Would you? Remington R51 for $300 new?

[Zendude]

My mags were pretty tight with 7 rounds initially. What I did was to load the mag with 7 rounds and use an uplula to press the stack down an extra 1/16 inch. After working the stack up and down about 25 times, both mags worked well with a full load.

 

[kemikos]

So all 4 of my mags, the two original and the two Remington sent me to fix the 'nose down' issue have the exact same issue. They all worked fine with only 4 rounds loaded, but failed if 5-7 were loaded. I disassembled each magazine and cut out coils until the mag would reliably load and feed 6 rounds. This took 2-3 coils removed (that's a lot!) on each magazine. I didn't cut more because I was planning for some normal spring loss and I don't need the 7th round at the range anyway.

BUT NOW MY R51 WORKS!!!!! Well worth the $250 net I have in the gun.

Suggestion from left field. Before cutting a spring try shortening the follower. I did that and mine runs like a scalded ape now.

Vic

My mags were pretty tight with 7 rounds initially. What I did was to load the mag with 7 rounds and use an uplula to press the stack down an extra 1/16 inch. After working the stack up and down about 25 times, both mags worked well with a full load.

Well, since I did give in and buy one, I really appreciate the suggestions, guys!

I'll update when I get my greasy mitts on it (stupid ratzin' fratzin' commie-land nanny-state fun-killer waiting periods)...

 

[The_Guy]

I just picked one up a few days ago and I am experiencing the magazine issues. If I load full mag in it and rack the slide the first round nose dives. If I put in a full mag with the slide locked back and release it the first round loads fine. It’s the same with hollow points or round nose rounds. After that first round is chambered it runs fine.

 

[jr_watkins]

Wow it made that much difference. I have to try that. Did u cut one coil at a time.

I cut off one coil at a time and tested operation/feeding. Each cut resulted in more rounds being able to be loaded and still function. I was cautious and so I took it slow. I did end up cutting up to 3 entire coils from 2 of the magazines and 2 coils from the other two. After cutting I would bend the short section of wire to match the angle of the original end (this allows the base piece to fit right). I should mention I cut the base end, not the steeper angle follower end.

Suggestion from left field. Before cutting a spring try shortening the follower. I did that and mine runs like a scalded ape now.

I started with the follower, but soon realized it wouldn't make any difference as the spring goes up into the follower, bypassing the guide legs. Point being, shortening the legs doesn't reduce the spring compression.

 

[cocojo]

I cut two coils off a magazine i was experimenting with. I had filed down the front section where the bullet nose dives. I can use that spring in an unaltered mag to test. Cutting follower does nothing on spring tention. I cut the top of the spring and bent it accordingly. My contention is on the ease the 7th round slides out of the magazine.

 

[kemikos]

Had my new R51 out to the range today. 100 rounds of Rem UMC 115gr and 100 of WWB 115gr.

In the 1st hundred rounds, I had the "nosedive" issue while charging the gun multiple times, but I only had two FTF's while shooting, and one of those was when I loaded one round and then replaced it in the magazine (7+1) before firing, which others have said has been an issue). The second time, I thought that the 6th round felt like it "hung up" while I was loading the 7th, and sure enough it nosedived after the first shot. About half of the magazines from the first hundred rounds were loaded with only 6 rounds; when I did this, the gun functioned flawlessly.

Sometime during all of this shooting, I noticed something: when I was racking the slide, I was (without realizing it) pulling back until I felt the slide stop release, then riding it forward a tiny amount before letting go. As if I was making sure the stop had released before letting the slide go (though I wasn't doing it consciously).

For the second hundred, I loaded every mag with 7 rounds and racked it like I was trying to rip the slide off the back of the frame, letting go of the slide while still pulling backwards. (You know, like the instructor told you to do for the malf drills?) Lo and behold, every single mag loaded and fired perfectly.

I regret to say that I didn't even think about testing loading a mag in with the slide closed, as The_Guy reported. I'll try that and report back.

I can see why the Model 51 is so admired. The R51 (magazine issues aside) shoots like a dream. Very controllable, accurate, comfortable to shoot - I was having no trouble ripping out the centers of bullseye targets at 5 and 7 yards, and was doing respectably at 10. After shooting it, I'm definitely going to try and work out the kinks; it's totally worth it.

 

[haiauphixu]

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't. It is sitting deep in the back of my gun safe now...
There are many other guns that are better and almost as cheap, life is too short to hassle with the R51.

 

[SC Shooter]

I originally was hot to acquire one when they first came out, because I have one of the original Remington Model 51s and so thought it would be great to add to my collection. However, after so much trouble and such a long time to solve their problems, I lost interest. That being said, I have read some good reviews since they reworked them.

 

[The_Guy]

Ran 100 rounds through mine today with no issues just used the slide lock to load the first round. It’s a fun gun to shoot, accurate and low recoil. I bought it when Remington was running the $100 rebate so it was a little over $200 after the transfer. It looks like they are going to run the rebate again starting Monday and I’ll probably pick up a rm380.

 

[Zendude]

Ran 100 rounds through mine today with no issues just used the slide lock to load the first round. It’s a fun gun to shoot, accurate and low recoil. I bought it when Remington was running the $100 rebate so it was a little over $200 after the transfer. It looks like they are going to run the rebate again starting Monday and I’ll probably pick up a rm380.

The rebate will be back on Monday?

 

[The_Guy]

Between 12/25 and 1/6 according to the advertisement I saw

Here is the link

https://www.remington.com/rebates-promotions