Remington 597 Magnum Instruction Manual
Have a look at the manual Remington 597 Magnum Instruction Manual online for free. It’s possible to download the document as PDF or print. UserManuals.tech offer 22 Remington manuals and user’s guides for free. Share the user manual or guide on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
Ow ner ’s Manual Ow ner ’s Manual Instruction Book for: Instruction Book for: Model 597 & 597 Magnum .22 Long Rifle Caliber Rimfire or .22 Win. Mag. Caliber Rimfire Autoloading Rifles page 2 ........the ten commandments of firearm safety page 7 ........important parts of the firearm page 10 ......how to load and unload page 11 ......lubrication and maintenance page 15 ......how to obtain parts and service Model 597 & 597 Magnum .22 Long Rifle Caliber Rimfire or .22 Win. Mag. Caliber Rimfire Autoloading Rifles IMPORTANT!READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS BOOK BEFORE USING THE FIREARM.
2 Eliphalet Remington’s first flintlock launched a proud tradition of accuracy & responsibility. 1st COMMANDMENT 2nd COMMANDMENT A Tradition of Performance and Safety. In 1816 Eliphalet Remington was confident he could make a flintlock that was as good or better than any he could buy. His confidence was well founded. The barrel he handcrafted set a new standard for firearm accuracy and spawned generations of products that have made Remington ®Arms America’s leading gunmaker. While performance and style are certainly hallmarks of Remington firearms, one factor ultimately drives their performance. Safety. Eliphalet Remington never lost sight of the fact that his rifles were potentially lethal and could kill someone if handled improperly. And after more than 180 years the same holds true for any firearm, including your new Remington. Eliphalet Remington’s first flintlock launched a proud tradition of accuracy and responsibility. Safety is Critical to Performance. A superbly crafted gun is only as good as the hands that hold it. You can never be too careful. Shooting accidents are often caused by careless oversights such as failing to control the direction of the muzzle, failing to fully engage the safety, leaving ammunition in the chamber or using improper loads. These oversights can result in the destruction of life, limb or property. There’s no calling back a bullet once it’s been fired, so it’s critical that you know the principles of safe gun handling and storage before you ever take your new Remington firearm out of the box. The proper use and performance of your firearm depends on correct assembly and maintenance, so it’s critical that you familiarize yourself with the information in this instruction book. Even if you’re a veteran shooter with a collection of Remington firearms, take the time to read this literature. Not all firearms are the same. That means the first step in safe handling is to learn the features and requirements of your new Remington. THETENCOMMANDMENTS OFFIREARMSAFETY The Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety should be etched in your memory forever. Let them govern your action wherever and whenever you’re involved with firearms. In the field. On the range. Or in your home. Please take the time to review and understand these rules. Always Keep the Muzzle Pointed in a Safe Direction. This is the most important gun safety rule. A safe direction is one in which an accidental discharge will not cause injury to yourself or others. Never allow your gun to point at anything you don’t intend to shoot. Be especially careful when you’re loading or unloading. Treat every gun as if it were loaded. And make it a habit to know where the muzzle is pointed at all times, even when your firearm is unloaded. No one will be injured by an accidental discharge if you keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction. It’s as simple as that. Firearms Should be Unloaded When Not Actually in Use. Load your firearm onlywhen you’re in the field or on the target range and ready to fire. Never let a loaded gun out of your sight or out of your hands. Unload it as soon as you’re finished shooting – before you bring it into your car, camp or home. Remember, unloading your firearm means unloading it completely, so there is no ammunition in the chamber or in the magazine. Before handling a firearm or passing it to someone else, visually check the chamber, receiver and magazine to be certain they do not contain ammunition. Always keep the gun’s action open when not in use. Never assume a gun is unloaded even if you were the last person to use it. Always check for yourself.
