NRA Gun of the Week: Iver Johnson Arms Eagle LR Special

by
posted on October 9, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Since 2003 U.S. firearm importer Iver Johnson Arms has been known for providing the American shooting community timeless firearm designs at affordable prices. The company’s Eagle LR Special is one such example, a rendition of classic engineering but with a modern twist. The gun features a threaded barrel, accessory rail and specialized coatings.

Left-side view of Iver Johnson Eagle LR Special pistol on white background with text on image notating make and model.

The Eagle LR Special is built in the Philippines and is machined from bar stock with a frame derived from a casting. Iver Johnson requires its imported pistols to be hand-fit, which adds to the gun’s ability to be accurate and reliable. The frame of the Eagle LR Special is fitted with a straight-serrated mainspring housing and an upswept beavertail grip safety. A skeletonized trigger is utilized here, too. Our test sample exhibited a fine trigger pull with a weight recorded at 4 lbs., 8 ozs. Overall weight for the 5.5”-bbl. 1911-style pistol is 41 ozs. empty.

Muzzle of pistol on wood table.

An eight-round magazine ships with the Eagle LR Special, and a beveled magazine well is provided on the frame. Black Dymondwood stocks panels are provided with pattern modeled after alligator skin. An extended slide stop and safety lever were optioned for the .45 ACP-chambered pistol. The Eagle LR Special is a Series 70 1911 and is fitted with a skeletonized and knurled hammer.

Right-side view of 1911 pistol with bronze frame and black slide, wood grips and shown on a white background.

Topping the Midnight Bronze Cerakote-treated frame is a matte-blue steel slide that is fitted with a Tritium front sight. The big dot front is quick to assume with the shallow, V-notch rear unit. Both sights are raised to work with a silencer. A Picatinny rail is provided on the gun’s dust cover for additional accessories.

Man wearing protective shooting gear and a black shirt shooting a pistol on a white shooting range.

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to learn more about the Iver Johnson Arms Eagle LR Special single-action pistol.

Iver Johnson Arms Eagle LR Special Specifications
Manufacturer: Shooters Arms Manufacturing
Importer: Iver Johnson Arms
Action Type: single-action recoil-operated center-fire pistol
Chambering: .45 ACP
Barrel: 5.5” threaded
Slide: matte-blue steel
Frame: Midnight Bronze Cerakote steel
Magazine: eight-round detachable
Sights: Tritium front, notch rear
Stocks: Black Dymondwood
MSRP: $1,030

Further Reading:
Iver Johnson Arms 1911A1 Carbine Review

1911 .22 Conversion Kits

Iver Johnson .22 Supershot Sealed Eight

Review: Iver Johnson Arms Eagle XL Long Slide 10 mm 1911 Pistol


Extras:










Latest

001 T650 W Cover 01
001 T650 W Cover 01

The Taurus 650: Embracing The Snubby Lifestyle

With more people embracing the "snubby lifestyle," companies like Taurus USA are providing capable self-defense platforms like the 650, a snag-free design that offers plenty of punch in a pocketable package.

White Flyer Supports Opening Of South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex

Thanks to a generous donation from White Flyer and Winchester Ammunition, South Dakota's newest shooting sports facility opened with plenty of targets available to shotgunners.

Walther Arms Suspends Production Of PPK Line

Walther Arms announced a suspension of its PPK, PPK/S and PP production lines, as the company plans what it calls a "multi-year modernization journey."

Rifleman Review: Colt Viper

As part of Colt's continued expansion of its second-generation "snake guns," the Viper revolver offers a compact, carry-ready variant that offers magnum power in a strong steel-frame format.

Benelli's M4 EXT: More Of A Good Thing

For the first time, with its M4 EXT, Benelli USA is offering a version of its M4 semi-automatic shotgun that has the same features found on its military and law-enforcement models.

Review: Steiner Predator: 4S 4-16X 44 mm

The benefit of a lightweight rifle is lost the moment you top it with a clunky, overweight optic, particularly a lengthy one. To that end, we are starting to see an emphasis on riflescopes that are less cumbersome when mounted, such as Steiner’s Predator 4S.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.