First impressions at the gun counter were…nice size, good feel.
Smooth and dehorned every where. Rack the slide and hmmmm… kinda stiff, not smooth, seems to catch a little as you slide it back. Slide release well placed for my reach, mag release button, ambidextrous, but very hard to push and a grip safety like an XD or 1911 with an audible click like those Halloween cricket things when I was kid.
Should I buy or shouldn’t I. Obviously I bought or there wouldn’t be this review.
Brought it home and broke it down for first cleaning and lube. I had to read the instruction in order to break the R-51 down. Was a bit of trouble but after a few times it’s not so bad.
Out to the range. Has a pretty natural point of aim. Had some fail to feed but no fail to eject. The feeding round seemed to hang up on the feed ramp. The slide always went into battery. I don’t think I am plagued with all the problems others have complained of. The trigger pinched my finger on the trigger guard. Readjusted and no problem. For me the grip safety works fine and no discomfort. Single action hammer fired trigger.
I have been shooting with the R-51 three times now and each trip the performance has gotten better. So I think this gun is just in need of some break in time. I had no feeding problem with various ammo the third time out. Racking the slide now is not difficult yet still has a roughness or hard spot to it, but once you past this spot it slides easily. I think it is in the design. The recoil spring is around the barrel (no guide rod) and compresses into a sleeve around the barrel. Used some Gunzilla on the mag release button, I’ve run out of what the “gun doctor ordered”, and it is easier to push now.
The Remington R-51 is pretty much the same size at the M&P Shield.
The one problem if it is, is the expanded or swelled primer strikes that others have mentioned. I’ll email Remington to find out if this is a problem. Maybe some here can shed some light.
I enjoy shooting this gun. I am definintly no marksman but with the R51 I seem to hit where I aim. Has less felt recoil, reacquiring the target is easier and quicker.
7 yards rapid fire
14 yards rapid fire
