Notes from a new owner

[stans]

I bought two R51s a month or so back, the price was around what they ask for Hi-Points.  I've always had a yen for an original 51, the available calibers and the asking price were always the reason I didn't get one.  I was interested when the new gun was announced a bunch of years back, very disappointed when the recall happened and I never saw one at any dealer's.   I figured I'd better jump this time when the local store finally had them in stock.

I hauled one across country a couple of weeks back and got in some firing time, put about 300 rounds through it.  I grabbed as many different weights and styles of ammo as I could locally.  No problems with feeding or firing, it liked all bullet weights from 115 to 147 grain, FMJ or hollowpoint.  No magazine feed problems other than the one where the slide can't be pulled back completely over a full magazine.  Loading from an open slide is the way around that, at least until the revised magazines become available.  If I'm carrying it, I'll load it the way it wants to be loaded, stick it in the pocket holster and get on with life.

That one shoots about 10 inches low at 20 yards, I'm going to have to swap sights to get it on target.  This is a little more serious problem, didn't matter what the bullet weight was.  Thanks to the one poster that pointed me to Dawson Precision and the fact that it's a Novak style cut on the front.  I was able to hold up about half the front dot and get centered groups with a center hold.  Not something I want to do anywhere but a range.

Best ammo for accuracy so far is Cabela's Herter's brand FMJ.  Remington green box made patterns, about what I'd come to expect from that brand.  Eventually, I'll work up some loads for it.

Another niggle, the magazine release on the unfired gun takes both hands to depress the button and drop the magazine, the other gun is nowhere near that hard to work.  Anyone had that trouble?

It took me about 5 minutes to take the gun down the first time, it's not THAT complicated.  Just not a 1911.  Or a Glock.  Getting it back together was more a problem of getting parts lined up, the barrel needs to fit back in its slot just so before the slide stop can go back in.  My Smith 52 is harder to take apart than that, there's no grasping grooves on the recoil spring guide to pull on.  Seems that if you turn the gun handle up and slide down, gravity helps with keeping the breechblock in place.

When first unboxed, both guns were soaked in oil.  Not really needed since the frame is alloy and the innards are stainless.  But gave me takedown practice getting it all mopped out so they could be handled.

The one poster that mentioned using a spring clamp for holding the barrel for take down led me to borrow a woodworking clamp from the b-in-l, works fine for holding the barrel while pushing out the slide stop.  Jorgensen brand, has orange vinyl tips on the ends.  I had the 6" long version.

No slide bite with this gun, have had that with similar sized .380s like the PPK.  Read some posts from Gen 1 owners about the grip safety chewing up their hands, not a problem with either of mine.  My 8 year old grand-nephew had no troubles operating the gun when I let him shoot it.  Just couldn't load the magazine, not enough finger strength.

I found the kangaroo pocket holster from Tuff Products for J-frames was just about a perfect fit for the gun, can even stow the spare magazine in the slot intended for a speed strip.  Top of the holster just comes flush with the back of the rear sight.  Holster also fits the pockets in my concealed carry vest, so a win there.

When Gen 1 was first announced, there was supposed to be a whole raft of accessories for the gun.  A lot of vendors still have them listed but out of stock.  Particularly interested in barrels and magazines.  Magazines are probably OOS until Rem makes a run of the revised ones.  About the only thing still in stock anywhere is the trigger guard laser.  Interested in that, too, but it's 2/3rds the cost of the gun.  Grip panels also seem to be missing.  Anyone seen threaded barrels anywhere but custom shops?

[Zenshot]

Good range report. Thanks for posting!
The issue with racking the slide from the closed position on a full magazine fixed itself with both my mags after the mag springs were broken in.

[lklawson]

That one shoots about 10 inches low at 20 yards, I'm going to have to swap sights to get it on target.  This is a little more serious problem, didn't matter what the bullet weight was.  Thanks to the one poster that pointed me to Dawson Precision and the fact that it's a Novak style cut on the front.  I was able to hold up about half the front dot and get centered groups with a center hold.  Not something I want to do anywhere but a range.

Most of the new Remington hanguns are set up with "Center Hold" sighting.

Another niggle, the magazine release on the unfired gun takes both hands to depress the button and drop the magazine, the other gun is nowhere near that hard to work.  Anyone had that trouble?

Same issue as you noted about racking the slide on a full mag.  The top round is pressing hard against the mechanics above it (Pedersen block).  Lock the slide back and remove the mag.  That's not the way we're usually taught to do it, of course, but it does release the pressure on the top of the mag.

When Gen 1 was first announced, there was supposed to be a whole raft of accessories for the gun.  A lot of vendors still have them listed but out of stock.  Particularly interested in barrels and magazines.  Magazines are probably OOS until Rem makes a run of the revised ones.  About the only thing still in stock anywhere is the trigger guard laser.  Interested in that, too, but it's 2/3rds the cost of the gun.  Grip panels also seem to be missing.  Anyone seen threaded barrels anywhere but custom shops?

I don't think they were ever commercially made.  Just prototypes.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

[Chokejug]

Not a "new owner" as yet, but did order one today.
Notified my dealer, Silver finish, if can be found, reasonable, both time and money, otherwise plain black.
Order wont actually hit the warehouse until Monday.

Now comes the "can't wait" period!

[1911SHOOTER]

Not a "new owner" as yet, but did order one today.
Notified my dealer, Silver finish, if can be found, reasonable, both time and money, otherwise plain black.
Order wont actually hit the warehouse until Monday.

Now comes the "can't wait" period!

