First I'm not a LEO nor do I inhabit the New Orleans war zones any more. However, I've carried concealed long before it was legal (my bad, my security) and I like to make my own holsters. I've always wondered how others felt about the holster "slant" discussion. Cowboy holsters always were basically neutral - straight up and down and now the FBI -butt forward- seems to be the accepted thing. However, I have always preferred a slight muzzle forward (butt to the rear) hang. Now, I'm not talking IDPA speed drawing here, just common sense get it out of the leather type drawing. I have watched others draw and I know how my shoulder and arm feel and no matter what position your body is in when you draw (upright, knees bent etc) your wrist and shoulder don't bend naturally forward to draw FBI style. They do however, move naturally backward and upward to easily grab the butt slanting to the rear. (very slight slant) I have recently read several articles about the development of the Tom Three Persons holster during the transition from horseback to sitting in a Model T. They stated that the holster was slanted forward (muzzle to the rear) so the muzzle didn't dig in when sitting in an auto. That may work with a short auto or revolver but with a six gun of the type they were carrying the muzzle rides on the seat more than if it was carried in a neutral slant. Carried muzzle to the front, it's off the seat. Of course there's the question of the butt hitting the seat, but that's a whole 'nother discussion. In any event, is my anatomy just weird or is this just an "each to his own" event?

Being retired LEO I have a definite opinion on this. It is more a matter of being able to draw the gun when seated than it is the end of the holster hitting the seat. Think about it, if the butt is to the rear and against the seat back, how could it be drawn? Your elbow would also strike the seat back when trying to draw to the rear.

See, ask someone who knows and you learn something. That makes absolute sense. How about drawing while standing? Does your experience lean toward FBI slant? I guess there has to be something to it if the FBI uses it but, at least for me, it's more awkward. Or is it a compromise between drawing seated and standing?

For use in a vehicle a forward cant cross draw holster works very well.

Why don't more professionals use the cross draw? It seems to me that short of fast draw competition, cross draw solves most access problems and is fast enough to draw. Perhaps not as easy to conceal? Any ideas?

For use in a vehicle a forward cant cross draw holster works very well.

I like the cross draw no matter the position. The negative is it is not very subtle in a bad situation. Jim

I know of several LEO's that do carry cross draw. A matter of access and comfort seated in an automobile. Most have several carry options to deal with the duty and weather conditions that they work in.

I'm NOT a LEO. I do the same thing. I carry for comfort. Is most important for me that the firearm "just be there". Thats what a handgun is all about!

Most cops that I know that need to walk into a potentialy "bad" situation would armor up and carry something more than a sidearm anyway. With help if they could.

Sidearm is there for when trouble comes out of nowhere.

Cheezywan

With small firearms, concealment is about the same regardless of holster type. With large firearms i.e. Colt "Buntline"? concealment can be a problem. IMO, part of the problems with the cross draw is that the firearm needs to sweep about a 90 degree angle before pointing towards the target and the reach across your mid-section immediately telegraphs your intent. On the positive side, the cross draw is a very comfortable way to carry and if it's good enough for Chuck Norris, it's good enough for me.:D

For my carry gun (a 38 special snubby) it goes in a Uncle Mikes pocket holster in my front jeans pocket. It just disappears and is there all the time. The downside of this type of carry is when your driving it would be hard to get this out with any speed. Of course one advantage of driving is you may be able to remove yourself from the threat simply by stepping on the gas and removing yourself from the threat is a better option than having to kill someone.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/Taurus38specialwpocketholster.jpg