Remington R-51 Pistol Forum

General Category => R51 General Discussion => Topic started by: paul7177 on May 14, 2017, 07:01:29 AM

Title: Feeding Problems
Post by: paul7177 on May 14, 2017, 07:01:29 AM
It has been quiet about feeding problems, rounds nosediving in magazine, etc. Does this mean that nobody is seeing problems currently?
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: Thom9mil on May 14, 2017, 11:37:53 AM
I've been enjoying faultless operation. :)
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: plunkster on May 14, 2017, 08:40:08 PM
I'm on about 450 rounds with nary a bobble now - with a variety of ammo. Seems to like IMI ammo, btw.

Pat
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: 1911SHOOTER on May 14, 2017, 09:32:34 PM
Quote from: paul7177 on May 14, 2017, 07:01:29 AM
It has been quiet about feeding problems, rounds nosediving in magazine, etc. Does this mean that nobody is seeing problems currently?

No news is good news.  My R51 is running like a Singer Sewing machine.   Or for you youngsters out there, like a '57 Chevy!
Blackie
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: JohnnieHostile on June 04, 2017, 02:06:14 PM
I have had the nosediving in mag, especially with plus p ammo. I noticed the stuff I ordered (speer lawman 147 grain hp, and rattlesnake 124 ball, good deal online🙂) is slightly longer (1mm aprox) than 115 grn.
This was before shortening the followers on 2 mags, have one that is still stock.
Will find out Tuesday at range if follower shortening and rounding off, shortening follower stopis issue.
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: DUTCH Van Atlanta on June 26, 2017, 04:30:16 PM
Quote from: JohnnieHostile on June 04, 2017, 02:06:14 PM
This was before shortening the followers on 2 mags, have one that is still stock.
Will find out Tuesday at range if follower shortening and rounding off, shortening follower stopis issue.

Could you provide specifics or a link on how to do this?  TIA
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: 1911SHOOTER on June 26, 2017, 09:42:19 PM
Quote from: DUTCH Van Atlanta on June 26, 2017, 04:30:16 PM
Quote from: JohnnieHostile on June 04, 2017, 02:06:14 PM
This was before shortening the followers on 2 mags, have one that is still stock.
Will find out Tuesday at range if follower shortening and rounding off, shortening follower stopis issue.

Could you provide specifics or a link on how to do this?  TIA

Dutch,
     Remove the follower from the magazine.  You will see four "legs" on the bottom of the follower.   Shorten each one equally by 3/16 inch.
no more, no less. I used my Dremel cutting wheel for this. 
When you remove the spring from the mag, be sure it goes back in the same way. 

If you need help holding the barrel to field strip the R51, here is what I use to hold the barrel, with "U-Tube"  instructions.  Hope it helps.
Blackie

     https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXOA0EA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5bycStOxFo
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: 1911SHOOTER on June 26, 2017, 09:44:30 PM
Quote from: paul7177 on May 14, 2017, 07:01:29 AM
It has been quiet about feeding problems, rounds nosediving in magazine, etc. Does this mean that nobody is seeing problems currently?

Paul,
I think most of the guys who have had their R51s for a while have ironed out the problems.  If you have a problem,
start a new string, and tell us what the problem is.
Blackie
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: DUTCH Van Atlanta on June 27, 2017, 05:44:41 AM
@1911SHOOTER  Thanks for the detailed description.  Looks like the result is less spring pressure on the rounds. 

I only had one nosedive out of a hundred or so, and it was Wolf steel cased ammo - the top one in a 7 round load.  I did, however, notice that the top hollow point in a 7 round load acted like it partially hung on its way out of the mag.  Less spring pressure on the rounds would certainly ease those problems.  I'll give it a try.

Thanks again.

DUTCH
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: DUTCH Van Atlanta on June 30, 2017, 06:58:35 PM
Quote from: 1911SHOOTER on June 26, 2017, 09:42:19 PM
Dutch,
     Remove the follower from the magazine.  You will see four "legs" on the bottom of the follower.   Shorten each one equally by 3/16 inch.
no more, no less. I used my Dremel cutting wheel for this.

