Cross draw the most misunderstood style in SASS
Why Cross Draw Holsters Deserve a Second Look
Cross draw has always been one of the most misunderstood setups in Cowboy Action Shooting. For the right shooter, it can be a smart, safe, and practical option.
“Cross draw isn’t unsafe… misunderstanding it is.”
Let’s Be Honest About Cross Draw
At the beginning, I always tell people the same thing…
If you’re going to be a cross draw shooter, you need to accept two things:
1. There is a slightly higher risk of dropping a firearm.
That’s just the reality of the setup. The way your hips move—especially when you’re moving or running—can put the gun in a position where retention matters even more.
2. At some point, someone is going to call the 170 on you… even if you didn’t break it.
Now that might ruffle some feathers—but it’s the truth.
There are shooters out there who simply don’t like cross draw. They believe there’s no way to run it without breaking the 170° rule.
But that’s just not the case.
Understanding “The Dance”
Most of the time, those calls happen because someone didn’t see what experienced cross draw shooters know as “doing the dance.”
That’s the act of rotating your body toward the targets to keep the muzzle safely downrange during the draw.
Here’s where it gets interesting…
A lot of experienced cross draw shooters don’t make that movement obvious. They don’t need to.
Instead, they:
- Set their stance at the correct angle from the start
- Position their body so the draw is already safe
- Eliminate unnecessary movement while staying within the rules
To someone who doesn’t understand what they’re looking at, it can look like a violation…
When in reality, it’s just efficient, practiced movement.
Skill Over Assumption
Cross draw isn’t unsafe.
Poor technique is.
When done correctly—with proper stance, awareness, and discipline—it’s just as safe as any other setup on the line.
And like anything in this sport, it comes down to practice, understanding, and doing it right.
The Real Reason Shooters Go Cross Draw
Let’s talk about something every shooter has battled at some point:
That awkward, sometimes dangerous finger tangle when transitioning a firearm from the weak hand to the strong side.
It’s not just frustrating—it can cost time, confidence, and consistency.
Cross draw eliminates that problem entirely.
Instead of forcing an unnatural movement, it allows for a clean, natural draw path that keeps everything flowing smoothly.
It’s Not Just About Speed—It’s About Longevity
Over the years, we’ve had countless shooters come to us for one simple reason:
Their hands don’t work like they used to.
Whether it’s:
- Arthritis
- Stroke recovery
- MS
- Parkinson's
- Injuries
- Or just years of wear and tear
The reality is… this sport is tough on the body.
And sometimes, adapting your gear is what keeps you in the game.
Cross draw can:
- Reduce strain on wrists and fingers
- Eliminate awkward hand transfers
- Allow shooters to continue competing comfortably
- Be a practical option for one-handed or single-hand-dominant shooters
That’s not just convenience—that’s keeping cowboys and cowgirls on the range.
Where Cross Draw Fits in Competition
Before you decide if cross draw is right for you, it’s important to understand where it’s allowed—and where it’s not.
Allowed
- B Western
- Duelist
- Classic Cowboy / Cowgirl
- Traditional
- All age-based categories
Not Allowed
- Gunfighter
- Double Duelist
These categories require specific shooting styles that don’t align with cross draw positioning.
Designed to Fit the Shooter—Not the Other Way Around
One of the biggest mistakes shooters make with cross draw…
They assume one setup works for everyone.
It doesn’t.
Body type plays a huge role in how a cross draw holster performs—especially when it comes to safe, consistent reholstering.
At Mernickle, we build our cross draw designs to fit the shooter—not force the shooter to adapt.
Close-to-the-Body Design (Ideal for Slim Builds)
For slimmer shooters, we offer a tight, close-to-the-body cross draw.
This setup keeps everything:
- Clean
- Efficient
- Tight to the body
As long as you can see the opening of the holster, you can reholster safely and confidently.
Extended / Stand-Off Designs (Built for Real-World Fit)
Not every shooter has the same build—and that’s where our more aggressive designs come in.
We offer cross draw holsters that protrude out from the body, creating space where it matters most.
These are ideal for shooters who:
- Have a larger midsection
- Need additional clearance
- Women with a larger chest
By bringing the holster slightly away from the body, it allows the shooter to:
- Clearly see the holster opening
- Maintain safe muzzle control
- Reholster without awkward positioning
If you can’t see the holster opening, you’re guessing—and guessing isn’t safe.
Confidence Over Convention
There’s a tendency in this sport to follow what’s “popular.”
But the best shooters don’t chase trends…
They choose what works for them.
Cross draw offers:
- A consistent draw stroke
- Better ergonomics for certain body types
- Increased confidence for shooters dealing with limitations
And confidence is everything when the timer goes off.
Built the Right Way Matters
Not all cross draw holsters are created equal.
Fit, cant, ride height, and retention all play a critical role in making a cross draw system truly effective.
At Mernickle, we design our cross draw rigs with one goal in mind:
Performance first. Always.
That means:
- Proper angle for a natural draw
- Secure retention with a smooth release (“stick and a pop”)
- Positioning that works with your body—not against it
Shoot Your Game
At the end of the day, Cowboy Action Shooting isn’t about doing it one way.
It’s about doing it your way.
If cross draw helps you shoot cleaner, safer, and with more confidence…
Then it’s not the red-headed stepchild.
It’s the right tool for the job.
Final Thought
Don’t let tradition hold you back from performance.
If you’ve been struggling with transitions, mobility, or consistency…
It might be time to give cross draw a second look.
Because staying in the game—and shooting your best—is what it’s all about.
Have Questions About Cross Draw Fit?
We build our rigs to fit real shooters, real body types, and real-world needs.
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