Most folks know about the Remington Nylon 66 series of semiautomatic .22 rifles, which were something of a sensation when they were introduced in 1958. Beginning in 1961 and running through 1964, they also came up with some nylon-stocked bolt action rifles. Not many folks know about these today, and few have even seen one. Even collectors argue about how they are sorted out. There are some very rare and valuable ones in the bunch, so I thought I'd try to shed some light on them.

The first to go into production was the Nylon 11, in late 1961. It was fitted with a 6-shot metal detachable magazine. It had a butter-knife Mannlicher-style bolt handle. 22,423 of them were made. Here's a picture:



In 1964, shortly before the bolt actions were discontinued, a few Nylon 11s were made with longer barrels. The quantity is unknown, but there were very few, and they are quite valuable today. Here's a pic of one of these, equipped with the optional 10-round metal magazine:



In late 1962, the Nylon 10 was introduced. This was a low-cost single shot number. Only 8,606 of these rifles were made, and it's rarely encountered today. The bolt on this beginner-oriented rifle engages the safety each time the bolt is brought back. It has to be released each time to fire the shot. Here's a shot of this rarity:



A really rare variation of the Nylon 10 was the smooth-bore version, designed to fire only .22 LR shot shells. There was no rifling in the bore. These are almost never found today, as only 2,064 were made. Needless to say, prices on these now border on unreasonable. Here's the marking on the barrel that distinguishes them:



In 1964, an extremely small number of long-barreled Nylon 10s were made. They are ghosts on the collector market; I've never seen one. This picture has been Photoshopped to show what it looks like. These are unbearably expensive when offered for sale.



In late 1962, the Nylon 12 was put on the market. It was a tube-fed repeater, with the tube under the barrel. Its production quantity was 27,551. Here's a pic:



A small number of long-barreled Nylon 12s was made in 1964. Quantity is unknown, but they are rare. Here is one:



The bolt action nylon rifles were never very popular, so not that many were made. Perversely, they are now some of the most valuable finds on the collector market. If you find one at anywhere near a reasonable price at a gun show or gun store, it's money in the bank, and Remington Nylon collectors will fall all over themselves trying to buy it from you!

As a side note, these guns will more often than not be found with no rear sight. To scope the rifle properly, it was necessary to remove that sight, and the sight was routinely put aside and lost. Therefore, the rear sights are in demand and have gotten pretty expensive when found.

Hope you find this summary of interest. All of these pictures, taken today, are copyrighted to me.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

And I thought the lever action version was an odd idea. Fun read.

I liked those bolt guns better than the semiautos.
Never managed to own one, or even shoot one, however.

Another great thread, thank you.

I am in the process of creating my own instructional materials for rifle and pistol instruction. I cannot afford to buy stock photos, and at any rate none fit my needs.

Would you be willing to tell how you make those beautiful firearms photos on that white background? I need to learn so I may get my class materials ready.

Thank you in advance and if you'd rather not share. I understand.
Erich

I thought the lever action Nylon 76 "Trail Rider" rifles were actually pretty nice. These were the only lever actions ever made by Remington. Here is one of the Mohawk Brown models and one of the uber-rare Apache Black variations.*

John





*Pictures (c) 2013 JLM

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Erich,

I developed this technique over the years to illustrate the articles on classic guns I do for Dillon's Blue Press catalog/magazine. Here's the formula:

1. The background is white counter top material from Home Depot. I use a long sheet for long guns and a smaller one for handguns.

2. I use a tripod and mount my camera so that it points straight down or nearly so over the firearm.

3. I use a really good digital single lens camera. I have used the Pentax K-5 and more lately (as with these photos), the incredible Pentax K-3, which is a professional level item. Any good DSLR with controls that will allow manual control will probably do fine. Be sure to lose any extra filter glass over the lens and use a lens hood to eliminate any possibility of lens flare. Prime lenses (non-zoomers) are the sharpest, since there is less internal glass, but good zooms will work well enough. I shoot outdoors in the shade, or better yet, on an overcast day. This gives very soft shadows, which can be virtually eliminated in post-processing. Who needs artificial lighting when nature is ready and willing to help out?

4. Manually, I set the aperture anywhere between f/8 and f/11 to get good depth of field. I set the white balance on automatic, and it usually is right on the money. I adjust the shutter speed to overexpose the full white-background picture by about 2 1/2 stops, so that I get a nice white background and perfectly exposed subjects. I also shoot with a 2-second delay setting, which allows the internal mirror to flip up before the picture is taken, minimizing any possible vibration of the camera. I set the image stabilization feature off, as it will attempt to compensate for camera movement that isn't there, degrading the picture quality. I can adjust the K-3 to do away with the camera's internal anti-aliasing filter, which results in much sharper images. I shoot in the RAW format so that I can process the picture on the computer.

5. In post-processing, I adjust brightness, contrast, vibrance, and other parameters using PhotoShop Elements 10, and convert the RAW file to jpeg format. I then straighten the subject to horizontal, crop, make final color adjustments, clone out defects like dust on the subject and slightly sharpen the image. Then it's sized appropriately for use. The K-3 takes huge 24 megapixel images.