I wonder if they have changed things in the mag.  My follower does not have four legs on the bottom.  It has two square U-shaped extensions on the bottom - one at the front and one at the rear.  I guess I should shorten each of these two extensions by 3/16".  Correct?

I can take a photo, if it will help my description.
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: plunkster on June 30, 2017, 08:47:48 PM
Well, after over 500 rounds now, I had a malfunction today  :'(

Last round in one of the mags "stovepiped" with a live round... I still love it, though!

Pat
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: 1911SHOOTER on June 30, 2017, 08:58:25 PM
Quote from: DUTCH Van Atlanta on June 30, 2017, 06:58:35 PM
Quote from: 1911SHOOTER on June 26, 2017, 09:42:19 PM
Dutch,
     Remove the follower from the magazine.  You will see four "legs" on the bottom of the follower.   Shorten each one equally by 3/16 inch.
no more, no less. I used my Dremel cutting wheel for this.

I wonder if they have changed things in the mag.  My follower does not have four legs on the bottom.  It has two square U-shaped extensions on the bottom - one at the front and one at the rear.  I guess I should shorten each of these two extensions by 3/16".  Correct?

I can take a photo, if it will help my description.



Dutch,
     You are right, I was going by memory, and that is a no-no to start with.  do like you said.   sorry 'bout that.
Blackie
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: DUTCH Van Atlanta on July 01, 2017, 06:04:52 AM
Quote from: 1911SHOOTER on June 30, 2017, 08:58:25 PM
Dutch,
     You are right, I was going by memory, and that is a no-no to start with.  do like you said.   sorry 'bout that.
Blackie

Thanks.  I can identify with the going by memory deal.  CRS Disease is advancing in me faster than I would like.  Thanks again!
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: SCurmudgeon on July 05, 2017, 09:23:06 AM
My first range session was frustrating, with the main problem being the slide sticking open and not returning to battery without a little nudge.  I suspected the cause was the Winchester White Box 115 gr ammo, so in preparation for my next session, I purchased one box of everything I could find (no hollow points as yet).

I cleaned the pistol and greased the rails and Pedersen block and my sticky slide problem went away.  Well, there was one shot early in the session where the slide hung up for a second or two, but then snapped into battery on its own.  Everything was fine afterwards; even with WWB 115 gr ammo.  In fact it soon became apparent that it was going to shoot everything I fed it.

Over the next 200 rounds I had a couple of stove pipes and three or four FTFs, where once it was obvious the nose of the bullet got caught on the front of the mag.

There was one issue that bothers me.  On my first attempt to run 7+1, the magazine popped out after the first shot.  Every bad review I've ever read about the R51 came flooding back into my brain.  However, I was not able to reproduce the problem on the next 10 attempts.  Operator error?  Maybe.  I don't know.
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: Tucker on August 03, 2017, 11:29:22 PM
Got mine back from Remington, returned for a stuck slide and low POI. Got it back after too long. 

Started with no problems, but now I am getting nosedives on the 2nd round in the magazine. Never had this prior to repair.  Happens w/115 g FMJ as well as my HP defense AMMO.

POI did not change.  >:( >:( >:(

I don't feel safe using this as a carry weapon anymore.

I LOVED this gun. I could get fast, accurate groups.  Cool design, low muzzle & easy recoil. Makes me sad that it may wind up sitting in the safe.

I'll try the magazine tweaks and polishing, hoping it will help, but I've bought a CZ75 compact to carry now.  Chubby and not as stylish, but it just works.
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: lklawson on August 04, 2017, 08:45:09 AM
Quote from: Tucker on August 03, 2017, 11:29:22 PM
Got mine back from Remington, returned for a stuck slide and low POI. Got it back after too long. 

[...]

POI did not change.  >:( >:( >:(
Every R51 I've seen/asked about has sights set at Military Center Hold/Combat Center Hold, which is considered a "self defense/combat" sight setting.

(http://www.hipointfirearmsforums.com/images/3/7/4/0/2/sight-picture-511.png)

Most of us learned on Target sighted sights (aka: "6 o'clock hold").

I found out the hard way that Remington likes to use the Combat Center Hold on their 1911R1 pistols too.  I actually gave my R1 to my gunsmith to "fix."  He shot it and came back & explained to me that it's not that the sights were off, I was just sighting it wrong.

