- Location
- B.C. (southern interior)
Nice, how did you fix the charging handle or the better question is what was wrong with it in the first place?
Remington 597 to buy or not to buy?
- Thread starter Max Renegade
- Start date
Nice, how did you fix the charging handle or the better question is what was wrong with it in the first place?
I had one, I got rid of it immediately. 597 is a jam-o-matic POS. I have a 10/22 and it is 5 times as good for twice the price. A timney trigger was the second coming of the messiah. My 10/22 is a 1980 model that is like new condition with about 5,000-7,000 rounds through it & it NEVER jams...
Nuff said...
Nuff said...
I have a 597VTR (the one that looks like an AR) it has worked perfectly for me since new but was a little picky about ammo until I installed a Volquartzen exact edge extractor and now it functions better, it still doesn't work 100% with every type of ammo but it's better.
It's also very accurate.
My only complaints are that it is a pain to strip down for cleaning and that there are no speed loaders available for it.
I just picked up a basic model 10/22 from Cabela's but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. My buddy has a fancy one and it's jams about the same frequency as my 597. Both good guns and just depends which one you want.
10/22 has more aftermarket available though if that's a consideration.
The biggest thing with semi auto 22's I've found is that you have to take the time to try a bunch of different types of ammo then stick with the one that works the best. Too many people buy one and try one brand of cheap crap ammo and then come on here ranting about what a POS the rifle is when they haven't tried anything to remedy the problem.
Good luck with whichever you choose.
It's also very accurate.
My only complaints are that it is a pain to strip down for cleaning and that there are no speed loaders available for it.
I just picked up a basic model 10/22 from Cabela's but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. My buddy has a fancy one and it's jams about the same frequency as my 597. Both good guns and just depends which one you want.
10/22 has more aftermarket available though if that's a consideration.
The biggest thing with semi auto 22's I've found is that you have to take the time to try a bunch of different types of ammo then stick with the one that works the best. Too many people buy one and try one brand of cheap crap ammo and then come on here ranting about what a POS the rifle is when they haven't tried anything to remedy the problem.
Good luck with whichever you choose.
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I bought a used Remington 597 last year. It came with three original PLASTIC (Generation 1) magazines and three 30 round magazines. It has been used all last summer with Federal Bulk on Gophers, and it functions perfectly.
Most of the trouble is Operator caused, as the people who do have trouble generally do not pay attention to the instructions. The biggest cause of jamming is that someone takes the rifle apart and tightens up the two screws that hold the guide rods too much. When this is done, it puts tension on the guide rods, making them "bow" a bit and since they are put under pressure and bent out of line by overtight screws, these rods bind on the bolt and cause it to slow down. Finger tight then back off a 1/4 turn and the rifle works as designed.
The stock is well proportioned and much better than some other .22 stocks. I added a Volquartsen hammer to mine and it reduced the trigger pull amazingly. It is now about 3 pounds or a bit less, and crisp. I also bought a Volquartsen extractor, "just in case" but have not put it in yet, although I did fire off over 4000 rounds of Federal Bulk ammo this year with no problems.
Originally the plastic magazines caused some trouble, but the metal Generation 3 mags seem to have corrected this. Remington offered exchange of the plastic ones for the new ones. Although I tried out the large capacity mags, I do not use them. As in all cases, some of the aftermarket mags are better than others.
The other thing I did was to free float the barrel. This involved a 5/8 long socket and a couple of pieces of sandpaper. It did improve accuracy to free float the barrel, and this was a modification highly recommended by Remington 597 owners on "RimfireCentral." It worked for me.
Would I buy another one? Yes.
.
I bought a used Remington 597 last year. It came with three original PLASTIC (Generation 1) magazines and three 30 round magazines. It has been used all last summer with Federal Bulk on Gophers, and it functions perfectly.
Most of the trouble is Operator caused, as the people who do have trouble generally do not pay attention to the instructions. The biggest cause of jamming is that someone takes the rifle apart and tightens up the two screws that hold the guide rods too much. When this is done, it puts tension on the guide rods, making them "bow" a bit and since they are put under pressure and bent out of line by overtight screws, these rods bind on the bolt and cause it to slow down. Finger tight then back off a 1/4 turn and the rifle works as designed.
The stock is well proportioned and much better than some other .22 stocks. I added a Volquartsen hammer to mine and it reduced the trigger pull amazingly. It is now about 3 pounds or a bit less, and crisp. I also bought a Volquartsen extractor, "just in case" but have not put it in yet, although I did fire off over 4000 rounds of Federal Bulk ammo this year with no problems.
