Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Crossdraw or Strong Side holster for Blackhawk

Gun in question is a New Model Blackhawk Flattop Stainless 4 5/8" 45 convertable. Medium frame with a tall front sight.
Which do you like for field use. Crossdraw or standard strong side? Pancake or western?
I'm not looking for a quick draw TV movie rig, or a Cowboy Action rig. Secure, comfortable, with maybe a hint of old time looks. ideas?

I do cross draw when in the saddle when carrying and leading a pack mule. Less chance of getting the lead rope snarled in the hand gun grip. When not riding, I still do cross to stop my rifle from banging in to the grips when I sling the rifle on my right shoulder.
Those 4 # Blackhawks,even the 4 &5/8 barrels, are a heavy load to carry on my belt at my age.I switched to a J Frame .357 Smith 3" snubby if carrying my rifle or ML. In the saddle, my 4" Ruger, Security 6 in.357.Nothing fancy ,usually a plain leather belt Hunter holster with a good over the trigger strap

For revolvers I have always wanted a cross draw. I am right handed and it carries better for myself. Most often a personal preference. Pick the holster that fits best. Yes without trying one very hard to do. Perhaps why I have several that don't get used much.

I have a lot of both but mostly use cross draw rigs & shoulder rigs for hunting. It's kind of a personal thing but I think you'll find the cross draw more comfortable & a bit easier to get to, especially if you're wearing something over the top of it. Also a bit easier on horse back. My opinion.

Dick

I had my 45 colt 7 1/2" bisley cut down to 4 5/8" by Cole Linbaugh and got a simply rugged pancake holster that you can go both strong side and cross draw. Like Saddlesore said I usually wear cross draw as it works better in the saddle, with a rifle slung, with a back pack, and on an atv.

I hate questions like these. I always end up convincing myself I need all those holsters to take care of any contingency of weather, season and clothing.

I have the Simply Rugged Pancake for the 1911, may wear it crossdraw for a few days to see how I like it. Not sure it's canted as much as fixed crossdraws are though.

The Simply Rugged is a switch hitter, as is the Galco SAO. Single Action Outdoorsman.

I usually use a cross draw holster for barrels 6" and strong side for the shorter ones. The cross draw is more comfortable in the truck and for the reason stated above. It's out of the way for hunting and easier to get to when wearing winter clothes or rain coats. That being said I do own a lot more strong side holsters.

For field use, particularly with a slung rifle, a belt-mounted crossdraw can't be beat. For general carry around the farm, I like a straight drop, strong side belt holster that keeps the gun up out of the way.

I prefer strong side. I carry my 4-5/8" super blackhawk in a Bianchi 1L "Lawman" holster. Before this .44, that holster carried 2 different .44 magnum vaqueros and a .45 Colt stainless Blackhawk. You might say I like it. Another good option (IMHO) is the El Paso Saddlery 1920 / "Tom Threeperson" holster. Mine is for a 6-1/2" Ruger Bisley .454 with the long ejector housing though I use it for a 6-1/2" blackhawk 10mm/.38-40 as well. It is a great feeling, great fitting holster, and I'm sure it would be a good choice for the shorter barreled gun as well.

More often than not, I prefer to carry a slung rifle muzzle down on my left side with the stock behind my shoulder. For me that is much faster to get into action than a rifle muzzle up on my right shoulder. That being the case, strong side handgun carry is preferable, for me, even when carrying a rifle.

The only time I do cross draw, of sorts, is backpacking where I use a chest rig. I have a couple of El Paso Saddlery 1942 tankerman holsters but more and more I turn to the Diamond D alaska guide model. The "E-P-S" holster attaches to the pants belt via a small drop loop for stability. This still conflicts with the pack belt, not as much as a hip holster, but some. The Diamond D holster attaches to its own belt that rides higher above the pack waistband so there is no conflict at all.

With the fairly high ride of the Bianchi 1L, I don't have any issues with belt carry when I'm driving. In a vehicle, cross draw makes sense for the driver with a longer barreled gun. Strong side is still better for the passenger so the gun is not pointing at the driver.

Tom

I prefer crossdraw for general field use. I have 2 of the Galco crossdraw/strong side holsters that can be used either way and I like them a lot. "Single Action Outdoorsman".
https://www.galcogunleather.com/sao-single-action-outdoorsman_8_4_1262.html

Got one for a Vaquero and it seems plenty canted for cross with the belt going through the third slot.

I love my cross-draw for hunting because it doesn't scratch up my rifle while it's slung on my shoulder and also works better while riding in a vehicle.

Strong side.

Buy a full rig. Makes life much easier.

Cross draw. You can draw with either hand.

Love crossdraw for revolvers, particularly when carrying a long gun, plus they ride perfectly out of the way and lightning fast accessible in the pickup.