Let common sense rulewhen you carry a loaded gun. If you’re in a situation that could risk accidental discharge – such as crossing a fence, wading through a stream or climbing a tree – always unload your gun. Never pull or push a loaded firearm toward yourself or another person. And never carry a loaded gun in a scabbard, detached holster or gun case. Certain firearms(including some Remington ®rifles and shotguns) are equipped with internal security devices to prevent unauthorized use. In addition, some firearms owners use external devices, such as cable locks and trigger blocks, for the same purpose. Even if you use such a device, you should still keep your firearm unloaded when stored or not in use. And using internal or external devices cannot substitute, however, for securing your firearms and ammunition in a separate, locked location. Safe storage of firearmsis just as critical as safe handling. Never store guns loaded. Be sure to keep your firearms in a secure place where unauthorized persons cannot get their hands on them without your knowledge. Take special careif there are children around. Kids are fascinated by guns. It’s a natural curiosity that can have tragic consequences when not properly supervised. Store your firearms in a locked gun safe or some other location that physically bars a child from gaining access. Ammunition should be storedand locked in a location separate from your firearm. Never leave an unsecured firearm or ammunition in a closet, dresser drawer or under the bed. Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure that children and others unfamiliar with firearms cannot get access to your firearm and ammunition. Don’t Rely on Your Gun’s Safety. Treat every gunas if it can fire at any time, whether or not there’s pressure on the trigger. Your firearm has been carefully designed to maximize performance and safety. However, because a gun’s safety is a mechanical device, it could fail. Human error is a morelikely reason for a gun safety to fail. By mistake, you may think the safety is on when it really isn’t. Or the safety may have been disengaged without your knowledge. Or you could think your gun is unloaded when there’s actually a cartridge or shell in it. A mechanical safety is not a substitute for common sense. It’s merely a supplement to your proper handling of a firearm. Never touch the triggeron a firearm until you are ready to shoot. Keep your fingers away from the trigger when you’re loading or unloading. And don’t pull the trigger when the safety is engaged or positioned between safe and fire. Before using your gun, read this instruction book to understand the exact location and operation of your firearm’s safety. Even when the safety is on, maintain control of your loaded firearm and control the direction of the muzzle. In other words, don’t rely on your safety to justify careless handling. If your firearm’s internal mechanisms are broken or have been altered, your firearm may fire even when the safety is on. Remember, you and your safe gun handling practices are your gun’s best safety. Be Sure of Your Target and What’s Beyond It. You can’t stop a shot in mid-air, so never fire unless you know exactly where your shot is going and what it will strike. Never fire at a sound, a movement or a patch of color. A hunter in camouflage can easily be mistaken for a target by an impulsive shooter. Before you pull the trigger be absolutely sure of your target and what’s behind it. Make sure the shot has a backstop such as a hillside or dense material like sand. Remember, bullets can travel great distances with tremendous velocity. Know how far your shot will go if you miss your target or the bullet ricochets. Firearms should be stored in a secure place where children cannot access them. A gun safe is an ideal way to secure your firearm. 3rd COMMANDMENT 4th COMMANDMENT 3
Use Proper Ammunition. Every firearm is designedto use a certain caliber or gauge of ammunition. Using the wrong ammunition, mixing ammunition or using improperly reloaded ammunition can cause serious personal injury or death. And it only takes one cartridge or shotshell of the incorrect caliber or gauge, or which has been improperly reloaded, to destroy your firearm. It’s your responsibility to make sure the ammunition you use exactly matches the caliber or gauge of your gun. Refer to this instruction book to find out the specific requirements of your firearm. Always read and heed the instructions on ammunition boxes. Confusing shellsor cartridges can cause serious personal injury or death and destroy your firearm. Examine your shells or cartridges closely and use only the precise caliber or gauge for your specific firearm. For example, suppose you accidentally loaded a 20 ga. shell into a 12 ga. shotgun. Because the 20 ga. shell is too small for the chamber, the 20 ga. shell could travel down the barrel and get lodged in the bore. If you then loaded a standard 12 ga. shell behind it and fired, the 12 ga. shot will slam into the lodged 20 ga. shell and may cause the barrel to explode right in your hand. This is commonly called a 12/20 burst, and it can kill you. Check all ammunitionbefore you load it to make sure it matches your gun’s requirements. Every Remington ® cartridge and shell is head-stamped with its caliber or gauge for easy identification. Likewise, you’ll find the caliber or gauge of your new Remington firearm imprinted on the barrel. Reloading Requires Extra Diligence. If you’re an ammunition reloader, you are responsible for personally assuring that the loads and components of your reloaded ammunition meet your gun’s factory-tested standards. Never use ammunition which has been reloaded by someone else! Many shooters handloadas a hobby or to save money on commercial, factory-made ammunition. However, it requires a thorough knowledge of reloading procedures and a deep respect for the explosive potential of gunpowder. Firearms are designed, manufactured and proof-tested to standards based on factory-loaded ammunition. Handloaded or reloaded ammunition that deviates, either intentionally or accidentally, from load or component recommendations can be very dangerous. Reloaders must observeall possible safety precautions and practices related to the proper handling of explosives. Whether you’re a seasoned reloader or just starting out, you should study the subject, watch reloading demonstrations and talk to experienced reloaders. The first rule of reloadingis to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the components you’re using. They’ll tell you to follow certain guidelines. Namely: 1. Don’t mix or substitute powders or primers. 