Standard Enigma OS Assembly, LH
- Nov 18th 2024
- By
These instructions are for the Standard Enigma, left handed assembly, with fixed retention holsters ONLY. If your holster has adjustable retention, you’ll need to follow the adjustable retention video found in the Enigma Instructions. If you are right handed, see the right handed assembly instructions.
There are video instructions here.
SAFETY WARNING: Make sure your holster is compatible. Do not modify, drill, sand, or cut your Enigma faceplate in ANY way. Do not drill or modify your holster. Thoroughly read the Enigma safety page and holster fit guide before continuing. Failure to fully read and follow ALL of these instructions can result in severe injury or death.
HOLSTER COMPATIBILITY: Please note that you must have a compatible holster shell for the Standard Enigma OS before beginning. Check your holster against the holster fit guide before you begin. If your shell does not fit, STOP and review the fit guide before continuing. DO NOT drill, cut, or otherwise modify your holster shell in ANY WAY.
- DO NOT attempt to use a holster that doesn’t meet ALL requirements in the fit guide.
- DO NOT attempt to use a holster with the wrong wing.
- DO NOT attempt to use a light bearing holster on the Standard Enigma. If your gun has an attached light or laser, you need a different Enigma model.
- Contact PHLster customer service if you have any questions or concerns.
DO NOT use a light bearing holster on the Standard Enigma. If your gun has an attached light or laser, DO NOT USE THE STANDARD ENIGMA faceplate. Guns with lights and lasers are not safe to use with the Standard Enigma - you need the Light Bearing Enigma instead.
If your holster doesn’t meet the fit requirements exactly, DO NOT try to “make it fit” or “make it work.” Close enough is NOT good enough. Using the wrong holster could lead to premature breakage or sudden failure. If your holster fails, it could result in severe injury or death. Do not mess around when your life is on the line.
Tools Needed:
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Pliers or vice grips
- Wide rubber band, rubber glove, or other similar grippy object
Optional Tools:
- Power driver
- Screw pliers
Here are the pieces that come with your Enigma.
- Enigma faceplate
- Leg leash
- Belt
- Buckle capture
- Fidlock magnetic buckle
- Two long screw posts
- Two plastic spacers
- Two long screws with pre-applied thread locker (yellow goop on the threads)
- Two short screw posts
- Two rubber washers
- Two metal finish washers
- Two short tapered head screws with pre-applied thread locker (yellow goop on the threads)
1. Orientation
To begin, determine the correct orientation of your holster shell on the Enigma faceplate. The large faceplate holes go over the slide side of the gun, and the solid portion of the faceplate goes over your holster's wing.
TIP: You may find it helpful to write yourself a note with masking tape on the FRONT of both your holster shell and Enigma faceplate.
2. Prepare Shell
Remove the wing and all the other hardware from your holster shell, including belt clips. Don’t throw anything away – just set it aside for now.
(Note: If you’re using a PHLster City Special holster shell, you’ll remove all hardware except the retention screw. Keep the plastic spacers that come with the holster.)
SAFETY WARNING: Use only the screws and screw posts that come with the Enigma. Do not use any of the screws or posts that came with your holster. Using the wrong screws can break your holster or Enigma. Follow these instructions exactly, and contact us if you have questions or concerns.
3. Prepare Buckle
Prepare your buckle capture (4) as shown. Insert the narrow end of the buckle capture (4) through the narrow end (female end) of the Fidlock magnetic buckle (5).
Thread the narrow side of the buckle capture through the female side of the Fidlock magnetic buckle (5).
Pull through, even up the ends, and press flat.
4. Prepare Screws
Prepare all of your screws. (8, 12).
The Enigma screws come with pre-applied thread-locking compound called Nylock. Nylock looks like yellow goop on the threads. It makes the screws harder to tighten (which is also why they’re less prone to loosening over time). It is reusable, and the screws can be tightened many times without losing grip.
To make the assembly process easier, prepare the short tapered head screws by running each of them into a screw post. This helps set the threads, so they are easier to tighten later.
Use a pair of pliers or vice grips to hold one of the long screw posts (6). Insert a screw.
