PHLSTER

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How To Tighten the Belt Attachment Screws

The belt attachment screws on the Enigma OS (Standard and Light Bearing) are hard to tighten.  That’s because they have pre-applied nylon thread locker, which keeps them from working loose over time as you wear your Enigma. 

To tighten the belt screws, first start by pre-threading them all the way into the screw posts, as shown in the instruction video.

For the next step, use a ranger band, rubber band, rubber glove, or similar soft tacky surface. Place the band under the screw post, put the whole thing down on a table, and press down hard against the table to tighten the screws. It’s easier with an electric driver, but this also works with a regular screwdriver. If using an electric driver, tighten the screws with quick, fast bursts, and do not allow the screws to spin against the faceplate. Make sure to press down HARD against your table.

You can also add gorilla tape or duct tape over the back of the screw post and faceplate.  When you press down against your rubber band, the tape will help prevent rotation. Alternatively, you can wrap electrical tape around your finger with the sticky side out, and use your finger to hold the screw post (users with low hand strength should use the table method).  

If the above methods don’t work, you may want to invest in a set of screw pliers. These are special pliers made to grab small screws. 

Keep at it, and don’t give up on the belt screws.  The nylon threadlocker is extremely good at keeping fasteners from coming loose.  The screws are hard to install, but the extra security is worth it.  Once you’ve tightened the screws once, they will be a little bit easier the next time.  If you need to adjust your Enigma’s belt attachment points, use the same tricks to loosen the screws, and again to re-tighten them in the new position.

Use only the belt attachment screws that came with your Enigma.  Do not use other hardware for this purpose.  If you need replacement hardware, you can contact us.

For the full Enigma assembly video, go to the Enigma Resources page.

How To Loosen the Belt Attachment Screws

What if you want to loosen your Enigma screws? You might want to remove your Enigma OS belt to make adjustments or add/change accessories. Sometimes the belt screws can get stuck and be difficult to loosen. They can spin on the faceplate, and are sometimes very hard to get loose.

To loosen your Enigma screws, you can use the same tips above, but in reverse.

  • Use a ranger band, rubber band, or rubber glove to add friction to the back of the screw post. Place the band under the screw post, put the whole thing down on a table, and press down hard against the table to tighten the screws. It’s easier with an electric driver, but this also works with a regular screwdriver. If using an electric driver, tighten the screws with quick, fast bursts, and do not allow the screws to spin against the faceplate, or they could heat up and burn through. Make sure to press down HARD against your table to prevent spinning.
  • You can also add gorilla tape or duct tape over the back of the screw post and faceplate.  When you press down against your rubber band, the tape will help prevent rotation. Alternatively, you can wrap electrical tape around your finger with the sticky side out, and use your finger to hold the screw post (users with low hand strength should use the table method).  
  • If the above methods don’t work, you may want to invest in a set of screw pliers. These are special pliers made to grab small screws. 

What NOT To Do

  • Do not apply heat to your Enigma screws. You could melt through the faceplate or holster.  Because the holster materials have a lower melting point than most thread locking compounds, you’re likely to melt your gear and still have a stuck screw.
  • Do not spin the screw excessively with a power screwdriver. Spinning the screw can cause heat and friction, which can melt through your Enigma faceplate.

Need More Help?

If you need additional help, please feel free to contact us!

Do you need extra holster length?*

*If you’re carrying a longer-muzzled gun or a revolver, adding extra holster length may not be necessary for you, but for short semiautomatic guns, it’s often helpful.

Guns with short muzzles can be top-heavy and difficult to conceal comfortably. To solve this, some holsters have extra length added to the muzzle end. Like the keel on a boat, the extra muzzle length helps balance the holster, making it more comfortable and easier to conceal. This is especially true if you have a bit of a belly, which tends to push the grip out more and make the muzzle dig in.

Note that while extra muzzle length reduces grip printing, it can increase muzzle printing, which can be a concern with lower carry positions and tight fitting pants such as leggings or yoga pants. 

Learn more about the Keel Principle here.