Phlster Enigma (probaby a very niche thread)

Edwardteach72

Edwardteach72

.475 A&M Magnum
U.S. Military
Messages
14,883
Reaction score
15,065
Location
New York
So I just got my Phlster Enigma (light bearing) in the other day.

I know this is going to be a super niche thread with very little interest (or like most of my gun related threads and zero interest :ROFL:).

I know @fnfalguy has the original Enigma and from the sounds of it really enjoys it.

And from all the research I've done I really believe in the product myself, I've been wanting one for some time but since the original did not work with WML holsters I never got one. ..

Well recently Phlster launched their new Light bearing version and I some how got lucky and was able to get an order in on the last drop.


Now for many the question is "what is the Enigma" and "Why?"

1st question.. well the Engima is a "chassis system" for your already existing holster (depending) that will allow you to carry without the need of a belt (or even pants)..

There are many other products out there that take on this issue, such as Ulticlips or Belly Bands.. some better than other (see previous statement)

Well based in what I have seen, and now that I have one in hand I fully believe that the Enigma beats all the other products.

20210514_225220.jpg

20210514_225711.jpg


Here are some photos of other people using their Enigma on sweats/shorts/yoga pants

Enigma-waistband.jpg
ud1vmk4mpji61.jpg

mqdefault.jpg
(Note the last photo is a promo photo to give you an idea how the chassis and holster would work under your clothes)


Now I could keep going on and ramble or someone with better writing skills than myself could take over.

www.luckygunner.com

PHLster Enigma: The Pants-Optional AIWB Holster

The PHLster Enigma is a "concealment chassis" that you can pair with your favorite AIWB holster to form the ultimate concealed carry setup.
www.luckygunner.com
 
fnfalguy

fnfalguy

.308 Win
Messages
2,850
Reaction score
7,709
Location
Orange County
Having worn this similar setup I can add some actual experience. I carry 90% of the time, unless in a NPE and then I'm carrying slightly less frequently. If you wear a proper holster, you don't know it's there. If your holster/gun combo causes discomfort you are likely in need of a better setup. If you have to dress around the gun, you are in need of a better setup. If you are concerned of your gun discharging on its own, then you do you.

This setup that @Edwardteach72 is showing does fit a specific set of circumstances and I also agree that it is likely the best solution that I have tried.

If you think this is coming off as condescending, put me on ignore as I don't care. I'm going off of my experiences with this setup and others while carrying securely in a NPE as well as other situations.
 
Shoots100

Shoots100

.357 mag
Messages
694
Reaction score
897
Location
Flatlands, just clear of the nuclear blast
fnfalguy said:
Having worn this similar setup I can add some actual experience. I carry 90% of the time, unless in a NPE and then I'm carrying slightly less frequently. If you wear a proper holster, you don't know it's there. If your holster/gun combo causes discomfort you are likely in need of a better setup. If you have to dress around the gun, you are in need of a better setup. If you are concerned of your gun discharging on its own, then you do you.

This setup that @Edwardteach72 is showing does fit a specific set of circumstances and I also agree that it is likely the best solution that I have tried.

If you think this is coming off as condescending, put me on ignore as I don't care. I'm going off of my experiences with this setup and others while carrying securely in a NPE as well as other situations.
Click to expand...
I don't want to come off as condescending either, but in your first paragraph, you let us know about holster's and then in the second paragraph, you acknowledge that this chassis system only fit's a certain set of circumstances ?
I guessing that would include the circumstances that don't entail sitting down or for people that don't wear sweat pants daily ?
I watched a lot of review videos for the Enigma chassis and it's rated as the best holster chassis system for that intended purpose.
I don't put people on ignore if I don't agree with them.
It took awhile, but I've come to accept that there are few people as perfect as I am.
Carry on.
 
Edwardteach72

Edwardteach72

.475 A&M Magnum
U.S. Military
Messages
14,883
Reaction score
15,065
Location
New York
Shoots100 said:
I don't want to come off as condescending either, but in your first paragraph, you let us know about holster's and then in the second paragraph, you acknowledge that this chassis system only fit's a certain set of circumstances ?
I guessing that would include the circumstances that don't entail sitting down or for people that don't wear sweat pants daily ?
I watched a lot of review videos for the Enigma chassis and it's rated as the best holster chassis system for that intended purpose.
I don't put people on ignore if I don't agree with them.
It took awhile, but I've come to accept that there are few people as perfect as I am.
Carry on.
Click to expand...

Imagine thinking no one who carries appendix sits down, and yet people have been carrying appendix since handguns became a thing
 
togmaster

togmaster

.450/400 Nitro Ex
Messages
12,875
Reaction score
19,018
Location
Buoy 42
I was just looking at the JM Custom web site and the make a shell designed for the enigma. I don't know anything about it other than JM makes decent gear.
 
Edwardteach72

Edwardteach72

.475 A&M Magnum
U.S. Military
Messages
14,883
Reaction score
15,065
Location
New York
Looks like it's a holster designed to work directly with the regular Enigma and not as a belt mounted holster

JMCK_C-QS_ES(EnigmaShells)_4_500x500.jpg

As you can see it doesn't have options for clips or soft loops

JMCK_C-QS_ES(EnigmaShells)_2_500x500.jpg
 
Cooolone

Cooolone

.338 Win Mag
Messages
5,713
Reaction score
8,568
Location
NY, USA
Appendix carry just never worked for me... Never found it comfortable! Even with my small P238 and a bellyband... Good luck though!
 
