New Remington R51

[barnbwt]

"so I was surprised by how dirty the breech block was when I disassembled the gun"
I've noticed this too, and I assume it's due to blow-by around the case as it retracts, since 9mm is slightly tapered. Either that, or blow by around the primer cup (I've noticed staining around it on some ammo, but not like a cutting-torch jet like you'd see from a primer pierce)

"Brass ejects very consistently around two feet out at about ninety degrees or slightly less."
Yeah, I'm convinced at least some of the guns' issues stem from them simply not cycling very hard due to the damping effect of the Pedersen action; a double edged sword. For a gun with a fixed blade type ejector, the R51 has VERY lazy ejection force. Almost makes me wonder if it'd be better suited with a plunger type that starts pushing the case out of the action sooner in the cycle, because the slide clearly isn't moving fast enough at the end of its travel to really punt the case like most other auto pistols. Makes recoil more mild, especially with the low bore, but isn't the best for reliability.

TCB

 

[gc70]

"so I was surprised by how dirty the breech block was when I disassembled the gun"
I've noticed this too, and I assume it's due to blow-by around the case as it retracts, since 9mm is slightly tapered. Either that, or blow by around the primer cup (I've noticed staining around it on some ammo, but not like a cutting-torch jet like you'd see from a primer pierce)

I was surprised by how dirty the breech block was but I probably should not have been. Think how few rounds you need to fire from a typical semi-auto to get the breech face good and dirty. Now translate that into a design that is much more open around the breech face and allows gas and soot to circulate farther back into the slide.

 

[RecoilRob]

So...how 'tunable' is the R51? Say you are experiencing marginal ejection....what can you 'tweak' to make it throw them out a little harder? The 1911 is wonderful with several ways to adjust or modify the function...what can you do with the Remington besides maybe using hotter ammo? Not saying it's a negative...just mentioning that some guns can be tailored to a particular ammo while others require the ammo to be tailored to it. My impressions of the R51 is that you must tailor the ammo to the gun...but if there IS some leeway somewhere it would be nice to discuss it. The recoil spring comes to mind right off the bat...but is there anything else to play with?

 

[Ibmikey]

On my last shooting session I finally took magazine #2 with me only to find that the first shot would nosedive and create a malfunction, also the slide would lock back with one round in the weapon. A call to Remington customer service revealed some early mags have springs that are too long and exert more pressure than needed. She is sending me a new mag and told me to cut the springs in the old ones to the same length and the problem will be cured.....more on this subject after the alterations and testing.

 

[gc70]

... the first shot would nosedive and create a malfunction ...

To clarify, are you referring to the first round being fed from the magazine, or what was originally the second round in the magazine being fed after the first round had been shot?

Also, did you insert the magazine with the slide open or closed?

 

[Ibmikey]

first round from magazine, slide locked open and released with slide lock lever---then tried it by manually cycling and had same result. I should have new mag soon and will report measurements of the springs....new and old.

 

[Crowman]

I've had my eye on this pistol since it's initial introduction. Finally ordered a new one (Gen 2?) and noted the svelte, melted design begging for a pocket like the original Model 51, plus the alloy construction. This little wonder is a refreshing change from the ugly blocks of plastic that have saturated the market. I absolutely love the feel and pointability of this pistol. Because the bore axis sits so close to my hand, muzzle flip is almost non existent, especially compared to High Powers and P-38's I have shot. These had a fair amount of muzzle flip, especially the P-38. This pistol shoots and handles better than my Gen 1 Glock 17. I found mine to print low with 115 grain bullets, but shot to point of aim with 124 grain bullets. Apparently the sights are factory regulated for 124 grain bullets, which makes sense because this is the original Bullet weight for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. The grip is a good fit to my hand with room for my pinkie finger. Groups are more than acceptable. Out shoots everything but the Shield or High Power. All-in-all, this is quite enjoyable to shoot. Having said all that, I did have problems. When I took the R51 out for the first range session, I experienced four failure to fire and three failures to feed out of first two magazines loaded with seven each of Tula steel cased 115 gr FMJ. That is a failure rate of 50% with the first two magazines. Clearly, this gun did not like steel cases. Every other 9mm I have shot had no problem chamberings and firing steel cased ammo. That includes Glock, S&W Shield, P-38, High Power, Colt Combat Commander, etc. I switched to Remington 115 grain brass cased FMJ ammo and experienced one failure to feed (round nose dived) after loading four magazines. Switched to Speer 124 grain JHP and had two failures to feed. Might be a magazine problem. Switched to Remington 124 grain brass case FMJ, had no feed problems after firing four magazines. In all cases, I noticed primer cratering to an extent I have never seen on other fired cases and I've been reloading 9mm since 1975. Also saw extreme scratching around the fired brass. While shooting this last batch, I had the Remington factory rep on the phone and I gave him a detailed description of what
I observed as I fired the pistol. The trigger had quite a lot of side-to-side wiggle, like the proverbial loose tooth, like it needed shimming to center it in the frame. He told me that the folks in Huntsville needed to get their hands on my pistol and he mailed me a return kit. Remington now has It along with a sampling of fired cases for evaluation/repair. I expect to hear from them soon. The slide was marked made in NC but I was under the impression that the reworked guns were coming out of AL. Will post once I get my pistol back. I really really want this pistol to work, and mine might be one of the last ones with tolerance stacking. Remington has stepped up to the plate for me before, so I have no worries in that direction. No regrets, just needs a bit of tinkering.

