CATI1835
US Veteran
I bought one of the first R51s when they became available 2 years ago. I struggled to get 8 rounds through it. On the nineth round the slide locked out of battery but not fully retracted. I managed to get the magazine out and struggled a bit to get the spent round out, but I did. Off to Remington it went. After 6-8 months, Remington made me fully whole for the cost - gun, taxes, transfer fee. I had refused their other offers, wait for the new version, trade for the R1, etc. I considered it a lesson learned.
Fast forward 2 years. I met a guy who had just purchased a new Taurus 709 and the new R51. He said he liked the Taurus but the R51, not so much. He had decided to sell the R51. He said he had it less than 2 weeks and fired less than 100 rounds through it. He also told me he was having some issues with the R51, it functioned fine with +P ammo, but had FTF and FTE with standard ammo.
My thought was <100 rounds was not enough to make a definitive decision one way or the other. The gun was pristine, papers and box included. He gave me a cash price I could not pass on. So, I jumped in again. I now have another R51.
First thing I did was completely disassemble the gun. There was so much oil inside I could not believe it. Also excess grease in some places. I removed all the excess and reassembled it. Now to the range.
I didn't have any +P ammo available, but that was OK. I wanted to test it with standard 115 grain ammo. Took three brands, Remington UMC, Blazer and cheap Walmart Perfecta. 250 rounds without a hiccup. Functioned perfectly with all three. I was quite pleased. Left me wondering if the original owner's issue wasn't either the gun needed a good cleaning or user error - limp wristing. Regardless, I am pleased with it. I expect it to get better as I break it in.
I always liked the features of the R51 - all metal frame, squeeze backstrap safety, very slim profile. I like that Remington did not feel it necessary to stick a rail on the slide or frame, adding thickness and bulk. This is a concealed carry gun, you don't need to stick a light on it. And yes, it is easier to rack than my Shield or other comparable sized gun. The recoil also seems milder, but maybe that part is just my imagination. I see it in my carry rotation in the not too far distant future.
Fast forward 2 years. I met a guy who had just purchased a new Taurus 709 and the new R51. He said he liked the Taurus but the R51, not so much. He had decided to sell the R51. He said he had it less than 2 weeks and fired less than 100 rounds through it. He also told me he was having some issues with the R51, it functioned fine with +P ammo, but had FTF and FTE with standard ammo.
My thought was <100 rounds was not enough to make a definitive decision one way or the other. The gun was pristine, papers and box included. He gave me a cash price I could not pass on. So, I jumped in again. I now have another R51.
First thing I did was completely disassemble the gun. There was so much oil inside I could not believe it. Also excess grease in some places. I removed all the excess and reassembled it. Now to the range.
I didn't have any +P ammo available, but that was OK. I wanted to test it with standard 115 grain ammo. Took three brands, Remington UMC, Blazer and cheap Walmart Perfecta. 250 rounds without a hiccup. Functioned perfectly with all three. I was quite pleased. Left me wondering if the original owner's issue wasn't either the gun needed a good cleaning or user error - limp wristing. Regardless, I am pleased with it. I expect it to get better as I break it in.
I always liked the features of the R51 - all metal frame, squeeze backstrap safety, very slim profile. I like that Remington did not feel it necessary to stick a rail on the slide or frame, adding thickness and bulk. This is a concealed carry gun, you don't need to stick a light on it. And yes, it is easier to rack than my Shield or other comparable sized gun. The recoil also seems milder, but maybe that part is just my imagination. I see it in my carry rotation in the not too far distant future.
I wish Remington would have kept the more traditional exterior like the original 51. I'm a traditionalist and shy away from these "space guns" ( like the new Benelli shot guns). Just sayin'
