Is the phantom open on all 4 sides (thus creating a dust signature when firing prone)?

Yup.

The performances of the PHANTOM flashlight are outstanding , absolutely no light out of it , neither a small spark , and this is way too important shooting at dark/night , more important than the dusk IMHO .

All the light ( bigger it'll be , worse it'll be ) coming out from your barrel 'll completely blind you at night and , also , 'll give up your position .

If you need to shoot in a prone position (in daylight because at night this does not matter ) to kill the dusk simply lay down a poncho in front of the muzzle , or drop the water from a canteen in front of it.

PP out

It created a nice dust cloud when I was sitting on the slope of a wash.  Practice doing the real deal and do what you should be doing: shoot and move.

Correct.

Shoot straight , move fast & check always your six .......But the dust cloud'll give up your position anyway.......

Bad things the dust clouds......

Stated that it is way important to avoid to give up own position , then , make the dust wet before shooting or cover it with a poncho .

Just moving after shooting 'll not avoid to let the bad guys to know the area where exactly you were , and some times to run fast is not enough because usually the bullets are faster than you......

PP out

I have both the four slot and the five slot Phantoms, and they both "timed" with a "flat" at the six o'clock. Not really as big as an A2, but it should help some.[:\]