PHLster Enigma Micro Instructions
Step-by-step instructions for setting up and adjusting your PHLster Enigma Micro. It’s easy to adjust the Micro on your body, allowing you to fine-tune your concealment in minutes. If you have questions, we’re here to help!
Enigma Micro Quick Start Guide
Start here with the PHLster Enigma Micro Quick Start Guide. Learn how to put on your Enigma Micro and how to work the buckles. You’ll also see how to adjust your Micro’s cant, ride height, and retention.
Full step-by-step written instructions for each adjustment are in the Adjustments tab above.
How To Use the Fidlock Magnetic Buckle
With correct technique, the magnetic buckle on the Enigma Micro is very easy to operate. Do not attempt to force the buckle open by pulling straight out. Instead, pull forward on the buckle tab.
If the buckle lands over your hip bone and causes a pressure point, see the adjustments tab to learn how to move and adjust it. You can also try the Reduced Size Slider Buckle.
Enigma Micro Adjustment Diagram
The Enigma Micro adjusts to fit your body. The diagram below shows which screws you need to use for different possible adjustments.
How To Use the V2 Enigma Leg Leash
Your Enigma comes with TWO leg leash options. Pick the one that works best for your body and wardrobe. The single point leg leash comes pre-installed. If you don’t like it, you can try the included two point leg leash.
Watch the video below to learn how to adjust each type. We recommend trying each leg leash option to see which one is better for you.
How to properly wear and adjust the V2 PHLster Enigma leg leash. Learn the two different leg leash options, and how to adjust the leg leash for best results on your body. Whether you’re just starting out with the Enigma, or whether you’re having issues that need troubleshooting, reviewing this video is the best place to start.
Having trouble? For leg leash tips, tricks, troubleshooting, and safe leg leash alternatives, check out this blog post.
Adjustments
You can adjust your Enigma Micro while wearing it with your unloaded gun. Use the included Torx T10 screwdriver to adjust ride height, cant, and grip rotation. You may also need a Phillips screwdriver if you wish to adjust your holster’s retention.
Select an adjustment
Cant and Ride Height
- Loosen the two holster screws ¼ turn
- Slide the holster up or down to adjust ride height
- Tilt the holster to adjust cant
- Remember to leave enough room for your hand to reach the gun’s grip
Adjusting Ride Height
- Loosen the two holster screws ¼ turn
- Slide the holster up or down to adjust ride height
- For best results, slide the holster down as far as possible on the faceplate, while leaving enough room for your hand to reach the gun’s grip
- Keeping the holster low on the faceplate helps the gun balance better, and helps the grip tuck tight to your body
Adjusting Cant
- Loosen the two holster screws ¼ turn
- Tilt the holster
- For best results, start with a neutral or straight drop, and add only as much cant as needed
- Tighten the screws firmly, but do not overtighten
- Test your draw with an unloaded gun
- Make sure you can still grip and draw normally
Camwing — Grip Rotation
The Camwing adjusts the Enigma’s grip rotation, making the grip of the gun lay flat against your body. You can customize the amount of grip rotation by sliding and/or rotating the Camwing.
- Loosen the Camwing screw ¼ turn
- Slide the Camwing inboard for more grip rotation
- Slide outboard for less grip rotation
- When you are satisfied, tighten the Camwing screw, hand tight only, don’t crank it down
For Maximum Grip Rotation
- For maximum grip rotation, rotate the Camwing with the skinny side down
- Then slide it inboard as far as it will go (between the trigger guard and the faceplate)
- Can be adjusted while wearing
- Tighten the Camwing screw lightly, no need to crank it down
Retention
- Slightly loosen the retention adjustment screw on the holster shell with a Phillips screwdriver
- Slide the screw higher up in the slot for tighter retention (gun will be harder to draw), or slide it down for looser retention
- Tighten the screw before testing retention (with an unloaded gun)
- Remember that retention is properly tested on your body, not by shaking the holster. Learn how to test retention in this video.
Buckle Position
Two Buckle Positions
- The buckle can be assembled two ways
- Use the shorter position to make the Micro narrower (helpful for smaller waists)
- Use the longer position to accommodate extra gear on your belt
Accessories
Sport Belt
An optional accessory that improves comfort and helps keep your Enigma belt tension more consistent. Takes about five minutes to install, no tools needed.
The assembly instructions are exactly the same for the Express and the Micro. You will thread the belt the same way.
More details
The Sport Belt adjusts from both sides, so you can easily change the centering of the back pad. Watch the install video, and make sure it’s routed correctly:
Reduced Size Buckle
If the Fidlock magnetic buckle bothers you, or if you just need extra space on your belt, try the Reduced Size Buckle.
More details
How to Install
Written installation instructions, or watch the video:
WedgeRx
The WedgeRx and Flat WedgeRx are fully compatible with the Enigma Micro. A wedge attaches to the back of the holster shell and pushes the grip in toward your body.
