When I say .22LR semi-auto rifle, what immediately comes to mind? The Ruger 10/22, right? Over the last 60 years, Ruger has cornered the market on semi-auto .22LR rifles. There’s a reason they come to mind first; they are great guns. But the 10/22 is not the only .22LR semi-auto rifle on the market. Today we will look at another contender in that category, the Remington 597.

Remington 597 Review

Overview

As mentioned previously, the Remington 597 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered for .22 Long Rifle. Remington has several different variations that they sell, but the basic one comes with a grey polymer stock. You can get your Remington 597 with open sights or a very nice 4x scope. It comes standard with a 10-round aluminum magazine but also can support 30 round magazines. Here are some specs for the Remington 597:

Caliber: .22 LR
Weight: 5.5 lbs
Overall Length: 40 inches
Barrel Length: 20 inches
Muzzle Velocity: 350 – 1750 fps

Remington Model 597

Remington Model 597

Accuracy

The Remington 597 is every bit as accurate as the Ruger 10/22, which is an extremely accurate rifle directly out of the box. Both rifles are capable of 1 MOA accuracy with iron sights and no modifications. Even with a magnified scope, you probably aren’t looking at more than 1 MOA with a stock rifle. If you’re looking to improve the accuracy to sub 1 MOA, there are a few things that you can do. An upgraded barrel would be No. 1 on your list. Also, you can upgrade the trigger group.

Accuracy in the .22LR category often has more to do with the quality of ammunition than with the rifle. Most “range” ammunition is good enough for plinking at the range, but is not maximized for the best accuracy possible. For that, you will need something like CCI Match Grade ammo or the like.

Remington Model 597

Remington Model 597

Ergonomics

At 5.5 lbs, the Remington 597 is easy to carry and shoot all day long. It has a convenient length of pull for an average sized man. Like most .22LR rifles, it feels smaller than a normal hunting rifle, but not so much that it’s difficult to operate. The safety and magazine release buttons are placed conveniently when you can reach them with your dominant hand while keeping a normal grip.

Reliability

Reliability in a .22LR is a touchy subject. The Remington 597 will have a FTF or FTE in about 1/100 rounds. Early models came with a plastic (not polymer, plastic) magazine, and they had many feeding issues. The second generation of rifles came with an aluminum magazine, and the majority of feeding issues were relieved. The remaining issues are likely more due to the nature of .22LR rimfire ammunition and not the Remington 597 specifically.

Value

The Remington 597 is a great value for what it is. It’s a plinker, something to take to the range and shoot without costing you big bucks in ammunition. It’s also a great gun to teach children how to shoot on. It’s small enough for kids and teenagers to handle easily and has intuitive safety and magazine release buttons. .22LR has always been the best caliber to teach shooting to youth and remains so today. At under $200, the Remington 597 makes a cheap, reliable addition to any collection.

Remington Model 597

Remington Model 597

Other Features

One feature that shooters will appreciate on the Remington 597 that you don’t find on the Ruger 10/22 is a hold-open bolt. The bolt hold open feature is particularly useful in a .22LR because it avoids dry firing on an empty chamber. The verdict is still out on whether dry firing a .22LR will truly damage the firing pin. When you dry fire, especially in a .22LR, the firing pin can strike the breech face. If this happens enough, it can dent or damage the firing pin which can result in misfires when it strikes the rim of a round. Some manufacturers say it’s ok to dry fire their rifles, while others advise against it. Take that for what it’s worth. But with the bolt hold open feature, you won’t need to worry about dry firing with the Remington 597.

Aftermarket Accessories

The Ruger 10/22 has the .22LR market cornered in accessories as well. You can find accessories to turn your 10/22 into a tactical “assault” rifle, you can find a chassis to kick up the style of the rifle, and magazines and optics galore. While there aren’t nearly as many accessories for the Remington 597, don’t let that deter you. The availability of aftermarket accessories for the Remington 597 is still robust, with just about every type of accessory you could ask for.

Volquartsen Remington 597 Target Hammer

Volquartsen Remington 597 Target Hammer

Volquartsen Remington 597 Target Hammer

Reduces Pull Weight To Improve Accuracy

The Volquartsen Target Hammer for the Remington 597 semi-automatic rifle certainly beats the factory grade hammer that comes with the weapon. As you know, the hammer of a rifle is what strikes the primer and fires the bullet after you pull the trigger. A lot of the times, the trigger pull that you feel is determined by the weight and size of the hammer. That is why the standard trigger pull of a Remington 597 feels kind of rough. But with the Volquartsen Target Hammer, you will have a 50% reduction in the trigger pull after you upgrade your Remington 597 with it. You don’t have to worry about durability either because the Volquartsen Target Hammer has been fully machined out of A2 tool steel.

