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The Enigma System takes deep concealment to a new level.
Most experts acknowledge that small revolvers still have a place in law enforcement as dependable backup guns. Revolvers also excel as deep-cover guns for officers working in undercover capacities. The rounded shape lends itself to effective concealment on the human body, and the long double-action trigger increases safety margins when carried thusly. Well-designed holsters increase security and aid with concealment and comfort. Phlster provides some of the best holsters available for this purpose.
Initial Exposure
The author’s part time job mandated a t-shirt and khakis with a contemporary cut.
My first hands-on experience with a Phlster holster was with the “Skeleton” holster for a Sig 365XL. Its design, features, and comfort convinced me to purchase a “City Special” for a Ruger LCR revolver. A part-time job taken in retirement with a dress code that severely limited hardware choices reminded me of working undercover. The stakes weren’t as high, but the environment was non-permissive; getting “made” would result in termination- at a minimum. The City Special provided exceptional concealment and all-day comfort, allowing the LCR to remain hidden for many months with no one the wiser.
City Special
The Lipsey’s 432 UC in a City Special.
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One of Phlster’s flagship designs is the City Special. It’s been around for over ten years and is on its second generation of features. Their current model features a well-designed 1.5” belt clip and a “Mod Wing” to push the gun butt into the body. The Mod Wing ships with two widths of “feet” to custom tailor the amount of “push.” Their holster features an adjustable retention screw to suit the user’s desired level of tension on the gun. While the City Special ships assembled for right-handed carry, the hardware can be reversed for southpaws. The angle of the belt clip and wing can be tweaked for individual preference and then locked down. In addition to the muzzle end being rounded for comfort, the holster body has been smoothed.
Revolver specific?
The City Special is relieved to allow laser grip ports to fit.
The holster is molded to accommodate the laser port on Crimson Trace-style laser grips. Its sight channel is also generously cut to fit any sight feasible on a small revolver. Satisfaction with the LCR City Special led me to order a second one for an S&W J frame. The 640 I bought the holster for has a 2.25” barrel and D&L Sports excellent sights installed. Tall front sights fit, as do the big laser grips on this gun. A J frame-specific City Special works equally well carrying the steel 640 or an alloy framed .32 or .38 with a shorter cylinder and barrel.
Although the author was able to press the standard 856 holster into service with an optic, the 856 TORO variant (pictured at left) has a shroud that keeps the optic from snagging while drawing and holstering (Photo courtesy of Phlster).
Phlster recently released a City Special for the Taurus 856 revolver that accommodates the 3” barreled Defender. It can be had with or without a cut for the optic mount on the TORO series guns. Any current production small-frame Taurus revolver will fit in this holster. Connor from Phlster sent one for me to test; I’ve had excellent results using it daily with both barrel lengths of the 856 UltraLite and the 856 TORO. The Taurus version lives up to the standard of modularity, security, and all-day comfort that makes the City Special shine.
Enigma
The City Special kept the author’s Ruger LCR well hidden in a non-permissive environment.
Phlster pioneered the Enigma concealment system a while back, and it’s fair to call it revolutionary. The Enigma allows for the concealment of various sizes of handguns with minimal cover garments and no belt. It permits the secure carrying of a small revolver underneath a pair of basketball shorts, for example. I wore a 2” 856 UL under cotton sweatpants and a t-shirt while jogging/trudging four miles in the desert heat. It stayed put, hid well, and was comfortable and secure enough to permit vigorous physical activity.
The City Special kept the author’s LCR hidden and safe.
The Enigma is a little intimidating to pull out of the package and put on – that’s another place where Phlster excels. They provide a series of videos on their website that walk you through the assembly and proper fitting of the Enigma and other holsters they sell. A large part of the website is dedicated to “concealment education” and is an invaluable resource for practitioners of concealed carry, whether novice or expert.
Evolution
The Sport Belt improves all-day comfort with the Enigma, especially with heavier guns like this all-steel 327TORO.
The folks at Phlster are constantly improving their products. They developed a Sport Belt for the Enigma that features a 3” elastic back panel. It provides more support and improves comfort by distributing pressure over a wider area of the back. It makes a big difference when carrying heavier guns like the 24.7-ounce Taurus 327 TORO in the Enigma Express. They offer a soft wedge kit that can help balance holstered pistols and alleviate pressure points/hot spots for long-term comfort. The wedges can be stacked to the user’s preference and needs.
Final Thought
The sight track of the City Special is generous enough to accept tall sights like the ones from D&L Sports on this S&W 640.
Phlster is an innovative supplier of quality gear for undercover work and effective off-duty carry. They provide deep concealment options for many handguns (not just small revolvers) and offer discounts for military, LE, and first responders. Check them out!
