Remington R51 is back.

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gfpd707

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My local store has a few in stock. I am really interested in this gun with its unique design and affordable price. I still am a little gun shy though due to its earlier problems. Has anyone else seen any at their local places?
 
I got to handle one at the ATA Grand National on Tuesday. Seemed pretty decent but nothing spectacular to me. Time will tell.
 
This is good news, I hope. The R51 fits my hand really well and I have always hoped that they would be available and functional. I'll check with my Gun Guy tomorrow and since my birthday is Wednesday, I can't think of a better gift.
 
Seemed pretty decent but nothing spectacular to me
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I've both defended and derided the R51 a lot, but I will say this;

The gun is selling for like $450 dollars, right? Temper your expectations with that number in mind. $450 all-metal 9mm autoloader. It won't be a Wilson, I don't think even the budget Remington 1911's sell as low. The next step down are all polymer or zinc based.

So if the quality/execution still falls short of what is acceptable for a $450 pistol, be mad, say nasty things online. But if your main quibbles are quibbles like the surface finish or a few cheap plastic parts (grips, trigger, mag baseplate), well, it's a $450 handgun that can shoot 9mm +P; find me another that's significantly nicer.

Just trying to keep people from getting their hopes up unjustifiably ;)

the R51 fits my hand really well
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It certainly has the best hand-feel of any pistol I've shot to date, and as cliche as it is, the thing seemed to "point naturally" after the first dozen rounds I shot. If it sticks around, I may seriously look into exploring my concept for a grip-safety-activated integral laser sight, and making replacement barrels.

TCB
 
I have read the comments good and bad and the constant bashing of Remington and other makers so i have determined the product must please only one .....Me. I am looking forward to my dealer obtaining an R 51 for me, to date i have not had the opportunity to handle or fire one but one thing i do not allow myself is buyers remorse. If i do not like it (which i doubt) there is an unused spot somewhere in the safe to place it. I have one of the RM 380's that is just fine for what it is, definitely an occasional shooter and in close and personal pistol.
In any event the R 51 will have a hard battle displacing my Sig P 938 as King.
 
I was probably one of the first to be called by Remington to let me know my version 2 was available for delivery. When it was delivered to my FFL, I went to check it out. 2 years and 3 months of waiting resulted in a pistol with new version trigger with so much lateral play, it was as if it were designed with bushing support, and the bushings had not been installed. And I mean dime store cap gun slop. I called Remington CS to see if something could be done about the issue. They called the next day and said that my unit was as per the operation of the updated design, with no "fix" being offered. At that point my option being taking the transfer, or a refund (the R1 exchange is no longer an option - I asked). As I have no use for a novelty piece taking up space in my safe, and seeing GB prices for current auctions, I took my refund.
 
Checked with my gun guy today. He checked with both of his wholesalers and they still cannot get the gun. What???? arrrrggggg!!!!
 
trigger with so much lateral play, it was as if it were designed with bushing support, and the bushings had not been installed
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Guess what one of the very first mods I did to mine gun was? ;)

To be fair, Remington is absolutely correct that it's normal (necessary, actually). The trigger design was chosen so as to be easily castable in zinc/plastic (new version is plastic, original was either zinc or really bad MIM) which means it is 'flat,' or two dimensional. There is only a ~3/32" thick blade with a hole in it for the thing to pivot on, and the necessary clearance on that pin for it to freely rotate means side to side wobble is pretty bad. A 'good' designer would have put little 'cannon trunnions' on the sides of the trigger for the even chintzier return spring* sit sit on (like an AR hammer/trigger). I drilled out the hole a few thou, pressed in a brass rod the full width available inside the frame, and reinstalled it --cutting the wobble by 3/4, well in the range of what we consider 'acceptable'

*mine's gone; it doesn't actually do anything since the transfer bar is already returned forward by the sear spring tails), and only had an ounce or so of force to start with
 
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