Tighten the screw into the screw post until it stops. This will set the Nylock, making it easier to attach your Enigma belt later. Remove the screw from the screw post and repeat with the other screws.
Note: You will feel some resistance when the Nylock engages. This is normal. Stop turning the screw when the screw head starts to touch the post.
Prepare both short tapered head screws and both long screws.
SAFETY WARNING: Do not remove the Nylock – it’s necessary for your Enigma to function correctly and safetly. Do not attempt to clean it off, and do not apply other thread-locking compounds on top of it.
5. Attach Belt and Buckle
Attach both the belt (3) and buckle capture (4) to the FRONT of the faceplate. The buckle can be installed on either the left or right side of the faceplate, but most people prefer to have the buckle on their non-dominant side.
If you’re not sure which adjustment holes to use, start with the top, middle holes (see pic below). Visit the Standard Enigma Instructions page for more information on how to adjust your Enigma for best concealment.
If you’re using the optional Sport Belt upgrade, install that instead of the regular belt (4). The belt attachment point is exactly the same.
If you’re using the optional Reduced Size Buckle, install that instead of the regular buckle capture (4) and Fidlock (5).
This is the hardware stack order for attaching the Enigma belt and buckle capture. From front to back:
- Short tapered head screw (12)
- Metal finish washer (11)
- Belt attachment (3) OR buckle capture (4), or optional upgrades. Note that the buckle can be installed on the right or left side of the faceplate, depending on which hand you prefer to use to operate it
- Rubber washer (10)
- Enigma faceplate (1)
- Short screw post (9)
Drop the short tapered head screws (12) through the finish washers (11) as shown. Make sure the cupped side of the finish washer is down.
Push the screw and finish washer through the small hole on the belt attachment or buckle capture.
Next, add the rubber washer (10) behind the belt attachment or buckle capture.
Go through the selected hole on the FRONT of the Enigma faceplate. The rubber washer will be sandwiched between the belt/buckle attachment and the Enigma faceplate.
Add the short screw post (9) to the back of the faceplate.
Repeat these steps to attach both the belt and buckle capture.
Note: Optional Belt End Routing
If your Enigma was made after February 2024, you will have a double slotted belt end. This allows for an OPTIONAL belt routing step. This optional routing is recommended for users who experience problems with their belt slipping through the triglide and loosening. (Most users will not need this optional routing, and can assemble the Enigma as it comes in the package.)
Watch this video for more information on the optional routing.
To use the optional belt routing, insert the webbing DOWN through the outer slot.
Then pass it UP through the inner slot.
Pass the webbing back through the triglide.
And pull tight.
When using the optional belt routing, make sure your belt end is oriented on the faceplate correctly, with the webbing passing over the top as shown in the picture.
6. Tighten Belt Screws
Tighten the short tapered head screws. Watch this video for three techniques to get the screws tight.
The short tapered head screws are hard to tighten. Use a rubber band, rubber glove, or duct tape to grab the backside of the screw post.
Set the whole assembly (including the rubber band) down on a hard surface for extra leverage.
(Protect your surface in case you slip.)
Recommended for people with low hand strength: Use a power driver + your body weight. Press down hard and power the screw in with short bursts.
Or use a set of screw pliers to grab the back of the screw.
Watch this video for three helpful techniques to get the screws tight.
Your belt attachments should be tight. They should be difficult to rotate on the Enigma faceplate.
NOTE: If your screws spin without tightening, try another method of gripping the screw posts. If you’re using a power driver, do not spin the screws excessively, or you will burn through your faceplate. If you’re having trouble, stop and use a different method. Go here for tips and tricks for tightening Enigma screws.
The short tapered head screws are hard to tighten, and that’s on purpose.
7. Attach Leg Leash
Attach your leg leash to the faceplate. It can go through either of the two slots. Place it on the side closest to the leg you plan to use.
Pass the loop of the leg leash through the slot. Pass the body of the leg leash through the loop, forming a girth hitch. Make sure your leg leash buckle faces up as shown.
Pull tight, making sure the drop portion of the leash isn’t twisted.
8. Prepare Modwing
Prepare your Modwing.
If you’re using a Dark Wing or Raven (RCS) Wing, skip this step. If your holster did not come with one of those three wings, it may not be Enigma compatible. Stop now and check the fit guide here for more details.