2. Don’t use unknown or substandard components. 3. Use only suitable components that have been factory-tested by reputable ammunition, powder and bullet manufacturers. 4. Always be sure to use the manufacturer’s recommended recipe when reloading. Not following these guidelinescould result in severe injury to yourself or severe damage to your firearm. Dangerously high pressure and explosions can result from an overcharge of powder or other deviations from established reloading guidelines. Be very careful. The process of reloading exposes you to environmentally hazardous material. Lead, which is known to cause cancer and birth defects, is the most common substance in bullets and shot. It is important to handle lead bullets and shot with extreme care. Work only in a well- ventilated area and always wash your hands after exposure and before eating. Never smoke while reloading. Primers and powdersare also highly toxic and flammable. So after reloading be sure to clean up all materials from your work area. Don’t leave primer or powder spills anywhere on the floor or bench top. Dispose of all waste material in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Finally, when reloadingor handloading concentrate on what you’re doing at all times. Do not be distracted by talking to others, listening to the radio or watching TV while reloading. Never reload after consuming alcoholic beverages or drugs of any kind. You are working with extremely hazardous materials and you can’t risk even a few seconds of distraction. Remember, if you reload, you are the ammunition manufacturer and you are responsible for the performance and safety of your reloaded ammunition. 4 5th COMMANDMENT
5 6th COMMANDMENT 7th COMMANDMENT 8th COMMANDMENT 9th COMMANDMENT If Your Gun Fails to Fire When the Trigger is Pulled, Handle With Care. If for some reasonthe ammunition doesn’t fire when you pull the trigger, stop and remember the 1st Commandment of Firearm Safety – always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your face away from the breech, then put the safety on, carefully open the action, unload the firearm and dispose of the cartridge safely. Remember that anytime there’s a shell in the chamber, your gun is loaded and ready to use. Even if you tried to shoot and your gun didn’t fire, treat your firearm as if it could still discharge. Always Wear Eye and Ear Protection When Shooting. Your sight and hearingrisk injury from shooting and should be protected at all times. Wear protective shooting glasses to guard against falling shot, clay target chips, powder residue, ruptured cartridge cases and even twigs and branches in the field. Also be sure to wear eye protection when you’re disassembling or cleaning a gun so that tensioned parts (like springs) and cleaning solvents don’t come in contact with your eyes. Continued exposure to shooting noise can permanently damage your hearing. On the range, where shooting volume is the loudest, be sure to use the maximum protection of a headset. And learn to use ear protection in the field, especially in confined locations like duck blinds. Be Sure the Barrel is Clear of Obstructions Before Shooting. Before loading your gun, open the action and make sure there’s no ammunition in the chamber or magazine. Check the barrel for any obstructions or debris. Even a small amount of snow, mud, excess lubricant or grease in the bore can dangerously increase pressure and cause the barrel to bulge or burst when firing. Use a cleaning rod and patch to wipe away anti-rust compounds or any other residues or obstructions in the barrel. Never try to shoot out an obstruction by loading another shell and firing! When firing, rely on your instincts. If the noise or recoil of your firearm seems weak, stop everything, unload your firearm and be sure nothing is lodged in the barrel. Remember the 12/20 burst? That’s what can happen when the barrel is obstructed. So always be sure you’re using the correct ammunition in your firearm and that it’s free of obstructions. Don’t Alter or Modify Your Gun and Have it Serviced Regularly. Your firearm hasbeen designed to operate according to certain factory specifications. You’ll jeopardize your safety and that of others around you by attempting to alter its trigger, mechanical safety or other mechanisms. So never alter or modify your firearm in any way. Like any mechanical device, a firearm is subject to wear. It must be maintained and periodically serviced to assure optimum safety and performance. Only a qualified service facility should service, repair or modify your Remington ®firearm. Consult your instruction book for instructions on how to send your firearm to the factory or for the location of the nearest Remington repair station. Proper cleaning and lubricationare also important to firearm maintenance and are necessary to assure accuracy, safety and reliability. Before cleaning, always make sure that your gun is completely unloaded. And always clean the barrel from the chamber end to the muzzle when possible.
