Which side would a right handed shooter holster his/her gun?

Question

I always thought a right handed shooter would holster his pistol on his right side like in cowboy movies, but I recently noticed an elderly security guard, who is right-handed, holstering his gun on his left side backwards (with the handle positioned so he can reach it with his right hand). I mentioned this to a friend of mine who argued that its the proper way to holster a gun for a right hander. Is this so?

Answer 1

It can be holstered either way but the way you saw is called a "cross draw." In other words the right handed person has to draw his weapon from the left side reaching across the front of his body to do so. I never liked this and I always holstered my weapon on the right side on my right hip. It is personal preference there is no right or wrong way- see what works for you.

Answer 2

Carrying a pistol is all about compromise. Where you carry, how you draw, where it rides, etc. A cross draw is a very conveinant position to carry a pistol if you're going to be in a sitting postition (particularly in a car) where it'll be hard to do a straight draw from your dominant (which for most people is their "gun hand") side. With a cross draw, you're pulling the pistol across your stomache and getting it into play. This also allows you for a quick, point blank shot if you're shooting out of a car window (defensive only, not at cops or innocent bystanders). When I'm riding horseback, I typically carry two 45 L.C. Ruger Vaqueros, one (with a short, 2 1/4 inch barrel) as a cross draw and one (with the 4 5/8 inch barrel) as a straight draw, slightly canted. From the saddle, in a hurry, I'd go for the short barrel with my right hand. On the ground, I'd go for the long barrel. With the cross draw, you can draw it with the hand on that side, but you will lose some time twisting your wrist a little to turn the pistol the right direction. When I was in Iraq, I carried my M9 (think Beretta 92) in a cross draw holster under my left shoulder, butt forward. Also, slightly off center from the small of the back is better for concealed carry, but you have to place it where you won't do any spinal injuries if you're in a wreck.

Answer 3

Side Holster

Answer 4

It's a matter of personal preference. When I was in Iraq, I holstered my M9 in a thigh holster on my right side, so it was always right next to my shooting hand if my rifle wasn't handy, and I should need a weapon in a hurry. Other guys in my platoon mounted their hip holsters on their left so they could cross-draw their pistols, like the security guard you mentioned. The trick is to always keep your gun where you can get to it instinctively, and not everyone's instinct tells them the same thing.

Answer 5

This could very well be a tricky tactic the security guard might be using in case of a dangerous situation.

If an enemy with a gun planned to shoot the security guards dominant arm, its likely that the enemy will see the gun holstered on the cops left side and shoot his left arm. This gives the guard a chance to use his weapon at least once.

Allthough this tactic should only be used in extreme cases (i.e. say he was a BANK security guard) so I have a feeling this man just isnt thinking correctly. Who knows.

Answer 6

you holster on the right side. with it being on the left side you have to draw across your body taking more time and also it is a saftey issue. Your arm is not across your body trying to draw, someone can grab you and lock your arm there. Also you can't keep retention on your gun and still use it if you have too. The Security Guard is stupid, probably why he is a security Guard.

If you are right handed you keep the gun on your right side. Allows for faster draw. If someone goes for your gun you shooting hand is left free, you cover the gun with your right hand you keep better gun retention and better officer saftey.

Keep this in mind too... never ever try to figure out why a security gurad does the things they do... its cause they don't know better.

Answer 7

You wear a holster on whichever side is more comfortable.

If you like to cross draw, wear it on the left.

Personally, I like a shoulder holster on my left side (I'm right handed). If I wear a hip/side holster, I like a low holster (like the tactical ones military and SWAT wear that tie around the leg) on my right side.

Answer 8

Right

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

Side Gun Holster