Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Favorite .22 semi?

I like 10/22s, I like marlin model 60s and a bunch more but I LOVE the Remington 597.

The ruger has the best magazine design. The factory rotary mags are flawless if kept clean. But the stocks suck I'm not a fan of the guide rail and I HATE the mag release. Pros, the ruger is easier to clean, the trigger group is metal. Tons of aftermarket support makes them more popular than they should be imho.

I'm gonna say this out loud with the knowledge of knowing you all are gonna want to kick me. My favorite semi auto rimfire rifle is the Remington 597. Here's why. The stock is perfect, the rifle is full sized and fits me like a glove. I can mount the Remington with my eyes closed and open them and the sights are perfectly aligned. The bolt stays open on the last shot. The receiver has bolt buffer in the rear. My 597 is more accurate than all 3 of my 10/22s. The twin guide rail system is smooth as silk. I like the location of the mag release way better than the 10/22. Its cheaper than the 10/22. Cons, the trigger sucks bad, the magazine's aren't as good as the rugers. Aftermarket support isnt as good as ruger. The trigger group is "space age polymer" plastic for normal people. The 597 would be wildly more popular if aftermarket support was as good as the ruger.

I got a good one, I have read about the people that got the early ones having lots of issues. They have been through 2 or 3 magazine upgrades and an extractor design change. Mine has been flawless. I think I got mine in about 2000 or so, so all the bugs were probably worked out. I Love that cheap little rifle.