I have one in 22lr, and it jammed more than it cycled. Then I found out about a fix on the net, and it worked very well. I have now put 500 rounds through it without one hiccup. That being said, I would opt for a gun on the 10/22 platform. You have more options, and you could switch the caliber later very easily. Good luck.

In all honesty, the 597 is a decent plinker/small game gun. The accuracy isn't that bad, but a target gun, it is not!!!
Mine is one of the early models, and Remington may have fixed the jamming problems in the newer versions.
I still use mine on the range, (mainly for passing time while my big guns are cooling) and if I get the opportunity, I'll probably use it for casual Squirrel hunting.
I have found that by not fully loading the clip, I don't have near as many jams, so the problem is more in the clip, than the gun itself.
However, there are many better guns on the market, in the same price range! So, the real issue to me as a 597 owner is, "would I buy another 597, or recommend it to a potential gun buyer?"
And my answer would be a definate NO!

Remington may have fixed the problems with the 597, but the one that I owned has soured me on Remington products forever.[:@]

I won't buy another rinfire semiauto again anyhow, I pretty much consider them to be toys. For around the same price as a 597 in .22 magnum, a guy could buy a CZ 452 which a much better rifle.

my dad has one and for a .22 for just messin around its a good gun. never had it jam on me before. u guys musta had faulty guns-never had a problem with my dads. i mean yea i would like it to be a wood stock but hey it works for messin around with and its not expensive.

Not faulty guns, faulty magazines. That is where 99.9% of the problem lies.

I've got a 597 that I bought about 2 years ago. I had the jamming problems like some others here. I may get some newer mags and see if that helps. Not sure I'd recommend it at this point to anyone. Thought about selling it at one time, but I hate the idea of sluffing off a gun that I am having problems with on some unknowing buyer.