[Woody_in_MN]

I am not really a rifle guy - but was looking for a 22 LR rifle for target/plunking. Any opinions out there on the Remington Model 597 or "Viper"? (2 different rifles I think - I do not think the Viper is made any more.)

Thanks,

- w

[Gord]

Got the little brother a Rem 597 for Christmas. Nice and hefty, comfy stock, feels solid, good sights (though a tad large for detail work compared to my Savage 64F). Mags are cheap. I'd happily buy it again :)

[Starter52]

I bought a 597 when they first came out. A good gun. More "adult-sized" than the Ruger 10/22. Reliable and accurate.

Remington stopped making the Viper when they introduced the 597.

[K96771]

I got one a few months ago. No problems and very accurate. The consensus seems to be that they're finicky about ammo. Thunderbolts not so good; CCI mini mags and stingers great.

[Woody_in_MN]

Mainly because of all the after-market stuff for them. I started out looking for a Ruger 10/22. But the only used ones I could find around here were carbines. And for some reason, I have trouble warming up to them. I thought I should try to re-think this. Not just limit myself to 10/22.

I read another recent thread in the forum about ideas for a 22 rifle. I got some ideas from that. Right now my short list is the Remington, the Savage 64, and Marlin 60.

BTW - I thought the sights on the 10/22 were tiny.

- w

[rangerruck]

the viper was plagued with probs, this is why they made the 597, scrapped even trying to vix the viper.

[rangerruck]

the 597 is in a unique bit of air, it is nearing that stage where it gets all the aftermarket stuff like rugers, so they worked out most all of the kinks with the origional 597's, particularly the mags. they are about to come out with the hi cap mag, if they have not allready.

[Woody_in_MN]

rangerruck,

The little bit I've looked at after market stuff - I agree. I was very surprised at the lack of after market for the Savage 64, and espeacially the Marlin 60 - which I think has been around forever. (The tube-loading 22 design is very old anyway - not sure if that came from Marlin, or they copied it from some one else.)

The other encouraging thing about the 597 is that the accessories out there are made by Remington, and dirt cheap.

BTW - Boyd's has some beautiful stocks for the 597.

- w

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Go and ask 35 dead squirrels about my Remington 597. That thing is dialed in with it's factory scope, it's alot of rifle for the $156.00 I paid out the door for it.

[MachIVshooter]

The Viper is no longer made, but was a better rifle. I have had both, still have the Viper. The 597 was plagued with jamming issues. I tried many different magazines. A little tinkering made it better, but it still wasn't 100%. Finally gave it to a friend so his kid could learn to shoot. They didn't mind if it malf'd occasionally, since it was free. For me, it was more aggrivating to constantly clear the thing than to give it away and call it a $140 investment in the next generation of RKBA. I have enough other .22's.

The Viper, OTOH, I have had since I was 14 and still love it. Nice lightweight little critter that is surprisingly accurate. Only downside is that there are no Hi-cap mags for a rifle that would definitely look better with one.

If you can find a Viper, get it. Should be able to pick one up used for <$100.

[zero_chances]

I love my 597:) Its accurate and reliable. It has an adult sized stock. I am 6'0 tall and it fits me very well. I have ordered the hi cap mag but it still hasnt arrived:mad:

Here are a couple pics i just took of it:)
http://img1.putfile.com/main/1/2014095516.jpg
http://img1.putfile.com/main/1/2014095524.jpg

[Gord]

As regards the Savage 64, mine is an absolute tack driver, but the stock is pretty cheap - and hollow, so the gun is extremely light. Good for carrying, not so good for rested shooting. The mags fit into the well fairly loosely and you've got to be careful not to tweak them while shooting (say, accidentally pressing them against whatever you're resting the forend on) or you'll jam.

The mags themselves are also pretty cheap. They're aluminum-bodied, so over time the feed lips will simply wear off and rounds won't stay in the mag anymore. Just had to dispatch one of mine with the .45 last shooting trip because it was popping rounds out as soon as more than one was loaded.

It's a light, accurate little gun for field shooting, but it's not exactly the embodiment of quality.

I do like the sights much better than those of the 597 - the 597's front sight is pretty big, which makes detail shooting difficult.

[Woody_in_MN]

Guys - feel free to keep the thread going. But I went out this afternoon to take one more look at my local Gander Mt. They did not have a Savage 64 for comparison, but they did have a Remington 597 in 22 lr - base synthetic package - no scope. The trigger was a little heavy, but I commited to buy. Price-wise, I know what I could get these for on-line, plus shipping, and plus ffl fee - and their price was very competitve. So I committed. Unfortuatnely I was delayed - but expect approval in a couple days. I'm glad I did, they seem to have the only 597's in 22 LR in the area.

I think the aftermarket for the gun put me over the top - although it would have been nice to have a Savage 64 to compare to. I really don't like the synthetic grey - but figure that can be easily re-finished to a semi-gloss black.

Thanks for all the replies.

- w

[zero_chances]

Congrats on the purchase:) They do have aftermarket stocks, and some of the local stores here have the 597 with an od green stock.

[Woody_in_MN]

Zero -

Thanks. Like I say - Boyd's makes some beautiful stocks for the 597. I'm 5'10 - (used to be 5'11" as a younger man) - with most of my height in my upper body, and the 597 is a nice fit.

Where did you order the hi cap mag from?

Could someone suggest a nice scope to match? I expect a four power would be a good fit?

- w

[zero_chances]

I ordered it from http://www.eagle-international-direct.com/ But i warn you it may take forever to get it, i ordered mine 20 days ago and its still not here. I believe other online vendors sell it also. Also, I found that Wal-Mart sells the factory 10 rounder mags for a little over 10 dollars.

[Woody_in_MN]

Zero,

Hey. Thanks for the link. I'll call before I order.

Best Wishes from the great white north.

- w

[cmb3366]

Having bought a 522 'Viper' brand new, I can tell you without a doubt that they were a plastic recievered/magazined POS, with a NASTY mushy, heavy, creapy trigger, and a propensity for misfiring. Remington made a good move when they dumped the 522 and went to the more 10/22esque 597. I'd bu the 597 if I were you.

[Woody_in_MN]

Guys,

I picked up the 597. Sorry I do not have before shots - but here she is in semi-gloss black.

http://home.comcast.net/~bkail/597_1.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~bkail/597_2.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~bkail/597_3.JPG

- w

[zero_chances]

Looks really good. Was your originally gray or OD green?

[Woody_in_MN]

gray.

I've got a Bushnell Sportsman scope on order. That will go on the 597.

BTW - When I picked up the 597, the store had a Marlin 60. I really liked it - so I bought a used one, w/ a funky stock I can refinish - so I'll have "gen X" (597), and "Old School" (Marlin 60). Ha!

BBTW - did you get you hi cap magazine yet?

- w