Though it's not a semi or a bolt, how about the Marlin 39A. Dad bought his new in 1952 and over the years he and us four sons have shot the snot out of it. That rifle is still as reliable as a stone axe.
I got a 10/22 when I was 15, don't think I cleaned the breech face on that thing until I was 20 or so, and it must have had 2000+ rounds through it. Wondered why it started to malfunction on me, that was it.
Still using the original magazine too.
It's a carbine model, and will shoot quite accurate, but as with most .22LR's (as far as I've seen) will only shoot so far accurately. As large as aftermarket support is for these things, a new trigger and maybe barrel would probably do wonders, and not be THAT expensive.
I don't know much about the 597, is it possible that your particular rifle has a problem, and it's not inherent with the design? Perhaps something that can be fixed?
The Marlin lever action .22 is just about as tough
as the new German main battle tank (so to speak).
Logically, of the large number produced and sold over
the decades, some probably did need a repair yet
honestly I have never known anyone who needed a repair.
Also, it is a very high quality barrel for accuracy on
the range or in the field.
I will look into the Marlin. Dyeager535, the 597 is not that reliable, it will not pick up a fresh round once every ten rounds, and will stovepipe sometimes, when the bolt closes, most of the time the cartridge will get wedged and the bolt will close about half way thru, and Ive tried all sorts of ammunition. So yea, time for a reliable gun.
I will look into the Marlin. Dyeager535, the 597 is not that reliable, it will not pick up a fresh round once every ten rounds, and will stovepipe sometimes, when the bolt closes, most of the time the cartridge will get wedged and the bolt will close about half way thru, and Ive tried all sorts of ammunition. So yea, time for a reliable gun.
I have a friend who got a 597 for Christmas. It has not worked well. I don't think he has the magazine feeding problem, as I believe in the most recent versions (metal magazine?), this has been corrected. However, misfires are more frequent than they should be, and accuracy is a problem. If you must have a semi then I think the Ruger is a good choice. Very popular and you can buy any mod you can imagine for it. For reliability and out of the box accuracy, I would suggest a bolt action, and in particular in the under $500 range the Savage. See the suggestions I posted in this thread:
I had a 10/22 some years back. it had to be cleaned after 3 shots because the 4th would fly up to 8 inches from the first 3. maybe this was just my rifle but i traded it off at the first chance.
The 10/22 is likely the most popular semi auto .22lr rifle on the market currently. I own one and love it, only time i ever had a problem was when i put 500rds+ through it in a weekend, and once I cleaned it I had no problems. Like everyone has said, the aftermarket accessories available are literally endless, from heavy/light bull barrels, new stocks, trigger kits, bolt charging handles, bipods, ect. The best part is, to change the stock on a .22 requires removal of two screws, and thats it. Likely one of the easiest guns to do your own work on, you can change the barrel in under 5 minutes.
Out of the box accuracy is fine unless your trying to shoot 150+ yards or so, closer for some, farthur for others.
Overall, if your looking for a semi .22lr, I'd say you can't go wrong with the Ruger 10/22.
Put me down in the Marlin or Ruger 10/22 camp. Both are excellent choices and reasonably affordable. There are a million+ Rugers out there, so I would not pay $240 for one. find a sale, get one at a show, or check whatever version of the Thrifty Nickle your city has. I believe the Marlin's are more reasonably priced to begin with.
Accuracy on either is great as well. I have no problems with Iron sites on either at 100 yards.
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