One day awhile back I received a product brochure in the mail from Action Direct wanting me to buy an elastic waist band type holster they called the Defender. They offered a 21 day free trail and the ad said if I didn't like it to return it for a refund after 21 days. The idea appealed to me so I wrote to Action Direct and asked for a Product Sample as a part of my Product Review Program. When the holster arrived in late December of 1999 I looked it over and tried it on and then laid it aside. The next time I went out with the intention of carrying a concealed handgun I got it out and tried it on again. It just didn't feel right then and so I again sat it aside and sorta forgot it for awhile. Still nagging in the back of my mind was that remembrance of the idea I had when I first asked for it that there was a place in my concealed carry routine for this holster so from time to time I'd get it out and look it over and try it on. Finally it hit me what I really wasn't liking about it. I was trying to use it as a "deep concealment" mode at times when deep concealment wasn't really what was needed.  This holster is more versatile than that but is perhaps the best going for true deep concealment. It can be worn completely below the waist line and because the elastic band holds the weight of the holster and gun it isn't even necessary to have a belt. In fact in the deep concealment mode you could easily conceal a small revolver or one of the compact .380 ACP or 9 MM semiautos under nothing more than a loose fitting swimsuit or shorts. But that isn't the way I normally dress and didn't need that level of concealment most of the time. Truly deep concealment of that nature limits the speed of access to the gun a bit too much to use it when not needed and that was the sticking point I had with the holster the way I was attempting to use it. So I decided to try it more as a normal inside the waistband holster with the elastic band positioned to hold the gun so it was in about the same position as with an IWB holster. Now that was more like it. That advantage of the elastic band holding the weight of gun and extra magazine as opposed to the belt of my pants doing so actually made it a bit more comfortable than the IWB holster and still gave me the gun positioned for quick deployment should the need arise. I still don't like that velcro attached retainer strap supplied with it for holding the gun in place but use of it seems optional as most guns I've tried with it seem to stay in place fine without for my level of exertion. If one were running and jumping and doing such activities I think you'd need the retainer strap and welcome it even if it slows down the draw slightly. One particular advantage of this holster arrangement I find particularly appealing is that it can position the gun anywhere you like around your waist just by sliding the elastic band to a new position. You can carry strong side or crossdraw or even behind the back with equal ease using this holster. So even tho it took me awhile to decide if I liked the holster or not I've decided I do in fact like it after all. It might not be for everyone or for every occasion but it definitely if worth having in your holster selection options. If truly deep concealment is an important consideration in your concealed carry strategy then I can't think of many better choices for anything of decent size. Sure a mini revolver or tiny auto in the pants pocket might work but with this you can get the same level of concealment and more comfort and carry a gun with more power and potential for stopping an assailant should the need arise. After a lot of delay and thought this one gets the Graybeard Seal of Approval. See it online at: http://www.action-direct.com/defender.htm