remington 597/.17

[Jim_100]

Remington 597 in .17.

I recently had one of these rifles (not mine) blow the magazine to pieces out the bottom.
First time for me. Made me glad I was wearing eyes and that it was not a larger caliber.
After some searching (for my friend) I was wondering if anyone here has had success in getting Remington to re-barrel the gun in .22 mag?
Thanks,
jim
( I will from now on always wear glasses for all target shooting and maybe even hunting. And maybe no flip flops)

 

[TurtlePhish]

Did it have an out-of-battery because the case mouth caught on the edge of the chamber? Some companies recalled .17 rimfire semis because a few had that problem.

 

[Edarnold]

Didn't get the memo...

From the Remington.com site:
DO NOT USE THE REMINGTON MODEL 597 17 HMR SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE.

Remington has been notified by its supplier of 17 HMR ammunition that 17 HMR ammunition is not suitable for use in semi-automatic firearms. The use of this ammunition in a semi-automatic firearm could result in property damage or serious personal injury.

If you have a semi-automatic firearm chambered for 17 HMR ammunition, immediately discontinue use of Remington 17 HMR ammunition. If you have any Remington 17 HMR ammunition that you wish to return to Remington contact the Remington Consumer Service number below. Do not return the ammunition to the dealer. Remington will provide you with a $10.00 coupon for each complete box of 50 rounds of Remington branded 17 HMR ammunition you return to Remington. This coupon is for end users only and will be good for the purchase of any Remington ammunition at your local dealer.

In light of the ammunition manufacturer’s notice, it is very important that you immediately stop using your Remington Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle. If you own a Remington Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle and wish to return it to Remington please contact the below Remington Consumer Service Number. In return for your Remington Model 597 17 HMR synthetic stock semi-automatic rifle, Remington will provide you a coupon valued at $200.00 good for the purchase of a replacement Remington firearm. If you have a laminate stock Remington Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle, Remington will provide you a coupon valued at $250.00 good for the purchase of a replacement Remington firearm. This Coupon is for end users only and will be good for the purchase of a Remington firearm at your local dealer. Contact Remington to receive your free shipping label to return your Model 597 17HMR semi-automatic rifle to Remington..

Please allow up to 6 weeks after Remington receives your Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle or your Remington branded 17 HMR ammunition for the appropriate coupons to arrive. Instructions for redemption of the coupons will be contained on the coupon.

For any consumer questions or instructions on how to return of your Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle or your Remington branded 17 HMR ammunition, please contact the Remington Consumer Service Department at 1-800-243-9700, Prompt #3.

I think this got posted last year, this is your best deal since I doubt Remington can rebarrel the 597 to .22 WMR for what this recall would cost.

 

[Jim_100]

Yes out of battery.
Thanks for the memo. Thought I read about a rebarrel.
I mentioned the 200/250 deal and my buddy was a little unhappy because the thing cost quite a bit more than that.
Oh well I guess.
Thanks again.

 

[MachIVshooter]

If it were me, I'd talk to a local gunsmith about working on it. Those coupons are a joke, and whatever issue is causing OOB firing can be corrected. Maybe it's a short chamber, may the chamber is too tight.

It's rimfire, so you're not concerned with brass condition after firing. If the chamber has to be altered in such a way that the brass is "Glocked" or somesuch, oh well.

 

[Jim_100]

Sounds like sound advice. Thanks.
Jim

 

[TurtlePhish]

The reason it happens is that the case mouth catches on the edge of the chamber, then the force of the bolt slamming into the rim of the cartridge sets it off. Maybe a slight chamfer on the edge of the chamber could help.

 

[bearman49709]

This recall is 2-3 years old, Remington WILL rebarrel to .22mag and most people have done this. Have your friend contact Remington, they will send him a call tag to ship it back with no cost to him.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I don't see how rebarrelling will help: if it is a rimfire problem (as stated) the 22 Mag is also rimfire: same OOB prob... Help me understand???

 

[TurtlePhish]

I don't see how rebarrelling will help: if it is a rimfire problem (as stated) the 22 Mag is also rimfire: same OOB prob... Help me understand???

I've also heard of it happening once in a .22WMR Magnum Research semi, but I think the shape of the .17HMR or HM2 shoulder is the reason it happens more with them.

 

[natman]

The problem is that the 17 magnum has more or less the same capacity as a 22 mag, but a much smaller bore. This means that the pressure doesn't drop off as fast as a 22 mag and it's right on the ragged edge of what a blowback action can handle and still function. If the action opens before the bullet has left the barrel, there's nothing supporting the case as it gets extracted under pressure and KABOOM.

It's not an individual mistake with a given rifle, it's a design flaw that makes the 17 HMR / blowback semi combination a bad idea. Rebarreling to 22 mag is the best option.

 

[TurtlePhish]

The problem is that the 17 magnum has more or less the same capacity as a 22 mag, but a much smaller bore. This means that the pressure doesn't drop off as fast as a 22 mag and it's right on the ragged edge of what a blowback action can handle and still function. If the action opens before the bullet has left the barrel, there's nothing supporting the case as it gets extracted under pressure and KABOOM.

A lot of .17 semis have heavier bolts to mitigate this problem, but I do agree that it is possible. The "KABOOM" might be a bit of an exaggeration, though- most likely scenario would just be a case head separation and a lot of gas back into the action.

 

[lastcowboy39]

had the same gun blow the mag apart and the slide , I lost hearing in my right ear because of it .
Now I have a bolt action 17 fireball much better gun

 

[natman]

A lot of .17 semis have heavier bolts to mitigate this problem, but I do agree that it is possible. The "KABOOM" might be a bit of an exaggeration, though- most likely scenario would just be a case head separation and a lot of gas back into the action.

The key word is a LOT of gas back into the action, enough to dismantle the magazine an blow the parts across the bench.