The Remington Nylon 66 is a semi automatic 22LR made from 1959 until 1989. Remington collaborated with Dupont to use the new Nylon 66 formula to make a rifle that was mostly made of the polymer. While it looks like the receiver is at least made of steel, you’re actually looking at a thin sheet metal covering of a polymer receiver! Because of all the plastic, it’s lightweight, operates without need for much oil, and there’s not much to rust.
Using the Nylon 66
The Remington Nylon 66 uses a tubular magazine in the stock of the rifle. You remove a tube inner from the back buttplate, drop rounds bullet-down into the back of the stock, then replace the tube inner to add spring tension to the rounds. Rack the side charging handle and you’re loaded and ready to go. New rounds come up from underneath the bolt while ejected shells go out the tiny ejection port on the right. The bolt does not lock open on an empty magazine.
The tang safety at the rear is very clicky and nice. I love tang safeties, and think they’re more ergonomic than cross bolt safeties.
The rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation if you’ve got a flat screwdriver, or you could use a spent 22LR shell rim. The front sight is a big, unprotected blade.
There are dovetail rails on that sheet metal receiver cover if you want to run a scope, but I personally think this rifle fits the irons best.
If you have a Nylon 66 and/or other tube fed 22LR’s, you might want to look at getting a Catch 22.
Conclusion
With no more Nylon 66’s being made, they’re starting to come up in price. Personally, I think the price mostly reflects that a lot of people shot Nylon 66’s as kids and now want to own one out of nostalgia. If you are nostalgic for the Nylon 66, I’d recommend getting one sooner rather than later, as the price is going to keep increasing.
