Talk Me Out of an R51

$200 why not? Might get one that works.

Try your hand if you wish but I bought one of both gens and was dying for the second one to be a success, spent more money trying to “break it in” than I paid for the gun but both were massive flops. If you want it to say you have it, go for it. If you want it to depend on or to make you smile (I can’t smile at a range gun that doesn’t run) when you shoot it, or plan on depending on it, I’d recommend a highpoint over the R51. After all, highpoint does have a better track record AND a better warranty.

The last one I got was no problem, at all, ever. First one, not so much. With measurments taken off the second one, the first one is just an un eventful. No problems. If you decide to get it, let me know. I'll walk you through the fix. Simple stuff.

I'm another who go the 1.0 version and had a short chamber jammomatic with internals carved out by a drunk gorilla with a broken chisel, but turned it in for a 2.0 with nice internals, which works OK.

I trust mine but I understand why some people would not accept the R51 as ccw gun. If you want to ccw it, TEST, TEST, TEST, TEST!!!!!

And then test again.

As a collection, if you have an original, I see it. Just the new one ......? WHY?

Only $200 and if you don't like it sell it and maybe lose $50 so why not?

I really like my R51. Has it been 100% reliable?, no but it's close. I've been using it to test my 9mm reloads lately. It's taken a beating with some pretty stout loads and never complains.

Id say for the price they're going for now, to go for it. I'm thinking they'll be put out of production soon and it would be cool to have one, especially because of the action. Your reason for wanting one is the same as mine. I have an orginal 51 so I wanted an R51.

I have had an R51 for 2 or 3 years now. Perfectly flawless, I carry it every day. My FFL got the first ones in and sent them back. It took about a year before the Gen2 were available. Not sure exactly where mine lies in there, but I love it. Has had zero functional issues since I purchased it. Zero. Put about 50 to 100 rounds a month through it. The only issue was the front sight was too high. Once past that it has been great. So, almost flawless

I have owned mine for about 2 years now. It is picky about the ammo you use. With the right ammo it is mostly reliable.

There is a groove in the beaver tail of the grip for the grip safety. The edges on the groove are quite sharp and cut a nice matching groove into the web of my hand. Because of this I always wear a glove when I shoot it. Even with a glove it really isn't that fun of a shooter. My Kahr CM9 is a much nicer single stack 9mm and a much better shooter... and I am a person that prefers metal frame guns over plastic guns.

I really tried to like the R51... but it is a better looking gun than it is a gun to enjoy shooting.

$199.99 + $12.00 S&H is pretty tempting

C0untZer0 said:

$199.99 + $12.00 S&H is pretty tempting

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That is what I paid without the shipping and transfer fees.... guess what... you get what you pay for.

I bought one for $200 including shipping from PSA, and put about 100 rounds through it. No problems with cycling here, but it’s only one ammo type so far.

It did start to hurt the web of my hand by the end though, just something to be aware of. I bought it mainly to have have to understand the action and actually like the looks of them other than the big R on the grips. I think they are a good buy at $200, if one wants it for more novelty sake, they are made with quality materials for sure and are rated for +P.

I was hesitant in buying one due to the current Remington, but so far no problems with mine.

don't do it man

If reliability isn't a requirement then go for it.

OPs reasoning is sound, and having one of each generation sounds nice for a collection. I say do it.

I have one and am pretty happy with it. It is no tack-driver; however, I have had no reliability related issues with it. Really the only problem to speak of is that an extended shooting session with it and the slide can rub the top of the web of my hand. Other than that, no issues.


I do, sort of, expect it to be cancelled. One thing it gives me ia a rough estimate of the COGS for a handgun.

slowr1der said:

I've really had my eye on one of the Remington R51's lately. I know they aren't very good pistols and I'm not a fan of new Remington stuff at all. In fact, the only reason I want this thing at all is that I have one of the original Remington Model 51 pistols and I just think it would be neat to have the original model and the new model in my collection. Part of me is saying that I should do it, but the logical side of me is telling myself this is a waste of a couple hundred bucks.

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Have patience and hold out for RM9.

I can talk you out of it. Like Drugs just say no.

It's going to look even cheesier sitting next to a real R51...

I bought one in November 2017. What a piece of crud! It went back to the factory 3 times. It was a Charlotte model and the serial number was in the 34,000 range. The last time it came back there was an issue with the grip safety not allowing the firing pin to release properly and I called Remington and kind of flipped out on them and told them to take it back and send me something else, preferably an RM380 (excellent handgun, by the way)

They sent me another R51 made in Charlotte in the 11,000 serial number range. I was furious BUT this gun has now shot 300 rounds flawlessly and I have had no issues with it. I have a feeling it was one of the early return guns that got reworked.

They are ammo sensitive. Don’t try conical nosed hollow points. The gun will jam. Round nosed rounds work fine and the guns don’t seem to have a problem with Remington Ultimate Defense ammo as it is a round nose hollow point.

For $200, I would buy it, but only if it is one made in Huntsville Alabama.