You don’t have to be an expert in weapons to figure out the installation. Just make sure you’re using a factory trigger guard that has not been altered in any way. If you are, then it should fit any Remington 597 with a .22 Long Rifle Rimfire, .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, and a .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire. If your weapon meets these specifications, then just disassemble the Remington 597 and remove the trigger guard. Next, take out the factory hammer and replace it with the new Volquartsen Target Hammer. It is a simple drop-in installation so it should be no problem for you. If for some reason you still have trouble figuring out the installation, the hammer comes with simple instructions that will walk you through the quick installation process.

If you’re not using the original factory trigger guard that came with the Remington 597, then you may need to have a gunsmith install the Volquartsen Target Hammer into it for you. This particular hammer was made to be compatible with only the factory trigger guard. Any other one will require a gun expert who knows how to modify it properly. As for the price of the hammer, you can purchase a new one for about $40.50 from Midway USA. It ships right away and has gotten excellent reviews from others who have purchased it.

The Volquartsen Target Hammer was made in the United States of America which ensures that it is made of top quality steel. The best part is that it is made to last you a lifetime. If you’re someone who likes to hunt or go target shooting on a regular basis, then this upgrade will be essential for you to make.

Recommended Product:
Volquartsen Remington 597 Target Hammer

Volquartsen Remington 597 Target Hammer

Get Volquartsen Remington 597 Target Hammer on Brownells

Volquartsen Remington 597 Extractor

Volquartsen Remington 597 Extractor

Volquartsen Remington 597 Extractor

The Volquartsen Extractor is a part that you can use to upgrade your Remington 597 semi-automatic rifle’s existing extractor. As you probably know, the job of an extractor is to take off the brass casing from your ammunition after it has been fired. Extractors like this are used in virtually all gun action types such as pump-action, lever-action, fully automatic, and semi-automatic (like the Remington 597). The Volquartsen Extractor is compatible with any Remington 597 that has a caliber of .22 Long Rifle or .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire.

What is great about the Volquartsen Extractor is that it was made from an electrical discharge machining process which ensures tolerances are exact. In other words, this extractor will stay strong during impact and not roll over. If you’ve ever used an extractor made of titanium or stamped steel, then you know how prone their edges are to roll overs. Anytime you have an edge that rolls over, it causes problems with extracting the casing from the ammunition. You won’t have that problem with the Volquartsen Extractor because it is made of A2 tool steel which ensures there won’t be any roll overs.
The Volquartsen Extractor has a hook point that was built for precision and is closer to the cartridge’s rim by .005 inches. The extractor has been hardened to a point of 58-60RC. This kind of hardness can endure years of consistent use while keeping its edge precise and accurate. The electrical discharge machining process allows the tolerances to be very tight; at +/-.0001. This is truly a step up from the factory extractor which has a less tight tolerance and is prone to having its edge roll over.

The price of the Volquartsen Extractor can be found on various websites between $17 and $20. It truly is an inexpensive upgrade to make for your shotgun. However, the installation will require you to disassemble the rifle bolt and then reassemble it. Unless you are an expert with weapons, it is recommended that you have a professional gunsmith perform this installation just to make sure you do it right.

After the installation is completed, go out and test its extracting capabilities for yourself. You should find that the casings are extracted within a second or two before the next round is loaded into the chamber. This extractor should last you for a long time, regardless of whether your weapon is used in rough environments or weather conditions.

Recommended Product:
Volquartsen Remington 597 Extractor

Volquartsen Remington 597 Extractor

Get Volquartsen Remington 597 Extractor on Brownells

Remington 597 30-Round Magazine

High-Capacity Factory Magazine For Reliable Fit & Feeding

Remington 597 30-Round Magazine

Remington 597 30-Round Magazine

If you have a Remington 597 semi-automatic rifle that is chambered for .22 long rifle magazines, then you will likely want to increase the ammo capacity of your standard factory magazine. If you still have the original factory magazine that came with your rifle, the ammo capacity should be about 10 rounds. This is nice if you’re just casually shooting at game in the woods or targets at a firing range. But if you want to have a higher ammo capacity for whatever situation you’re going to be shooting in, then you’ll want the Remington 597 30-Round Magazine instead.

