Thanks for your very useful report!
I totally agree:  ".... the return spring was more powerful than I had thought. In Remington's video, the presenter had no trouble compressing the spring and keeping it compressed. I found it was harder to do than it looked..."  I'd say much harder.

Well, this makes me feel better; I feared it might be a defective pistol or that my strength failing since this young frail female did it with apparent ease.

Agreed: very accurate (for me), seems like NO recoil, stays on target, & ergonomics are excellent.   

For OWB carry, can anyone recommend the Galco Stinger?   I'm shopping.  Thx

Thanks for all the great info.  I agree with "other": overhand medium, sling shot heavy.  So... I'm not alone.
Iklawson's comments are very interesting; I'll try them.  Thanks all.

I vote "heavy".  Mine is very difficult compared to other 'semi-autos' I have.

The R-51 is promoted as having a "light" slide action pull.
Is this your experience?  Please rate the slide action pull as: Light, Medium, or Heavy. 

Slide: video shows lady chambering with one finger.
My new gen 2 R51 takes an 800 pound gorilla.  It no way can be done nearly as easy as the video. Also same for thumb release. Very tough.  I am assured that my new R51 purchase AFTER Aug12 (by a couple of days) is the new one, but
it is stamped Charlotte on the frame.  Anyone else with this situation?