If you don't like the Center Hold sight setting, you could probably get a lower replacement sight somewhere or just file down the sight yourself.  Personally, I found that it worked better for me to just train my shooting to the sight.

It's interesting that you mention your CZ.  I have a CZ52 that I love.  For a while it was one of my preferred CC guns. It also has a Center Hold configuration.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: Zenshot on August 04, 2017, 07:56:42 PM
Quote from: SCurmudgeon on July 05, 2017, 09:23:06 AM


There was one issue that bothers me.  On my first attempt to run 7+1, the magazine popped out after the first shot.  Every bad review I've ever read about the R51 came flooding back into my brain.  However, I was not able to reproduce the problem on the next 10 attempts.  Operator error?  Maybe.  I don't know.

Maybe you did not fully seat the mag when you inserted it.  I did this and learned that it takes a firm shove to seat the mags.
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: Zenshot on August 04, 2017, 08:05:15 PM
Quote from: Tucker on August 03, 2017, 11:29:22 PM
Got mine back from Remington, returned for a stuck slide and low POI. Got it back after too long. 

Started with no problems, but now I am getting nosedives on the 2nd round in the magazine. Never had this prior to repair.  Happens w/115 g FMJ as well as my HP defense AMMO.

POI did not change.  >:( >:( >:(

I don't feel safe using this as a carry weapon anymore.

I LOVED this gun. I could get fast, accurate groups.  Cool design, low muzzle & easy recoil. Makes me sad that it may wind up sitting in the safe.

I'll try the magazine tweaks and polishing, hoping it will help, but I've bought a CZ75 compact to carry now.  Chubby and not as stylish, but it just works.
Can Remington send you a couple of new mags? Seems like it would be an easy fix for Remington
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: Tucker on August 07, 2017, 01:05:47 AM
It took two months to get the slide replaced. I don't know if I have the patience to deal with them again.  I may ask about replacement mags, but will not return the gun to them.  In the mean time, I started deburring the front edge. This could make a big difference, as the front edge was sharp enough to scrape off fingernail shavings.  Dremel and 600 grit wet & dry sandpaper made it feel better.  I'll head to the range next weekend and try them.


Down one mag as it got away from me and launched the baseplate lock to God knows where in my workshop.  :-\. Damn springs! At least it didn't hit me in the eye (safety glasses are great)
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: lklawson on August 07, 2017, 08:42:36 AM
Quote from: Tucker on August 07, 2017, 01:05:47 AMDown one mag as it got away from me and launched the baseplate lock to God knows where in my workshop.  :-\. Damn springs! At least it didn't hit me in the eye (safety glasses are great)
That mag is now nothing more than spare parts.  Remington will NOT sell or send you a replacement baseplate.  I lost a baseplate also and contacted Rem about purchasing a replacement.  They politely told me to go buy a new mag.  :(

I can't really blame them, I guess, but I can usually buy magazine parts for other guns so I was disappointed that Rem wouldn't sell me the part.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: SCurmudgeon on August 07, 2017, 12:22:42 PM
Quote from: Tucker on August 03, 2017, 11:29:22 PM
I've bought a CZ75 compact to carry now.  Chubby and not as stylish, but it just works.

I love shooting the CZ75.  It might not be as sexy as an R51, but has a classic style of its own.  Unfortunately the CZ75 grip is a bit too wide and slide release and trigger reach a tad bit long to be ideally suited to me.
Title: Re: Feeding Problems
Post by: DUTCH Van Atlanta on August 07, 2017, 05:43:01 PM
Quote from: Tucker on August 03, 2017, 11:29:22 PM

I'll try the magazine tweaks and polishing, hoping it will help, but I've bought a CZ75 compact to carry now.  Chubby and not as stylish, but it just works.

I have a CZ75 SP-01 Tactical.  It is definitely not a CC pistol, but it is highly accurate and a pleasure to shoot.

For CC, I have a CZ83 .380.  It, too, is amazingly accurate and a pleasure to shoot.  With Buffalo Bore +P ammo it has a pretty good and satisfactory hard hit.  Both of these pistols "just work", as quoted above.

I will almost certainly be selling my R51CT.