I ended up getting a 597 on a swap deal, but had to buy supposed 10-shot mags. Unfortunately, they only load 9 rounds despite the packaging claims. Has anyone been able to get mags for this rifle that actually hold 10?
I've subsequently read a lot of info on improving this rifle, and have replaced both the hammer and extractor with Vollquartsen replacements. It now runs like a well tuned clock and I'm using it as a LTR. However I haven't solved the 9 round mag problem. Not critical for AS shooters, but they still have to change mags for the AQT Stage 1 and 4 instead of just being able to use one mag.
Overall I like this rifle very much and prefer it over the LTR alternatives -- the mags both insert and drop easily with minimum effort, and the barrel can easily be free floated and not influenced at all by a "taut" sling. Care must be taken not to over tighten the rods on which the bolt and recoil springs ride, but a clean, neat and very smooth system overall.
I really hope someone has found a solution to the irritating mag problem.
I have one also. Great rifle. VQ hammer and extractor and I was set to go. On the mags, I had two that would not take 10 at first. I sprayed some teflon-y stuff in them, quick wipe with some 000 Scotch-Brite and then used them for awhile. Eventually they took 10 rounds.
I must be lucky. Four mags (two came with a rifle, two are extra Remington mags) all load ten. Now, I will say that the two extras I bought were a pain to load ten at first. To get the last few rounds in, I had to repeatedly attempt to load the round. Basically push down repeatedly on the top round until the spring lined up properly or something and it let the last one in. Then, keep it loaded with ten for a week and it's GTG. Also, when trying to load the last round, do not have the mag sitting on a table. That will push the mag base up a bit and compress the spring more. Grip the mag by the sides and it will give the spring a little more room in there. It seems to help.
One other thought: is your mag a "circle 10" mag? Remington went through several mag designs. The current ones have a circle with "10" inside on the side. Rimfirecentral.com has a thread in their 597 board on the various versions and what can be done to help the older ones.
Thanks guys -- my mags are the latest design. I'll certainly try what you suggest, but I'm disappointed in Remington for making things as difficult as possible. Guess the lawyers and beancounters rule the roost there. Too bad, as I've got a series of old Remington 22s starting with a 121, a 510, a 550-1 and now the 597. The first 3 are all over 60 years old and have great quality. The 597 is a nifty design, but doesn't begin to come up to the old quality. Oh well.
Dick
After a few loadings mine worked out to holdiing 10. For a while I only got 7 in one mag. They just loosened with use.
A suggestion is to keep a spare extractor on hand. They're noted for failing on the 597.
Quote from: Nickle on April 03, 2012, 07:23:50 PM
A suggestion is to keep a spare extractor on hand. They're noted for failing on the 597.
I second that.
The 597 I gave my sister ended up having a mag that would only take 9 rounds sometimes...
Oddly enough it turned out to be ammo specific. I think it was the mini-mags the mag didn't like. But I don't recall for certain. I don't know whether it ever worked itself out.
As bizzare as it sounds to me, the continued use of the 597 mags seems to "break them in". After this rifle has been used as a loaner for two times, both mags will now take 10 rounds. I've never experienced a mag break in period before. In most times they either work or don't work out of the box Beats me, but thank all of you for your comments.
Dick
Quote from: oldfudd on April 24, 2012, 10:43:20 AM
As bizzare as it sounds to me, the continued use of the 597 mags seems to "break them in". After this rifle has been used as a loaner for two times, both mags will now take 10 rounds. I've never experienced a mag break in period before. In most times they either work or don't work out of the box Beats me, but thank all of you for your comments.
Dick
I've heard of break-in for reliability, but capacity seems to be unique in this.