How To Find an Enigma Compatible Holster – Standard Enigma OS

If we don’t make an Enigma Express for your gun (and you’re not using a light or laser), then you’ll need to use the Standard Enigma OS. This Enigma model comes disassembled, and you’ll need to supply your own compatible holster to use with it.

The Standard Engima OS is compatible with a wide variety of other manufacturer’s holsters, as long as you don’t have a light or laser on your gun.  (If you DO have a light or laser or you’re not sure which Enigma model you need, click here first to choose the correct Enigma model.)

The easiest way to find a compatible shell for the Standard Enigma OS is to check with each of the recommended brands linked below, in order. Our recommended brands have a wide variety of gun choices, and are known to work with the Enigma, as long as you’re not using a light or laser on your gun.

If none of the recommended brands cover your gun model, you’ll need to invest some time into learning the compatibility requirements and searching for a shell on your own. This is not an easy process, and sometimes there are no Enigma compatible shells, especially for less common carry guns. If you can’t find a shell, you may want to consider switching to a compatible gun, or simply holding off on your Enigma purchase for now.

Please note: make sure to have a compatible holster shell in hand before ordering the Enigma. If you blow through your return window waiting for a holster, you’ll be unable to return your Enigma. Make sure you have a compatible shell in hand so you can use your return window to try out your Enigma, adjust it to your body, customize it, and get used to it.

Recommended Brands

These brands are in order based on features that work best with the Enigma. The further down this page you go, the more complicated and difficult the process becomes. Start at the top and work down as far as you need to find the fit and features you need.

NOTE: We are not affiliated with any other manufacturers, so if you have questions about their shells, you need to contact them, not us. Not all shells are created equal, and we don’t guarantee your experience with any non-PHLster product. These brands are a good place to start, but you must always try other brands at your own risk.

PHLster

It’s obvious, but our shells are made for the Enigma.

• PHLster Skeleton – ultra minimalist profile with no added muzzle length.
  • NOTE: We recommend purchasing the Enigma Express rather than buying the standard Enigma and Skeleton shell separately. The Express comes as a complete, pre-assembled package including the faceplate, shell, wing, and everything you need.
• PHLster Pro Holster – Extra muzzle length (why?) and a molded in wedge help prevent top-heavy guns from tipping out and printing. Pair with the standard Enigma.
• PHLster City Special revolver holster – if you’re looking for a J-Frame or LCR holster, we recommend purchasing the Enigma Express rather than buying the City Special and standard Enigma separately.

Not sure which PHLster shell to choose? Watch this video.

JM Custom Kydex

The JM Custom Kydex Enigma shell is designed for the Enigma and has a minimalist profile. They have a wide fit selection, including some unusual gun models. Note that some models may have extra muzzle length (why?), so read their page carefully and make sure you understand what you’re getting before ordering.

• Quick Ship Enigma Shell – faster option for the most common guns.
• Custom Enigma Shell – longer lead times, but greater variety of gun fits.

Henry Holsters

Henry Holsters assemble easily and pair perfectly with the standard Enigma. Note that Henry shells have a molded-in wedge, and may have extra muzzle length (why?). These concealment features help increase grip tuck, but can also increase muzzle printing in leggings or yoga pants. They have clip blocking (raised bumps for belt hardware, which add slightly to the profile). Make sure you understand what you need before ordering.

• Henry Flint – for full size guns.
• Henry Flint Compact – for compact guns.

Holsterco

Note: these are adjustable retention shells, which are more difficult to install. You will need to add the Fixed Retention Kit accessory to your Enigma purchase.

Holsterco Stealth – To get this shell without clip blocking (raised bumps for belt hardware, which you don’t need and will add slightly to the profile), choose the “RCS Overhook” option from the “Attachments” section. Choose the “Add Modwing” option from the “Concealment Claw” section. Put in the notes that it’s for the Enigma.

KSG Holsters

KSG holsters have adjustable retention, but the manufacturer can convert them to fixed retention upon request. They have been redesigned to work well with the Enigma. The “Declaration” model is optimized for the Enigma, with no extra no extra clip blocking (raised bumps for belt hardware, which add slightly to the profile). Several other models are Enigma compatible, but may have clip blocking. 

KSG holsters can be ordered with different sweat guard heights. You can also request extra muzzle length or a flush fit muzzle.

• KSG Declaration
  • In the  “Belt attachments” menu, choose “none, Enigma compatible.”
  • In the “Claw style” menu, choose “Modwing.”
  • You can contact KSG and ask for fixed retention, or you can order the Fixed Retention Kit from PHLster when you order your Enigma.

Dark Star Gear

Dark Star Gear has two standard Enigma compatible models – the Hitchhiker and the Orion. Choose your gun make first, then scroll down to see if either the Hitchhiker or Orion are available for your gun model. Note that some models have extra muzzle length (why?), so make sure you understand what you’re ordering, and ask any questions before placing an order.

Note: these are adjustable retention shells, which are more difficult to install. You will need to add the Fixed Retention Kit accessory to your Enigma purchase.

• Dark Star Gear – choose your gun make, then see if the Hitchhiker or Orion are available for your gun model. Both have clip blocking (raised bumps for belt hardware, which aren’t needed with the Enigma and will add slightly to the profile).