 

[Sniper66]

I bought my R51 on Saturday and had brief test firing today. I've not had much 9mm experience....a Kahr (hated it), a Beretta 92 (ok, but no sale), a Glock 19 (good gun, but ugly and don't like the trigger) another brand that was so awful I forgot the brand) and finally the R51. Went to a wooded area where I shot at some beer cans left by previous visitors. Had an assortment of ammo. I started with a sample from a professional reloading company. The sales guy had given me 3 rounds of their hollow point defense rounds. The first shot failed to eject and I'm thinking, oh crap. The next two worked fine and blew large holes in the can. The next fifty were from 2 lots, but all FMJ 115 gr. All fired with out a hitch. Accuracy was good, I could hit the cans and make them jump, but I need to shoot it from a rest at some paper for better feedback. I had no problems at all with anything about the gun. I have several .22 pistols and every one of them have given me some grief at one time or another (except my Browning 1911 which has been perfect). I am as pleased as I can be with the R51. The trigger is good and the looks are great. Here's another real plus; my local gun store had a customer appreciation day and sold the R51 for $299.00. Ya just can't beat that! I'm really happy.

 

[PCFlorida]

So I purchased an R51 yesterday, I haven't had time to do too much with it. I put about 50 rounds through it with no issues. I stripped it and then spent the next hour figuring out how the heck to put it back together. Finally got it and ran another magazine through it to make sure I got it back together again correctly. Ordered 2 more magazines from Bud's. So far I love it!

 

[DeadEye9]

I've shot a good 500 rounds through one at our shop and it's been mostly successful. I don't particularly like it myself; for carry I prefer polymer striker fire pistols, for the range I like a bit more size. For its purpose though I see it as being good competition for the other "value priced" carry 9's. It really has a decent trigger for what it is also. My main carry is always a Glock, either a 19 or 32 depending what I'm doing. My auxiliary/backup for the longest time was a KelTec PF9 which was shelved about a year ago for a M&P Shield9 which I love for back up duty. One thing I noticed that seems no one else has pointed out yet is the R51 seems to prefer a hefty load. I haven't had a single failure with "hot" defensive ammo, nor have I experienced a failure with 124 FMJ NATO or 147 FMJ. All of my issues have been with 115 FMJ and typically these are weak loads. I've had failure with Blazer, Federal and Win White Box 115s. Nothing spectacular, but it did happen only with those 115 loads. Something to think about.

 

[BlackJack]

I've had mine since August and put over 600rds through it. I like the feel of the pistol both in a pocket and shooting. I've encountered the problems others have along the way, especially in the first 100-200 rounds, but feel like it's all worked out now. The R51 is definitely an accurate pistol and great carry gun.

 

[DeadEye9]

As I said above I think it's a great value for the money. Personally for a carry gun I'm turned off by anything that is finicky period. I want perfection from my carry pistol(s), which is why the guns I delegate to carry duty are ones that have never malfunctioned for me, even during break in. That being said I think my budget for firearms is greater than the average person and my employment allows me to get things at a steep discount compared to the average consumer, so as an all around 2A/CCW enthusiast I feel it's great that we have yet another viable option for those on a budget. Also I think there are a great many Remington fans out there that have been waiting for a carry option from their beloved rifle maker. Even though the R51 doesn't meet my personal carry wants/needs I feel there are many customers who's needs it meets 100% and at a good price point so for that I give it a thumbs up. I also want to interject that Remington also makes a decent 1911 as well, both as of late and back in the original hay day of the 1911's introduction. I have the pleasure of owning an original Milspec Remington as well as a modern production 1911 from them and have always loved the performance of both. It's not quite in the realm of my Nighthawk or Wilsons but reliable and comfortable shooters nonetheless. Back on topic though, I say if the R51 feels good in YOUR hands and YOU can hit with it reliably enough to feel safe carrying it then it will be a great EDC choice for many consumers.

 

[DeadEye9]

On a side note; what are you guys paying for your new R51's? We sell the base 3.4" for $375 and the Crimson model for $510 out the door.

 

[BlackJack]

Mine was $399, but I rushed in to my LGS as soon as they could sell them. Presently you can get one in my area for $379 from two shops I know of and I suspect there will be a used market below that before long. I've seen them advertised below that but usually in connection with ammo/holster sales or "customer appreciation" reductions.

 

[PCFlorida]

On a side note; what are you guys paying for your new R51's? We sell the base 3.4" for $375 and the Crimson model for $510 out the door.

$389. Not the best price, but so far it is a great shooting gun, I'm extremely impressed.

 

[barnbwt]

I'm quite surprised that they seem to be going for under $400, doubly so considering they are objectively better made than before (at the intro price of $400). At this point I suspect they are a loss-leader, not counting all the recall/rework expenses, just because Remington is trying to save the product line's reputation. Maybe they should drop the price to $300, and see if the remaining quality issues resolve themselves

TCB

 

[A Pause for the Coz]

I have had my R51 for a while now. Have only had one fail to feed event and that was first day with some cheap Tula ammo.
So far so good, has even shot my 147 gr cast loads well.
So far I like it and have worked it into the mix for carry.
Honestly though my XD's 45 is not likely to loose out any time soon as main carry option. Just because I like the extra security I feel by have a big can O Whoop Arse handy.
If I had a XD's in 9mm I would carry the R51 as main option.