First 300 Shots

[SCurmudgeon]

First day at the range with my brand, new R1...

I didn't disassemble or clean the pistol before taking it to the range.  I didn't to anything else to prepare the pistol except to take a paint stir stick and depress each magazine spring 100 times.  (http://r51pistol.com/r51-general-discussion/racking-with-a-full-mag/msg880/#msg880)

The first 50 rounds of Remington FMJ ran pretty much flawlessly.  I didn't have the same luck with the next 250 rounds of Winchester White Box.  The slide wood get stuck back on virtually every magazine of WWB.  This occurred on the first first, second, and sometimes third and fourth round of each magazine.  The gun wasn't locked up as it only took a slight tap on the back of the slide with my thumb for the pistol to return to battery.  I also had a handful of stovepipes with the WWB.

I mostly inserted full magazines into the pistol with the slide locked back.  In using the slingshot technique to chamber a round, I needed to give the slide a little push to get it to close.  I also found that I was able to rack the slide on a full mag.  It wasn't completely smooth, but at least I was able to do it.

I was disappointed most to discover that mine shoots about 2" low at 12 yards (at least with WWB).

In cleaning the pistol, there must be a burr or something that is retarding the spring bushing because it was very difficult to raise it half way out of the slot.  And once I got the bushing in the correct position, it was very difficult to pull the barrel out of the slide.  If was very tight and it looked like the grip threads on the barrel were causing friction.  Blackie's spring clamp tip was most helpful in disassembly.  (http://r51pistol.com/r51-general-discussion/take-down-of-r51-made-easy/msg1103/#msg1103)

Reassembly was not quite a difficult, but the bushing gave me similar problems going back in.  Maybe I'll get the hang of it after a few more times.

I can't wait to try it with different ammo.  No more WWB for this R51.

[1911SHOOTER]

SCurmudgeon,
     When you "slingshot" the slide, do you pull back and release it, or by the slide lock?
My slide can now be racked with a full mag, but like you say, it is difficult.
The R51 sights are set up to cover the target bull, not under it.  Don't ask me why, it is a
military thing.  Kirk can explain it to you.  Instead of holding the sight at the base of the
bull, cover the bull.   I do not know why Remington did this.
I also have problems with that dang bushing.
Blackie

[SCurmudgeon]

Here is what I did:  lock the slide back, insert a full mag, grasp the back of the slide, pull back, release.

I don't recall exactly how far it went forward before it hot hung up, but an extra tap on the back of the slide got it to close.  My hope is that this will get smoother over time and cease to be a problem.  At this point in the break-in, would anyone recommend a little extra gun oil on the rails or Pedersen block?  Or would this just gum things up more as the inside gets dirty?

Yes, I've paid close attention to Kirk's comments and remembered to cover the bull with the front sight dot; still two inches low.  I will *never* rule out my shooter error when talking about the accuracy of my guns, and I admit there are times when I lapse into a bit of a finch, but I think it is hitting low.  I'll try it off the bench next time to see if my results change.

[Texas-Mark]

At this point in the break-in, would anyone recommend a little extra gun oil on the rails or Pedersen block?  Or would this just gum things up more as the inside gets dirty?.

I always lube the rails and block well. But then again I clean my guns every time I shoot them, so it has never gotten super gummed up or anything.

[SCurmudgeon]

Thanks, I'll throw a little extra oil on the rails and block, buy a bunch of different types of ammo, and give 'er heck again over the weekend.

[lklawson]

I like grease on the rails, hammer face, and mating surfaces on the Pedersen block.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[SCurmudgeon]

Sorry for my ignorance, white lithium or some other grease?

[Texas-Mark]

Any gun grease will work. Just don't overdo it and use just a thin coat I like to use grease on the rails too because it stays in place longer than just oil. Especially if you don't shoot the gun very often.

[plunkster]

I've used Mobil One on all my firearms for a long time - still using the original batch that I bought many years ago when it was recommended for my new (at the time) Garand. Don't use a lot, as mentioned above.

Pat