DefensiveCarry Concealed Carry Forum - View Single Post

Matt Del Fatti · December 10th, 2006, 04:32 PM

I sure wouldn't want to put myself in the position of defending a TV show's depiction of proper carry.....however; it was not unusual even into the mid/late 70’s or so for plainclothes and even uniformed officers to carry crossdraw in the 9 o'clock-ish position. Uniformed divisions of some state police forces required 9 o'clock carry whether the officer was right or left handed. Some of these were in full flapped holsters or the spring type as typified by Buchheimer-Clark etc. The spring type holster carried on the left hip is one of the reasons that cross draw holsters are vilified to this day. When the officer was facing a person, that person had a direct right hand draw from a holster that would allow the gun to be pulled through an opening held closed only by spring pressure.

During this time, it was unusual for officers to purchase their own leather and handguns (if allowed by the department) so they wore what was issued. In addition, this was prior to the now common weapons retention training and tactics most every department mandates. Even if plainclothes officers wanted and were allowed to purchase and carry their own leather, there were very few makers catering to that need.

As far as the ammo carrying position, that was commonly taught (and still the way I do it...old dog new tricks...) to transfer the revolver to your off hand and reload with your dominant hand.

Does that help?

December 10th, 2006, 04:32 PM	#2
Matt Del Fatti Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The North Woods Posts: 141	I sure wouldn't want to put myself in the position of defending a TV show's depiction of proper carry.....however; it was not unusual even into the mid/late 70’s or so for plainclothes and even uniformed officers to carry crossdraw in the 9 o'clock-ish position. Uniformed divisions of some state police forces required 9 o'clock carry whether the officer was right or left handed. Some of these were in full flapped holsters or the spring type as typified by Buchheimer-Clark etc. The spring type holster carried on the left hip is one of the reasons that cross draw holsters are vilified to this day. When the officer was facing a person, that person had a direct right hand draw from a holster that would allow the gun to be pulled through an opening held closed only by spring pressure. During this time, it was unusual for officers to purchase their own leather and handguns (if allowed by the department) so they wore what was issued. In addition, this was prior to the now common weapons retention training and tactics most every department mandates. Even if plainclothes officers wanted and were allowed to purchase and carry their own leather, there were very few makers catering to that need. As far as the ammo carrying position, that was commonly taught (and still the way I do it...old dog new tricks...) to transfer the revolver to your off hand and reload with your dominant hand. Does that help? Last edited by Matt Del Fatti; December 11th, 2006 at 12:05 AM..