Remington 597 to buy or not to buy?

Max Renegade

Max Renegade

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Ok...

We are looking to buy our first .22LR now obviously the fan favorite is the Ruger 10/22 however availability is somewhat sparse and i am not exactly overly good at waiting. So i have set my sights on the Remington 597 it looks comparable in accuracy, dimensions & weight. I do like the fact that the bolt stays open on empty and that the sights are adjustable for height and windage with a screwdriver/hex key.

Understanding that the Ruger 10/22 has the proven track record, i am looking for opinions on the Remington 597. Does any one have any experience with the 597 good or bad. I am not to interested in accuracy (sure it would be more accurate than i), i am mostly concerned about reliability.

If we go with the 597 its going to get all dressed with a promag archangel stock, that said the mossberg tactical flat flat top is a fall back if the 597 turns sour.


(first post :redface: be gentle)
 
597 is great for the money! I have one in orange camo (that's right, I said orange camo!). The jamming that people talk about is usually because the 2 rails are adjusted too tight with the set screws on the back and is a minor problem that can be remedied easily. My 597 shoots straight right out of the box and is probably the best bang for the buck I ever got. The price is right for sure but it is just a simple semi, no frills. Good gun to dress up if that's what you want to do with it. Slap a cheap rim fire scope on it and you won't be sorry.
My 2 cents!
 
Mine shoots surprisingly well out to 100yds (no wind). They're picky about ammo, but CCI Blazers and Mini Mags work well. You have to 'break them in' for accuracy I've found. Not as many aftermarket features as 10/22s, but still plenty.
 
If the BUllpup laws was gone, I'd buy a 597 in a heartbeat!!!!
Has anyone checked out Center Balanced rifle systems?
Wish I could have one!!!!!!
 
When I first bought my 597 a few years ago, accessories were hard to come by, which was really the only reason to avoid a 597... and that was only if you were seeking to mod out a rifle. Now that hi cap mags, stocks, barrels, and others bits are more available, I would go with a 597 again. I have had no issues with jamming at all, and the rifle is accurate right out of the box. Put a $50 4x32 scope on it, and you are good to go.

Buy one and don't look back.
 
Camster,

What year did you get yours, though it may be misguided but i like to think that manufactures improve the products and eliminate their issues year after year.

So if yours is on the newer side perhaps there is something to my theory... i too have read about jamming as well as self destructing extractors.
 
Acquired mine used about 2 years ago. It's "staged" at a buddies currently, or I'd cross ref. serial for date of manufacture. Never experienced any issues with the extractor, nor binding by the 2x guide rods...I really like the heavy bolt/2x guide rod system. Makes for a very silky operation.

Honestly though, they are an abundant rifle. Ask your buddies or range acquaintances to take theirs for a test drive. It's one of my fullest figured .22's, and I like that a lot. The only change I've made to it was the addition of the Weaver base....I had lots of rings and the base was only 12 bucks (cheaper than new rimfire rings). I have a 3-9 Hawke endurance on it.

I adored my 64's for years, but they actually cost more new than the Marlin 795 or Remmy597...
 
Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I've never been keen on the looks of those rifles. I know you didn't ask, but it IS the main reason I've never considered one. Stories of 597s jamming are well documented, to that's a double dose of "no thanks" for me. Having said that, as with any popular rifle, there is allot of information on diagnosing/trouble-shooting these guns online and I don't seem to hear/read as many negative stories about them as I once did. Given the choice between a 597 or a 10/22...and boy do I hate saying this :) ...I'd take a 10/22. Instead of EITHER one, I picked a Marlin 795 once I got rid of the 10/22 I had. Not an ounce of regret.

All popular .22 semis (10/22, 597, 795, 60) all have crappy/heavy triggers, so that's a strike against all of them. That aside, I'd suggest you get your hands on a Marlin 795, or a Marlin 60...look at the price, read some reviews, then make your decision. Other than the trigger (and they're all guilty of having bad ones) the only strike against the Marlins is the iron sights they're equipped with. The ones on my 795 were rubbish, but I had no plans on using iron sights~I had the scope before I had the rifle. :D I DO like the 795 (box magazine) more than the 60 (tube magazine) but MAN..I've been drooling over the 60 in the EE right now. I don't even like thumbhole stocks, but this is a sweet looking rifle; http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...-s-Stock-Tech-Sights-ON-HOLD&highlight=Marlin
 
I've had a 597 for about a year and a half and it's been a great rifle. The 30 round mags aren't the most reliable but they work pretty well if you load 25 rounds or less. They do have plastic feed lips that wear out. The main reason I went with the Remington instead of the Ruger was the fit of the stock. The sights just line up perfectly for me. I have a volquartsen hammer on mine and the trigger pull is very light. Accuracy is quite good. My rifle likes Federal 525 bulk pack ammo the best.
 
I owned an ACC for a while. It ran fine if you don't overtighten the two guide rod screws. IIRC it had a very heavy trigger.
The charging handle retention system is a terrible design. Mine fell out a few times during cycling. Not a big deal shooting off the bench but if it feel off in the woods.....
 
I've got a HB 597, great deal from Cabelas. I've had few issues with it, and feed it federal bulk. This Xmas it's getting an Archangel and a Volquartson extractor and hammer. I haven't seen very many aftermarket parts around for it, but there is alot of info around the internet about it. I bought 2 30rnd. mags from Epp's, both Remington brand, and neither will cycle at all. The factory style 10rds. work perfect though.
 
Bought mine years ago, i think the first year they were out.

It has worked flawlessly and has accounted for many grouse, rabbits and even 3 yotes. i would definatly buy another.
 
johNTO said:
I owned an ACC for a while. It ran fine if you don't overtighten the two guide rod screws. IIRC it had a very heavy trigger.
The charging handle retention system is a terrible design. Mine fell out a few times during cycling. Not a big deal shooting off the bench but if it feel off in the woods.....
Click to expand...

I bought this rifle off joHNTo, I fixed the charging handle issue, bought 2 rem mags didn't work well left them loaded between trip to range(forgot to unload em my bad) and they have been great since, and now my Sr-22 sits in the safe and will likely only ever come out when i decide to sell it...
 
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