The Enigma has six belt attachment holes on either side of the faceplate. These control grip tuck, grip rotation, and optic printing. Please watch the Enigma OS - Standard Poke and Check video below for more information.

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To get the best concealment, your holster shell should be flush with the Enigma faceplate. If your spacers are too tall, the faceplate will stand away from the holster, and you won’t get the best possible concealment.

To check your spacer height, go to chapter 10 here.

Smaller users may need to shorten the leg leash drop. You can do this by fastening the leg leash through one of the larger faceplate holes rather than through the leg leash slot. See the leg leash shortening video in the Leg Leash tab for more detailed information.

Fixed retention holsters:

If you’re having problems with your gun being too tight or too loose in the holster, 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. Do not test holster retention by shaking the holster upside down – that is not the correct way to test.

If these steps don’t resolve your issue, you can contact the manufacturer of your holster shell for help. Before you do so, please make sure you’re testing your holster retention correctly.

Adjustable retention holsters

First, make sure you are testing your holster retention correctly. Do not test holster retention by shaking the holster upside down – that is not the correct way to test.

If you are testing your holster retention correctly and your retention is still too tight or too loose, follow the adjustable retention assembly instructions to add or remove shims from your fixed retention kit.

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 aftermarket covers 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.

As always, knowledge comes first before gear. Learn what makes holsters comfortable in this video, found in the Concealment & Tips tab.

You can add a wedge to your holster to improve both comfort and concealment. Learn more about wedges.

DIY tutorial on how to make your own wedge.

If you’d like to change the amount of grip rotation you get, changing your Modwing inserts can help.

eMod inserts are optional inserts that you can add to your Modwing to replace the standard Modwing inserts. The eMod inserts help the Enigma faceplate lay flatter, and improve grip rotation and grip tuck.

See the video below for full assembly instructions.

This hard spacer kit replaces the soft rubber washers found in adjustable retention holsters.

• Prevents rotation – How it works.
• Allows for tight, secure lockup between holster shell and Enigma faceplate
• Use with adjustable retention holsters only – not needed with PHLster holsters.

For full assembly instructions, please see the Adjustable Retention section in the Assembly tab.

With correct technique, the magnetic buckle on the Enigma is very easy to operate. Do not attempt to force the buckle open by pulling straight out. Instead, pull forward on the buckle tab. Watch the video to see how.

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 safety – MUST READ
• Care and maintenance
• Washing instructions
• What to do with the extra belt or leg leash material

• 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 section above. If you prefer an aftermarket solution, we recommend the Bumster from Levo Designs.

The holster screws on the Enigma Express are hard to tighten or loosen. That’s on purpose! Your Enigma Express comes with pre-patched Nylock screws — that means the screws have thread locker pre-applied, and you don’t need to add any additional thread locking compounds such as Loctite or Vibratite. HOWEVER, the Nylock does make the screws harder to loosen or tighten.

The video below shows some helpful techniques for loosening or tightening your Enigma screws.

• 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?

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 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 aftermarket covers 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.

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.

If we don't make an Enigma Express for your gun model, you'll need the Enigma OS - Standard and a compatible holster shell. But how do you find the right holster, and how do you know it will work safely with the Enigma?

Our holster fit guide will help you find what holsters you should use with the PHLster Enigma OS - Standard. It will also teach you the holster requirements so you can evaluate your holster and make sure it is safe. Remember, a holster must meet ALL the requirements in the fit guide, not just some!

If you have an adjustable retention holster, you will need the Retention Kit. The kit allows you to convert your adjustable retention holster to be able to use it safely with the Enigma.

Your Enigma faceplate is flexible, and it's meant to bend around the holster's wing. But if you experience too much bend, you can try our angled eMod inserts. They are shaped to help the Enigma faceplate lie more flat.

Not sure what you need? Feel free to contact us for help, or chat with Phil.

Yes. The faceplates are identical in shape, so all assembly instructions are the same, and all parts are interchangeable. The concealment and performance are the same. You may follow these instructions whether you have the original or the V2 faceplate.

The only difference is the leg leash instructions. The V2 comes with two leg leash options, and they are easier to adjust. Please watch the V2 adjustment video in the Leg Leash tab to learn how to use the new leg leash.

First off, it doesn't much matter. The faceplate shapes are identical, all parts are interchangeable, and all assembly and usage instructions are the same. The only difference is the leg leash instructions.

If you purchased from PHLster after March 3rd, 2025, you have a V2 Enigma. The V2 Enigma will have a black plastic faceplate with texturing, and a raised Enigma logo. It will come with two leg leash options. Use this video to adjust your V2 leg leash.

A V1 Enigma will have a Tegris faceplate, which looks similar to gray or black carbon fiber. It comes with a single point leg leash only, and the buckle adjusts differently. Use this video to adjust your V1 leg leash.

The Enigma Upgrade Kit was sold for a limited time only, ending April 3rd. It is not a complete Enigma, and it requires assembly.

To assemble the upgrade kit on your Enigma OS - Standard, you will remove your existing faceplate, and add the new faceplate. Use the instructions below to double check your work and make sure you have the fasteners correct. You'll also use the instructions below to swap over your belt or sport belt, and add the new leg leash.

For more detailed Upgrade Kit assembly instructions, please go here.