Originally the plastic magazines caused some trouble, but the metal Generation 3 mags seem to have corrected this. Remington offered exchange of the plastic ones for the new ones. Although I tried out the large capacity mags, I do not use them. As in all cases, some of the aftermarket mags are better than others.
The other thing I did was to free float the barrel. This involved a 5/8 long socket and a couple of pieces of sandpaper. It did improve accuracy to free float the barrel, and this was a modification highly recommended by Remington 597 owners on "RimfireCentral." It worked for me.
Would I buy another one? Yes.
.
Hi-Standard
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Newfoundland
Like other fellows have posted, the main problem with jamming is overtorque of the guide rail screws. I have a 597 HB and the first time I dissambled it, I retorqued the screws to Remingtons spec. I noticed immediatly(being a mechanic) that the bolt was binding and the guide rails were the culprit. I back off the set screws to finger tight since the stock would hold the screws in once installed anyway. Have not had a problem. Shortly after that Remington came out with a bulletin discribing the exact same proceedure as I discribed. Other than that there was some problems with the early mags. The improved ones had a number 10 on them with a circle around the 10 I believe. The 597 is one very accurate little rifle and will be around for a long time to come I bet.
Love my VTR. Had zero issues from day one (four and half years ago) probably 10,000 rounds through it now. Last year I put the Volquartson hammer and extractor on it.
I do not like to play Barbie with my guns, hence no need for the 10/22, which is the one advantage over the 597.
I do not like to play Barbie with my guns, hence no need for the 10/22, which is the one advantage over the 597.
Next to my 552 Deluxe Spedmasters these are the best .22 semi's for reliability and accuracy. Yes, I have owned 10-22's and they are fine guns but not for me.
Upgraded both of these with Volquartsen hammer and extractors and zero problems. As stated be mindful of the torque on the guide rods. Old photo showing the Boyds stocks that are still on them but new optics in place. Still use the original laminated stocks as well.
Same upgrades on a 597 magnum and same reliability.
Great guns.
Upgraded both of these with Volquartsen hammer and extractors and zero problems. As stated be mindful of the torque on the guide rods. Old photo showing the Boyds stocks that are still on them but new optics in place. Still use the original laminated stocks as well.
Same upgrades on a 597 magnum and same reliability.
Great guns.
- Location
- B.C. (southern interior)
Next to my 552 Deluxe Spedmasters these are the best .22 semi's for reliability and accuracy. Yes, I have owned 10-22's and they are fine guns but not for me.
Upgraded both of these with Volquartsen hammer and extractors and zero problems. As stated be mindful of the torque on the guide rods. Old photo showing the Boyds stocks that are still on them but new optics in place. Still use the original laminated stocks as well.
Same upgrades on a 597 magnum and same reliability.
Great guns.
Nice!
- Location
- B.C. (southern interior)
I have a 597 AAC SD (1 year old)and it works flawless ,and I love the looks!! Never experienced any jamming issues!! Loves the federal bulk packs!! Even my Remington mags work great, personally don't know why everyone hates on them so much!!
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Nice picture.
You mean Marlin 795. I have been wanting one for months, but I'm waiting to get the stainless version. Out of the box it is more accurate than the 10/22 and cheaper. You can upgrade the trigger with an M-Carbo kit.
- Location
- B.C. (southern interior)
I'm thinking I might pick a 597 up this weekend & take it out for a whirl. 
Do you think I have to fully disassemble it and clean it or would just taking off the stock and loosen the guide rod screws and run a bore snake through it do the trick?
Of course I would fully break it down and clean it when I got home (+ polish the guide rods and bolt assembly)
Do you think I have to fully disassemble it and clean it or would just taking off the stock and loosen the guide rod screws and run a bore snake through it do the trick?Of course I would fully break it down and clean it when I got home (+ polish the guide rods and bolt assembly)
I'm thinking I might pick a 597 up this weekend & take it out for a whirl.
Of course I would fully break it down and clean it when I got home (+ polish the guide rods and bolt assembly)
Run a patch through the bore to clean any oil out.
Other than that take it out and run it and see how it goes. If there are no stovepipe issues with ejection of the shells your good to go. If it needs some tweaking do it after you try it out. Not sure why you want to polish the guide rods and bolt unless a problem requires it.
- Location
- Kitchener,Ontario
I bought a Marlin 795,great firearm right out of the box.Blows a 10/22 away in my opinion.
