Personalizing the Phlster Enigma

I started utilizing belly band solutions for deep concealment carry many years ago.  The primary role of the belly band was to conceal a small handgun under tucked shirts.  During Covid, I also began utilizing belly bands to carry while wearing sweatpants and draw string shorts, as that bizarre era ushered in my full embracement of casual clothing.  Around that time, I used the belly band option from Crossbreed; it had hard-shell holsters that would attach to the band via hook-and-loop, and that was better than most options at the time.  It still left much to be desired, and I found that the bands would wear out and rip within a couple of months of use.  I then used a Clutch belt, which worked well for securing actual kydex holsters, but it offered no tension akin to a belt to press on a holster wing and aid concealment. 

Everything changed with the Phlster Enigma.  The genius of the Enigma system is that it utilizes standard kydex holsters, and it applies pressure to the holster wing, thus acting like a belt in that it draws the heal of the gun into the body.  Once I bought an Enigma, every other option was retired.  This solution remains my primary means of deeply concealing a gun in formal, tucked-in clothing, or in casual no-belt pants or shorts alike.  While I have used pocket carry and ankle carry extensively in the past to accommodate formal wear, all such carry modes have gone away due to the Enigma (with the exception of ankle carrying a backup gun, which I do quite often).  This has proven to be the best piece of gear for deep concealment yet devised. 

In particular, I pair the Enigma with a Ruger LCR, as small revolvers simply excel at deep concealment due to their rounded profile, robust and safe design for such carry, and the comfort afforded by the curves in the design that eliminate sharp and pointed pieces that dig into the body when worn pressed tightly against bare skin. 

I have done a good amount to personalize the Enigma, and the rest of this system, for my needs.  First of all, I don’t use the leg leash for daily carry.  If I am going to do an extended practice session with the Enigma, I put it back on, as after several draws it does ride up.  However, for daily carry and use, I find that it does not move around at all.  Second, I added a little upside-down J hook, fabricated from a holster clip, that works well to keep the waistband of shorts or sweatpants (the garments I wear when I use the Enigma) from riding up and over the grip of the gun during movement and activity.  I have also customized and attached a speedloader pouch to the Enigma to back up the revolver. 

Over many years of using small revolvers, I have dabbled with different speedloaders, occasionally carrying them, but always reverting back to using speed strips, as the speedloader is bulky and simply defeats the purpose of the small-frame revolver to begin with, which is deep, undetectable concealment.  Thus, with great irony, I have found a speedloader perfectly usable with the Enigma, because the gap left between the holster and the Enigma plate fosters the fit of the device in a perfectly concealed manner.  In the past, speedloaders have always proven too bulky when in a pocket, or even when worn in a pouch on the belt, yet with this setup they work well.  I use a Speed Beez speedloader, in a Speed Beez belt pouch, but I cut the belt clip off the pouch, as that proved too bulky, and I affixed a hook-and-loop solution to it, thus attaching it. 

This system works great in shorts, sweatpants, or in formal dress with tucked-in shirts.  When dressed in standard jeans with a belt and an untucked shirt, I wear my auto loader in a belt holster, AIWB.  For anything without a belt, or for tucked-in shirts, I wear this Enigma rig.  Therefore, can accommodate any dress or environment with just two carry setups.