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Remington Model 51

duck32man

duck32man

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Does anyone know much about these? I picked this one up recently and I believe it to be an early version. Serial is PA70XX. It's not in the greatest shape but it functions fine and it was less than $200.00:). 380acp. Curious as to the value and age. Thanks
 

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That is a very early PA51. Production started in 1918 but only 25 were made that year. In 1919 serial numbers ran from PA26 through PA22991. The .380's were made in around 5X the number of .32's, quite opposite the ratios of .32's to .380's from Colt's and Savage. For $200 and it functions fine, you got a very good deal. They are great pistols and highly appreciated by anyone that has fired one or owns one. They were designed by John Pederson who had a pretty impressive number of gun designs under his belt.
 
Have read that their sales were unimpressive, since Colt and Savage pocket pistols competed at about $5.00 less at the time.
It is a very unique design, with no screws used, not even in the grip panels.
Here's mine in .380, c.1919 mfg.
 

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The Remington mod 51 was made from 1919 to 1927. It is often
praised by gun writers for it's quality and fine pointing qualities. Like
some other designs by John Pederson the 51 is rather complex with
more parts than some competing designs. The 51 was a high quality
pistol but some parts were prone to breakage. Just guessing I would
think that after all these years parts would be scarce and expensive.
$200 is a good bit less than the 51 in decent condition usually sells
for on GB. Frankly if I were in your position I would clean it up, take
some good pics, sell it on GB for a nice profit and buy something a
lot newer and more common for a shooter or carry piece.
 
Thank you for the info. I plan on keeping it and shooting it. It seems to have a natural point of aim.
 
Reportedly, John Pedersen hand made numerous mock up models of the design to get the ergonomics of the model 51 to be the "perfect pointer". I'd have to say that he did an excellent job of old schooling this one decades before the age of computer modeling.

I have one made in 1923 that I've owned a dozen years or so. It's a very fun gun to shoot, and it's quite comfortable to shoot the .380 round, unlike the brutal recoil of a .380 in a similarly sized Walther PPKS.
 
Can't find it now, but Remington produced ads promoting the 51 as our 'auto aiming' pistol. Since it was one of the first endeavors with a real push toward ergonomic design.
 
Approximately 64,796 Model 51s were made: 54,518 in .380 caliber, and 10,278 in .32. The .32 version of the Model 51 was intended primarily for European consumption.
Rem%2051_zpsypyilldm.jpg


We're all familiar with General Patton's Colt SAA and S&W Reg Mag but his EDC was a .380 Remington Model 51. He had special stocks made with his stars inlayed in them. When he got another star he had new stocks made.
380%20Patton_zpswfnhovqb.jpg
 
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Patton owned a Colt 1908 in .380 not a 1903 .32 but he is not known to have carried it. A friend gave Patton the 51 and he liked it so much he carried it extensively. It was with the Remington 51 that he shot at a Luftwaffe airplane, as it was attempting to strafe his encampment.
 
I got my American Rifleman magazine in the mail yesterday. There's
a good write-up on the Remington company with encouraging words
about their dedication to improving the quality of their guns which
seems to have slipped in the last few years. One thing mentioned was
that they plan to try again with the R51 semi auto that was
discontinued after early models had lots of problems.
 
There are two variations of the Model 51, each in two calibers. The variations are distinguishable by the type of slide serrations. I have understood that many of those Model 51s found in .32 ACP did not initially leave the factory that way, but rather were converted by their owners by later adding new .32 barrels and magazines to a .380 pistol. Patton's Model 51 was a presentation to him made by one of his Army friends (I think another General), who sent a used Model 51 to Remington to have it restored to like-new condition. Remington had stopped making the Model 51 somewhat earlier.
 
For less than $200, that's great! Most I see go for $500 plus. The Model 51 was made in both .32 and .380 ACP, but the later is the most common. The pistol was designed to point naturally as well as fit comfortably in the hand. The pistol's unique locked breach design also makes it a pleasure to shoot when compared to similar sized pistols. I will say I've seen a few with broken bolts, but other than that, great things.

Can't wait to add one to my collection. Would complement my FN 1910 well.
 
It is not actually a locked breech, but very close to it. I guess you could describe it as an almost-locked breech, or a partially blowback-operated breech. The weakness is that breech part that locks into the frame can break, as it is a little thin. If it does, I don't think it's possible to find a replacement, and it cannot be repaired. There was a very similar Remington pistol in .45 ACP that was in the running for adoption by the U. S. Navy during WWI, but it was dropped.
 
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