Make it a practiceto clean your bore every time you’re going to shoot. Be sure to clean your entire gun before and after long-term storage and no less than once a year. It’s also important to clean your gun whenever it’s been exposed to adverse conditions such as rain, dirt, mud, snow, sleet or saltwater. For safe and dependableoperation of your firearm, all parts of your gun must be properly cleaned and lubricated. Periodically inspect the internal workings of your firearm to be sure they’re clean and free of rust, unwanted dirt and debris. Use recommended lubricantson your gun and do not over-lubricate. Excessive use of a non-recommended lubricant could adversely affect the function and safe operation of your firearm. Remember, you are responsible for the proper care and maintenance of your firearm. Failure to properly maintain your firearm can not only damage or ruin your firearm, it can expose you and others to unnecessary risks of personal injury or death. Remington ®has a wide rangeof firearm care products and resources for best results when cleaning your gun. Everything from solvents and lubricants to rods and patches. They’re all available from your Remington dealer. Learn the Mechanics and Handling Characteristics of Your Firearm. Not all guns are alike.They have different mechanical characteristics that dictate how you should carry and handle them. Anyone who plans to use a firearm should first become totally familiar with the type of firearm it is and the safe handling procedures for loading, unloading, carrying, shooting and storing it. Before you even unpack your new Remington firearm, read this instruction book from cover to cover and familiarize yourself with the different component parts of the gun. Then read, understand and follow the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety in this book. WARNING!Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead, a substance known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, cancer and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure. SHOOT SOBER!! There’s one other rulethat must be followed when handling firearms. In fact, respect for this rule is necessary in order to effectively practice the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety. The rule is: SHOOT SOBER! Guns and alcohol or drugs make a deadly combination. Never consume anything that would mildly impair your judgment or physical coordination when you’re using a firearm. A staggering percentage of the shooting accidents that occur every year involve alcohol or drugs. Be smart. Always shoot sober and stay alive. WARNING!Failure to follow any of these safety rules may cause personal injury or death to the shooter or bystander and damage to property. Do not use a firearm until you fully understand and practice the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety. If you have any questions about the safe use of a Remington firearm, write to us at Remington Arms Company, Inc., Consumer Service, P.O. Box 700, Madison, NC 27025-0700, or call us at 1-800-243-9700. DON’T KEEP THIS TO YOURSELF.Now that you’re a gun owneryou have the obligation to help ensure that shooting sports are safe for everyone – participants and bystanders alike. You can do that by practicing these principles of firearm safety and passing them on to others – especially new shooters. Set an example for beginners. Be a guide to their safe entry into the exciting world of shooting sports. Invest your time and patience for the love of the sport and for its future. After all, it’s your love of the sport that led you to buy a new Remington. Firearm ownershipis a right and privilege. It’s a right guaranteed in this nation’s Constitution. It’s a privilege which carries with it a personal responsibility to use your firearm in a way which will ensure your safety and the safety of others. The preservation of this right and privilege depends on the personal commitment of you and your fellow shooters to the safe and responsible use of firearms. Let the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety outlined in the book guide you at all times. Teach and promote these rules whenever you can. Remember, firearm safety depends on you! That’s the only way to really enjoy your new Remington firearm and to preserve sport shooting as we know it today. 6 10th COMMANDMENT
Remington®Autoloading Rifle Congratulations on your choiceof a Remington.®With proper care, it should give you many years of dependable use and enjoyment. For best results, we recommend that you use Remington Ammunition – the ammunition used in factory testing your firearm against our exacting function and performance standards. Important Parts of the Firearm The Safety Mechanism The safety mechanism on theModel 597™ Autoloading Rimfire Rifle is a button located behind the trigger. See Pictures 4 and 5. The safety mechanism providesadditional protection against accidental or unintentional discharge under normal usage when properly engaged and in good working order. To put the safety mechanism in the “ON” or “SAFE” position, push the button so the RED BAND MARKING CANNOT BE SEEN. Always put the safety mechanism in the “ON” or “SAFE” position before you handle, load or unload the rifle. Keep the safety mechanism in the “ON” or “SAFE” position