Rubber Meets the Road...
So, I got to wondering about this...I decided to experiment.
I put on a pair of dress pants, these being more similar to period-correct pants than my jeans.
I got my Ruger Bearcat out and verified it was unloaded. Then, I made sure it was unloaded. After that, I unloaded it again. (Everyone happy? This was all done with safety first.)
I used my Bearcat because it's the only revolver I have on hand right now. I'm expecting my 1858 New Army cap and ball revolver to arrive tomorrow, I'll experiment further with that. Size reference for anyone unfamiliar with a Bearcat-It's a small frame single action with a 4 inch barrel.
I experimented with tucking the gun into my pants, into just my belt, utilizing a holster I turned around to make into cavalry draw, etc. Here's what I learned...
1-This is a feasible carry position, depending on a couple of different factors regarding how you dress, what you carry and what you do during the day.
2-This position doesn't work well with pants worn low around your hips, as is popular today. This is where I normally wear my pants, which is why I switched to dress pants. These I can wear up above my hips, at my natural waist. In order for this position to be viable, I needed my pants up above my hipbone, so that the gun butt rides higher than I would otherwise like.
3-This position requires a decent amount of butt-forward cant to work well. Reference the picture at the top of the thread to see what I mean. Too much vertical component makes the grip hard to access against your side.
4-Old Fuff and others, I'm pleased to report that y
ou most assuredly can draw from this postion without sweeping yourself. As you draw, your (well, at least MY) wrist tends to bend in such a manner that the muzzle is driven to the outside, away from your body. Then, you begin to drive it forward, towards the target, rotating it to a firing position as you go.
5-As previously stated, using single-action firearms adds another level of safety. The hammer is not easily cockable until well into the draw stroke, by which time the muzzle is oriented towards the target, GREATLY reducing the chances of an AD/ND into oneself.
6-This position requires that you rotate the gun further forward around your waist, to about the 2:30 position. Well, it did on mine, anyway.
Overall, I was surprised with the speed with which I was able to access the firearm, draw, cock and dryfire on a target. It's far more accessible than I'd have though, and the added benefit of easy access for the off hand is very nice as well.
My conclusion, based upon this test: If you're not a gunslinger wearing a dropped-leg style holster, this isn't a bad way to go. Wearing strongside keeps the gun out of the way of many other things, as has been mentioned. Keeping the gun riding high on the hips/waist keeps the barrel from hitting things as you sit. Having the gun rotated forward on your waist and oriented butt-first means it would be very difficult to snatch quickly from behind and would enhance retainment from the front. Overall, this is perhaps not the BEST option, but it isn't a BAD option either.
Your mileage may vary.