The New Remington R51

[JRH6856]

I think the confusion with the R51 trigger as it is described as "1911 style", and in shape, it is 1911 style. But not in function. In function it is more BHP style, as it apparently pivots.

I've shot a 1911 and a BHP for years. There is difference between the straight and pivoted triggers, but not enough to make a significant difference when shooting.

 

[C0untZer0]

Some people are never happy.

 

[herrwalther]

Definitely looks like a pistol I would be interested in. I don't have enough well rounded 9mm in my collection.

 

[HammsBeer]

This video is about Remington's new compact ammo, but there are some slow motion shots of the R51. Man that alloy frame sure is flexing a bunch at the front, almost like a polymer frame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P1M8sj_eR4

 

[JRH6856]

^^^Love the bowtie

 

[gc70]

One thing is pretty certain. It isn't a straight pull back trigger.

Do you have a link to a report from someone that has handled an R51?

A more intriguing question is, if the trigger was hinged, where is the trigger pivot pin?

 

[DrDeFab]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ddT6X_1m20

Skip to 2:00 - the trigger clearly pivots.

I think the trigger pivot pin is partially obscured on the left side, but there is a visible pin about where I would expect it on the right.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I have one on order at my LGS. I want the first one he gets.

Also I don't understand why everyone thinks this gun looks so "sci-fi". It just looks liked a smoothed out, melted model 51 (as it should). Not really understanding the space gun comparisons. I guess some dislike that it doesn't look like a brick on top of a squished bar of soap.

 

[gc70]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ddT6X_1m20

Skip to 2:00 - the trigger clearly pivots.

I think the trigger pivot pin is partially obscured on the left side, but there is a visible pin about where I would expect it on the right.

Yes, the trigger pivots in some way, but probably not in the way we are accustomed to triggers pivoting.

The writer who first reported on the R51 and tested it at Gunsite stated "The trigger is really very good and has the same feel as a 1911. In fact the trigger moves straight back like a 1911."

So how do we square a clear and unequivocal statement by the Firearm Blog's senior writer and review manager who actually shot the R51 with the equally clear visual evidence that the trigger pivots in some fashion?

A CAD drawing from one of Remington's videos (at 1:45) does not show the trigger attached to either pin above the trigger. The trigger (in blue) sits under the slide lock lever pin (in green) and the face of the trigger surrounds some type of lever that is mounted on the smaller pin (in purple).

Remington's video (at 1:11) also shows something highly unusual; the top of the trigger moves down and forward as the pistol is fired, which suggests a pivot point that is not above the trigger as we are familiar with.

Finally, another CAD drawing in Remington's video (at 1:13) shows the trigger bow meeting the trigger where there happens to be a roll pin that could connect the trigger to the bow and allow the trigger face to pivot up and down.

It will be most interesting to find out how it really works.

 

[Orion8472]

Interesting, gc70. Perhaps the design of even the trigger is odd enough that one will have to have it in hand before they can know how it works. It's till on an order list for me.

 

[Comrade Mike]

I'm of the "let someone else review it first" camp currently. Looks like a very interesting gun though, nice to see remington back in the game

 

[celem]

I have one on order at my LGS. I want the first one he gets.

Also I don't understand why everyone thinks this gun looks so "sci-fi". It just looks liked a smoothed out, melted model 51 (as it should). Not really understanding the space gun comparisons. I guess some dislike that it doesn't look like a brick on top of a squished bar of soap.

I too have on order with a local dealer. He has allocations with five suppliers trying to get one.

 

[Quiet]

 

[Orion8472]

Liking the graphic, Quiet. Thanks!

 

[W.E.G.]

I like that graphic too.

Smaller than a G19.

That's an important factoid worth knowing.

 

[SwampWolf]

I have to say I'm very disappointed with the looks of Remington's new Model 51. When I first heard that Remington was going to "re-introduce" the Model 51, I was expecting that the new pistol would look like the original (one of the nicest appearing and handling, classic "pocket pistols" ever made, imo) but come with modern production innovations to make it more affordable. Boy, was I ever disillusioned with this "Whitney Wolverine" wannabe! Beauty might be in the mind of the beholder but, likewise, so is ugly. And to this beholder, the new, so-called Model 51 is ugly in the extreme.

Remington's new "Model 51" may prove to be a great pistol and I wish them the best. But it's no Model 51.

 

[C0untZer0]

I'm pretty sure if Buick brought back the Master Six next year, it wouldn't look like it did in 1927

 

[JRH6856]

When Chevy brought back the Impala the only thing unchanged was the spelling.

 

[Swichblade]

Good grief! How about waiting until you get a chance to handle one for yourself before pronouncing it dead?

Yeah, I may be jumping the gun on this, and to be honest, I still want the R51. It's just that the pistol is a few weeks away from being released and the specs are changing. I can't help but be a little skeptical.

 

[JRH6856]

The specs aren't changing so moch as what people are saing is changing. I haven't seen any change in the actual height, length, width and weight numbers since the first announcement. But I have seen a lot of wild size comparisons to other guns that just didn't match with the numbers.

 

[Mitlov]

The only spec I've seen changing is anticipated price, and since (1) the sub-$400 price point was just a guesstimate, not a Remington announcement, and (2) it seemed too good to be true, I'm okay with that.

 

[JRH6856]

The initial $389 MSRP estimate purportedly came from Remington reps at the Gunsite preview. The $420 came from a blogger reporting on what he saw at SHOT. It is possible he was estimating the out-the-door price including sales tax. I really don't know where the number came from. Take your pick. I'll just wait and see.

 

[gc70]

The first review I saw of the R51 was the January 1, 2014 article on TheFirearmBlog.com which reported:

MSRP is $389!
Weight 20 oz
Width .96
Length 6 inches
Height 4.5 inches
Barrel length 3.4

Remington's 2014 catalog shows the R51 on page 9 and specifications on page 132 of:

MSRP $420
Weight 22 oz.
Length 6 5/8"
Height 4 5/8"
Barrel length 3.4"

 

[JohnnyBravo]

I like the idea of receiving some feed back when the grip safety is deactivated.

One of the issues I have with 1911's and XD's is if your grip is off there is no feedback until the gun fails to fire when you pull the trigger.

 

[JRH6856]

The first review I saw of the R51 was the January 1, 2014 article on TheFirearmBlog.com which reported:

That link goes to the Remington Catalog specs. HERE is a good link to the FireamBlog

And I stand corrected. I guess the numbers I recorded came from a later review.