until you have the muzzle pointed in a safe direction toward your target and until you are actually ready to shoot. Do not pull the triggerwhen the safety mechanism is in the “ON” or “SAFE” position. Your fingers and all other objects should be kept outside of the trigger guard and away from the trigger until you are actually ready to fire by pulling the trigger. When you are readyto fire the rifle, push the safety mechanism so that the RED BAND MARKING IS SHOWING. The safety mechanism is now in the “OFF” or “FIRE” position. Do not touch the trigger while moving the safety mechanism. NOTE:Extensive dry firing (firing the rifle without a round in the chamber) may cause damage to the rifle. WARNING! The rifle will fire when the trigger is pulled and the safety mechanism is in the “OFF” or “FIRE” position. Even when you think the safety mechanism is in the “ON” or “SAFE” position, careless handling can cause the firearm to fire. See the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety. 7 PICTURE 1 PICTURE 3 PICTURE 2This picture shows the main parts of a REMINGTON AUTOLOADING RIFLE. The picture will aid in understanding the instructions in this book. Stock TriggerMagazine BoxBarrelMuzzle Front Sight Rear Sight Ejection Port Operating Handle Safety Mechanism PICTURE 4 PICTURE 5
The Security System The firearm you havepurchased is equipped with an integrated security system. The security system enables the owner to lock the safety mechanism on the firearm in the “SAFE”position with the use of a special key. THIS SECURITY SYSTEM DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR SAFE GUN HANDLING AND STORAGE, INCLUDING KEEPING THIS AND EVERY GUN UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A SECURE PLACE WHEN NOT IN USE. READ AND FOLLOW THESE AND OTHER SAFETY RULES IN THIS INSTRUCTION BOOK. FAILURE TO READ, UNDERSTAND AND OBEY THESE RULES CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR OTHERS. SEE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF FIREARM SAFETY ON PAGE 2. The safety mechanism on the firearmyou have purchased is a button located behind the trigger, commonly known as the cross-bolt safety. See Picture 6. The safety mechanismprovides additional protection against accidental or unintentional discharge under normal usage when properly engaged and in good working order. On the safety mechanismthere is a “J”shaped slot. See Picture 6. This “J”slot is the key hole for securing your safety mechanism. Also on the safety mechanism is a pointer which will point and line up with either the REDor WHITE DOTon the trigger plate when the safety mechanism is turned. See Picture 6. The position of the pointer indicates whether or not the security system is engaged. The existence of the security system does not change the basic operation of the safety mechanism, nor does it change the manner in which the safety mechanism should be used. With your new firearmyou will receive a capped key. To use the key remove the cap. On the key is an indicator line which will line up with the pointer on the safety mechanism. See Picture 7. To engage the security system,press the safety mechanism to the “ SAFE”position so the RED BAND DOES NOT SHOW.Insert the key into the “ J”slot as far as it can go. Next, turn the key counter- clockwise so that the indicator line on the key and the pointer on the safety mechanism line up with the WHITE DOTon the trigger plate. THE SECURITY SYSTEM IS NOW ENGAGED. In operatingthe security system, NEVERuse excessive force to turn the key. If the key will not turn freely, contact a Remington®authorized repair center. Keep your security systemengaged and your safety mechanism in the “ SAFE”position when your firearm is not in use. Keep your key in a secure place, inaccessible to others. DO NOTleave your key or any ammunition with your firearm, which should be kept unloaded and locked in a safe place. If you lose the key, DO NOTattempt to disengage the safety mechanism using a foreign object. This will damage your firearm. Contact your Remington authorized dealer for a replacement key. Even if you thinkthe security system and safety mechanism are engaged, careless handling can cause the firearm to fire. See the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safetyon page 2. The Operating Handle The operating handleis used to pull the bolt rearward to open the action. See Picture 8. WARNING! When the operating handle is forward, the bolt is closed and the rifle is ready to be fired. 8 PICTURE 8 PICTURE 7 PICTURE 6
