Just amazing, for the second time in the life of my gun, Remington is silent. The press release tells no return time frame. Just some kind of update would be nice.

This is so demoralizing to me. I wanted an R51 in the worst way as it seems like a near-perfect carry pistol.

I'm thinking about giving up on Remington. A Walther PPK/S or a Sig P232 in 380 will probably end up in my pocket instead.

I sent an email to Remington on Saturday and received their response in this morning's inbox. Below is the copied-n-pasted message from them.

"Remington Support
Service Ticket Response

The release of the R51 will take place as soon as the approval from Engineering is received. We realize that the process of production has been rather lengthy, but Remington is doing their very best to ensure that the new R51's perform to the very best of satisfaction before releasing them. Thank you for your patience and we appreciate your loyalty to Remington.


Thank you,

Customer Services



Thank you and best regards,
Remington Customer Services"

That 1st sentence leads me to believe that the replacements R51s are ready for shipping to us, but waiting for "Engineering" to give the "GO". To me, it could have several scenarios pinned to that statement.
How do you perceive this message from Remington?

Rick 51/ R51 wrote:That 1st sentence leads me to believe that the replacements R51s are ready for shipping to us, but waiting for "Engineering" to give the "GO". To me, it could have several scenarios pinned to that statement.
How do you perceive this message from Remington?

I see this as not a good sign at all. Many assumed (but Remington never specifically stated in their July R51 "update) that the guns would shipped out in October. On the other hand, Remington allowed this perception to persist, and a number of the gun rag writers stated outright stated that the guns would be shipping in Oct. This is huge miss on the part of Remington. They should have never been vague on the October time frame in the first place. Some people took it as a commitment, others (like me) saw it as hedging. (The R51 going back into "production" in October is NOT the same as people getting their guns in Oct) Now they are going to have to another mess to clean up. Had they gotten the guns out by at least the 31st they'd have at least kept their implied word and possibly garnered a small bit of credibility back with owners. It would have also sent a message that they did have the kinks worked out and that owners could have faith that they delivered what the committed to. Now that is out the window.

Personally, I don't see what the hold up would be - other than something that the engineers discovered with the new guns that is HOLDING UP their sign off. Realistically, their "sign off" should have happened weeks ago before new guns were manufactured. Engineering doesn't usually do QC - but I could see (after the events of the first launch) management wanting engineering to look things over - but "sign off?" Things held up (again) indefinitely? I'm thinking that they discovered something and are now hand-checking every gun.

I would agree that it seems to say that they have at least one bacth of pistols ready and are waiting for them to undergo durability/reliability testing.

My latest correspondence with them said to expect my r51 back sometime in November. I had been kinda hoping for late October, or to have a tracking number on the 31st. I consider all of this still up in the air until I hear about somebody getting their gun back.

I just sent another, rather lengthy email to Remington demanding specifics, rather than the generic bull-crap replies they have been sending us. I also asked to be furnished a specific person involved in the R51 program to reply to my email and be our informant and who will keep us updated upon request. I also requested a statement from them to convince us about reasons to stay loyal to Remington. If I'm not satisfied with their next response, I will go to Remington Headquarters and camp out on their doorstep if necessary to get the answers. I have the time!!!

I talked with our Remington rep two days ago. She said she would send me the first available R51 she could get her hands on. She's expecting it in the next week, so I'm thinking closer to two or three weeks. At the very least they seem to be expecting to get them out soon...

It would be nice to think that your rep is correct. However just about a month ago I got an email from Leland Nichols who is the V.P. of the handgun division at Remington. He said"Thanks for your continued interest. No firm release date yet…still working on a couple of enhancements. I will let you know when production resumes." Since this email is quite specific that PRODUCTION hasn't started, I can't imagine how DISTRIBUTION could be ready in a week or two.

Lets face it guys ... this is a lemon all the way. The weapon was built broken and Remington doesn't seem to have an idea how to fix it. All the come on's of free cases and additional mag's may sweeten the pot for the feeble minded, but personally I am just glad I got my money out of this P.O.S.

It could also be possible that they only did one smaller production run so that they could be tested before they waste resources on producing more lemons.

I wouldn't think there would be any distribution time involved in getting us our guns back. Once manufactured, print a shipping label, toss it in a box and have ups pick it up.

I liked my r51 except for the obvious. Vastly better gun than my brother's cpx2.

