Anyone buy a Remington R51 yesterday?

[1SOW]

Which leads to me to ask the same question I have all along: why did anyone care about the R51? It never seemed to have ANY promise in my mind. I got to hold a pre-release model and it just seemed terrible...I honestly cannot name another gun that screams 'I am shoddily built' at such a volume.

I feel bad for the people who bought one of these, only to (apparently) get shafted. At least other manufacturers that commonly have teething issues on new models (looking at you, Sig) generally get them worked out. But I really don't get why anyone put any confidence in Remington or this gun to begin with.

henehcuhp,  I appreciate your advice on pistols to buy.  I have shot a few of those mentioned and they would do the job they were intended to do. 
I can only speak for myself.   First,  I carry a 9mm Sig 239 and like it.  Why I like it:  It also does what it was intended to do very well.  It also isn't painful to shoot 50 or 100 S.D. rds.  It also will shoot to 25 yards accurately.  I competed with it in the 1990's  because it's "fun" to shoot.  In all this time not one single malfunction has ever occurred with a multitude of different ammo.  It also offers 8+1 and a 10+1 options that I have for carry/home defense or just fun at the range or in competition as a 'bug'..

As far as your recurring question---why? 
1.  I was willing to take a chance because I like the original design principles.   It's actually simple and eliminates unneeded space in the frame.  The lower bore axis made it pleasant to shoot any number of SD rds.
2.  For me,  it pointed great,  felt light,  was slim and carried easily IWB. 
3.  The action did all it was designed to do.  It shot very fast and accurately, and recoil was not a factor at all with strong loads. With decent machining and QC,  I could outshoot my P239 and smile.

The problem:  I wasn't as smart as you are.  I had some degree of faith in Remington from long ago shotgun experiences.  I gambled and lost.
Too amplify MY Problem,  I still think it's an excellent design for 9mm.   I'm also old enough that I can't afford to wait a few years to verify new pistol reliablity.

By some fluke,  a few on another forum just love their R-51s,  that are said to not have any of the problems the large majority of us experienced.    
[Cracked mags,  ill-fitting trigger pins,  over-all internal poor machining, irregular dovetail cuts/loose sights, FTFeed due to irregular chamber machining,-firing out of battery due to the same,  problems fully engaging the grip safety ]

P.S.  I emailed Remington yesterday.  I asked for a complete refund if the NEW FUNCTIONAL R-51 pistol I was scheduled to recieve this week couldn't be delivered  as promised.   

 

[muggia59]

There were enough initial reviews on the internet, that this gun should have been a good option. I think the R51 is a beautiful design, and should have been a hit. Remington screwed up their own product, and us along with it. They better take care of their customers.

[Ross7]

Looks like Remington's ready to try again...

While we determined the pistols were safe, certain units did not meet Remington?s performance criteria.  The performance problems resulted from complications during our transition from prototype to mass production. These problems have been identified and solutions are being implemented, with an expected production restart in October.

Anyone who purchased an R51 may return it and receive a new R51 pistol, along with two additional magazines and a custom Pelican case, by calling Remington at (800) 243-9700.

Remington Announces R51 Pistol Update
http://www.gunsandammo.com/2014/07/25/remington-r51-pistol-update/

[1SOW]

Thank YOU Ross!
It's following suit that they don't notify the actual customers about this.  Instead,  they keep handing out the bogus "Expect your pistol back in X weeks"!
They told me to expect a new pistol back in a few days from today.  I emailed and requested a refund if the pistol can't be sent in time to meet their "third" deadline since "March".

[Towns]

If Remington follows through on that promise, it'll go a long way in restoring their confidence, as far as I'm concerned.

[muggia59]

Agreed!

[jameslovesjammie]

If Remington follows through on that promise, it'll go a long way in restoring their confidence, as far as I'm concerned.

As much as I hate to say it, I've pretty much sworn off anything Big Green.  Even if they fix this pistol and make it right with those who initially purchased it, they have had too many issues the past 10 years to gamble my money on.  It isn't necessarily Remington, but Freedom Group in general.

[1SOW]

James,  I have the exact same opinion---now.

[painter]

The Gunsamerica Blog had some other news about the R 51.

Since its rollout at the outset of the year, many have argued that the Remington R51 was a lemon.

However, it wasn?t until today that Remington publicly addressed the issues and concerns that many purchasers were reportedly having with the pistol.

Here is what Remington had to say, according to Guns & Ammo:

?Earlier this year, we launched the innovative R51 subcompact pistol to critical acclaim. During testing, numerous experts found the pistol to function flawlessly. In fact, they found it to have lower felt recoil, lower muzzle rise and better accuracy and concealability than other products in its class.

However, after initial commercial sales, our loyal customers notified us that some R51 pistols had performance issues. We immediately ceased production to re-test the product. While we determined the pistols were safe, certain units did not meet Remington?s performance criteria. The performance problems resulted from complications during our transition from prototype to mass production. These problems have been identified and solutions are being implemented, with an expected production restart in October.

Anyone who purchased an R51 may return it and receive a new R51 pistol, along with two additional magazines and a custom Pelican case, by calling Remington at (800) 243-9700.

The new R51 will be of the same exceptional quality as our test pistols, which performed flawlessly.

We appreciate your patience and support.?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/breaking-remington-makes-big-announcement-r51/

[1SOW]

Thanks Painter.
Ross also passed that on.
The really disappointing thing is that REMINGTON isn't passing ANYTHING on to those who've returned their pistols,  other than " Your pistol should be returned to you in 4-6 weeks".  OR  "Your new pistol should be sent to you within 4-6 weeks".
The last statement time expires in a few days.
P.S.  Remington also offered price paid refund to some for the return of the pistol.  None of those (on another forum) have seen a dime.

[Skookum]

For those who have or had an R51, would you recommend one that operates flawlessly, as advertized after October?

[1SOW]

Skookum,  I only fired about 50 rds (?) before my hand gave out,  so it may not be fair to voice an opinion on your question yet.
On the other hand ( ),  I really liked the feel and accuracy of this pistol!  I also really liked carrying this pistol IWB.
My strongest loads (std pressure 124gr XTPs and Speer G.D.s)  stayed RIGHT on target for accurate follow-up shots at 10 yards.

If it operated flawlessly,  it's my first choice for carry and fun shooting at the range.  My 9mm Sig 239 rd count would drop a lot. 


   

[1SOW]

Two on another forum posted they did recieved the full puchase price refund. 
One owner PM'd me asking if I get a refund ,  can he buy my two mags. 
 

[Towns]

1SOW, Don't ask me why, but at one time, I was really enamored with the new Beretta Pico.  I think it was the ability to switch .32 and .380 barrels.  The Pico was announced in May 2013 at the NRA convention that it would be shipped later that summer.  It's still not out there to my knowledge.  I almost think I prefer Remington's method of going into production and then dealing with the problems, versus Beretta still not having guns out over 1 year later.  I know most people would disagree with me on that point.  Seems like until you do FULL production, you just won't find out all the potential problems. 

But, I've read your posts and realize you'd be more happy with Remington if they just had better communication with their customers (especially those who've had a problem). 

[1SOW]

Humph,  Recieved this in the mail today.  I couldn't help but laugh when I read "that you recently returned".  At least hey are finally responding to the R-51 owners.