The Remington 597 30-Round Magazine is made directly by the Remington company which made the rifle. This means you are getting a replacement magazine that has been manufactured to meet the specifications of quality and tolerance that the original factory magazine had. The only difference is this replacement magazine will hold 30 rounds instead of 10 rounds. The 30-round magazine is even made from the same polymer material as the factory magazine. That way, you can be sure that it will fit into your weapon with ease and give you maximum reliability while used out in the field.

Of course, you don’t necessarily have to be going into a tactical situation where your life is on the line to enjoy a 30-round magazine. You could simply be a recreational shooter who likes to shoot a lot of rounds without having to reload frequently. Well, a 30-round magazine will sure save you time when it comes to loading since you’ll be able to shoot triple the number of rounds than you could before. Also, an extra 30-round magazine is great as a spare magazine in case you lose your primary magazine, which a lot of shooters tend to do.

The Remington 597 30-Round Magazine is made specifically for the .22 Long Rifle. You have the option of purchasing the magazine in a black color or clear color. If you’re the type of shooter that likes to see the bullets inside of the magazine, then a clear color is one you will enjoy. The price of either magazine is $22.99 at MidwayUSA which is one of the cheaper online stores which sell these magazines. Most other gun parts stores have the 30-round magazine for sale at $29.99. Regardless of which amount you pay, you’re still getting a great deal if it means you’re tripling your original ammo capacity with a magazine upgrade that was made by your weapon’s manufacturer.

Recommended Product:
Remington 597 30-Round Magazine

Remington 597 30-Round Magazine

Get Remington 597 30-Round Magazine on Brownells

Leupold Standard Base for Remington 597

Leupold Standard Base for Remington 597

Leupold Standard Base for Remington 597

Machined from Cold-Rolled, Steel Bar Stock

The Leupold Standard Base is made to serve as the base for your Remington 597’s scope attachment. Like with any semi-automatic rifle, it is important to have a scope base that you can depend on for both its reliability and durability. The Leupold Standard Base gives you the reliability of mounting your scope onto a base that will securely hold it there and the durability from its solid steel construction. That way, if you take your rifle out under tough environmental conditions where it could be susceptible to impact, you can feel good by knowing that your scope base will still hold up nicely and that you won’t lose the sight on your weapon.

The Leupold Standard Base is very easy to install. Just screw down the rear ring of the base by using the windage adjustment screws that come with it. These special adjustment screws provide the user with internal adjustment capability for their scope so they can get the precise sight they’re looking for. The whole standard base is a one-piece design which is completely made of solid steel. This ensures that it will last you for a long time, even under tough weather or tactical situations. And for those who care about the looks, it has a gloss finish on the outside which goes nicely with the aesthetics of the rifle.

The price of the Leupold Standard Base for the Remington 597 will range from $23 all the way up to $39. If you were to go to Wal-Mart, for example, then you might find it the cheapest there. The actual Leupold website, however, lets you search for dealers all across the United States and around the world which sell their standard base too. Most of the expensive versions have a 2-piece base but you don’t need those. The 1-piece standard base for the Remington 597 will suit you just fine, and it is cheaper too.

The solid steel design of the standard base was machined from steel bar stock that was cold-rolled. The polish on the outside is Matte blue and finished in Satin nickel. The rotary dovetail ring that you use for the base will serve as a front ring. The Leupold Standard Base is compatible with rotary dovetail rings made by Redfield, Millett, and Burris. You will receive extra elevation adjustability after the installation is complete. Finally, all Leupold Standard Bases are made in the United States. The only way you can purchase them overseas is if they’re purchased from an authorized retailer which is based there.

Recommended Product:
Leupold Standard Base for Remington 597

Leupold Standard Base for Remington 597

Get Leupold Standard Base for Remington 597 on Brownells

EGW Remington 597 Scope Base

EGW Remington 597 Scope Base

EGW Remington 597 Scope Base

The Evolution Gun Works scope base for the Remington 597 semi-automatic rifle will give your weapon the added versatility it needs for its sight scope. The EGW Scope Base is a 1-piece rail which you can mount right onto the receiver of your weapon without needing to drill or tap anything. The factory receiver of the Remington 597 features pre-drilled mount holes that were made specifically for mounting scopes onto it. This saves owners the trouble of having to do the drilling themselves. If you are not a gun expert, then you will appreciate the convenience this gives you when installing the scope base. Included with the scope base are a wrench and the TORX screws with socket heads on them.

