benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Years ago I picked up a used Remington 597 at a pawn shop for $140. I have mixed feelings about it.
I took it to the range yesterday, and for a cheap pawn-shop .22, it shoots well. 50 yards, Federal match, with a cheap 2.5x shotgun scope:
100 yards, cheap Federal bulk stuff:
But it is the most unreliable .22 I’ve ever shot. I already replaced the extractor with a Volquartsen one, but the problem appears to be the cheapo cast-aluminum (or cast-zinc/zamak, not sure) magazines:
It has so much internal friction that sometimes rounds jam when you’re *loading* it. Sometimes it holds 10 rounds, sometimes 9. Sometimes it locks in place and sometimes it doesn’t. Some days it feeds fine. Some days every 4th or 5th round is a failure to feed or a misfeed.
I’ve tried cleaning it, lubricating it, and running it dry. I’ve tried two brands of aftermarket polymer 30-rounders, too...one black Remington brand mag, and one a clear polymer from an unknown company. Neither worked.
I’d pay good money for a working magazine (preferably 20 or 25 rounds rather than 10, though).
I wish Remington had just spec’d it to take 10/22 magazines...
I took it to the range yesterday, and for a cheap pawn-shop .22, it shoots well. 50 yards, Federal match, with a cheap 2.5x shotgun scope:
100 yards, cheap Federal bulk stuff:
But it is the most unreliable .22 I’ve ever shot. I already replaced the extractor with a Volquartsen one, but the problem appears to be the cheapo cast-aluminum (or cast-zinc/zamak, not sure) magazines:
It has so much internal friction that sometimes rounds jam when you’re *loading* it. Sometimes it holds 10 rounds, sometimes 9. Sometimes it locks in place and sometimes it doesn’t. Some days it feeds fine. Some days every 4th or 5th round is a failure to feed or a misfeed.
I’ve tried cleaning it, lubricating it, and running it dry. I’ve tried two brands of aftermarket polymer 30-rounders, too...one black Remington brand mag, and one a clear polymer from an unknown company. Neither worked.
I’d pay good money for a working magazine (preferably 20 or 25 rounds rather than 10, though).
I wish Remington had just spec’d it to take 10/22 magazines...