Remington Model 51 .380 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol (1919 Production)
This 1919-dated Remington Model 51 is an early-production example of John Pedersen’s innovative hesitation-lock design. Slim at just 0.9 inches wide and weighing about 21 ounces, it delivers an ergonomic profile that was ahead of its time. Collectors value the Model 51 for its limited 65,000-gun run (1918–1926) and its distinctive mechanical system, and this compact .380 ACP retains the polished blued finish, checkered hard-rubber grips, and dual safety system that define the model.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good – Shows some signs of prior use and handling with light finish loss on high edges and minor handling marks.
Bore Condition: Excellent – Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent – Sharp lands and grooves.
What’s Included
- Remington Model 51 .380 ACP pistol
- One factory 7-round Remington steel magazine (floorplate stamped '.380 CAL')
Designed around Pedersen’s hesitation-lock delayed-blowback system, the Model 51 offers notably soft recoil for its size and caliber. The internal hammer and smooth single-action trigger contribute to a clean break and short reset.
This example falls within the early PA-prefix serial range, placing it squarely in the first full year of commercial production. The polished blued slide carries rear cocking serrations and longitudinal anti-glare serrations along the top, matching the blued carbon-steel frame.
Controls are classic Model 51: a grip safety that must be depressed for firing, a left-side manual thumb safety, and a heel-type magazine release that secures the steel detachable magazine. Fixed iron sights—blade front and integral rear notch—provide a low-profile sight picture suited to the pistol’s streamlined form.
Original checkered hard-rubber grips display the Remington UMC medallions, adding period-correct authenticity. The fixed carbon-steel barrel is 3.25 inches long, and the entire package maintains the slim, lightweight characteristics that made the Model 51 a standout carry gun of its era.