Wishlist for the 2014 Shot Show

[alfsauve]

So Kevin,  Re:  R51

Remember when you were lamenting about how there had been no "new" innovations in semi-autos for many years?

Even if this is an "old" design, do you consider it be an innovation in semi-autos worthy of marking on the gun evolution chart?

What do you consider was the last real innovation?  The Sig P250?

[ExurbanKevin]

Yep. It's the most innovative gun (IMO) since the M+P introducing interchangeable backstraps, maybe since the Glock came out.

• There hasn't been a gun with this kind of action since the 20's. Just like Glock reached back into the past for the striker-fired action, Remington did the same with the R51.
• The way it looks. The 1911 has defined the look of the semi-auto, and even though people trash the looks of Glocks, the fact is BOTH guns were designed around right angles and straight lines. The R51 is first gun in a long time to be designed with curves and swoops, and I love it.
• It's no one-trick pony. The original 51 was built in everything from .32 to .45, so Remington has a lot of room to grow with this one.

But then again, I think they original Whitney Wolverine is one of the best-looking guns of all time.

[alfsauve]

Not knowing a lot about the original, But my impression is that this rates a marker on the semi-auto timeline.

I do think though the previous marker would be the p250 with its unique metal frame.

Wasn't the p99 the first modern interchangeable backstrap?

[ExurbanKevin]

Wasn't the p99 the first modern interchangeable backstrap?

Could be. There was a few years there I wasn't paying attention. I was more concerned with shooting (clickclick) than I was shooting (bangbang).

[kmitch200]

Re: Remington 51 - - looks like an ugly version of the 1908 Colt Pocket pistol.

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

But then again, I think they original Whitney Wolverine is one of the best-looking guns of all time.

I too like the Wolverine and along the same sleek look the Beretta Neos.  Would have bought the Neos but like the feel and functionality of the Buckmark better.

The R51 also has the sleet, jet-set look.

[ExurbanKevin]

What's fascinating to me (as a weasel-y marketing type) is the reaction in the gunblog world to the R51 and the G42. The R51 is pretty much "oooh, shiny!", and the G42 has been "Yeah, but why not make it 9mm?"

The fact is, the target market for the G42 isn't gun bloggers or gun forums or 99% of firearms media. We know how to shoot, and the G42 is a great defensive firearm for people who don't like guns. It's going to sell, and sell quite a lot, it's just not going to sell to people who read or write gun blogs.

With the R51, we're seeing an entry into a market that we thought was saturated totally re-invigorate that market. Everyone and their dog has made a mini 9mm over the past few years, but despite that, the R51 is making an impact on people because of price point and design. I'm really curious to see if/how it's new/old design improves muzzle flip and felt recoil, and it has a design that appeals to the style-conscious.

Glock followed the conventional wisdom with the G42. Remington did not, and they just may have a something that will change the game like the LCP did for Ruger.

[MikeBjerum]

I would like to hear a company state that rather than rolling out a whole new line with all the bells, whistles, and neon flashing lights that they will be coming out with one well thought out and proven firearm for the year.

The MBA's have taken over the firearm business.  Remember when William Ruger said, and I paraphrase, we don't need focus groups.  We are gun people and if we don't know what gun people want we shouldn't be here.

The fast paced marketing to the ever expanding firearms market has turned us into just another commodity.  Not bad on one hand, but it also carries some negatives.

The automotive industry knows that their sales are tied to model design.  Rolling out a new model triggers sales, and new sales triggers used sales, and the service departments remain busy.  The electronics industry knows that new and improved sells, and they do not roll out something new until the next new item is already ready to product - Planned obsolesence!  I see the firearms industry moving this direction to maximize interest and sales, and sometimes this is done at the cost of quality - XDM anybody (Ruger, S&W, and others have suffered as well, but I chose to pick on Springfield because that overgrown Kindergartner Robbie can take it).