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txin,


Thanks for your input.

Judging from your response, I am tempted to suggest that the "cross-draw" techniques you have been shown were slanted to show them in an unfavorable light. I strongly disagree with a few points you have made. I would like very much to meet you some time and exchange ideas and techniques.

My younger brother lives in Corsicana (about 45 minutes south of Dallas). I visit him several times a year. Perhaps we could arrange to meet somewhere one afternoon and look at different tactics. A good friend of mine has a dojo in Rockwall...and he would probably let us meet up there. In fact, he might even structure a class around it one night. Upper level students are taught about a dozen "take away" and "retention" techniques.

I routinely do this with "soft air" guns, and some of the "presentations" we see, just don't pan out the way people thought they would. The most common offense I run across is wasted motion. The worst that can happen is that we'll both learn something. I think you'll find that I have a very teachable spirit, I try very hard never to stop learning. PM me if you are interested.

Flint.

gigag04 wrote:

flintknapper wrote:I know some of the tactical schools look down on this mode of carry, but give it a try.

Aren't these guys leading tacticians in self defense handgun though? Might there be something to thier view? Idunno....to each his own - I don't wanna fight. I'll keep my 1911 strongside. Not flaming ya though You seem to know what you're doing with crossdraw carry.

Gig,

You'll never get a "fight" from me. We might discuss a subject from different points of view with varying degrees of experience, but...I will never allow it to become a fight.

Just as there are "pros and cons" to shooting stances (Isosceles vs. Weaver etc..), so.. are there advantages and disadvantages to different modes of carry. Naturally, every person will have different requirements.

I'm fine with you keeping your 1911 strongside. I would have mine there, if not for a shoulder injury that forces me to do otherwise.

As far as the instructors at tactical schools are concerned: Yes, I believe for the most part.. they provide good training. Of course, it depends upon where you go, and where they got their training. If you had been to Gunsite in the mid-eighties, you would have found Col. Jeff Cooper.. (a man I greatly respect), teaching pistol craft in a most "dogmatic" way.

If we fast forward about 20 years and examine what Clint Smith is teaching, we will find very different techniques (and attitudes).

Also, consider what you want to get from your training. For home/street defense, I would not seek out John Shaw at Mid-South. If I wanted CQB, SRT, or was a Navy Seal or Delta Force member then yes.

One of the most balanced instructors I know of is Massad Ayoob (although there are others). He is a very critical thinker, quick to find what will work for YOU, and not at all hung up on just one technique.

Back to "cross-draw", I am not advocating that everyone carry this way. I have said this (more than once) here. In a previous post, I merely pointed out simple solutions to what are perceived as "problem" areas for that mode of carry. It is not from "opinion" that I make those statements. It comes from years of carrying that way.

Do not assume that the tactical schools have all of the answers for every person, under all conditions.

Thank you, for your thoughts.

Flint.

quidni wrote: One thing I have learned for sure, is that every concealed-carry method has both its plusses and drawbacks. I really appreciate your advice on some of the things to look out for with cross-draw, & I'll see if some of the folks I know locally who teach/carry can give me some pointers.

I've been carrying cross-draw for quite a few years, and honestly don't find it to be nearly as hazardous as many would have you think. I do not disagree with txinvestigator that "potentially" the things he said.. might apply.

I don't know your shooting stance (Isosceles or Weaver or other), but I'll submit this: The position you begin your draw from has much more to do with having your draw stalled "jammed up" than where your pistol resides.

If you are facing me (squared up) at arms length, I will stall your draw everytime regardless of where you have it. Only, if you parry off my attack with your weak hand, or blade your body to me, will I fail. I'm pretty sure Sensei will confirm this.

Same holds true for sweeping everyone. Blade your body (if possible), keep the weapon vertical (muzzle down just like from strongside), and when it crosses your midsection, make your support hand transition and no one gets swept. All it amounts to is a proper draw!

Slower than strongside to draw from? Without more information I won't comment. I will say this however, IF you are bladed...then most cross draw rigs provide a shorter (arc of draw) than strongside, and many people actually find them faster. I know some of the tactical schools look down on this mode of carry, but give it a try.

Again, I am not purposely being argumentative and TI's advice is sound. Anytime you switch modes of carry you need to re-evaluate it suitability.

It works great for me and many others.