First Day at the Range

[Nu2R51]

Hello all,

I made it out to the range today to try out my new R51. I am somewhat pleased with it although I definitely need to put more rounds through it, only 100 today. I started with a full mag and weapon locked open. Released the slide and it slammed home a round. First mag was flawless. I really appreciate the natural position in my hand and point of aim. It was right on target and relatively small group(at least for me) 2nd mag fired well too. Reloaded the mag and thought I'd try putting a fully loaded mag in the weapon with the slide closed and racking a round in, no problem at all. I was sort of expecting a problem based on the posts I've read, Fired the entire box of Blazer 115 gr FMJ without any issues. By this time I noticed something I don't care for, the web of my right hand was getting sore and red. Needless to say I thought I needed a tighter grip. Web was still irritated.. Repositioned hand just below beavertail. Before the beavertail was resting on the web. Shot some rounds and of course, no irritation.. The issue is that it doesn't feel and secure in my hand. So I have a question. Has anyone had this issue and what action did you take to correct it? .Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I did have one nose down event when racking the slide on a full mag. I removed the mag and hit the heel of my hand with it to slam the bullets to the rear, inserted mag and racked it again with no problem. Something I'm going to watch as more rounds are fired through it. I did read the Owner's manual and the threads about the weapon being designed to be loaded with the slide open, mag inserted and slide released.

I have a Glock 22 40 and a S&W M&P Shield 9mm, I don't have this issue with either. I understand the beavertail on the R51 is deeper. At any rate, I like the weapon and how it shoots, but, silly me, I don't want to wear a hole in the web of my hand, I want to be comfortable. Ok, enough with the whine.

I like the S&W but I do notice that the R51 fits my hand better. I can get three fingers on the grip. With the S&W its a little crowded.

Thanks for any and all input.

[1911SHOOTER]

Hello all,

I made it out to the range today to try out my new R51. I am somewhat pleased with it although I definitely need to put more rounds through it, only 100 today. I started with a full mag and weapon locked open. Released the slide and it slammed home a round. First mag was flawless. I really appreciate the natural position in my hand and point of aim. It was right on target and relatively small group(at least for me) 2nd mag fired well too. Reloaded the mag and thought I'd try putting a fully loaded mag in the weapon with the slide closed and racking a round in, no problem at all. I was sort of expecting a problem based on the posts I've read, Fired the entire box of Blazer 115 gr FMJ without any issues. By this time I noticed something I don't care for, the web of my right hand was getting sore and red. Needless to say I thought I needed a tighter grip. Web was still irritated.. Repositioned hand just below beavertail. Before the beavertail was resting on the web. Shot some rounds and of course, no irritation.. The issue is that it doesn't feel and secure in my hand. So I have a question. Has anyone had this issue and what action did you take to correct it? .Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I did have one nose down event when racking the slide on a full mag. I removed the mag and hit the heel of my hand with it to slam the bullets to the rear, inserted mag and racked it again with no problem. Something I'm going to watch as more rounds are fired through it. I did read the Owner's manual and the threads about the weapon being designed to be loaded with the slide open, mag inserted and slide released.

I have a Glock 22 40 and a S&W M&P Shield 9mm, I don't have this issue with either. I understand the beavertail on the R51 is deeper. At any rate, I like the weapon and how it shoots, but, silly me, I don't want to wear a hole in the web of my hand, I want to be comfortable. Ok, enough with the whine.

I like the S&W but I do notice that the R51 fits my hand better. I can get three fingers on the grip. With the S&W its a little crowded.

Thanks for any and all input.

nu2R51,
     I too had a problem with irritation of my hand.  It is caused by sharp edges on the top of the grip safety.  I went out and bought a set of shooting gloves and that took care of that.
Caught a little flack from one of the guys but I can handle it.  No muss no fuss. At my age (83)  Shooting gloves, wheels on my range bag, (50 Lbs) and good to go.
Good luck with your R51.  BTW, I would Google "Beavertail",  kinda like "{clip and Magazine") know what I mean?\
Blackie



Blackie

[Nu2R51]

Hello Blackie;

Thank you for the reply. I am considering the glove solution, but was wondering if there is another solution such as smoothing the sharp edges. The safety leading edge is already rounded somewhat. It appears to me that the edge causing the irritation is not the safety but the underside of the frame. When the pistol is gripped the safety becomes flush with the frame and the only sharp edge exposed is the rear edge on the underside of the frame. Probably not using proper nomenclature, please forgive me. anyone have any ideas, please feel free to let me know,

Regarding "Beaver tail" I looked it up on the web and am petty sure I know what it is.

Thanks

[lklawson]

Hello Blackie;

Thank you for the reply. I am considering the glove solution, but was wondering if there is another solution such as smoothing the sharp edges. The safety leading edge is already rounded somewhat. It appears to me that the edge causing the irritation is not the safety but the underside of the frame. When the pistol is gripped the safety becomes flush with the frame and the only sharp edge exposed is the rear edge on the underside of the frame. Probably not using proper nomenclature, please forgive me. anyone have any ideas, please feel free to let me know,

There have been one or two people who report that they disassembled the gun and rounded the edges on the grip safety.  If you are a competent enough home gunsmith to do that, it might satisfy your discomfort.

Shooting gloves are easier and less likely to bubba a gun. 

