Remington 597 .22LR Rifle -- Will it Run?

[Hotchkiss]

I want to start shooting USPSA-inspired rimfire 2-gun (rifle/pistol) and I was thinking about buying a Remington 597. I prefer this firearm over the venerable Ruger 10/22 (which I already own) because the stock fits me a great deal better, because I appreciate the 20" barrel, I prefer the stock iron sights (which I would use), the balance of the 597 over the 10/22 and the 597 is considerably less expensive so it can be "used" without concern.

But will the 597 feed reliably enough to be competitive? I know the 597's mags were a real issue from day 1 -- they are no match for the Ruger's rotary mags. But I have been reading on-line that newer mags (10 rounders), aftermarket mags from Keep Shooting and newer versions of the 597 are as reliable as the 10/22.

Can anyone here shed some insight or any other 597 insights? Thanks much.

Edited March 3, 2015 by Hotchkiss

[openclassterror]

I have personally seen three 597s with cracked receivers, and I hardly do any general gunsmithing any more. I imagine guys that do a lot of repair work see many more than I have. Triggers are hard to improve, and there are a LOT less aftermarket options of any kind than for the 10/22. That said, most of the feedback I have gotten concurs that the new mags are better than what we have seen in the past.

[TonytheTiger]

I've got a buddy with two 597's with heavy target barrels. Neither will consistently group under 3.5" at 50yds with any ammo using a 16x scope and sandbags. Both have made trips back to Rem to fix the issue without any improvement. Pretty pathetic.

[Hotchkiss]

I'm also curious if there is still an advantage to replacing the stock 597 extractor with one from Volquartsen now that Remington supposidly fixed their stock extractors?

I also wonder if the 10 round magazines from the Keep Shooting Co. are actually better than the almost identical factory 10 round magazines?

[Hotchkiss]

I've got a buddy with two 597's with heavy target barrels. Neither will consistently group under 3.5" at 50yds with any ammo using a 16x scope and sandbags. Both have made trips back to Rem to fix the issue without any improvement. Pretty pathetic.

That's very interesting to hear, thanks. 597's typically hold an edge over 10-22's in this type of shooting, while the 10-22's were/are more reliable and those better for timed action shooting. Amazed your friend's 597s weren't simply replaced...