Are Remington 597's good guns?

Why wouldn’t you just get a 10/22?

If she wants it, just get it. She probably doesn’t need you to tell her what she wants, certainly doesn’t need a bunch of guys she doesn’t know, telling her. At least, that’s how I treat Mrs. Morris. That’s reciprocal though, she doesn’t “bust my chops” when I want something either, at least not budget .22 rifle cheap.

I keep one at the farm but did bring it home to do a side by side with the Marlin 60 and 10/22. Even wrote a thread on the results.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/side-by-side-597-10-22-model-60.811602/

The short story is they are all pretty much the same, not one that’s a “game changer” in anyway or I wouldn’t still own all three.

JCooperfan1911 said:

Why wouldn’t you just get a 10/22?

Click to expand...

The current 10/22 is an absolute joke. If you like plastic and the balsa wood they use now go right ahead. A once decent rifle, now a has been

CoalCrackerAl said:

My wife is interested in this one.
View attachment 1096782

Click to expand...

I had that exact camo pattern gun.... And two other 597s. On the pink one, a coat of good quality sat and clear really cleaned up the lines on the dip.

Personally, I really like the design and as a general use 22 autoloader there's still my favorite.

Magazines CAN be an issue, and the triggers tend to be on the heavy side if crisp.
I bought a couple of aftermarket magazines that I'll have to look u, but those ran very reliably. I don't remember ever getting a failure to feed on those. Even the original, original, factory magazine I had ran just fine, and the newest ones have run fine..... Couple of the ones in the middle caused me issues.

Mcarbo sells a relatively inexpensive trigger upgrade kit that will leave you with about a 2 to 3 lb trigger for about 60-80 bucks I think.

Be aware that Remington was in the process of retiring the the 597 when it went belly up. It is very unclear and very unlikely the new Rem Arms LLC is going to start making them again.

I've heard good things about the .22 LR 597

Remington did try to make a .17 Magnum 597 that didn't turn out well.

I love my 597s, I own 3 of them. The early ones did have some magazine issues but I learned how to solve those for the most part. Newest mags not a problem anyway. Last one I bought was a laminated stock/heavy barrel, sold my customized 10/22 to fund in fact. Not that there is anything wrong with the Ruger but the 597 felt more substantial to me and I believe more accurate without modifications.

CoalCrackerAl said:

Yes i too read the 17 was a failure. Hopeful she don't break it. Or she is not buying someone else's headache. I'll give it a good look over.

Click to expand...

None of the .17hmr direct blow backs have done real well.
Theres really nothing to break on those guys that cant be replaced after market.
The extractor getting launched was the only issue i ever had mechanically, and that coulda been my reinstallation not being right. Still just replaced it with an aftermarket one.

Jeff olson said:

The current 10/22 is an absolute joke. If you like plastic and the balsa wood they use now go right ahead. A once decent rifle, now a has been

Click to expand...

Gross.

We’ve a 70’s era 10/22 in the family. Nice metal and wood.

Ya know I traded an ok shape aluminum 10/22 trigger housing for a bx installed plastic one a while back, got 50 bucks on top of the plastic housing also.
Guy who got the aluminum one was stoked his new gun had a metal guard and the same parts as his old one did.
I was stoked i got a better trigger, and effectively more functional controls for the 17mach2 i built.

Point being is everyone sees value in things differently, but neither are necessarily wrong.

Speaking of.... If the new plastic trigger housing on the 10/22s bugs you, you won't like the 597, It's always used a plastic housing.... Oh that reminds me, The other thing that will fail on those guys sometimes. Is the bolt hold open spring. It's very small and gets damaged easily.

Just buy it for her. And be thankful for a wife that likes to shoot!

JCooperfan1911 said:

Why wouldn’t you just get a 10/22?

Click to expand...

I think he should, everyone should have at least one of them. His wife is interested in the 597 though, I would have titled the thread “look what the wife just got.” , If mine were interested in one.

mcb said:

Be aware that Remington was in the process of retiring the the 597 when it went belly up. It is very unclear and very unlikely the new Rem Arms LLC is going to start making them again.

Click to expand...

Does that mean we can raise the prices on these rare treasures?

jmorris said:

I think he should, everyone should have at least one of them. His wife is interested in the 597 though, I would have titled the thread “look what the wife just got.” , If mine were interested in one.



Does that mean we can raise the prices on these rare treasures?

Click to expand...

Yes, to what ever the free market will bear.

My 10/22 is now a bit over 40 years old. It's like that good old axe, that has had three handles and two heads, but its been a good old axe.


It latest incarnation.

the 10/22 plastic trigger assembly is by all reports better in most ways to the aluminum trigger assembly. People who have used both report the plastic parts are lighter, have more precise tolerances, don't lose their finish like painted aluminum parts, and yes, are more durable.

What I haven't seen is any reports of the plastic trigger parts and guard causing problems related to their material.

The aluminum trigger guard will dent on impact far easier than the plastic will break, and a dented trigger guard will inhibit function of the trigger.

I'm not a plastic-in-my-guns type of guy, but even I'll admit there are situations when traditionalism has no logical merit.

As far as the OP is concerned, any gun that your significant other says they want,
If you can afford it, buy it.

Off subject. The 10/22 has too long a trigger reach for me. I have large hands but not so long fingers. After a while it starts to fatigue my hands. That’s my gripe.

I’ve never owned a 597 but I’ve heard good things about them. I personally prefer marlin 60s

I use a 597, the AR style, at work. The mags are literal garbage, even the 2 new ones I bought for it. Since replacing the springs with Mcarbo springs, it has functioned pretty well. It is very accurate, and has taken a boat load of Coyotes!

"the 10/22 plastic trigger assembly is by all reports better in most ways to the aluminum trigger assembly. People who have used both report the plastic parts are lighter, have more precise tolerances, don't lose their finish like painted aluminum parts, and yes, are more durable. "

I have both. The 1992 10/22 trigger is equal to or better than the upgrade BX and without a doubt better than the 2018 base factory trigger.

Dont recall owning a 597. If I did it wasnt for very long.

I have 2, 1 is iron sighted sling LTR that I use at 200yds to 25yds, 2nd has a nice thumbhole stock, cheap Rem scope that came with the other for 200yds to 300yds.
Fun and reliable.

All the best info here,
https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/remington-model-597.218/

Well done, Sir! A good woman deserves a good man, like you!

I like mine okay. They’re good. A little toyish feeling for me, but very reliable. Mine has been several different colors of Dip-it to only be black again and stacked to the back of the safe.

She waits patiently for Little Bear, as he does for her. He makes me so proud.