When the images are posted here, they are automatically reduced to 1024 pixels wide, which to my mind is much smaller than ideal. I do post some of the pics on my albums here, where they are at my chosen compromise size of 1280 pixels wide. You can see more detail in those albums.

Hope this explanation isn't too "techy," but that's what I do to generate my pictures. Hopefully this will be helpful to you.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I well remember when Nylon was the material of the future. I remember a lever action gun advertising that it's gears were made of tough Nylon that wouldn't jam.

Back in about 1965 we used the bolt action Nylon rifles in the marksmanship program at Boy Scout summer camp. I was only 13 at the time. I can't tell you now exactly which model we used but I thought that was about the coolest rifle I'd ever seen! I never again saw another one until just two weeks ago when I discovered one in a shop in Colorado. I walked away without buying it but have been thinking of it ever since. May just have to go back down there and get it for Christmas!

I bought one of the bolt actions used back in the late 60s. I think it
was the single shot if I remember correctly. It seemed cheap and
flimsy compared to wood stocked guns so I eventually traded it off for
something else. It would be many years before I owned another plastic
Remington, the 66 MB I now own and love. The 66 fits me so well and
points where I'm looking and is the only 22 rifle I have ever owned
that I have been able to hit cottontail rabbits on the run with. The 66
did not build it's reputation on accuracy but mine will shoot groups
from a rest with std velocity ammo that rival those from my bolt
action 22s.

how did Remington get around NFA laws buy making a smooth bore 22 rifle? is the 22 bird shot considered a specific round for use in the gun that allows it? I know Remington made some smoothbore rifles where they had a screwin rifled insert section at the muzzle that was rifled but I don't remember the model number.

One of my shooting pals owns the tube fed semi-auto model.

Extremely accurate and a fun gun to shoot.

We slap a scope on it occasionally and at 75yds 3 shot groups go thru the same holes.

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AKA: "Strange Tamer"

A .22 smoothbore long gun would be illegal only if its barrel measured less than 18 inches. The barrel on this one is 19 inches long, so it's in the same category as shotguns in any gauge or caliber.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

My goodness!! What a very generous sharing of information. You just helped me be able to publish my own training materials without buying stock photos or paying a photographer.

I will print this out, and I hope the mods place this post in an area where others can benefit as well, I think a lot of people could have a lot of fun taking pictures.

What is great is your use of natural light and inexpensive self made subject background. I thought I would,have to invest a great deal in other equipment besides the camera!

Also very helpful are your camera settings, as I am currently an "automatic" picture taker. Now I have a base to work with.

I was thinking of using a film camera then scanning, but it seems to me better post production results are had with RAW images.

I was looking at Nikon's 7000 series cameras, which are in the same price range as the K3. Did you choose the K3 for the anti-aliasing feature?

Wonderful information!
Thank you sir, thank you.
Erich

Wonderful pictures and very intresting commentary! Thanks for sharing this information.

Len

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Endeavor to persevere

Thanks, Erich.

I chose the K-3 because it's a better and more versatile camera. The superior features include a really rugged body utilizing a steel and magnesium alloy frame. It's fully weather-sealed (including the kit lenses), so you can take it out in the rain.

The anti-aliasing feature is switchable - I prefer not using the AA mode at all for sharper pictures. No other comparable camera has this ability. If strange patterns appear in striped subjects, you can turn it on - have your cake and eat it too.

It's incredibly versatile - you can set it up to do anything you want, movies, time-lapse photography, multiple-image single shots, hand-held HDR 3-shots combined, 3 user-specific modes on demand, time AND aperture modes selected at the same time (camera adjusts the ISO), great ISO noise performance; huge files, vibrant colors, excellent focus tracking on moving objects - I could go on and on. One feature I really like that I don't see in other cameras: I generally shoot just jpegs to save card space. However, when I look at a shot (like those on this page) and wish to have a RAW shot of the picture, I hit the review button, press the AE-L button, and the camera saves the RAW file which is still in camera memory until I take another pic or turn off the camera. It's attached to the jpeg and will download when that picture comes up, as well.

I also like that I have an inventory of old Pentax lenses dating back to the film era, and I can use all of them on this camera. The image stabilization feature is in the sensor rather than individual lenses, so it works with ALL K-mount lenses, old or new. Even the old screw-mount lenses will work with an adapter. High-end Pentax lenses meet or beat any ever produced by Nikon or Canon for image quality.

I do my homework on cameras, and this one was a no-brainer. Nikon and Canon are popular, but Pentax has always offered more bang for the buck, and this time they made an end run around Canikon and scored big.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I am sure I can use this and it will probably work well with other inanimate objects!!

I am sure I can use this and it will probably work well with other inanimate objects!!

I want one of each.......

