I’m excited to talk to you today about the Remington 597. I’ve been testing it out in the field for a while now, and I’ve got to say, it’s a well-crafted firearm overall. However, I’ve encountered a handful of issues that I think are worth discussing.
So, what exactly went down? Well, I noticed problems ranging from cycling hitches to failure-to-fire situations. Heck, even ejection failures and feeding issues made an appearance. And let’s not forget the bolt and trigger.
Don’t worry, though—I’ve been working hard to figure out how to deal with these Remington 597 Problems. I’ll lay out each problem I’ve encountered, and then we’ll dive into how to tackle them head-on.
Trust me, by the end of it, you’ll be better equipped to get your Remington 597 working like a charm. Let’s get into it!
Overview of Remington 597 Problems
| Problems | Solutions |
| Problem with the Cycling | Replace bolt guide rods and recoil springs. |
| Failure To Fire | Adjust mainspring tension; tweak guide rail screws. |
| Ejection Failure | Clean bolt face and barrel cutout; replace extractor if needed. |
| Feeding Issues | Use high-velocity ammo; replace factory magazines and check spring. |
| Bolt Issue | Replace worn guide rods and recoil springs; clean bolt’s grooves. |
| Trigger Problem | Re-center pin holding the reset lever; apply JB Weld to bolt side facing lever. |
Top 6 Remington 597 Problems & Solutions
1. Problem with the Cycling
Alright, let’s dive in. One of the first issues I encountered with my Remington 597 was cycling problems.
Man, it was frustrating! Picture this—you’re out on the range, you pull the trigger, and bam! Nothing happens.
The bolt gets all sticky, or it moves but doesn’t do its job of ejecting the casing. Sometimes, it gets stuck in the back position, forcing me to manually move it forward.
Solution
Now, the solution to this one took some investigating. After a lot of trial and error, it came down to the bolt guide rods. It seems that just a little extra stress can cause them to bend, stopping the bolt from cycling properly.
A visual check often confirmed my suspicion. In some instances, the ejector was also bent and dragging on the bolt’s groove.
So, what did I do? I swapped out those bad boys—bolt guide rods and recoil springs. After that, the bolt was gliding like it was on the ice; problem solved!
2. Failure To Fire
Here’s another pesky issue: failure to fire. Trust me, it’s as frustrating as it sounds. I’d line up my shot, squeeze the trigger, and get a dud round.
The gun just didn’t want to fire consistently, especially after the first shot. Sometimes, I felt like I was playing a game of chance rather than shooting.
What got to me the most was that reloading seemed to temporarily fix it, making the problem even more puzzling.
Solution
So, what did I do to sort this out? First off, I noticed that using CCI mini-mag ammunition had fewer problems. My next move was tweaking the mainspring tension.
It turns out the factory setting wasn’t ideal for my specific use case. Once I adjusted that, things got a bit better. Then came the guide rail screws; they needed to be just right.
It’s not too loose, but definitely not too tight, either. The trick was to lower them until they touched the rails and then give them one turn back. Doing this got rid of that annoying failure-to-fire issue I was facing.
3. Ejection Failure
Ah, the notorious failure-to-eject problem. Let me tell you, this one can truly ruin your day. So there I was, taking shots, and every 5–8 rounds, the Remington 597 would jam up on me.
The most frustrating part? It didn’t seem to matter what type of ammo I was using. Sure, Some brands were worse, but the issue was consistent across the board.
Solution
After scratching my head for a bit, I decided to get down to the nitty-gritty. I looked at the 3rd Gen mags—the ones with the little “10” in a circle.
They were suspect number one. Then I checked the extractor, and it needed some TLC. My first step was to thoroughly clean the bolt face and the barrel cutout.
I even ended up replacing the extractor, and boy, did that make a difference!
4. Feeding Issues
Oh boy, the feeding problems. This is the big one—the most notorious issue I’ve faced with my Remington 597.
When I loaded more than three rounds into the magazine, the top bullet would sit too “low.” Talk about frustrating! It’s like the rifle was taunting me; the second round wouldn’t feed into the chamber after I managed to get the first shot off.
Solution
The first thing I did was ditch the factory magazines. Why? Because they seemed to be the root of many of these feed issues.
Then I found out that the rifle was super finicky about ammo; it jammed with most regular velocity types. So I switched to CCI high-velocity ammo, and let me tell you, it made a world of difference! But that’s not all; the magazine spring was another potential problem.
If you have a faulty one, don’t hesitate to return it to the dealer. They should swap it out for you.
5. Bolt Issue
The bolt issue is yet another hassle I’ve faced while using my Remington 597. When I’m out there trying to get some decent shooting done, I last want my bolt to act up.
Sometimes, it felt sticky; other times, it simply wouldn’t budge. It became pretty clear that the bolt wasn’t functioning as smoothly as it should, and let’s be honest, that’s kind of essential for any firearm.
Solution
So, what to do? My first step was a close visual inspection. I noticed the guide rods were looking a bit worn, and upon further investigation, the recoil springs seemed to be the main culprits.
Replacing them was my first action. Next, I examined the bolt’s grooves; they needed a thorough cleaning. Using a specific bolt cleaner, I got rid of the gunk causing the stickiness.
6. Trigger Problem
Ah, the trigger problem. Yeah, this one got me good while I was out in the field. It’s a sneaky issue that you don’t see coming.
You’re shooting, everything’s going well, and then bang! The trigger jams. It kept happening not just once or twice but locking up several rounds. It’s like the trigger assembly just decides to stop working.
A vertical piece at the back of the assembly pushes too far back during the auto-reload. It is really inconvenient and, quite frankly, frustrating.
Solution
My immediate thought was, “Let’s look at the pin holding the reset lever.” Sure enough, the pin wasn’t centered.
So what did I do? I took some JB Weld and applied it on the side of the bolt facing the reset lever. But here’s the thing: this fix did make the bolt fire a bit quicker, so be mindful of that.
If you’re not comfortable with this fix, it’s best to take your Remington 597 straight to the experts at Remington. You don’t want to mess around when it comes to trigger issues.
Final Verdict
After spending much time testing the Remington 597 in the field, I’ve come to appreciate its strengths and weaknesses.
First off, let’s give credit where credit’s due. The rifle is sturdy, offers decent accuracy, and is generally a solid choice for anyone in the market for a .22LR semi-automatic.
But no product is without its downsides, right? I encountered multiple issues, from cycling hitches and failure-to-fire to ejection and feeding problems.
But here’s the good news: Most of these issues can be fixed with a bit of time and tweaking. Solutions exist, whether it’s switching out parts or adjusting the settings.
In conclusion, the Remington 597 is a good firearm with a few flaws that can be addressed. It can be a reliable companion in the field if you’re willing to put in the time to get it just right.
FAQs
What caliber is Remington 597?
The caliber of Remington 597 is .22LR.
Why did Remington discontinue the 597?
Safety issues specifically with the .17 HMR version led to discontinuation and recalls.
What is the Remington 597 recall lawsuit?
The lawsuit claims the rifle explodes if used with certain ammo; inadequate recall notice.
Is Remington 597 accurate?
It is fairly accurate for a rimfire; improved with optics.
