as it would be on the right of the person facing you with the handle towards them; perfect to grab.

I guess I feel more secure from someone coming from behind. In any case I don't leave my yard so it's all good; more theatrics than anything.

BTW, my dad joined the force in '48 I think. His side carry was one of those detective specials, real small. Don't know what the training was, and besides those guys weren't that good about following the rules anyway.......

Yeah h88, back then they didn't have security holsters. A lot of the smaller departments let the officers "carry what you brung," within reason. As far as your personal carry... whatever makes yah happy. I certainly use methods now that don't fall within approved standards. Some of mine are downright tricky...

If I sounded preachy... or in any way offended in the previous post...
It was not my intent. I loved teaching firearms and officer safety...
... we all forget that on the forums, there are no visual clues other than what we write...
And that is sometimes misinterpreted. I have done it myself.

I don't want to be... "THAT guy."

Don't think you sounded preachy at all. I have zip experience in such things so I found it informative. Keep it coming.

Agreed.

RR, that is a beautiful gun in a similarly beautiful holster.

Beautiful gun and holster! Love the classics! You take good pictures too!

I always loved my former Triple K western belt and holsters - 45Long Colt, 357Magnum/38Special and several 22lr/22wmr s/a revolvers. (Former handguns.)

They will last you forever if you continue to shoot handguns as you age and they are extremely well made.

Cate