I have been excited about the R51 since it was first introduced a few years ago. I nearly bought one when they first came out but held off because of some of the negative reports I was hearing about the gun. I watched with eager apprehension as the gun was redesigned and re-released to the public last year. I have read every article about the Gen 2 version of the R51 and watched every YouTube video available. Now that Remington has a $35 rebate for the gun through next month, I am giving serious consideration to purchasing one at this time. My question is, is the R51 ready for prime time? I still hear of several issues with some guns, but is there any reason to believe there will be a Gen 3 version of the handgun in the foreseeable future? Should I take the plunge now and take advantage of the rebate, or hold off a while to see how things develop? Thanks for any input you can give me.

Have you read what is available here?
http://r51pistol.com/index.php

Thanks for that link. Good stuff in there.

From what I've read about them, it's been fixed to the point of finicky but can run good so there won't be a gen3. the first batch were quite bad from what I hear...I mean how often does a firearm company buy back an entire model line?

My $.02 is if you want a dead-nuts reliable, runs on anything for 5k rounds without cleaning out of the box gun: keep looking. If you don't mind maybe a slight tweak of the gun and not being able to run any ammo under the sun (and can put up with the mockery/skeptical looks for having it) go for it. (I'll give you the short version though: it likes hot ammo.)

Also, if you can, borrow or rent one and try it out. the slide does bite large hands.

I purchased gen 2 and my gun is not reliable enough for carry. It went back to the factory with issues. Received it back and it's better but not enough reliability for carry. Nose diving is a problem and its hesitation block under ramp is partially the problem. Gun design issues and I would wait and should have.
I have 1200 rounds through my gun and only shoot it on the range. I have a Kel Tec PF9, which is reliable for carry, that should tell you something right there. Give it more time and see what happens, I should have.

I never got the first gen though I was tempted, but in August of last year 2016) when the GEN 2 came out, I purchased one. Without any problems whatsoever, and for 2 trips to the range I put a little more than 450 rounds of 124 grain ammo. The gun was damned accurate! It was very comfortable to shoot, and then it happened. The R 51 jammed. It felt as though something was broken inside the pistol. I took it to the LGS, where the gunsmith looked at it I was made to send it to Remington. In late October Remington advised that it could not be fixed so they sent me a new one. In November I took her to the range and for every shot I fired, the trigger would not reset without my having to half rack the slide. I sent it back to Remington and in January they sent me a new one. It seems now that the third time's a charm. With more than 500 rounds of 124 grain gecko I have had no problems whatsoever. On every trip to the range since January, I take it with me and drive an extra 150 rounds through it with no problem whatsoever not even the "nosedive" issues talked about. You're right cocjo I don't trust it for every day carry, yet take it to the gun range in order to see that it is still working as it should.