Re the thread title: " NOPE, I bought it today".
I shot a match this morning and on the way out through the shop, I found they had just recieved a Remington R-51. I had asked about it previously, and the lady who works there (also shoots USPSA) said "I'll go get the paperwork". I said I wanted to just Look, touchy feely and think this over a bit first---she smiled.
Any way, I tried the trigger etc etc. The slide cycling felt a little harsh until I realized it's different than a tilt bbl pistol. It wasn't hard to cycle, but had three distinct stages in the pull---like you were pulling it over "humps'. Exterior finish was smooth and even. and what I could see of the internals looked like it was plastered with a mixture of thin white grease and nasty used oil. I thought about it and a few friends jabbed at me a little. I bought it and walked away with my new 1918 pistol action Remington.
At home, Ifollowed the instructions for the field strip. IT WAS NOT INTUITIVE to this old guy, but I finally "sort of" realized what was needed and got it apart. Everything inside was painted/caked with nasty lubes. 1/2 can of a spray brake cleaner later, I got a good look at most of the internals. The bbl is stainless and very smooth but not polished to a high shine. The frame/rails are A/C aluminum and waay smoother than the typical CZ---like cnc work. The locking block/firing pin and extractor housing (all one assembly) was the roughest part, but not bad at all---no voids or surface irregularities.
I relubed the parts liberally generally following Remingtons suggestions (Spray it all down with Rem-oil). I used Militec 1 in and on the bbl where the recoil spring rides and Mobil 1 everywhere else. The recoil spring has a 1" +/- metal cap on the moveable end with a good bit of compression force. I will be using some good light grease on the aluminum rails.
Reassembly involved a reversal of the takedown procedures "mostly" and wasn't bad. I "think" the next field strip will go about as fast as my CZs.
I know they will after two or three more practices. No tools were required to field strip.
I did experience one of the complaints that have been published. If you install the slide lock (essentilly the same as a CZ 75) with the
wrong marking lined up, the gun goes back together and functions, BUT the slide locks back after EVERY slide cycle. The slide release also felt "stiffer/harder" to depress. I re-did the slide release install using the correct frame mark and all was well again.
I can see how big hands could be pinched by the slide travel. MAN, this pistol has a low bore axis. With a firm into-the-beavertail high grip, the slide is travelling "just" above the web of your hand--literally. I like it.
Haven't shot it yet. WILL do tomorrow or Tuesday, and report what I experience.