Well, thank goodness, my Remington R51 ordeal is finally over - the refund check for both R51s was received and deposited. Phew, I'm done.

Finally tally (I started keeping notes after 1st few calls) was:

- 6 months from when ticket was opened
- Greater than 15 calls
- Average hold time to reach representative - >45 minutes
- Average length of conversation - >20
- spoke to 5 different reps

My refund would have NEVER been issued if it had not been for my diligence in keeping on top of it and calling, and calling, and calling. They lost paperwork, failed to call/email after making commitments to do so to follow up, and then shipped the first check they issued to a random address in KY - and I've never, ever even lived close to that state! The bottom line is that had I trusted that all was well and my refund was just working its way through the system, I would have never received anything.

I figure I have greater than 12 hours of unrecoverable life lost to this. I am extremely disgusted with Remington, the main-stream gun media, and a Youtube "expert". I feel we were fleeced and I don't believe there is a single example of anything like this in the last 50 years of firearms manufacturing that comes close to how badly Remington (and the gun media) has screwed this whole situation up.

Due to this:

- I won't be buying a Remington product again - ever...
- I won't be paying for print gun mags any longer
- I won't be watching certain Youtube "experts" for their opinions any longer

Out of interest, I plan to stay engaged to find out how the new production guns perform, otherwise, I'm done. Personally, I expect the R51 platform to fail. I can't see anything coming back from this. Even if Remington nails things 100% on the "do over" - the gun (in my opinion) does not have enough "must have" nature to it that it can be dragged back from the brink. It is simply not cheap enough, small enough, light enough, easy enough to work slide, or anything else enough to compensate for this fiasco, the screwed up company behind it, or the mistrust I think will always be harbored for the gun going forward. I also believe that the gun (despite what ever they might "fix" with it) has an inherent "fatal flaw." I do not believe that the aluminum alloy frame will be able to withstand the long term battering of the breach block. It is really a shame, had the gun lived up to what was "sold" it would have been a really nice carry piece.

I have 3 mags (accidently shipped one back - even through paperwork said not to send them...) that I'm willing to part with for a reasonable sum.

Good luck to all.

445r51 wrote:
I have 3 mags (accidently shipped one back - even through paperwork said not to send them...) that I'm willing to part with for a reasonable sum.

Good luck to all.

How much would you like for them?

Long time reader, first time posting.
I returned my R51 (serial # 00018XX) in early July due to primer flow issues. Overall I liked the pistol but didn’t feel comfortable with the possible overpressure. Three days ago I sent an email to Remington asking the status of my replacement pistol. I received this update yesterday:
The 2nd generation R51 Pistol was expected to release by end of month October. We received notification by the manufacturer there has been a delay on completing necessary testing and inspections of the pistols that have been produced. Currently we do not have an expected release date, we hope to have this information available over the next couple of weeks. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused, it was much to our own surprise as well.
Sincerely,
Customer Support
So it appears some of the new versions have been made, just not ready to release. No idea when.

Ironsides

So is it safe to say that the R51 will be getting moved to the "Discontinued Models"?

pinetreebbs wrote:

Chuckdeuce wrote:

pinetreebbs wrote:Well it's November 1, 2014, anyone receive a replacement R51 yet?

I believe Santa Clause, The Easter Bunny already received theirs along with every honest politician in DC.

Sorry for the sarcasm but this makes my third Remington made possession that is currently out for repair.

Yes, their R51 pistols have unicorn horn grips and magic sparkles finish... At least Remington did eventually send back my afflicted 700.

Oh and on another Freedom Group note. I called to send in my H&R Buffalo Classic to get new barrels fitted only to find out they have discontinued that program now too.

Well, it's a damned shame it has taken this long, all this waiting & misery because of a hungry marketing division. Stinking "Bean Counters"! Worse than that is that my pistol range is giving U.S. Military Veterans and Active Duty members a free day this Tuesday to utilize their 7 VIP lanes. Complimentary range fees, pistol & rifle rental fees, and 10% off ammunition and firearms. I'd like to utilize free range time testing the R51 Gen2 that I'd hoped to have had by now. After about 7500 rounds and many hours upon hours trying to read my first 2 R51s, I'd like to have something in return. I'd be happy with Remington sending me about 5000 rounds of range ammo for reimbursement along with a fully functioning and reliable R51 Gen2. I'm waiting for results of the Gen2 before I decide to sent in my 2nd R51.

