From Remington
“The Model 597™ is easily the most advanced auto-loading rimfire rifle ever built, and the most technologically advanced break
through in auto-loading rimfire rifle technology in 35 years. The difference starts with our proprietary bolt-guidance system, which features a unique set of twin tool-steel guide rails for better stability, feeding reliability and greater out-of-the-box accuracy.
Of course, we didn’t stop there. The bolt, hammer and sear of the Model 597™ all feature an exclusive nickel-Teflon® plating for smooth, dependable operation and an ultra-crisp trigger pull. To assure reliable, long-term accuracy, we’ve also incorporated a unique positive-locking, permanently rigid barrel attachment clamp. Receivers are grooved for standard rimfire mounts and tapped/drilled for Weaver-style bases. Completing the breakthrough design are an innovative last-shot “hold open” magazine feature and our patented, easy-to-use staggered-stack magazine”.
How does it perform? Pretty well actually!
The magazine latch is quick and easy to access. It is located on the right-side of the firearm, just in front of the trigger guard. Simply slide the catch back to drop the magazine
, which falls freely from the magazine well. The Model 597 comes with a staggered detachable metal box style magazine that is capable of holding 10 rounds, with higher capacity magazines available. In reality 9 rounds can fit comfortably in. The 10th round can be forced in but this is difficult and does not always allow the magazine to be fitted with the bolt forward. The last round bolt hold open works with the 10 round magazines but does not work with the banana style magazines.
Ammunition is Critical
Correct ammunition selection is a big factor with this rifle as certain brands of ammunition would not function reliably during testing.
- Federal bulk pack 525 cycled the bolt reliably but jammed and would not feed when more than 4 rounds were placed in the magazine.
- Winchester subsonic did not cycle well or feed well with numerous failure to feeds or failure to cycle resulting in stovepipes.
- CCI min-mag, standard velocity and stinger rounds all cycled well and fed from the magazine flawlessly. The mini-mag and standard velocity also allowed 10 rounds to be loaded slightly easier than the other brands of ammunition.
Accuracy
This was spot on at 50 yards giving a 30mm grouping over 5 shots from bench rest position using a 3-9 x 50 optic mounted to the 11mm dovetail grooves milled into the receiver.
Open Sights
The factory open sights on the 597 are good quality but a bit awkward to adjust. An allen key and small flat head screwdriver are needed. To adjust elevation, a small allen screw located on the right side of the rear-sight bracket must be loosened. Once it is loose, the sight can be slid forward and rearward to adjust elevation. Tightening the allen screw then locks the sight in the required elevation position. To adjust the sight for windage, loosen the flat-head screw located on the top of the rear-sight, slide the blade left or right and then tighten the flat-head screw to lock it in place.
There are a number of aftermarket sights available for the 597. When we were fitting the optic,the rear sight had to be removed due to the larger diameter front lens being used.
Moderator Operation
The sirocco moderator fitted the 1/2×20 threaded barrel snugly. Using the standard velocity CCI @ 1070fps, the thump of the bolt returning into battery was the loudest part of the shot being fired.
Overall
The 597 is a good starter rifle with options for upgrading barrel and stock. It does not have all the aftermarket options of the Ruger 10/22 (To be fair though, I don’t think any other firearm on earth has as many after-market options as the Ruger 10/22). This rifle is designed to be used simply as it comes straight from the factory and it carry out that function extremely well.
