The 4 Best 1911 IWB Holsters — Concealed Carry Reviews 2023

best 1911 iwb holster, best 1911 concealed carry holster

Photo by Tedward Mysteriousness / CC BY

No matter where your day may lead you, when you are carrying your 1911 you need to be able to rely on your inside waist band (IWB) holster to do its job. Whether you are in law enforcement or you are conceal carrying, safety and reliability are of the utmost importance.

You do have many solid options for carrying your pistol on your person. Ankle holsters, waistbands, and even over the shoulder holsters are good choices. But for the best 1911 IWB holsters, there are some holsters that just stand out as some of the better options for the busy person on the go.

Galco Waistband Inside The Pant Holster


Offered in both a left and right-handed version, this holster by Galco provides a sensible functionality that you can truly appreciate. A good option even for those on a budget, this is a sturdy and well-designed holster that will effortlessly meet your carry need.

The Galco IWB holster positions your pistol in a vertical orientation, without an angle or cant. This gives you good options for carrying the holster at different spots on your waist, so that you can access your firearm in the manner that best works for you if the occasion to draw it arises.

With an intelligent design to it and the needs of the shooter considered during the design process, this waistband holster has been constructed using top quality leather. The attention to detail given to the holster during the manufacturing process, along with the sturdy stitching, assure you of a holster that will prove reliable for many good years to come.

The injection molded nylon clip will securely position the holster onto your belt, and give you that non-slip reliability that you are looking for. Fitting belts up to 1 ¾” this is a good choice in the best 1911 IWB holsters.

More than just reliable and durable, this is a good looking holster that you’ll enjoy.

Kimber 1911 IWB Hybrid Holster

Offered in both an attractive black and natural tan color, the Kimber IWB hybrid holster is a lightweight option that has been constructed using top-quality premium leather. At just 9oz you’ll find it offers the security you are looking for, with a lightweight and functional design.

The holster is adjustable so that you can get the best in comfortable fit for your personal preferences.

The belt clips are made with black steel, and give you that secure fit you need when you are carrying your handgun in public. Designed to fit up to a 1 3/4” belt, you’ll find it’s a breeze to clip, conceal, and go with this holster.

The holster will mold to your body, with frequent wear, so that you get a truly custom fit from it. It is easily one of the best concealed carry holsters for 1911 handguns.

Galco V-Hawk Inside the Waistband Holster (Black), Kimber 4-Inch 1911

Galco has a reputation for producing top-quality products. This holster delivers with the comfort, stability, durability, and versatility that you are looking for, from an IWB holster.

This holster has been designed to exceed your expectations, starting with the construction of the holster, from premium quality leather. The holster also features 1 ½” leather belt loops and also 1 ¼” injection molded c-hooks for added concealability and versatility in wear. The belt loops are widely spaced so that you are assured of excellent stability when the holster is in place. Wide spacing not only helps keep the holster stable and comfortable during wear. It also ensures you will get a firmer grip when you are drawing your sidearm.

The open-top design of this Galco holster ensures that you have the ease of draw, and speed, needed when you’re on the go. The reinforced mouth of the holster will provide you with an efficient one-handed return once you need to return your weapon to the holster. The combination of the open top and the reinforced mouth of the holster make this a good choice for law enforcement and of course for the civilian. When speed and reliability matter, this holster delivers big on both.

Bianchi 100 Professional Hip Holster

This holster is a good option for both the civilian and also for those in law enforcement. With a design that focuses on comfort and security, the holster is constructed using top quality full-grain leather. This assures you of a holster that will provide you with many solid years of service.

The high back of the holster offers additional comfort between the otherwise jarring parts of your handgun and your body, which is a positive feature if you will be wearing your holster for an extended period of time. The exterior side of the holster that presses against your body features a suede-lined non-slip exterior, for additional comfort when you’re on the go.

The design of the holster allows for a good ride angle so that you can easily get a sturdy firing grip when it matters the most.

The belt clip is a heavy-duty spring steel clip that offers the secure fit that you need. When the holster is in place, it’s a breeze to snap it off if you need to.

Fitting a belt up to 1 ¾” this is a great and versatile little holster that you’ll appreciate each and every time that you use it. Offered in both a left-handed and right-handed option, this holster is sure to fast become one of your favorites. This is a contender for the best IWB holsters for 1911 handguns.

Final Thoughts

It is important to keep in mind that some leather holsters will not get you the perfect snug fit for your pistol right out of the box. Even those that have been designed with a specific firearm in mind can benefit from a little bit of conditioning so that you get the most snug and secure fit from the holster. Frequent wear of the holster will not only help it form to your body, thus boosting your personal comfort levels, but it will also work well to get the holster to form fit to your gun. Leather holsters are a solid choice, so don’t let the need to condition the holster detract from the many benefits that come from using one. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be sure to find the best 1911 IWB holster for your needs!

  • Owner of Reloaderaddict.com, Boyd Smith is a major handgun enthusiast, and although he owns Glocks, he prefers the revolving wheel type. His go-to guns are a Smith & Wesson 642 Performance Center for carry and a Ruger GP100 in the nightstand biometric safe (he has kids). He loads both revolvers with old-school 148-grain Federal Gold Medal .38 wadcutters. It’s OK if you think he’s a wimp. Email him.

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One response

  1. I’d really love to see the #100 offered in black with matching belt, I already have one in tan and love it

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