- Modwing
- Modwing Nut
- Large insert
- Small insert
- Modwing screw
- Eyelets (optional, but recommended)
Your Modwing (13) will most likely come with two wing inserts (15, 16). Use the smaller insert (16) for your Enigma assembly.
NOTE: Your Modwing should come with eyelets (18). These fit into the large holes at the bottom of the modwing. They help reduce the diameter of the holes, making your hardware stack lock up tighter with the Enigma faceplate. Eyelets are recommended, but if your holster manufacturer did not include them with your Modwing, you can still assemble your Enigma without them.
Attach the smaller Modwing insert (16) with the screw (17) and nut (14) included.
Make sure the tall side of the insert is on your left, as shown here.
If you’re using the PHLster eMod kit for a better interface with the Enigma faceplate, install the eMod insert instead of the regular Modwing insert. Replace the Enigma spacers (7) with the appropriate eMod spacers (short spacers with short eMod, tall spacers with tall eMod).
Drop the eyelets (18) through the holes in the Modwing.
9. Attach Holster
Attach your holster to the faceplate. The order of the hardware stack is as follows:
- First: Two long screws (8)
- Second: Enigma faceplate (1)
- Third: Plastic spacers (7)
- Fourth: Modwing with eyelets
- Fifth: Holster shell
- Sixth: Long screw posts (6)
Note: City Special users only – you will add the tall spacers that came with your holster between the holster shell and the Modwing. (Between the fourth and fifth steps above.)
Put the long screws (8) through the faceplate. Hold them in place with your thumb. Flip the faceplate over and add the plastic spacers (7), then the Modwing. (Make sure your eyelets didn’t fall out of the Modwing.)
Add the holster shell, making sure the FRONT of the shell is toward the faceplate.
Add the screw posts (6), and tighten lightly.
Before fully tightening the faceplate screws, straighten out your assembly.
Make sure the holster is straight, and the top of the Modwing is level with the edge of the faceplate. Then tighten the screws fully.
If you have trouble tightening the holster screws, use your rubber band to apply pressure to the back of the screw posts. You can also hold the posts with a flat blade screwdriver.
10. Check Spacer Height
Check your spacer height.
The Enigma comes with standard size spacers (7) for general use. If you have a slim gun, the included spacers might be too tall. You want the Enigma faceplate to be flush with the front of the holster when viewed from the bottom. If the spacers are too tall, it will stand proud, which can make your concealment worse.
If your holster shell came with shorter hard plastic spacers, you may be able to try those. You can also use a stack of #10 flat washers to build the appropriate height.
Look at your assembly from the bottom. These spacers (7) are too tall, causing a gap between the faceplate and the front of the holster shell.
The spacer on the left comes with the Enigma (7). If it’s too tall for your gun, try a shorter spacer, or use a stack of #10 flat washers to reach the appropriate height.
These shorter spacers are just right, and the faceplate sits flush with the holster shell.
Note: It’s okay for the faceplate to flex slightly where it encounters the wing, as shown.
If you get too much faceplate flex, try the eMod kit, which is angled to blend cleanly with the faceplate. When using the eMod kit, use the spacers that come with the eMod kit instead of the spacers in the Enigma kit.
11. Connect Belt
Take the free end of the belt (3) or optional sport belt upgrade, and pass it through the Fidlock buckle as shown. The loose tail of the belt should be on the outside when you wear it.
Last step!
Double check your setup carefully to make sure everything is correct. It’s easy to miss things, so take some time to make sure you completed each step correctly. Then head back to the instructions page to learn how to adjust and wear your Enigma.
When you have your Enigma adjusted to fit you, you can trim any excess belt or leg leash material, and sear it with a lighter to prevent fraying. NOTE: MAKE SURE NOT TO CUT YOUR BELT OR LEG LEASH TOO SHORT. We recommend wearing your Enigma for a while before cutting anything. Some adjustments may require a longer belt or leg leash. Make sure you’ve got it fully figured out before cutting, and even then, leave several inches of extra material.
If you mess up and cut your belt or leg leash too short, you can order replacements in the Accessories section of the PHLster website.
Congratulations!