MachIVshooter
Member
A little overdue, considering it was almost two months ago that I bought this rifle from another member here (thank you!).
Anyhow, my thoughts on the 597 VTR
Ergonomics-in stock form, pretty good, but not quite right, as I can't stand the stock A2 grip on this rifle or any other. $25 ergo grip fix. Still trying to decide on the buttstock, don't really care for standard collapsible AR stocks either.
Accuracy-This rifle hated Federal bulk pack 36 gr. HP (it patterned), but shoots nickel-sized 50 yard groups with Remington, CCI and Aguila ammo. Winchester bulk pack shot OK, but was too weak to reliably cycle the action.
Reliability-Excellent. Other than the underpowered Winchester ammo, this rifle feeds, fires and extracts with reliability I do not expect of a rimfire. The 30 round mags run flawlessly as well.
Aesthetics-This rifle was factory equipped with the carbine length round free float aluminum tube. Didn't look bad, but I felt there was too much barrel hanging out. Fixed with UTG pro 13" FF quad rail (that took a little doing; not quite the 10 minute job it is with a standard AR platform).
All-in-all, I'm quite pleased with this rifle. Granted, with .22 LR prices right now, the economy of using it as an AR substitute is questionable, but things will come back. Still awaiting a folding stock adapter and some 22 round mags that won't look quite as silly as the nearly 1/4 circle 30 rounders, but I think I'm done with it otherwise.
Anyhow, my thoughts on the 597 VTR
Ergonomics-in stock form, pretty good, but not quite right, as I can't stand the stock A2 grip on this rifle or any other. $25 ergo grip fix. Still trying to decide on the buttstock, don't really care for standard collapsible AR stocks either.
Accuracy-This rifle hated Federal bulk pack 36 gr. HP (it patterned), but shoots nickel-sized 50 yard groups with Remington, CCI and Aguila ammo. Winchester bulk pack shot OK, but was too weak to reliably cycle the action.
Reliability-Excellent. Other than the underpowered Winchester ammo, this rifle feeds, fires and extracts with reliability I do not expect of a rimfire. The 30 round mags run flawlessly as well.
Aesthetics-This rifle was factory equipped with the carbine length round free float aluminum tube. Didn't look bad, but I felt there was too much barrel hanging out. Fixed with UTG pro 13" FF quad rail (that took a little doing; not quite the 10 minute job it is with a standard AR platform).
All-in-all, I'm quite pleased with this rifle. Granted, with .22 LR prices right now, the economy of using it as an AR substitute is questionable, but things will come back. Still awaiting a folding stock adapter and some 22 round mags that won't look quite as silly as the nearly 1/4 circle 30 rounders, but I think I'm done with it otherwise.
