Welcome to RFC Magi.
The 597-22 is generally quite accurate out of the box. The Rem mags usually are difficult to load 10rds but the aftermarket one works very well from all reports. Ears breaking off are from folks over tightening when installing a new barrel and cranking it down over 30-35 inch pounds. My extractor made it approx 15yrs before I got failures to eject. I sharpened the 'hook' on it and reinstalled it. The VQ replacement sits in the 597 parts drawer.

 

Welcome Magi from Green Bay.
I bought my first 597 15 years back. It was a jam o matic from day one. After installing the VQ extractor and their hammer most problems disappeared! The other minor issues were solve by gaining experience and using websites like this one. Read the Tips and suggestions for the 597 on “Rimfire”. A company named Keep Shooting has reliable 597 magazines. Now I have two reliable and accurate 597’s that run well here even in Wisconsin winters.

 

Welcome Magi, try gunbroker, they have a large selection, you’re good to go on all counts, there is really no issue that isn’t easily by a doing the couple of things you addressed and maybe one of the new magazines, may need an extractor at some point and a VQ trigger is a great upgrade over factory. I’d think of it as a 8 or 9 round mag and then you’re all set. Just clean it good every now and then. The barrel over tightening issue is pretty rare.

 

Welcome to a great place to get info. I'm pretty sure Chris meant a Volquartsen hammer which is an easy mod and very worthwhile. I still use original magazines along with some of the aftermarket ones. Don't have any trouble with the originals but I think I may have done a little polishing on the internals years ago.

 

Hello and welcome. Getting a 597 is a good plan. Original metal mags with the tiny 10 in a circle on the side are what you want. Clean up the inside a little and after some use, they will hold all 10. I don't recall a black stocked rifle in the model you want. Most were grey. Many other colors are out there as limited editions though. Go for it!
Keep Shooting brand mags are good but they may not ship to Canada.

 

Check the EE in gunnutz. I think one showed up there lately. Welcome form Northern Ontario

 

It's a decent plinker but personally I would look elsewhere at the prices you are quoting. Mine has been absolutely reliable and an absolute tack driver since I bought it new almost 20 years ago. Over the years I replaced a spring or two when they wore out, and added the VQ extractor and hammer mentioned above as upgrades even though I went through thousands of rounds without experiencing any issues in stock format. There are a few design shortcomings with the model in my opinion. I don't like the way the charging handle can easily be pulled out of the bolt. It should have been designed with some sort of screw or retaining system that takes more effort than simply tugging the handle slightly. I have pulled the charging handle off the bolt accidentally while charging the gun or checking the chamber a number of times. The dual rail recoil system is a bit clunky to disassemble for cleaning. If you can find one for about $150 or less I would snap it up, but at $350 I would look for a brand new Ruger 10/22. You will have an endless supply of aftermarket parts and magazines and a more robust rifle.

 

Having read through decades worth of online posts over the past couple of months it seems the 597 suffered from a number of issues. Many said it was accurate, some actually called it reliable.

Feeding and ejection malfunctions, receiver ears breaking off, rough surfaces on the receiver, magazines issues. Some issues were due to overtightened guide rods.

How common are these problems? You guys still have your 597s so there has to be a redeeming quality.

I'm on the hunt for a basic 20" blued barrel model with a metal magazine. Ideally in a black stock although I am not sure if that combination was available new. Is this the best model to get? They seem to go for about $300-$350 CAD.

If I find one I like I will install the VQ extractor and the MCarbo trigger spring kit. The VQ hammer doesn't seem to be readily available in Canada unfortunately.

For glass I would probably do a Vortex Crossfire II Rimfire with a DNZ Game Reaper mount.

Great gun

 

Good Luck !!

 

Which configurations are more desirable? What is the difference between black and silver bolts?

 

The one you like the most.

 

Great guns.

 

Thank you all.

 

+1 what others have said. Out of the box, the 597 is better than a 10/22. Plus it locks open on last round and does not need a modification for the bolt release. There are MANY more accessories available for a 10/22 but I like the way the 597 works. I use a stock extractor hook, however I polish it in a figure 8 pattern on a hard Arkansas stone. Mags from Online Military Surplus, Firearm, Sporting Goods Store | Keep Shooting are the correct answer to reliable feeding. Like any semi-auto .22 proper cleaning will generally keep them trouble free.

 

Get a long rifle and a magnum you won’t be disappointed! I own 22lr, 22 magnum, and the 17hmr. I couldnt ask for much more accuracy then what these offer. I will catch slack on the 17 hmr but mine has shot good from the day I got it but I clean it often! According to some I am pushing my luck.

 

The 597 trifecta!!
My hummer shoots well even with ancient ammo getting even more ancient.

 

I actually have the Ruger set also all of them are close to the same age except one. I have the pre marking 10/22, 10/22 mag, 44 mag carbine!

 

I have had my HB 597 for many years. I have yet to have any issues with out of the box.

 

I got mine in 08, the year Wall Street and DOW began diving into the toilet.

 

I got my first 597 in 2011 and Find it light reliable and accurate.
I broke the trigger pin I have shot it so much.
Also have had issues with the bolt handle staying in but was able to make it stay now.
Like any semi-auto keep the chamber lead and bolt face clean.