After a very frustrating first session with my new 597 VTR I went back out to the range to try it again after some modifications and adjustments. Out of the box I basically had a single shot. The empties hung up consistently. The gun was accurate, no question, it just didn't function properly.
Thanks Satain for the heads up on the guide rod adjustments. I also installed a new ejector from Brownells as well as a Volquartsen target hammer. The hammer wasn't really part of the problem but the new one has made for a nicer trigger.
I headed out to the range with great expectations. It was -11 and strangely I had the place to myself. I loaded the VTR up and fired the first round. Empty was strongly and positively ejected out into the snow. Yay! Go to pull the trigger and it has not reset. Boo! Now what? I was very careful about installing the hammer and ejector. Tried loading and ejecting some rounds before going to the range. Trigger pull was much improved. Not enough tension on the guide rod screws?? Aarrgh! I also remembered a session at the range with a 10/22 that didn't like to reset when it got too cold. I went through 5 mags and the problem was the same. Fire one, eject the next round by hand, fire the third.
Just as I was about to give up and head home to try and figure out what was wrong I fired one more mag. Ha! I got two in a row no problem. Clear round number three and shoot 4, 5, 6,7, ....10 no problem! Load another mag and all ten worked flawlessly. Load another mag- same thing. It is now working like it should. At the moment I am very happy with the gun. Just awaiting some non factory 25 rounders.
Some thoughts on the 597: I have some center fire shotguns and rifles made by Remington. They are well made and accurate. Based on that experience I thought the 597 would be the same. I like the AR platform and wanted a .22 I could shoot that wasn't restricted. I would prefer the new Ruger .22 but didn't want to wait. So I got the 597 VTR. You can say what you want about Rugers but they are made so much better than the Remington 597. Taking the VTR apart is very time consuming. 12 screws just to take off the cover plates. Then you have to remove the grip (make sure you have a really long hex head for this one), then two more screws. Then two screws for the guide rods and springs. Many of the parts are rough with lots of burrs. Watch out for the bolt hold open parts as they will fall out and that little spring can be hard to find if you aren't watching for it. Rugers on the other hand: 1 screw to separate the stock and action. Two pins for the trigger assembly. Remove recoil spring and bolt and you are basically stripped down.
Will I keep the VTR? Yes, now that it is working it is fun to shoot and accurate. There are more and more mods showing up for it so that has potential. It just seems strange that a respected firearms manufacturer couldn't have done a better job. It is the first rimfire that I have bought that required alterations right out of the box just to make it work.
Thanks Satain for the heads up on the guide rod adjustments. I also installed a new ejector from Brownells as well as a Volquartsen target hammer. The hammer wasn't really part of the problem but the new one has made for a nicer trigger.
I headed out to the range with great expectations. It was -11 and strangely I had the place to myself. I loaded the VTR up and fired the first round. Empty was strongly and positively ejected out into the snow. Yay! Go to pull the trigger and it has not reset. Boo! Now what? I was very careful about installing the hammer and ejector. Tried loading and ejecting some rounds before going to the range. Trigger pull was much improved. Not enough tension on the guide rod screws?? Aarrgh! I also remembered a session at the range with a 10/22 that didn't like to reset when it got too cold. I went through 5 mags and the problem was the same. Fire one, eject the next round by hand, fire the third.
Just as I was about to give up and head home to try and figure out what was wrong I fired one more mag. Ha! I got two in a row no problem. Clear round number three and shoot 4, 5, 6,7, ....10 no problem! Load another mag and all ten worked flawlessly. Load another mag- same thing. It is now working like it should. At the moment I am very happy with the gun. Just awaiting some non factory 25 rounders.
Some thoughts on the 597: I have some center fire shotguns and rifles made by Remington. They are well made and accurate. Based on that experience I thought the 597 would be the same. I like the AR platform and wanted a .22 I could shoot that wasn't restricted. I would prefer the new Ruger .22 but didn't want to wait. So I got the 597 VTR. You can say what you want about Rugers but they are made so much better than the Remington 597. Taking the VTR apart is very time consuming. 12 screws just to take off the cover plates. Then you have to remove the grip (make sure you have a really long hex head for this one), then two more screws. Then two screws for the guide rods and springs. Many of the parts are rough with lots of burrs. Watch out for the bolt hold open parts as they will fall out and that little spring can be hard to find if you aren't watching for it. Rugers on the other hand: 1 screw to separate the stock and action. Two pins for the trigger assembly. Remove recoil spring and bolt and you are basically stripped down.
Will I keep the VTR? Yes, now that it is working it is fun to shoot and accurate. There are more and more mods showing up for it so that has potential. It just seems strange that a respected firearms manufacturer couldn't have done a better job. It is the first rimfire that I have bought that required alterations right out of the box just to make it work.