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[Nu2R51]

Hello Kirk,

Thanks for the reply. Gloves would certainly do the trick. I haven't decided how to proceed yet. I really like the R51 and plan on shooting it often, so I thought why not come up with a permanent solution. Did any of the guys that worked over their R51 report back any satisfaction in what they did? I'd like to chat with them. I'll try a search to see if there is anything on this site. It seems that just a little file and polishing work would do the trick. Of course, you're right, I definitely can't afford to bugger up my new gun.  Have a great day!

[lklawson]

Hello Kirk,

Thanks for the reply. Gloves would certainly do the trick. I haven't decided how to proceed yet. I really like the R51 and plan on shooting it often, so I thought why not come up with a permanent solution. Did any of the guys that worked over their R51 report back any satisfaction in what they did? I'd like to chat with them. I'll try a search to see if there is anything on this site. It seems that just a little file and polishing work would do the trick. Of course, you're right, I definitely can't afford to bugger up my new gun.  Have a great day!

My recollection is "yes."  At least one of them was posting on this forum.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[1911SHOOTER]

Hello Blackie;

Thank you for the reply. I am considering the glove solution, but was wondering if there is another solution such as smoothing the sharp edges. The safety leading edge is already rounded somewhat. It appears to me that the edge causing the irritation is not the safety but the underside of the frame. When the pistol is gripped the safety becomes flush with the frame and the only sharp edge exposed is the rear edge on the underside of the frame. Probably not using proper nomenclature, please forgive me. anyone have any ideas, please feel free to let me know,

Regarding "Beaver tail" I looked it up on the web and am petty sure I know what it is.

Thanks

Nu2R51,
     Best I can tell you is my shooting glove works fine.  Feels comfortable too. 
Blackie

[DanOh]

I haven't had any problems with the grip safety or the web of my hand hurting, my problem is the trigger.  My trigger finger is slightly deformed where I cut the tendon in two between the fingertip and the second joint down.  Just a slight crook, the fingertip bends downward about 30* from flat.  I use the joint between the two sections of my finger to pull the trigger and after 50 or 60 rounds it gets irritated.  When I try to use the second section of the finger, it messes up my grip and pulls my palm away from the grip safety.  I was going to buy another trigger and try a modification but they are sold out everywhere I look.  One of these days....

[SCurmudgeon]

I haven't had any problems with the grip safety or the web of my hand hurting, my problem is the trigger.  My trigger finger is slightly deformed where I cut the tendon in two between the fingertip and the second joint down.  Just a slight crook, the fingertip bends downward about 30* from flat.  I use the joint between the two sections of my finger to pull the trigger and after 50 or 60 rounds it gets irritated.  When I try to use the second section of the finger, it messes up my grip and pulls my palm away from the grip safety.  I was going to buy another trigger and try a modification but they are sold out everywhere I look.  One of these days....

I don't recall if it was a rumor or a wish that someone would sell aftermarket replacement triggers for R51s.

After reading your post I started looking for them on line, but I didn't see anyone selling them.

Sorry if I missed this in another post, but could you tell me who is selling replacement triggers?

[1911SHOOTER]

I haven't had any problems with the grip safety or the web of my hand hurting, my problem is the trigger.  My trigger finger is slightly deformed where I cut the tendon in two between the fingertip and the second joint down.  Just a slight crook, the fingertip bends downward about 30* from flat.  I use the joint between the two sections of my finger to pull the trigger and after 50 or 60 rounds it gets irritated.  When I try to use the second section of the finger, it messes up my grip and pulls my palm away from the grip safety.  I was going to buy another trigger and try a modification but they are sold out everywhere I look.  One of these days....

I don't recall if it was a rumor or a wish that someone would sell aftermarket replacement triggers for R51s.

After reading your post I started looking for them on line, but I didn't see anyone selling them.

Sorry if I missed this in another post, but could you tell me who is selling replacement triggers?

SCurmudgeon,
     I have searched also, and I have seen comments by several of the guys on here, and do not believe anybody has found an  after market trigger.
With the woes that Remington has had, I doubt anybody is ready to ramp up with after market parts.  Actually,I was surprised to see CT come out with a laser
for the gun.  Very few holsters either.
Blackie.

[Texas-Mark]

Very few holsters either.

Huh? There are a ton of holsters for the R51 out there.

[1911SHOOTER]

Very few holsters either.

Huh? There are a ton of holsters for the R51 out there.

Tex,
you're right, I Googled after I posted.  My bad.  But there is little else for the R51. 
Blackie

[lklawson]

Very few holsters either.

Huh? There are a ton of holsters for the R51 out there.

Tex,
you're right, I Googled after I posted.  My bad.  But there is little else for the R51. 
Blackie

I'm curious.  What do you want?

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[1911SHOOTER]

Very few holsters either.

Huh? There are a ton of holsters for the R51 out there.

Tex,
you're right, I Googled after I posted.  My bad.  But there is little else for the R51. 
Blackie

I'm curious.  What do you want?

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

Kirk,
     A threaded barrel and modified slide would be nice. To accommodate the extra length.  Like the original R51 Gen 1.
Now that would be a fun shooter.
Blackie

[lklawson]

Very few holsters either.

Huh? There are a ton of holsters for the R51 out there.

Tex,
you're right, I Googled after I posted.  My bad.  But there is little else for the R51. 
Blackie

I'm curious.  What do you want?

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

Kirk,
     A threaded barrel and modified slide would be nice. To accommodate the extra length.  Like the original R51 Gen 1.
Now that would be a fun shooter.
Blackie

That would be nifty.  Not sure how long before Rem will bring that back out.  I'm still waiting for them to bring back the rosewood scales. 

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk