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

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.


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.


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.


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.


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

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