The Insider Column: Is it time for an upgraded Remington Model 51?

A while back I was talking to an engineers from AAC after it had been purchased by Remington/Freedom Group, and he was saying how fun it was to root through Remington’s back rooms. What he really liked was looking at some of Remington’s classic handguns. Among those pistols was the Remington Model 51, Rem’s entry into the “pocket Pistol” market of the early 20th Century.

The Remington Model 51 was produced between 1918 and 1927.

Designed by Remington’s ace designer John Pedersen and available in .32 and .380, the Model 51 competed head-on with the Colt 1903/1908. Cool little gun, but ahead of its time. It bowed out by 1927.

So maybe it’s time for the Model 51, — or it’s upgraded brother — to make a major comeback. How about in 9mm instead of .32 or .380, and with an alloy frame instead of steel? Call it the R51 and give it an MSRP of LESS than $400, make sure it’s available with a CT trigger guard mounted laser, and with Remngton’s juice you’ve got a killer CCW mini-9 with a deep pedigree. Of course, you didn’t hear it from me!