More details
A wedge solves two common concealment problems:
- Grip tipping out away from the body — a wedge under the muzzle end tilts the grip back in toward your body.
- Gap between a curved belly and a flat gun — a wedge fills that gap and gives you better grip tuck, and it’s also more comfortable.
The WedgeRx is made of medical grade foam and comes in three sizes. Watch the video to learn how to use it with your Enigma Micro:
How To Get Good Concealment — A Step-By-Step Guide
Our Concealment Mechanics graphics and videos will walk you through the steps to getting good concealment with your Enigma Micro. Most people don’t get perfect concealment right away – it takes some work to dial things in for your unique body shape. You’ll need to experiment with your gun placement, belt tightness, Enigma adjustments, and wedge placement to get your best possible concealment.
This video series will walk you through how to find your concealment Sweet Spot, how to use the Poke and Check method to determine if you need to make adjustments to your Micro, and how to decide whether you need to add a wedge.
Once you get past the basics, you can also learn more about the deeper technical and psychological factors that make for good concealment. There’s a lot of information, but you can go at your own pace.
Concealed Carry Comfort
Comfortable concealed carry starts with knowledge rather than gear. Watch this video to identify any comfort issues you might be having, and learn the basic skills for getting comfortable. After watching, you’ll be much better equipped to find solutions that work for your chosen holster, carry position, and body type.
Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Safety, care, and maintenance
Leg leash questions and tips
- All V2 leg leash tips and tricks
- Keepers fell off?
- Leg leash fraying?
- Are there alternatives to the leg leash?
- Can I take the leg leash off?
- What if the leg leash is too long. Can I trim it?
What if the leg leash prints in leggings?
As a general rule, if your leggings are tight enough to see panty lines, they’re tight enough that your leg leash may show. Adjusting it so it’s in the crease of your buttock will help minimize the visual impact. You can also try the Two Point leg leash, or the alternative leg leash routing method from the instruction video in the leg leash tab. If you prefer an aftermarket solution, we recommend the Bumster from Levo Designs.
Holster retention — gun too tight or loose in the holster
Can I adjust the retention of the Enigma Micro holster?
Yes — the Enigma Micro has adjustable retention. Slightly loosen the retention adjustment screw on the holster shell with a Phillips screwdriver, then slide the screw up in the slot for tighter retention, or down for looser. Tighten the screw before testing retention with an unloaded gun.
If you’re having problems with your gun feeling too tight or too loose, first double check that you have the correct holster shell for your gun model. Aftermarket modifications to the gun may cause problems with retention.
Next, read this article on how holster retention works, and test your retention as shown.
If these steps don’t resolve your issue, you can contact us for help. Before you contact us, though, please make sure you’re testing your holster retention correctly. Thank you!
Concealment tips for all body types
- 3 Key principles of concealment
- Finding your concealment Sweet Spot – Remember that the concealment principles are universal, and all bodies are unique. If your exact body type isn’t shown in the video, you can still use the concealment principles to find your own Sweet Spot.
- The “Keel Principle,” and how longer holsters can often be more comfortable and concealable
- Basic Concealment Mechanics
- Appendix carry tips for larger folks – abdominal fat distribution and appendix carry
- Wedges – what is a wedge, and do I need one?
Comfort tips
Comfortable Concealed Carry Explained – Comfortable concealed carry starts with knowledge rather than gear. Watch this video to identify any comfort issues you might be having, and learn the basic skills for getting comfortable. After watching, you’ll be much better equipped to find solutions that work for your chosen holster, carry position, and body type.
Enigma Micro comfort tips:
The Enigma is a skeleton. You start with the basic bone structure, and then you flesh it out to suit your body shape and your individual comfort needs. Since everyone is different, it takes some experimentation and customization to get the level of comfort and concealment you want.
The Enigma is designed to be a hardcore piece of fighting equipment that can survive extreme scenarios. In order to make it hold up to those demands, we chose materials for strength and rugged durability. The Enigma is designed to be ergonomic and adjustable – but it’s NOT soft.
Skin comfort is an important factor in overall concealed carry comfort, and that’s why we made the Enigma as open to customization as possible. The easiest way to achieve skin comfort is just to wear an undershirt, camisole, underwear, or a bandeau under your Enigma. However, if you prefer to wear your Enigma directly against the skin with no undergarments, there are a variety of comfort solutions available, from flat pads to sport belts to creative DIY solutions. You can choose whatever mods you need to get to your desired level of skin comfort. Like everything Enigma, expect it to take some experimentation.
If the Enigma’s magnetic buckle sits over your hip bone and causes a pressure point, try switching to the Reduced Size Buckle instead.
User group and community support
We welcome you to join the PHLster Concealment Workshop group on Facebook. It’s a large and active community with people from all walks of life. See how other people are wearing their Enigmas, and get inspiration for mods and adjustments. You can see the Enigma in action on people with different body shapes, with different wardrobes.