Angle on cross draw

[Peddler Parsons]

   This may be an old question but on a cross draw is it 30 degrees from vertical or 30 degrees from horizontal ?  I was under the impression it is vetrical.
    I have seen holsters that are almost horizontal to the gun belt this lets the barrel face almost srtight back at everybody when loaded.

[Silver Creek Slim]

"Holsters may not depart from the vertical by more than 30 degrees when worn." From SASS Shooters Handbook January 2005
Eleventh Edition.

This should be mentioned to the Match Director.

Slim

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The rule is 30 degrees from the vertical. Of course, not a lot of ranges come complete with protractors and plumb lines, and nobody has ever defined just what part of the holster in particular is supposed to be at that max 30 degrees from the vertical. A lot of holsters are tapered to begin with. Do we measure the 30 degrees from the front edge of a tapered holster? From the rear edge? From the centerline of the barrel? I'm not trying to be smug, it really has not been defined. It's one of those rules that tends to get a lot of lip service, but not much real practical application.

As far as loaded guns being pointed at you in holsters, if you think about it, even at less than 30 degrees from the vertical that holster is likely to be pointing at your foot or your leg if you get close enough to the shooter. For instancce an RO standing next to the shooter is likely getting his leg swept by the muzzle of the loaded revolver if he is standing on that side. Or if the shooter starts out the stage bent over leaning against a bar or a table he is likely sweeping those standing behind him, no matter what angle his holster is at.

I only point this out for two reasons. First of all, by definition, you cannot be swept by a gun that is holstered. It is a no call. Even a loaded gun. For the reasons I just stated. Secondly, our rules tend to have redundacy built in. Even if you are being swept by the muzzle of a loaded gun in a holster, it should have an empty chamber under the hammer, so there should be an additional safety factor built in.

If you think somebody is getting an unfair competitive advantage because his cross draw holster is too close to horizontal, by all means mention it to the match director. The rule is to help level the playing field. But if you are unhappy because you see a little bit too much of the muzzle peeking at you from inside the holster, it is a no call.

[Griff]

Regardless of the angle the holster is made with, sometimes the persons build will change the holster's attitude in relation to the belt, and/or any imaginary vertical line.  The most important factor is the rotation of the shooter's hips when drawing the gun from the holster AND reholstering during the stage.  If the shooter doesn't turn the muzzle to be within the 170 degree plane to the firing line when drawing or reholstering, he's broken a primary safety rule.  And it should be noted by the RO or one of the spotters on the stage.  It's certainly a courtesy as well as safety issue for all the competitors at the match.