Well Robert I think the R51 will fit your why buy requirements except for possibly the trigger. The R51 trigger already has some universal dislikes. Every time I see a gun go through this, ya end up with 2 commonly heard opinions - Love it - Not Love it, not very much in between  :-)

Triggers are one of the areas that really separate us humans from what we like, and dislike about firearms. Reason ya always have to operate the trigger on any firearm before purchasing.

I am very pleased with my R51, but admit trigger improvement would be nice - just like my M&P. I do shoot the R51 very well, and the only thing I have to get tuned to is how much release I have to give before reset. No problem except when I shoot at my fastest. I have done trigger jobs on my guns and am very spoiled consequently. So, the stock R51 gives my trigger finger fits now and then. But I am getting adjusted just fine. Again - this is all very subjective and unique to how the R51 feels in my paws.

Got a call this week from Remington asking how I liked my R51, and if the FFL dealer they shipped it to charged me anything (they would reimburse if they did). I let them know I had no charges, and I like the R51 a lot.

I did ask about dry firing problems during the call due to wa2bop's experience with failed fire pin operation. Dry firing is a very common thing with me, and I don't get how using a snap cap would help, as the cap just keeps the FP tip from penning, but R51 FP tip does not hit anything when it strikes. However, it is possible a FP stop surface that is inside the breach block is hitting something - Just a SWAG here :-) The rep that called had not heard of any dry fire problems, but stated she was not a tech. She suggested I email Remington the question, and she would put the my dry fire question in her call record.

The Remington website now has the R51 on it and states august 12 it will be on shelves.

Hey there wa2bop. Do I understand correctly that we should not dry fire the R51 without a snap cap?.

Glad to hear a brand new breech block is heading your way.

The new R-51 feels in the hand exactly like the original except this one works every time so far. I have about 420 rounds though it, and not a single malfunction - although this is still early testing, and I have no idea how well it gets along with different ammo types yet.

I like to do a disassemble, clean and inspection on new guns after a short shooting. Helps me quickly find high wear points to lube, and improve my confidence in reliability.

Only thing I noted of importance on inspection after my first firing was the two angled surfaces the breech block mates with on the slide were slightly peened. Not unexpected with this type of recoil method. So, buffed them out, and noted as lube point.

One thing that impressed me was the notch on the frame that the breech block slams up against has no dings or noticeable wear yet. On my first R-51 it was very dinged up after about 50 rounds.

Shooting this gun for me is very easy. It fits me well and naturally points which is why I purchased it. Only thing I had to do was change my support had a little as I dropped the mag during recoil once. Not an issues shooting one handed. Did this on the original R-51. I did let one of my students shoot the gun, and he also dropped the mag. After I told him why it happen, he had no problem adjusting, and never dropped again. He also shot well out to 7 yards - first time he ever held an R-51, and a very new handgun shooter. The student also felt pointed well for him. Only complaint he had was the recoil was hard on his hand due to it being very narrow and all metal.

Well I think this is enough info for now. I plan to keep the R-51 in my range bag to ensure it gets at least 25 rounds every range session. If it keeps up performing like it started, I'm gonna get a holster for it, and it will become my little carry buddy :-).

I got my replacement R51 a couple weeks ago. Very nice lady from Remington called me with the good news. I probed her a little for info, and she stated the R51 production line is about up to full speed. She also stated soon as they verify everyone getting a replacement has been contacted they will send product out to retailers.

Hello Everyone,
I'm an R51 owner twice now. Just got my replacement R51 after about 2.5 year wait. I'm a former Marine with a small addiction to handgun shooting :-).