HEX

HEX

Please Reboot Universe
Admin
Messages
2,153
Reaction score
4,123
Location
Ulster County
I guess all I can say really is that it's very much not for me. I simply don't leave the house in anything other than slacks w/belt and a button down shirt. Either an un-tucked shirt or a vest/jacket (suit types) generally covers hip OWB. People sometimes think I'm dressed up. I'm not, that's just what I have. Funny thing is my 'fancy' button down shirts are almost certainly no more expensive than any printed logo t-shirt. The thing is though , it's never really a negative thing for people to think you're dressing a little like you're trying, even if you're not at all. I don't like t-shirts and I would never be seen in public in sweatpants. That said, I don't do any jogging or working out or anything like that in public either. I might feel very differently if I did.
I would also probably never be especially comfortable carrying appendix. I don't think others are necessarily wrong to do so, and it's probably safe..mostly, but I just can't get past pointing a gun at the jewels.

I do however like when there are as many options as possible for people who aren't me.

One thing I will say though, I don't carry at home because I'm never wearing belt pants then, BUT when I was carrying at home once by chance (hadn't changed yet) it possibly saved my life; specifically that I had it on me and not simply nearby. I can't see wearing a rig like this around the house though to solve that conundrum.

I see this as probably most useful for women, whose clothes/fashion so often doesn't allow for more traditional carry methods.. but, I also think it would be a pretty hard sell to get most women to strap on this thing. I don't think guns should be stored in purses really, for various reasons, but far more often than not that's the best you can get women to do.
 
Edwardteach72

Edwardteach72

.475 A&M Magnum
U.S. Military
Messages
14,883
Reaction score
15,065
Location
New York
I actually see use of the Enigma for more than just sweats or gym shorts.

I can also see it being a really good solution for tucked in shirts, especially suits/business attire



 
Shoots100

Shoots100

.357 mag
Messages
694
Reaction score
897
Location
Flatlands, just clear of the nuclear blast
Edwardteach72 said:
Imagine thinking no one who carries appendix sits down, and yet people have been carrying appendix since handguns became a thing
Click to expand...

You can easily spot a person carrying appendix while their sitting down.
They look like they have some type of indigestion and are loosening their belts to relieve the pain of their guts being squished, or the holster being stuck into their groin.
I've been there, having carried a pistol or two over the last 30+ years.
I have a large tote filled with perfect holsters.
Not one of the Enigma videos shows the reviewer sitting down with it on.
It is a very niche system.
 
Edwardteach72

Edwardteach72

.475 A&M Magnum
U.S. Military
Messages
14,883
Reaction score
15,065
Location
New York
So I finally had a quick second to sit down and put this all together, it seems like a lot and would be difficult, but AXL and Phlster have a really good set up video and after a quick watch it all made perfect sense


Nothing is tightened down right now as I still need to get a holster for this and then I can really figure out how I want it adjusted (as there are so many different ways to set this up and adjust how it sits, even more on the standard Enigma)

20210517_093208.jpg
 
togmaster

togmaster

.450/400 Nitro Ex
Messages
12,875
Reaction score
19,018
Location
Buoy 42
Shoots100 said:
You can easily spot a person carrying appendix while their sitting down.
They look like they have some type of indigestion and are loosening their belts to relieve the pain of their guts being squished, or the holster being stuck into their groin.
I've been there, having carried a pistol or two over the last 30+ years.
I have a large tote filled with perfect holsters.
Not one of the Enigma videos shows the reviewer sitting down with it on.
It is a very niche system.
Click to expand...
Just to clarify that this is your opinion on AIWB. My experience with AIWB is nothing like you describe and it is how I carry every day.
 
Edwardteach72

Edwardteach72

.475 A&M Magnum
U.S. Military
Messages
14,883
Reaction score
15,065
Location
New York
Hmm claims no video shows people sitting down with the Enigma



So looks like a Glock G45 with a comp (so essentially a G17 size) with a Streamlight TLR-1 HL.

WAIT OMG HE SAT DOWN
 
Xae289

Xae289

.223 Rem
Messages
1,151
Reaction score
1,964
Location
Westchester County
Looks like a great system. I love the idea of a carry system not being tied to what you're wearing. Is it AIWB only? Based on the picture of the chick in yoga pants, I don't see what prevents this from being turned in either direction for use in other positions.
 
Edwardteach72

Edwardteach72

.475 A&M Magnum
U.S. Military
Messages
14,883
Reaction score
15,065
Location
New York
Xae289 said:
Looks like a great system. I love the idea of a carry system not being tied to what you're wearing. Is it AIWB only? Based on the picture of the chick in yoga pants, I don't see what prevents this from being turned in either direction for use in other positions.
Click to expand...

So they say it's specifically designed for appendix carry just like all of their holsters..

With that being said this is America and we are innovative so who knows maybe it could work just as well at th 4 o'clock
 
Drinkthekoolaid

Drinkthekoolaid

.475 A&M Magnum
U.S. Military
Messages
14,686
Reaction score
25,420
Location
Unfortunately, NY
Edwardteach72 said:
I actually see use of the Enigma for more than just sweats or gym shorts.

I can also see it being a really good solution for tucked in shirts, especially suits/business attire



Click to expand...


I think more options are great.

One of the biggest challenges I have is trying to figure out how to carry in non permissive environments while wearing slacks and tucked in dress shirts where being spotted would have significant consequences but not breaking any laws.

This seems like an interesting useful niche system.

I also like that it may work if you are wearing athletic shorts or track pants. I have been trying to go jogging more and I have no realistic method to carry while doing so.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top