The EGW Remington 597 Scope Base is machined from very rigid 6061 T6 aluminum to give users the durability and precision that they’d want to have with their scope base. Not only that, but the aluminum makes the scope base much lighter in weight than the heavier solid steel constructions you might find elsewhere. This makes it easier for users to hold and maneuver their weapons without feeling the pressure of any added weight. In addition, the spacing provided for the slot and rail gives users more choices for the type of scope they choose. You can use Weaver scope rings or Picatinny scope rings for this scope base. These ring types are compatible with most scope sights available on the market. So, you certainly have a lot of scopes to choose from here.

Evolution Gun Works recommends users who mount the scope base themselves use a drop of blue Loctite and 20-inch pounds of torque. If you don’t know what this means or do not feel confident doing this yourself, then you can always bring the scope base to a gun expert so they can do it for you. The service charge should not be that much because it is a very simple procedure for them to do.

The price of the EGW Remington 597 Scope Base is $39.99. It is available in a black color only. The scope is available on the Brownells website as well as many other sporting goods websites. This scope base was made in the United States so you can be sure the quality is more than excellent. If you are not happy with the purchase of the base for whatever reason, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee which includes lifetime returns.

Recommended Product:
EGW Remington 597 Scope Base

EGW Remington 597 Scope Base

Get EGW Remington 597 Scope Base on Brownells

Conclusion

The Remington 597 is every bit as good of a plinker as the Ruger 10/22. It matches it in accuracy, reliability, and value. While the 10/22 has a more robust aftermarket of available accessories, there are still plenty available for the Remington 597. The bolt hold open feature of the 597 is a nice addition, and something that does not come standard on the 10/22. Both rifles retail for less than $200, and are great beginner rifles for a child to learn on.

If you are looking for a rifle with autoloading rimfire features, then you’ll definitely love shooting the Remington 597 rifle. This weapon is coined as being one of the most advanced rifles for autoloading rimfire that has ever been built. One of its biggest differences between other autoloading rimfire rifles is its bolt-guidance system which has two steel guide rails that give it enhanced stability. Not only that, but the rails make the weapon more accurate and reliable for the shooter as well. This makes the weapon suitable for virtually all kinds of shooting activities such as target shooting, hunting, and war situations. You may not hear too much about this weapon because a lot of novice shooters aren’t aware it exists. Remington does a good job of advertising their Model 700 rifles a lot more than their Model 597. But if you are not so comfortable with the Model 700, try out the Model 597 before you quit the Remington brand all together.

The brilliant design of the Remington 597 stretches to many other areas besides the steel guide rails, though. The hammer, sear and bolt of the Remington 597 have been plated with nickel-Teflon which ensure these parts operate smoothly and give the shooter a crisp clean trigger pull. The receiver of the rifle is grooved for Weaver-like bases and traditional rimfire mounts. Best of all, the drop-out ability of the box magazine will allow the shooter to have an easy time reloading their weapon because the ammo feeding is fast and efficient. With all these quality parts in the Remington 597, you won’t have to perform very many upgrades to it like you would with other rifles. Most of the OEM components of the Remington 597 can stay just where they are because they are good enough already.

Currently, the Remington 597 Synthetic is the only version of this particular rifle model that is available. It is also a long rifle which has a barrel length of 20 inches. So, for those of you who like short rifles with a barrel length of less than 16 inches, you will have to look elsewhere for that. The Remington 597’s overall length is 40 inches and has a magazine capacity of 10 rounds. The barrel itself is made of carbon steel with a Matte Blue finish. The length of pull is 14 inches and the drop heel is 2 ¼ inches. At a starting price of $213.00, it should certainly be affordable to anyone looking for a new rifle to go hunting or target shooting with.

Remington 597 Synthetic

The Model 597™ is easily the most advanced autoloading rimfire rifle ever built, and the most technologically advanced breakthrough in autoloading 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.

Recommended Product:
 Remington 597 Synthetic

Remington 597 Synthetic

Get Remington 597 Synthetic for with Scope 4x for $199 on Brownells