Why do cowboys holster their guns backwards?

Factual Questions
1

I mean, from a general thoguht of things, i would think crossing your arms to grab your gun would just slow you down.

So, help me out, i need the straight dope.

2

You probably thinking about Cavalry Draw.

3

Forgot to mention and missed edit window:
They were not crossing arms, they were rotating pistols when drawing, which corresponded quite good with cocking hammer with off hand when using single action revolver. It’s actually quite fast and effective way of shooting.

4

I cross-draw my .455 Webley from a Sam Browne belt & holster on my left hand side (using my right hand) in competitions, and it’s a hell of a lot faster for me than trying to draw if the holster was on my right hand side.

There’s also much less chance of the revolver getting caught on something, FWIW.

5

I also imagine a high-mounted cross-draw rig would be a lot easier to use while riding on a horse.

6

I cross-draw mine because, compared to a man, I’m high waisted. If I carried it on my right hip, I’d have to draw it uncomfortably high and to the back, and it would be awkward.

Also, more comfortable sitting down and riding.

7

Well, it sure beats sticking your gun down the front of your pants.

8

Consider what happens when a coat is worn. With a cross-draw rig, you reach inside the coat and withdraw the pistol from the holster in one motion. The other way, you need one motion to catch the front of the coat, and push it behind the holster before you can draw.

9

I think that I read somewhere or other that British Special Forces when working covertly in Northern Ireland did actually do that and had the safety off but I haven’t seen a T.V. programme about it or been able to google it so I dont know if it is actually true.

Speaking for myself I tend to carry a 9mm Browning Hi power if I have to go down the shops and if I’m meeting my ex missus I carry a Steyer with extra mags,if I’m going to a stately home then I like to carry a Desert Eagle,I always think that you cant be TOO careful about these things and its a MUST that you know the muzzle velocity before you shoot someone but thats pretty bleeding obvious.

As for the argument about cross draw etc.I always think that you cant go very wrong if you have it strapped to your left foot and then when you need to use it hurl yourself to the floor and pull the trigger with your boot lace.

I got that tip from a good many gun club members and storemen,clerks and drivers in the armed forces and lets face it who would know better about using weapons in an instantaneous life or death situation?

I bow to the masters.