Chokejug,
     I know the "CAN'T WAIT" PERIOD.  Post a photo of the gun when you get it.  Did you order Crimson Trace also?
Blackie

[Chokejug]

No Blackie, no CT yet.
If things go right and I have every expectation that they will, the CT and new grips will be along shortly.

I wanted the Smoke/Silver but none could be found at the moment.

Now, I saw something from you on the Ruger ARX ammo.  Are you stil using if?
I just ordered some, due here tomorrow.

I have quite a few water mellons that got frosted the last 2 nites, going to do some comparison, different loads.
ARX vs 115, 100, 95 and 90 grain HPs and soft points.  Different brands, some +p.

Jug

[1911SHOOTER]

I bought two R51s a month or so back, the price was around what they ask for Hi-Points.  I've always had a yen for an original 51, the available calibers and the asking price were always the reason I didn't get one.  I was interested when the new gun was announced a bunch of years back, very disappointed when the recall happened and I never saw one at any dealer's.   I figured I'd better jump this time when the local store finally had them in stock.

I hauled one across country a couple of weeks back and got in some firing time, put about 300 rounds through it.  I grabbed as many different weights and styles of ammo as I could locally.  No problems with feeding or firing, it liked all bullet weights from 115 to 147 grain, FMJ or hollowpoint.  No magazine feed problems other than the one where the slide can't be pulled back completely over a full magazine.  Loading from an open slide is the way around that, at least until the revised magazines become available.  If I'm carrying it, I'll load it the way it wants to be loaded, stick it in the pocket holster and get on with life.

That one shoots about 10 inches low at 20 yards, I'm going to have to swap sights to get it on target.  This is a little more serious problem, didn't matter what the bullet weight was.  Thanks to the one poster that pointed me to Dawson Precision and the fact that it's a Novak style cut on the front.  I was able to hold up about half the front dot and get centered groups with a center hold.  Not something I want to do anywhere but a range.

Best ammo for accuracy so far is Cabela's Herter's brand FMJ.  Remington green box made patterns, about what I'd come to expect from that brand.  Eventually, I'll work up some loads for it.

Another niggle, the magazine release on the unfired gun takes both hands to depress the button and drop the magazine, the other gun is nowhere near that hard to work.  Anyone had that trouble?

It took me about 5 minutes to take the gun down the first time, it's not THAT complicated.  Just not a 1911.  Or a Glock.  Getting it back together was more a problem of getting parts lined up, the barrel needs to fit back in its slot just so before the slide stop can go back in.  My Smith 52 is harder to take apart than that, there's no grasping grooves on the recoil spring guide to pull on.  Seems that if you turn the gun handle up and slide down, gravity helps with keeping the breechblock in place.

When first unboxed, both guns were soaked in oil.  Not really needed since the frame is alloy and the innards are stainless.  But gave me takedown practice getting it all mopped out so they could be handled.

The one poster that mentioned using a spring clamp for holding the barrel for take down led me to borrow a woodworking clamp from the b-in-l, works fine for holding the barrel while pushing out the slide stop.  Jorgensen brand, has orange vinyl tips on the ends.  I had the 6" long version.

No slide bite with this gun, have had that with similar sized .380s like the PPK.  Read some posts from Gen 1 owners about the grip safety chewing up their hands, not a problem with either of mine.  My 8 year old grand-nephew had no troubles operating the gun when I let him shoot it.  Just couldn't load the magazine, not enough finger strength.

I found the kangaroo pocket holster from Tuff Products for J-frames was just about a perfect fit for the gun, can even stow the spare magazine in the slot intended for a speed strip.  Top of the holster just comes flush with the back of the rear sight.  Holster also fits the pockets in my concealed carry vest, so a win there.

When Gen 1 was first announced, there was supposed to be a whole raft of accessories for the gun.  A lot of vendors still have them listed but out of stock.  Particularly interested in barrels and magazines.  Magazines are probably OOS until Rem makes a run of the revised ones.  About the only thing still in stock anywhere is the trigger guard laser.  Interested in that, too, but it's 2/3rds the cost of the gun.  Grip panels also seem to be missing.  Anyone seen threaded barrels anywhere but custom shops?

Stans,
        Great review. Only thing I can see different is, The only threaded barrels  ever saw were back in 2014 In the shot show.
Blackie
   

[1911SHOOTER]

No Blackie, no CT yet.
If things go right and I have every expectation that they will, the CT and new grips will be along shortly.

I wanted the Smoke/Silver but none could be found at the moment.

Now, I saw something from you on the Ruger ARX ammo.  Are you stil using if?
I just ordered some, due here tomorrow.

I have quite a few water mellons that got frosted the last 2 nites, going to do some comparison, different loads.
ARX vs 115, 100, 95 and 90 grain HPs and soft points.  Different brands, some +p.

Jug

Jug,
     Yes, I am using ARX exclusively in all my carry guns.  I have no problems with it. And, I am using Winchester USA Forged on the range.  I figure
if it is working, don't fix it!
Blackie

[Chokejug]

Thanks Blackie!
I fired a few of the new ARX today along with various other "super light bullet" loads.  ARX type "practice" rounds, 200 of the 250 that I thought were all to be standard ARX, are these, some 90/95 gr Magtech and some DRT composite bullets as well.  Again the
"real" ones and practice rounds.

All blew hell out of "runt", frost bitten watrrmellons, even including the 1500 plus, fps practice ARX ones without the sprial groves!

And all went right through the gun like it had the "green apple two step"!


As to my order of those 50 ARX, that I thought were actually 250 rounds, fool me once, shame on you, twice, shame on me!