Skip to main content

First Look: Remington R51 Sub-Compact Pistol

Remington R51New for 2014, the Remington R51 Sub-Compact pistol was designed as a modern version of Remington's original Model 51. Originally designed in 1915 by John Pedersen, the Model 51 was considered ahead of its time, and soon became one of Gen. George Patton's personal sidearms during WWII.

While designing the new R51 Sub-Compact, Remington aimed to modernize Pedersen's design to work with 9mm Luger and .40 S&W cartridges. They also wanted to maintain the personality, shooting characteristics and size of the original Model 51.

Enter the R51 Sub-Compact — a modern, concealable pistol with the ability to handle +P factory ammunition. The R51 uses a hammer-fired, Pedersen action with a locked breech and fixed 416 stainless steel barrel. It also features drift-adjustable sights and an aluminum frame with 25 lines-per-inch checkering on the front grip strap.

An ambidextrous magazine release allows left- and right-handed shooters to eject the flush-fitting, seven-round magazines — two of which come standard with the pistol.

Additional versions of the R51 Sub-Compact line will include one with a built-in Crimson Trace Laserguard, as well as another model with a threaded barrel for suppressor attachment.

The standard Remington R51 Sub-Compact will be available Feb. 1, 2014 at a price of $389.

The R51 also joins a collection of new offerings from Remington for 2014.

Check out our exclusive photos below, and be sure to read the full review in our upcoming March 2014 issue of Guns & Ammo, available on newsstands Feb. 4, 2014.

Old school meets new school in the Remington R51.
The Remington R51 was designed with a modernized version of the traditional hammer-fired Pedersen action.
An upcoming version of the R51 includes a threaded barrel for suppressor attachment.
G&A editors put several R51s through their paces during testing for the upcoming March 2014 issue.
The 20-degree grip angle and and low-bore axis allow shooters to get a high purchase on the grip.
The R51 feeds from 7-round magazines.
The R51 features a positive grip safety and smooth, rounded edges for comfortable concealment.
Testing revealed the R51 is comfortable and controllable, even when shooting one-handed.
The hammer-fired Pedersen action also features a fixed barrel and locked breech to handle some of the hotter +P ammunition.
Interchangeable grips and a light slide-racking force allows ease of operation among many different operators.
The low bore axis and 20-degree grip angle aids in reduced muzzle flip and lower felt recoil.
A lowered, flared ejection port was designed to improve spent shell case ejection.
Drift-adjustable sights enable operators to adjust the sights to their preference.
Be sure to read the full review in our upcoming March 2014 issue of Guns & Ammo, available on newsstands Feb. 4, 2014.
An additional R51 model includes a Crimson Trace Laserguard.




Current Magazine Cover

Enjoy articles like this?

Subscribe to the magazine.

Get access to everything Guns & Ammo has to offer.
Subscribe to the Magazine

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Continue reading your article with a Guns & Ammo subscription

Get early access to news and reviews and watch full seasons of Guns & Ammo TV on gunsandammo.com. Plus get full access to digital issues on your phone and tablet.

Already a subscriber?

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Rifles

Building The Legend: Gunmaker D'Arcy Echols

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Suppressors

SILENCER CENTRAL - BANISH 9K

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Industry

Guns & Ammo Buzz: The April '25 issue of Guns & Ammo Magazine

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Handguns

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Hamilton Bowen - Revolver Master

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Suppressors

2024 Guns & Ammo Suppressor of the Year Award: Silencer Central Banish Speed K

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Suppressors

Silencer Central Banish 9K

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Shotguns

Dickinson Plantation SxS Shotguns

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Videos - News - 2nd Amendment

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Handguns for those Under 21?

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Other

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Introducing Keith Wood

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Industry

Guns & Ammo Buzz: BEST OF THE 2025 SHOT SHOW

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Handguns

Kimber's New 2K11: A High-Capacity Double-Stack 1911 Pistol

Eric Poole of Guns & Ammo dives into a thorough review of the Kimber CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) in this engaging vid...
Handguns

Kimber CDS9: Best New Concealed Carry 1911 Handgun?

Guns and Ammo Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Guns & Ammo App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use