ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin Review

First Thoughts on the ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin

The ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin promises a significant boost in firepower for Remington 597 owners. As someone with over a decade immersed in the outdoor and tactical gear world, I’m always intrigued by aftermarket accessories aiming to enhance a firearm’s capabilities. I’m particularly interested to see if this drum magazine can deliver reliable performance, something that aftermarket magazines, especially high-capacity ones, often struggle with.

I was looking to increase the capacity of my Remington 597 for longer range sessions without constant reloading. The factory 10-round magazines, while reliable, can become tedious when plinking or target shooting. The appeal of a 30-round drum was undeniable, offering a significant advantage in terms of continuous shooting.

Out of the box, the ProMag drum feels solid, though the “smoke” colored polymer gives it a somewhat less refined appearance compared to the factory metal magazines. The weight is noticeable, but manageable; it feels like a quality piece of kit, despite being an aftermarket product. I was initially excited about the potential for extended shooting sessions, but also slightly apprehensive given the spotty reputation of some aftermarket magazines.

I considered several other high-capacity magazines, but the drum design offered a unique advantage in terms of capacity without significantly extending the length of the magazine. I chose the ProMag primarily for its higher capacity and the drum-style design, hoping it would translate to smoother feeding. My first impression was cautiously optimistic. I was eager to get it to the range and see if it lived up to the hype, or if it would become another addition to the pile of unreliable aftermarket parts.

Real-World Testing: Putting ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial testing of the ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin took place at my local outdoor shooting range. The weather was sunny and dry, providing ideal conditions to evaluate the magazine’s performance. I loaded the drum with CCI Mini-Mags, a generally reliable .22 LR ammunition, and commenced shooting.

The first few rounds fed smoothly, bolstering my initial optimism. However, after about 10 rounds, I experienced a failure to feed, with the round getting stuck halfway into the chamber. After clearing the jam, I continued firing, but the stoppages became more frequent. It was apparent that the drum, at least initially, had some reliability issues.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several range trips and hundreds of rounds fired, the ProMag drum’s performance has remained inconsistent. Durability-wise, the ProMag magazine itself has held up well, showing no signs of cracking or breaking. Maintenance is relatively simple; a quick wipe down with a cloth is usually sufficient, but disassembly for a deeper clean is not easy.

Compared to my experience with the factory Remington magazines, the ProMag drum is a considerable step down in terms of reliability. The factory magazines feed flawlessly, while the drum requires constant vigilance and is prone to malfunctions. Despite the higher capacity, the frustration of frequent stoppages overshadows the benefits.

Breaking Down the Features of ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin

Specifications

The ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin is designed for the Remington 597 rifle, chambered in .22 Long Rifle. The magazine boasts a 30-round capacity. It is made from a smoke-colored, high-strength polymer and manufactured in the USA.

The increased capacity allows for extended shooting sessions without the need for frequent reloading, which is appealing for plinking or competitive shooting. However, the polymer construction, while durable, may not offer the same level of robustness as steel magazines. The aftermarket origin also means that quality control may not be as stringent as with factory magazines.

Performance & Functionality

When it functions correctly, the ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin delivers a significant increase in firepower. However, reliability issues significantly detract from its overall performance. The magazine is prone to feeding problems, especially when fully loaded.

The drum offers the potential for continuous shooting but falls short due to its inconsistent performance. It does not fully meet expectations for reliable, high-capacity feeding.

Design & Ergonomics

The drum design is relatively compact, considering its 30-round capacity. The smoke-colored polymer construction keeps the weight manageable, though it does add some bulk to the rifle. The ergonomic impact is minimal; it doesn’t significantly alter the rifle’s balance or handling.

The magazine is relatively user-friendly. Loading is straightforward, and the drum design is intuitive to use.

Durability & Maintenance

The ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin seems reasonably durable; it has withstood several range trips without any signs of structural failure. Maintenance is fairly simple. Basic cleaning can be achieved with a cloth, but complete disassembly for thorough cleaning is difficult and not recommended.

Accessories and Customization Options

The ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin itself doesn’t offer any customization options. It is a self-contained unit. However, it is compatible with any Remington 597 rifle designed to accept standard magazines.

While there are no direct accessories for the magazine, the Remington 597 rifle itself has a wide range of available accessories, such as scopes, stocks, and triggers. These enhancements can improve the overall shooting experience.

Pros and Cons of ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin

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Who Should Buy ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin?

The ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin is perfect for recreational shooters and plinkers who prioritize high capacity and are willing to tolerate occasional malfunctions. It could also appeal to competitive shooters who are willing to experiment with different ammunition and tuning to optimize reliability.

Those seeking absolute reliability for hunting or tactical applications should skip this product. They should instead stick with factory magazines or other more reliable aftermarket options. A must-have modification would be thorough cleaning and potentially polishing of the feed ramp to improve feeding reliability.

Conclusion on ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin

The ProMag Remington 22 LR 597 30rd Smoke Drum – 22 Long Rifle Caliber, Aftermarket Origin offers a tantalizing promise of increased firepower for Remington 597 owners, but its inconsistent reliability is a significant drawback. At $36.99, the price is certainly attractive for a 30-round drum, making it an affordable upgrade if it performed flawlessly. However, the value proposition is diminished by the frequent malfunctions.

I would cautiously recommend it to those who understand the limitations and are willing to troubleshoot potential feeding issues. But those seeking absolute reliability should stick with factory magazines. If you’re prepared to tinker and potentially fine-tune the magazine, the ProMag drum could be a fun addition to your range kit, but go in with realistic expectations.

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