Just how good is the Rem 597?

Empir3

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I just picked up a used 597 for my first rimfire rifle, and I am curious about it capabilities. I have read all about how unreliable and inconsistent they are and how they FTE all the time.... Mine seems to work quite well!! No FTE, FTF, stovepipes, not a single issue in the 600 rounds of mixed "cheap" .22 I put through it on Sunday.

So now I wanna tune it up a little bit :) I have read that the "target hammer" and extractor are excellent upgrades, but do I really need the extractor if I have no FTE issues? and just how much nicer does the target hammer make the trigger pull?

I am looking to put a slightly better scope then the tasco 3-9x40 on it right now, something with an adjustable objective, I am looinkg at a Bushnell Banner 4-12x40 w/AO. Any thoughts on this scope? is it too much scope for this gun?

Basically I would like your opinions on just how well this gun will perform with the stock barrel and if it's worth putting a decent scope and the hammer and extractor mods into it.

I would appreciate any positive input, please lets not turn this into a 10/22 thread or a how bad your 597 is thread :)

Thanks in advance

Cheers,

Derek
 
i got 2 of them and im not complaining. I think there are some problems with them but for the price, there not to bad. I know there is some feed problems and my one has that problem but the other one is fine. And it only doesnt feed on the 30rnd mags but the 10 rnd mags it does fine.
 
A few more things to know....
1) The receiver pins(Allan screws) at the back do not need to be tightened alot..just snug...This keeps the guide rods from "binding" up which causes the bolt to be a little rough..
2) Polish the guide rods, underside of bolt, Face of bolt, area where hammer "rubs" off of the bolt, polish the butt/contact part of the hammer where it strikes the firing pin, And polish the Sear (where is catches the hammer)..(Trigger assembly can be tricky to get back together)
3) After I did this, my trigger pull is fine...I do not have a "better/aftermarket" extractor or hammer...But after polishing, the difference is noticable...At least in my rifle. on slight dry firing anyway...Mine is still unfired...lol..I did a few tweaks when I got it new...and never did shoot it yet...:redface:
4) Stock barrel is fine, some say actually more accurate than their heavy barrel 597 brothers. I have a 3-9x32 on my current, another base model 597 I had before this wore a 4-12x40 and never had an issue. Very accurate...

Anywho...thats all I got...lol hope that helped a little.
 
I am looking to put a slightly better scope then the tasco 3-9x40 on it right now, something with an adjustable objective, I am looinkg at a Bushnell Banner 4-12x40 w/AO. Any thoughts on this scope? is it too much scope for this gun?

I'm using Bushnell Banner 4-12X x 40 AO on my CZ 452s and my comment is that Point of Impact changes laterally I adjust the objective focus, say from 25 m. to 100 m.
 
Very helpful posts guys, I will set out on a polishing mission when I get some spare this this long weekend. Will a dremmel with polishing wheels and just metal polish work, or is there some sanding @ fine grits involved as well? I've never polished any internals before >.<

Easyrider, how much is the POI changing? Is this a common issue with the Banner series of scope or might you have unfortunately gotten a lemon =( Can anyone else weigh in on the Bushy Banner scopes?

Cheers,

Derek
 
Easyrider, how much is the POI changing? Is this a common issue with the Banner series of scope or might you have unfortunately gotten a lemon =Can anyone else weigh in on the Bushy Banner scopes?
Cheers,
Derek

Can't discount the lemon factor, but I have two of the same Banners, (on CZ452 Varmint and Style) that exhibit the same POI shift. I'd say my 25 meter groups would move one to two inches at 100 meters, when I adjust the AO. I'm sure the elevation moves as well but that is hard to determine given the bullet trajectory. The Banner series is not a premium Bushnell of course, so they are probably building to a price point instead of all-out quality.

Please note that I kept the magnification constant at 12X and wind was calm too. Ammo is bulk Winchester Dynapoint or Xpert high vel.

Actually, I just ordered a cheap 3-9X x 32 rimfire Bushnell without AO, to see if this POI shift appears when magnification is varied from 3 to 9X.
 
Once I changed out the extractor on my 597, it has been flawless as long as I use the standard mags, the Hicap binds up on me. The GF's if a HB 597 and runs flawlessly, and lucky her, the Hicap mags runs fine in her gun. All in all, I think they are fine rifles. I love how simple the design is and hope to see it shake it's shoddy old rep.

Ohh, and the Target hammer makes for a MUCH nicer trigger pull, not perfect, but still miles ahead of most rimfire triggers these days.
 
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