5000 rounds... Pretty good joke, huh?

Man. I feel so sorry for all you guys and this issue with the R51...and some of the other items I've read on these posts. I guess that's all I can say, can't offer any help. Good Lord I hope Remington gets all this squared away! They have such a great name and past history.

remingtontoter wrote:Man. I feel so sorry for all you guys and this issue with the R51...and some of the other items I've read on these posts. I guess that's all I can say, can't offer any help. Good Lord I hope Remington gets all this squared away! They have such a great name and past history.

Remington's history and prior reputation is the only thing that's kept me holding on to these R51s. Remington & Winchester has always gone to the field with me on every hunt. Both have been the "One Shot, One Kill" performers that I have come to depends on for 62 years now. If I'm not sure, I don't pull the trigger and I depend on my tools to be as accurate & reliable as my certainty to be "On Target". My #1 rifle is my Pre-64 Winchester Model 88 in .308 WIN. It's the only lever-action with a 3-Lug rotating bolt that I know of and is as accurate as any bolt action chamber. It's Hybrid: Lever operated bolt action. Between the offerings of ammunition in 150, 168, & 180 grain and the multitude of bullet styles, I don't need any other rifle for hunting at 100-500 yds, deer, nilgai, elk, moose, hog, varmint, & turkey in open field, South Texas Brush Country, East Texas Thickets, and other heavily wooded places. My Remington Model 11 "Sportsman" 12 gauge (Browning A-5 action) with Poly-Choke on the end of the recoiling barrel takes care of any airborne game. My High Standard Supermatic .22LR takes care of the rabbits. My other guns are just that... other guns. All American made rifles, shotguns, & pistols built in the name of reliability and accuracy, and Remington is one of them.

If the R51 programs stubs its toe again and fails, so be it. It's just one unlucky project but another unfortunate strike against the Remington name. And, doesn't every major manufacturer have one something that wasn't very successful? Firearms, cars, boats, trucks, airplanes, etc. They're all candidates for a failure here and there but that doesn't make the company a failure. Ok... Yugo & Renault Fuego don't qualify in that statement.

remingtontoter wrote:Man. I feel so sorry for all you guys and this issue with the R51...and some of the other items I've read on these posts. I guess that's all I can say, can't offer any help. Good Lord I hope Remington gets all this squared away! They have such a great name and past history.

Ohh , I miss my baby. I fell for the looks of this model when I first saw it. Then when I held one it seemed to fit my hand and point so naturally, and when I shot it the accuracy was excellent. I want my baby back.

I'm probally the last man standing, maybe for Christmas.


TD

ToneDeath wrote:

remingtontoter wrote:Man. I feel so sorry for all you guys and this issue with the R51...and some of the other items I've read on these posts. I guess that's all I can say, can't offer any help. Good Lord I hope Remington gets all this squared away! They have such a great name and past history.

Ohh , I miss my baby. I fell for the looks of this model when I first saw it. Then when I held one it seemed to fit my hand and point so naturally, and when I shot it the accuracy was excellent. I want my baby back.

I'm probally the last man standing, maybe for Christmas.


TD

I'm right there with you. Not so much committed to Remington but to the style, function, and accuracy of the gun.

I'm there too. My 2 R51s sure fit my hand perfectly and were a dream to shoot... when they shot! I'm getting really anxious to get one back to see if it will qualify for my main carry piece. When I first saw it back in December, I fell in love with its appearance and it matches the outline of my Model 51 in .380 (built in 1919), which is the predecessor of the R51. I think you either love the looks of the R51, or hate it... nothing in between. And, I haven't heard any news of its release date from Remington. It has to happen soon!!!

I'm sure that I'm one of only a handful of people that opted to wait it out, but I did hear some promising news today. I called Remington and they informed me that production has begun on the replacement R-51s. The representative said that I could call back in 2-3 weeks and they could possibly give me a date that I could expect to receive the pistol that I've been waiting on for 16 months. Hopefully they were telling me the truth this time. I've got my fingers crossed that this one won't perform as poorly as the first one did. Mine suffered from the sliding rear sight, FTEs, and it would drop the mag every couple of shots. First time poster here, and it's nice to have some potentially good news to report.

Great News.