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Defective Remington 597 17 HMR Semiautomatic Rifle Class Action Lawsuit
By Sarah Pierce
Do you own a Remington 597 17 HMR semiautomatic rifle? You may want to be careful which ammunition you use. A federal class action lawsuit claims the rifle explodes if used with Cascade Cartridge/CCI Ammunition’s ammo, and that Remington issued an inadequate recall notice.
The Remington class action lawsuit claims Remington sold tens of thousands of defective Remington 597 semiautomatic rifles and possibly millions of the 17 HMR ammunition sold under its private label agreement with Co-Defendant CCI Ammunition.
In August 2009, Remington made its first public statements acknowledging that its Remington 597 HMR semiautomatic rifles may explode while using 17 HMR ammunition and warned consumers to discontinue use of both products immediately. However, Remington’s efforts to notify owners and users of the 597 was limited to a Safety Warning and Recall Notice posted on its website – a hugely inadequate recall notice that left many consumers in the dark about the danger of using the 597, the lawsuit says.
The defective Remington 597 class action lawsuit also challenges the offer made in conjunction with the recall, which the suit claims is equally inadequate: a $200 or $250 coupon for the purchase of a replacement Remington firearm and a $10 coupon for a box of 50 rounds of Remington 17 HMR ammunition.
“The coupon for purchase of a firearm was well below the purchase price paid by [Class Members] for the Model 597 17 HMR semiautomatic rifle and required [consumers] to purchase a new firearm in order to redeem the coupon,” the Remington 597 class action lawsuit states. Not only that, but the “coupon for purchase of ammunition was well below the purchase price paid” for the 17 HMR ammunition, and also required consumers to purchase new ammunition in order to redeem the coupon.
Furthermore, those who purchased 17 HMR ammunition manufactured by CCI but labeled under a brand other than Remington, such as Federal, were offered no compensation for the ammunition they purchased to use in the rifle.
As a result of Remington and CCI’s negligent design, manufacture and marketing, as well as unfair and deceptive acts regarding the Remington Model 597 17 HMR semiautomatic rifle and Remington 17 HMR ammunition, consumers received “defective and unreasonably dangerous products for which they substantially overpaid because the rifle and ammunition were useless,” the class action lawsuit states.
The Remington 597 17 HMR class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of a proposed class of all U.S. residents who owned a Remington Model 597 17 HMR semiautomatic rifle or any type of 17 HMR ammunition manufactured by CCI Ammunition that was purchased for use in that firearm.
It is seeking actual damages (including multiple damages) or statutory damages, whichever is greater. It is also asking the Court to force Remington to re-issue the recall notice in a “commercially viable manner,” including direct communications with known owners of the rifle and publication in widely read media.
A copy of the Defective Remington 597 17 HMR Semiautomatic Rifle Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
The case is William S. Yancey v. Remington Arms Company, LLC; Cascade Cartridge, Inc. a/k/a CCI Ammunition, Case No. 11-cv-00108, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee.
Updated December 22nd, 2011
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67 thoughts onDefective Remington 597 17 HMR Semiautomatic Rifle Class Action Lawsuit
I am curious if this problem is strictly with the 17 HMR. I have three 597’s, two in 22lr and one in 22 mag. I have had problems with the bolt, slide lever on all of them. I have one in the gun shop NOW, getting fixed. I love Remington but, seems their quality has gone down the tubes recently.. I am wondering why this is restricted to just the 17 HMR…. seems all the 597’s have the exact same design, just different calibers ??? HAS ANYONE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 22lr or 22 Mags. ???
just ended up with one today. had no idea. i paid 350.
I have A 597 Hmr 17 Semi With The Laminated Stock, A Wedding Present From My Wife. ProblemS Since day One!! Its From My Wife, $250, Yea Right!!!!
I also own a 597-.17HMR, I have three boxes of Remington ammo and have shot it about 50 times. I just found out about this recall while I was trying to resolve a problem with ammo feed and jamming. WOW, this is a serious problem. I read were many people ask to be a part of this law suit however, I don’t see any replies as to how. Please help.
I too have a Remington 597 that I bought new several years ago, and this is the first I have heard of the problems it has. It has been shot very little, but after reading about the trouble, I won’t be shooting again. I agree with the others, 200-250 won’t cut it. Count me in.
My Remington 597 .17 HMR blew up this past weekend while sighting in a scope, same damage to clip and magazine as all other posts. No injury to myself, second bullet in clip did split open peppering my face with gunpowder. I hate to hire my attorney to handle this for me but…
Are we going to get any reply… my gun blew up on my son… He is now blind in one eye…
I need to join this class action suit as well. Took my Remington 597 .17 HMR out this afternoon and had a case rupture that destroyed the magazine and damaged the bolt. My girlfriend who was standing several feet behind me was hit in the face with the charging handle. No injuries fortunately, but this could have potentially had a disastrous outcome. I agree that Remington failed to exercise due diligence regarding this recall or warning of the potential consequences of what could happen with continued use of the rifle. Likewise I also agree that Remington failed to offer a fair and adequate compensation for the recalled weapons.
Just had a Remington 597 blow the bolt and magazine up in my daughters face. I was hit with parts while standing 6 feet away. Now I find out this model has issues. I would have never had my daughter or anyone else using this gun if I would have known. Not impressed with Remington and their lack of due diligence in recalling these rifles.
I paid 397.00 for my gun at sportsmans warehouse. No way I am going to take 200.00. Give me my choice in a new bolt action.