Tiny Guns and the Enigma OS and Express

How Well Do Tiny Guns Work With the Enigma OS and Express?

Folks often ask where to find an Enigma OS and Express compatible holster for extremely small guns like the Sig P238, 938, or the Ruger LCP II. While some holsters work better than others (yes, we have recommendations!), first you need a brief overview of what to expect when using an extremely small gun with the Enigma OS and Express.

We’ll cover everything you need to know before you invest.

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Tiny Gun Examples

For the purposes of this article, we’re going to define “tiny guns” as guns smaller in size than the ever-popular Glock 42 — which is the smallest gun we make an Enigma Express for. Some folks also refer to this size category as “pocket guns.” Here are some examples of guns we consider “tiny” for the purposes of our holsters:

• Sig P238
• Ruger LCP, LCP II, and LCP Max
• S&W Bodyguard
• Kimber Micro
• Kimber Solo
• Keltec P-3AT
• Walther PPK
• Beretta Pico

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The Mechanics of Concealing Tiny Guns

Tiny guns are, well, TINY — they should be easy to conceal. But ironically, tiny guns can actually be quite a struggle to conceal when wearing them on a traditional belt holster or the Enigma OS and Express. This is due to the Keel Principle.

Simply put, the Keel Principle means that tiny guns don’t have enough mass below the waterline (your belt line), so they tend to tip out at the top. Like the keel on a sailboat, the length of the holster below the belt normally helps balance the weight, making the gun more concealable and comfortable. But since tiny guns have short muzzles, they don’t have enough keel below the belt to stay balanced. This makes the grip want to tip out and print, while the muzzle digs in and creates an uncomfortable hotspot.

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Grip Clearance and Tiny Guns

Sometimes holster manufacturers try to “solve” this imbalance by putting the grip of the gun closer to the belt, or in the case of bellybands and corset holsters, by covering it with fabric. This sort of works, but it causes an unacceptably slow and impeded draw. It’s essential to have proper grip clearance on your holster so that you can draw the gun quickly and safely in an emergency. To avoid fumbles and tragic mishaps, you must be able to get your hand fully around the grip of the gun before the gun clears the holster. For these reasons, we don’t recommend holsters that compromise grip clearance to improve concealment.

Note: This is separate from the topic of deep carry, which is when you deliberately carry your gun below the waistband. Deep carry holsters must also provide proper grip clearance, so the same principles apply even in that special use case.

How To Check Grip Clearance

With the gun inserted into the holster, check that you have enough space to put a US quarter between the grip of the gun and the wing of the holster. If you have larger hands, make sure you have room to fully grip the gun without interference from the holster’s wing. (Note: Before buying an Enigma OS or Express, make sure your holster also fits all the other compatibility criteria from the Fit Guide.)

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Using the Enigma OS and Express with Tiny Guns

You CAN use the Enigma OS and Express with tiny guns — but here’s what you need to know first.

Since the gun is so tiny, all the OS and Express concealment features will be oversized in relation to the gun. The holster shell and the entire system footprint will be larger than the gun itself. Customers who try the Enigma OS and Express with micro guns are sometimes disappointed because they’re expecting the overall footprint to be smaller.

Take a look at the picture below. You can see how the holster is longer than the muzzle of the gun at the bottom. This is necessary in order to fit the two screws that attach the Modwing. Tiny guns are so small that they don’t have enough space below the trigger guard to mount holster hardware, so extra length must be added to the holster.

You’ll also notice that the material of the faceplate sticks out quite a ways past the holster. Since the gun is so small, you’ll end up with a lot of that faceplate material contacting your skin. You’ll definitely want to use a liner layer like an undershirt or bandeau underneath for comfort.

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Compatible Holster Recommendations for Tiny Guns

If you are okay with the larger footprint and you’d still like to use the Enigma OS and Express anyway, here is everything you’ll need to know to proceed. Follow the steps in order for a smoother experience!

Step 1: Find a Compatible Holster

First, you’ll need to find and purchase a compatible holster for your gun from another manufacturer. Do this before ordering your Enigma, because other manufacturers may have long lead times. The Enigma has a 30-day return window, so make sure you have your holster in hand when your Enigma arrives. That way you’ll have time to assemble and adjust it, and you can make sure you like it before the return window is up!

For small guns, we recommend choosing a holster with no clip blocking (raised bumps for belt clip hardware, which you don’t need and will add unnecessary bulk). You can still use a holster that has clip blocking, but it will be slightly more bulky.

Holsters we recommend:

• Quick Ship Stealth from Holsterco.
  • Choose the RCS Overhook for your belt attachment, and put in the notes that it’s for the Enigma.
  • This holster requires the fixed retention kit for Enigma assembly.
• The Zero G from Eclipse Holsters.
  • Order the “Delta wing kit” at checkout.
  • This holster requires the fixed retention kit for Enigma assembly.
• The Enigma shell from Green Force Tactical.
  • This holster requires the “Modwing Standard kit” for Enigma assembly.
• The IWB holster from Rounded Concealment. These holsters do have clip blocking, and they may have low grip clearance. We recommend this company only if you can’t find anything else and you’re okay with these limitations.
  • Order the “holster claw kit” option.
  • Requires the Fixed Retention Kit for Enigma assembly.

If you have any questions about other companies’ options or ordering, please contact them directly. We’re not affiliated with other holster companies, so we can’t answer questions about their order process and options.

Step 2: Order the Correct Enigma

Once you have your compatible holster in hand, you’ll need to order the Standard Enigma OS.

Note: The Standard Enigma OS is not compatible with lights or lasers that attach in front of the firearm’s trigger guard. If your tiny gun has a light or laser, you cannot use the Enigma OS and Express (unless you’re willing to take it off and find a compatible holster from the list above). Do not attempt to use the Light Bearing Enigma OS with a tiny gun — you will not have a good experience. We’re sorry we can’t accommodate lights or lasers on tiny guns, but please keep us in mind for your future needs!

Step 3: Assemble Your Enigma Using the Instructions

Next, you’ll assemble your Enigma OS using our instructions and resources.

Special notes for small gun assembly and adjustment:

• If your holster has adjustable retention, you’ll need to order the Fixed Retention Conversion Kit, and follow the special instructions for working with adjustable retention holsters during assembly.
• Make sure your spacers are not too tall for your gun. You can find instructions for checking spacer height here.
• Smaller guns require less grip rotation. You may want to remove the modwing insert — this can be done without disassembling your Enigma. This video may be helpful.

Learn how tiny guns conceal in a traditional belt-mounted holster here.