And it’s nearly indestructible.
Perfectly balanced, the Model 66 is a great rabbit rifle. Holt
finds the balance is perfect with iron sights. The little rifle
has had a scope in the past, but is much handier without one.
finds the balance is perfect with iron sights. The little rifle
has had a scope in the past, but is much handier without one.
While pouring over Gyde and Marcot’s beautiful, new, definitive work on the Remington .22s, I was reminded just how unique and revolutionary Remington’s Nylon 66s were. A few days later, I was thumbing through the Sunday paper, and my eyes were drawn to a picture of a Minuteman volunteer camped down along the United States-Mexico border doing his best to stem the tide of illegal immigration. By his side were two classic rifles—his general purpose AR-15 and his Remington Model 66. I second both choices. The rugged Model 66 is an exceptionally fine and somewhat underrated rimfire.
Remington thought so, too. Here’s a sample of their advertising copy from the 1960s:
“We said it ’cause it’s true. The Remington Nylon 66 is the roughest, toughest, most trouble-free 22 automatic made.
“And for one big reason: Nylon.
“Nylon makes the action virtually jamproof (Key parts glide on ‘greaseless bearings’ of long-wearing nylon.) There’s actually no need for lubrication.
“The remarkable DuPont ‘Zytel’ nylon stock is not affected by freezing cold, soaking rain or rotting humidity. In fact, if the stock ever warps, cracks, chips, fades or peels, we’ll replace it for free.
“This is the 22 rifle trappers depend on from Hudson Bay to the Everglades. The only 22 that Alaskan fishermen find able to withstand the attacks of corrosive sea spray to protect their nets from marauding sea lions.”
Advertising hyperbole? Not really. It’s largely a statement of fact. Introduced in 1959 at a price of $49.95, the Model 66 was management’s solution to controlling the cost of the receiver and stock components of a mid-priced .22.
Remington at the time was owned by DuPont. Working with the DuPont Petrochemicals Department, Remington engineers under the supervision of Wayne Leek seized upon structural Zytel Nylon 101, part of the Nylon 66 family of plastics, as the solution to manufacturing a synthetic stock and receiver. Among its many qualities, Zytel Nylon was capable of being formed into any shape, was impervious to solvents, oils, mild acids, alkalis, fungus, rodents and insects, and was self-lubricating and dimensionally stable.
Remington thought so, too. Here’s a sample of their advertising copy from the 1960s:
“We said it ’cause it’s true. The Remington Nylon 66 is the roughest, toughest, most trouble-free 22 automatic made.
“And for one big reason: Nylon.
“Nylon makes the action virtually jamproof (Key parts glide on ‘greaseless bearings’ of long-wearing nylon.) There’s actually no need for lubrication.
“The remarkable DuPont ‘Zytel’ nylon stock is not affected by freezing cold, soaking rain or rotting humidity. In fact, if the stock ever warps, cracks, chips, fades or peels, we’ll replace it for free.
“This is the 22 rifle trappers depend on from Hudson Bay to the Everglades. The only 22 that Alaskan fishermen find able to withstand the attacks of corrosive sea spray to protect their nets from marauding sea lions.”
Advertising hyperbole? Not really. It’s largely a statement of fact. Introduced in 1959 at a price of $49.95, the Model 66 was management’s solution to controlling the cost of the receiver and stock components of a mid-priced .22.
Remington at the time was owned by DuPont. Working with the DuPont Petrochemicals Department, Remington engineers under the supervision of Wayne Leek seized upon structural Zytel Nylon 101, part of the Nylon 66 family of plastics, as the solution to manufacturing a synthetic stock and receiver. Among its many qualities, Zytel Nylon was capable of being formed into any shape, was impervious to solvents, oils, mild acids, alkalis, fungus, rodents and insects, and was self-lubricating and dimensionally stable.
There's More Rimfires
in the February Issue...
• Mattel?
• Fine Sights
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