The Magazine I. TO REMOVE AN EMPTY MAGAZINE: 1. Point the firearm in a safe direction. 2. Engage the safety mechanism in the “ON” or “SAFE” position. 3. Retract the operating handle to visually check the chamber to make sure it is empty. 4. Pull the magazine latch rearward. See Picture 8. 5. Remove the magazine from the firearm. NOTE:Once the last shot hold-open has been engaged, the magazine can be removed without the bolt closing. II. TO REMOVE A LOADED MAGAZINE: WARNING! If you pick up the firearm and the action is closed, there may be a live round in the chamber. 1. Point the firearm in a safe direction. 2. Engage the safety mechanism in the “ON” or “SAFE” position. 3. Retract the operating handle to visually check the chamber to make sure it is empty. 4. Pull the magazine latch rearward. See Picture 8. 5. Remove the magazine. NOTE:The bolt will not stay locked in the open position unless an empty magazine is reinserted. WARNING!Removing the magazine from the rifle does not prevent the rifle from being fired. If a cartridge is in the chamber and the safety mechanism is “OFF”, the cartridge in the chamber can be fired by pulling the trigger. This is true even if the magazine is not in the rifle. THE RIFLE WILL FIRE WITH THE MAGAZINE REMOVED! The Trigger Assembly: Pulling the trigger fires the firearm. The trigger assemblyand other parts of the firing mechanism are preset at the factory and must never be altered or adjusted. WARNING! NEVER alter or modify any part of the trigger assembly or any part of the firing mechanism. Improper alterations can make the rifle unsafe and result in personal injury or death. WARNING! NEVER put your finger on the trigger unless you are going to fire the firearm. The Barrel WARNING!The inside of the barrel must be clean and free of obstructions. See the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety. I. TO CHECK THE INSIDE OF THE BARREL: 1. Point the firearm in a safe direction. 2. Put the safety mechanism in the “ON” or “SAFE” position. 3. Insert an empty magazine and pull the operating handle rearward until the bolt engages the last shot hold-open mechanism. Visually check the chamber to make sure the rifle is completely unloaded. 4. Remove the magazine from the firearm. 5. Check the chamber again to make sure it is empty. 6. Insert a cleaning rod into the muzzle. Push the rod completely through the barrel until the rod can be seen in the ejection port. II. TO REMOVE OBJECTS FROM INSIDE THE BARREL: WARNING! NEVER try to remove an object from the barrel by loading a cartridge and firing. This may cause the barrel to burst or a cartridge case to rupture and cause serious personal injury or death. 1. Point the firearm in a safe direction. 2. Put the safety mechanism in the “ON” or “SAFE” position. 3. Insert an empty magazine and pull the operating handle rearward until the bolt engages the last shot hold-open mechanism. Visually check the chamber to make sure the rifle is completely unloaded. 9
4. Remove the magazine from the firearm. 5. Check the chamber again to make sure it is empty. 6. Insert the correct size cleaning rod into the muzzle and lightly tap rod to free object from the barrel. 7. Push the cleaning rod all the way through the barrel until the rod can be seen in the ejection port. 8. If an object can not be easily pushed out of the barrel with a cleaning rod, return the firearm to the factory or a REMINGTON ®RECOMMENDED GUNSMITH. III. TO CLEAN THE BARREL FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS SHOWN ON PAGE 12. BEFORE LOADING THE FIREARM: Make sure the inside of the barrel is free of dirt or other objects. To Load the Firearm WARNING!The Model 597™ is designed to use .22 “Long Rifle” standard velocity or hyper velocity cartridges only. The Model 597 Magnum is designed to use .22 Win. Mag. cartridges only. The two calibers CAN NOT be interchanged. Do not use any other .22 caliber ammunition, as this can cause a jam or severe gun malfunction and result in serious personal injury or death. See the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety. TO LOAD THE CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE: NOTE: The barrel should be cleaned before loading and firing the firearm the first time. Follow cleaning instruc- tions shown on page 12. 1. Point the firearm in a safe direction. 2. Put the safety mechanism in the “ON” or “SAFE” position. 3. Pull the operating handle rearward until the bolt engages the last shot hold-open mechanism. Visually check the chamber to make sure the chamber is empty. 4. Pull the magazine latch rearward. 5. Remove the magazine from the bottom of the firearm. The bolt will remain open. WARNING! Always check the cartridge for the correct caliber before loading the firearm. 6. Load up to ten cartridges, or up to eight for the Model 597 Magnum, one at a time into the magazine. Keep the bullets aligned toward the chamber. See Picture 9. NOTE:Read important information below about loading the magazine. 7. Put the loaded magazine into the firearm. 8. Make sure the magazine is fully latched into position. 9. Pull back on the operating handle to disengage the last shot hold- open mechanism. The bolt will close and feed the first cartridge into the chamber. WARNING! The rifle is now cocked and loaded. Make sure the safety mechanism is still in the “ON” or “SAFE” position. BOTH THE CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE ARE NOW LOADED. Loading The Magazine Due to variationsin .22 Long Rifle ammunition, care should be taken when loading the magazine not to over- lap the rims of the cartridges. See right. If rims overlap, a failure to feed a round from the magazine may occur. The loaded round should be inserted into the magazine by putting pressure near the rim. See Picture 9. Do not insert by pushing near the nose of the bullet. If the magazine becomeshard to load to full capacity, unload magazine, disassemble and clean the magazine components. Do not use solvents that are harmful to plastic materials. For cleaning instructions see pages 13 and 14. 10 PICTURE 9