Dumb Holster Question

[ratman57]

Actually it's not the holster that's the dumb one.

I recently bought what was advertized as a "DeSantis belt holster" for a j frame .38. I got it off of ebay. It shows up I slide it on my belt strong side and it's canted in the wrong direction.

It's a cross draw. Okay nice holster but my arms are too short for cross draw

It got me thinking. In just about every video I've ever seen of a quick draw guy, his holster is canted with the grip of his pistol backwards not forwards. When I tried to draw with this holster on my right side my elbow and wrist were both in a much more natual position. My draw was more comfortable if not faster. I was able to bring my pistol into a firing position faster as well.

Is there a reason for the FBI cant for lack of a better term?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Pizza Bob]

The rearward cant works better with short barreled arms, such as your J-frame. Competition holsters are often made with a rear cant and a cut down front, for a fast presentation. The limitation of the reverse cant (butt to the rear) is that your arm can't go backward far enough to accommodate longer barrels - short barrels or cut-down fronts enhance the speed of draw. If you're comfortable with it and it works for you, go for it.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

[Blackeagle]

Is there a reason for the FBI cant for lack of a better term?

Forward cants generally make the gun easier to conceal (particularly large autoloaders). This may not be a big consideration with a small gun like a J-frame though.

[Pistology]

When I tried to draw with this holster on my right side my elbow and wrist were both in a much more natual position. My draw was more comfortable if not faster. I was able to bring my pistol into a firing position faster as well.

Another beneficial accidental discovery.

[Pistology]

The other limitation of a rearward cant is that it often makes the gun more difficult to conceal. This may not be a big consideration with a small gun like a J-frame though.

What's the most concealable cross-draw holster for an S&W M&P compact (.40 or .45) semi-auto?

[retsupt99]

The cant will keep the grip closer to the body and assist in reducing possible printing.
You can always user the 'cross-draw' for long driving trips...perfect for in the vehicle.

[Saber]

Well, it certainly appears that Pizza Bob gave you the not so Dumb Holster Answer. He is absolutely right! Heck, if you like it; you actually got lucky on sleaze-bay.
Regards,