Eclipse Holsters

Eclipse has two recommended models for the standard Enigma: the Delta and the Zero G. Be aware that some gun models may have lower grip clearance with the Enigma faceplate, which can cause difficulty getting your hand on the grip, or cause you to scrape your knuckles on a fast draw.

Note: these are adjustable retention shells, which are more difficult to install. You will need to add the Fixed Retention Kit accessory to your Enigma purchase.

• Eclipse Delta – wider variety of gun fits. Has clip blocking (raised bumps for belt hardware, which you don’t need and will add to the profile). Comes standard with a wing, which you will need to use it with the Enigma.
• Eclipse Zero G – smaller variety of gun fits, but minimalist profile with no added clip blocking. You will need to add the wing as an option to use it with the Enigma. The wing is mandatory for Enigma assembly, so make sure to select that option when ordering.

Concealment Express

Concealment Express is a budget brand, so set your expectations accordingly. That said, they support some harder-to-find guns. Be aware that some models may have lower grip clearance with the Enigma faceplate, which can cause difficulty getting your hand on the grip, or cause you to scrape your knuckles on a fast draw. These shells also have clip blocking (raised bumps for belt hardware, which you don’t need and will add to the profile).

Note: You MUST add the “Claw Kit” option to use these shells with the Enigma. That means your holster will come with a Modwing, which is mandatory for Enigma assembly. If the model you’re considering doesn’t have the “Claw Kit” option listed, then it is not Enigma compatible.

Also note: The standard Enigma is NOT compatible with guns with lights or lasers attached. Do not select a holster model that is made for a light or laser. If it doesn’t have a claw option available, or if it says “WML Claw Kit,” it is NOT compatible.

Note: these are adjustable retention shells, which are more difficult to install. You will need to add the Fixed Retention Kit accessory to your Enigma purchase.

• Concealment Express IWB holsters – make sure to add the “Claw Kit” option.
• Concealment Express Tuckable IWB holsters – make sure to add the “Claw Kit” option.

None of the Recommended Brands have shells for my gun. Now what?

Yikes. Well, if none of the recommended brands cover your gun model, you’ll need to invest some time into learning the Enigma compatibility requirements and searching for a shell on your own. This is not an easy process. It requires a level of holster expertise, which takes time. Sometimes there are no Enigma compatible shells available for certain guns, especially if it’s something less common for concealed carry. If you can’t find a shell from the manufacturers above, you may want to consider switching to a more common gun, or simply holding off on your Enigma purchase for now.

If you choose to continue, here’s what you’ll need to know:

Compatibility Requirements

The standard Enigma faceplate mounts through the concealment wing of your holster. Therefore, your holster shell must have the correct type of wing and the correct mounting points to be compatible, plus a few extra considerations.

1. It needs two mounting holes directly below the trigger guard, spaced exactly ⅝” apart from center to center. Holes must be drilled through both sides of the shell. Holes must not be too close to the edge of the shell, or too far lateral.
2. It must have enough flat space to mount a Modwing, Dark Wing, or Raven Wing (see pic). If the area around the mounting holes is not flat, it won’t work well.
3. It must have enough clearance between the top of the wing and the grip of your gun so you can get your hand on the grip (see pic). 
4. It can have either fixed or adjustable retention (fixed retention is easier to mount to the Enigma faceplate).
5. It cannot be a light-bearing, hybrid, or sidecar style holster.
6. It must have a closed sight channel.

To find out if a shell you’re considering is Enigma compatible, check the picture series, and then compare. The more different it looks from the sample pictures, the less likely it is to be compatible.

First, does your holster have one of the three concealment wings shown? Some manufacturers use different names for these wings, but the wings must look EXACTLY like the picture, with the exact hole spacing specified.

If your holster does not already have a wing attached, check to see if it can accept one. Does it have two mounting holes beneath the trigger guard? Are they exactly ⅝” apart? Does it look like there’s enough room to mount one of the wings shown? Make sure the mounting holes aren’t too close to the edge, or crowded too close to the curved part of the shell.

Next, check your grip clearance. The top of the Enigma faceplate comes up to the same level as the top of the concealment wing. That gives you a rough idea of how high the Enigma faceplate will sit on your gun. Do you have enough room to get your fingers on the grip without hitting the wing?

Please note: just because it fits doesn’t mean it works well. There are many shells that will technically line up and fit, but just aren’t that great for Enigma use. We cannot guarantee an optimal product experience with other manufacturers shells, and that’s doubly true if they’re not on the recommended brands list.

Where do I look?

If you can’t find a holster in the links above, try Google. Sometimes searching for your gun model + “modwing” will turn up useful results. You can also join the PHLster Concealment Workshop facebook group and do a group search for your gun model (for example, “G48”).

If you can’t turn up anything with a search, then a good option for your gun might not exist. Consider switching to a better supported gun, or try a different holster system.

Can I contact you for help finding a shell?

If you contact us for help, the first thing we’ll do is refer you to this guide and have you check the recommended brands. We will not check the recommended brands for you, and we don’t keep track of other manufacturer’s fit selections or inventory. While we genuinely want to help you, we’re a very small company, and we don’t have the resources to keep track of other businesses.

All the most common carry guns are covered by the recommended brands above. If you have a rare gun, there may not be a compatible shell, and you should not buy the Enigma at this time.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading!