A busy gunshop & range I visit here in SE Pa., has 3 new R51's in their showcase. I believe they shunned them once problems arose, but now that there is a huge demand for guns of all types, they magically appeared. I believe the R51 is kind of a "gun nut" product, which is why this site has been so helpful. I like mine, but a new gun owner might be put off by the quirks inherent in the R51.
I too just saw a new one in the case at my LGS/range with $469 price tag :o
The R51's I saw were/are Charlottes! ($349.95) I'll bet they were sitting unsold somewhere, and they saw the chance to move the out in the current buying frenzy.