Has anyone yet tried the "New and Improved" R51?

[nutsforsmiths]

I was at a LGS about a month ago and they had both an original 51 (which I purchased) and a new R51 on the shelf. It was interesting comparing them side-by-side.

As stated, the new R51 is a much, shall I say, fatter pistol and bigger than I thought it would be. They had it priced at $359. The guy behind the counter I was talking to didn't know anything about the recall of the first R51, but I don't think he had worked there very long. It felt good in the hand and the sights were good (a lot better than the original, but that's not hard to beat).

I just watched a disassembly video of the R51 online. It look like it comes apart almost exactly like the original, except the firing pin doesn't come sliding out on its own.

All in all, it seemed like a nice pistol, but I really don't have a need for one at this time. I have this gut feeling that this model is not going to be in Remington's inventory for very long. I think it might go the way of the Mauser M2; a nice pistol, but since it's not a Glock, the general public will just pass it by.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Not sure what to make of this comment. You state that you were "looking at a new R51" at your local gun shop. You also say the dealer said it is "not as nice as it looks in the pictures". Those are confusing statements. He evidently had one in the shop.

I noticed it too. The lighting in the shop makes the gun look flat and dull. The professional lighting in the ads show a nice, shiny finish with depth to the surfaces. Would not surprise me if the ad gun(s) were given a sheen from oil or more likely wax. This is not a slam on the R51, as the job of an advertising photographer is to make the product, whatever it is, look as good as possible.

 

[lifesizepotato]

Not sure what to make of this comment. You state that you were "looking at a new R51" at your local gun shop. You also say the dealer said it is "not as nice as it looks in the pictures". Those are confusing statements.

It read to me that "they don't look like the pictures" was a separate thought and the poster's own opinion. I've had that impression with other guns, so it's plausible to me.

I have seen no overwhelming dissatisfaction with the new version posted anywhere on the web. A few unhappy owners, but no more than I would expect statistically for any other firearm. I believe your LGS owner is offering opinions rather than fact. JMO

Doesn't look so great in this MAC video, at least:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MUJWIOnURQ&t=1512s[/ame]

 

[Buford57]

My experience.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/485122-remington-r51.html

A friend was looking at one when I joined him at the range Tuesday. I dissuaded him. I would need to try another and have much higher reliability before I would buy one. Sad, because it has great ergonomics, a fine trigger and their RM380 is a gem.

As a footnote, all of the rounds that failed to fire in the R51 fired in a Ruger P85 a few weeks later.

 

[DWalt]

That MAC R51 video was great. I am more concerned about the longevity of the steel breech lockup on the aluminum alloy frame than anything else, and for that reason alone, I won't be buying one until there is some good evidence that it won't become a trouble spot after firing several thousand rounds. It makes me wonder what the designer was thinking. Otherwise, the mechanism is remarkably similar to that of the original Remington Model 51 - except of course that the original's frame was steel.

 

[shocker]

That MAC R51 video was great. I am more concerned about the longevity of the steel breech lockup on the aluminum alloy frame than anything else, and for that reason alone, I won't be buying one until there is some good evidence that it won't become a trouble spot after firing several thousand rounds. It makes me wonder what the designer was thinking.

The designer was thinking "the slide release pin should have sufficient bearing surface that the limits of the aluminum are not exceeded. Let's machine that area of the frame thicker".
Which they did. Clever, those engineers.

 

[DWalt]

The designer was thinking "the slide release pin should have sufficient bearing surface that the limits of the aluminum are not exceeded. Let's machine that area of the frame thicker".
Which they did. Clever, those engineers.

Not sure what you mean by the slide release pin, or how it relates to the breech locking surface which engages the frame. The pin which also is part of the slide lock serves only to retain the barrel. It has no effect upon the breech locking surface.

 

[Faulkner]

I have an original model 51 in my collection and I wanted to give the R51 a try when they first came out but shied away when the negative reports starting flooding the internet. In the meantime I came across the Ruger LC9s and have been 100% pleased. With the Ruger LC9s having very positive reputation I no longer have the desire for Remington's second chance compact 9mm.