Cavalry draw anyone?

[boattail]

While messing around trying to figure out a new holster option for one of my guns I had slid my right hand holster around to my left side while wearing my belt over the top of my jeans temporarily. I needed to remove the gun from the holster and ended up drawing the gun backwards. It drew very easily for me so I looked for info on that style of draw and found it's called cavalry draw. Never too old to learn a new trick.

I have been looking at better carry options for when I drive, operate equipment, and sit in my shooting chair working fields with a rifle. I also am very weak with my left side, off hand shooting, and want to improve on that.

I have been practicing drawing with my left hand from a right handed holster and have a very solid draw and aim now using my left hand. The hardest part to get right was the support hand grip as that hand is engrained to going for the trigger finger straight out while gripping the gun. To overcome this I strapped on two guns and drew them alternately until a natural support grip occurred.

I have been wearing the gun backwards while driving and it's much more comfortable as the butt of the gun does not dig into the seat and put pressure on me. I can cross draw right handed or pull it with my left hand. Side note: my holsters do not have a retention strap or button so it's a straight up pull to draw.

Getting used to the feel of a gun on the left and feeling the butt of the gun with your arm when your arm crosses over in front of the body takes getting used to but I'm finding carry this way as a great second option while driving and running equipment. Another plus is the holster does double duty.

I'm hearing stories of the draw causing you to sweep yourself...I can see that happening if you turn your wrist too soon. I have not experienced a bad draw and my wrist does not make the turn until the gun is in front of me.

I decided not to make the swap to right hand cavalry draw but keep it as a draw for my left hand only. I don't want to loose the decades of muscle memory I have built up in my right hand. I am now training my left hand to draw and shoot this way after decades of my left hand only being a support hand. My goal is to get as good lefty as am I on the right.

[JTROKS]

I have learned the 4-5 o’clock carry is the worst when in the driver seat of a car. A cross draw or thigh mid strap is about the fastest. For CCW a shoulder holster maybe, but not in the summertime.

[whan]

I don't know - not trying to rain too much on the idea, but seems like it has quite a few disadvantages in exchange for a single upside of comfort. If you're going to risk flagging yourself, why not try appendix carry instead? There are ways to draw seated appendix as well without flagging yoursef, and you get significant advantages in speed, accessbility, and control, not to mention shooting with your primary hand. Also as a right handed person, driving in a LHD car, you have an advantage in being able to engage out both your driver's and passenger's window, vs. lefties (which you're forced to be if doing a calvary draw)

Video describing seated appendix draw technique

https://youtu.be/U0wjrVXZwnc?t=438

[boattail]

I don't know - not trying to rain too much on the idea, but seems like it has quite a few disadvantages in exchange for a single upside of comfort. If you're going to risk flagging yourself, why not try appendix carry instead? There are ways to draw seated appendix as well without flagging yoursef, and you get significant advantages in speed, accessbility, and control, not to mention shooting with your primary hand. Also as a right handed person, driving in a LHD car, you have an advantage in being able to engage out both your driver's and passenger's window, vs. lefties (which you're forced to be if doing a calvary draw)

Video describing seated appendix draw technique
https://youtu.be/U0wjrVXZwnc?t=438

Appendix is not an option for me. Watch how the driver has to hump up to get to the gun. I cannot think of a more uncomfortable position for me to try and carry than having the gun crammed into my gut and leg. Hell, even a speed loader there is almost a no-go.

I think the worry of flagging yourself is overblown. The draw is pull up and bring forward and your hand naturally starts to roll it straight. To pull up and roll first the gun not only wont twist in my holster the draw and move forward keeps the muzzle down even if I start the twist early. To flag myself I would have to purposefully twist an unnatural way to point the gun at myself just as you would with a straight draw to get the muzzle to cross your body anywhere. My draw actually has the muzzle go outward away from my body. I can draw seated in the exact same manor as a straight draw on my right....no movement of my body other than that arm. The seat belt is also not in my way when the gun is on the left. The one drawback is the same drawback a left hander faces while seated.....that is the gun in your left hand and not easily aimed out the drivers side window but it can be done.

I carry big butted revolvers in pancake holsters at my 3 O'clock. All I am doing is packing it at 9 O'clock and drawing with my left hand. The move to lift the shirt is as smooth, the grip on the gun is positive with no readjusting...it's as good as my right side draw. The angle of the holster works for both sides.

I was skeptical at first too but a little practice made me a believer. As I said earlier, I'm not going to replace my right side carry with this new way but I am sure going to keep at it for my left hand draw.

[DanGunner]

A holster mounted on the transmission hump puts the butt of the gun right next to my thigh and a fast and easy draw. With a wash cloth the same color as my upholstery draped over the butt it is virtually invisible. I can take it with me in a belt holster when I exit the vehicle.

[boattail]

I also keep a gun under a towel on the seat. Very quick access.

[NorCalRefuge]

If you're new to CCW, you really should stick with the tried-and-true carry methods: Appendix or 3-5 O'Clock.

All new CCW'ers feel the need to re-invent holster carrying, or think they have some special use-case that warrants a special carry. Nearly all of us don't have a real special case though... even if we think we do

There's a reason those two types of carry have become nearly all there is - they work in nearly all situations and don't require weird contorted positioning of your body/arms/hands to draw cleanly every time.

You might be over-thinking the issue. If you're uncomfortable, it's likely your holster to blame, not the position. Invest in a good quality holster ($60+) and be prepared to buy a drawer full of holsters before you find "the one" that works for you the best. A good quality holster will make a massive difference in comfort.

[DaveInOroValley]

Whatever you do stay away from the "Urban Carry Holster".

[boattail]

[NorCalRefuge]

How are you carrying now? 3 O'Clock is where a lot of people carry that sit/drive a lot.

Other options - try a smaller gun, or adjust the cant on your holster.

Try a clip like the DCC Monoblock so you can remove the holster while sitting.

Anytime someone starts wondering into uncommon carry positions, you gotta wonder why their needs are special enough to warrant such an unusual carry.

But, as they say, you do you

[boattail]

[Che762x39]

... It drew very easily for me so I looked for info on that style of draw and found it's called cavalry draw. Never too old to learn a new trick.

Cavalry draw = cross draw. Up to the early 1980s cops carried their revolvers cross draw.



I use this for my Glock 19. At 3 o'clock its standard OWB but I clip it on at 10 o'clock it is in cross draw position and very comfortable while driving.

[Epaphroditus]

Shoulder holster for driving is great ... unless you are left-handed.

Right hand drive vehicle is a game changer!

[lastinline]

I also keep a gun under a towel on the seat. Very quick access.

[Mark49]