I picked up a Nylon 10 single shot, today, and my research led me here. From what I gather, I did pretty good at $200. It is probably in 95% condition. Thanks to the OP. I found this very informative.

I bought a 66 when they came out and a couple of years later, my Mother and I got a model 12 for my Dad for Christmas.
Shooting Jack Rabbits and selling them to a mink farm kept me gasoline during high school and beer in college.

My folks are gone now and I have passed the 66 to my Son and the 12 to my Grandson.

I am sending your article to them so they have a better insight into what they have.

Thanks for sharing.

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Eccentric old coot

I saw more than a couple of these bolt action nylon rifles at the Tulsa arms show a couple of weeks ago.......never knew that they made a bolt action version until then.

Here are my 2 nylons. One is a real 66, the other is some copy from Brazil.



Ned

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Devil's afraid I'll take over.

Thanks so much for posting this information!

I recently got one of the 24" barrel Nylon 11's in excellent, near mint condition. Very proud to own it and yeah ..... they shoot great.

I saw three of the bolt actions recently in Mexico. I wonder if the current restrictions on semi-auto rifles south of the border were in effect in the early 1960's and if many of those rifles were sold there as a result of that?

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Captain Dave Funk

They also made a nylon lever action.......The model 77.............

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S&W Accumulator

I've got a 1976 Bicentennial Edition Nylon 66.
Do need to take more pics of it...LOL


Meanwhile, if anyone wants one, there's a model 10
at Interstate Pawn in Pensacola, FL,
at the Creighton Road store...they do sell on the 'net,
and will take phone call sales & transfer to an FFL.

Attached Images

Nylon 1976.jpg (28.7 KB, 43 views)

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Marlin & Calico Specialist

Same here. Those rifles had thousands of rounds shot through them over the years. They were ultimately replaced with Chipmunks, and those rifles are going strong. There are always a couple racks of 66's at the local gun shows, and one of these days, when I find the right one, I'm going to buy, just because. Great memories . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Educate me some more on these bolt action Nylon Remington rifles if you would please.

I’ve handled a few of these bolt action nylon Remingtons and, with the exception of the flat, Mannlicher-style bolt handle, the barreled actions seem to be very similar to the Remington 510, 511, 512 Models. It almost looks like Remington just switched stocks on some of their conventional steel .22 rimfires from wood to nylon. On the other hand, the Nylon 66 was a completely new design were stock also served as the “receiver” holding the barrel, bolt and other internal parts in their proper relationships to make the rifle work.

Were the barreled actions for the Nylon bolt action Remingtons a new design to go with the nylon stocks?

Thanks!

Those are gorgeous pic.s My neighbor had one of the later model semi auto nylon Rem.s and something broke internally. He took it to a gunsmith and claims the guy told him to toss it cause it wasn't worth fixing.

Good question!

The bolt-action Nylon models 10,11 and 12 replaced and were in reality very similar to the earlier Remington 510 (single shot), 511 (box magazines) and 512 (tubular under-barrel magazine), which were wood-stocked rifles. Each of these earlier rifles utilized a stamped heavy gauge sheet-steel receiver which was carried over into the Nylon line. The metal box magazine of the Nylon 11 was the same as the one utilized in the Model 511; it was unmarked except for the Remington logo on its baseplate. The barrels on the Nylon models were held in their receivers by a single transverse pin in the upper forward part of the receiver. All of the Nylon bolt-actions used a newer-style butter-knife operating handle, a safety lever at the right rear of the receiver, and a red indicator which projected from the bolt when it was cocked. The bolt was quite strong, with two rear locking lugs which mated into opposing recesses in the receiver. These can be removed by pulling them to the rear while pressing the trigger back.

Your observation "It almost looks like Remington just switched stocks on some of their conventional steel .22 rimfires from wood to nylon." is essentially correct.

Hope this helps.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I'm pretty sure I have a Remington Nylon 10 . It is a single shot bolt action . Has the 19 1/2 in barrel. It's in perfect shape. Has the top sight that is sometimes missing.. would love to know what I should sell it for. An if anyone knows who or where might be interested. Thank you

Thanks for all the info on the Nylon Series. They seemed like a gun made before their time. In an era of wood stocked rimfires am surprised they were produced.

GREAT post as to both the Nylons and how to take great photos...

I've had two 66s and one 11. The 11 was missing the rear sight....and they are made of Unobtainium....

Bob

I know this is an old thread, but was wondering if anybody knows if the smoothbore version had a front bead or the standard blade sight?

I always find these short essays very entertaining and informative...even in this case, when it's a firearm who's popularity baffles me. Thanks for posting. I particularly enjoyed the various Winchester rimfire rifle articles in the past.

Wonderful thread.

Ralph,

The smoothbore single shot Nylon 10 used the standard rifle (blade) sights. Externally, the gun looks identical to the rifle; the only clue to it being a shotgun is this stamping on the barrel. Only 2,064 were made, making it one of the rarest Nylons.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

My neighbor keeps a Model 10 smoothbore in his barn. I chuckle to myself when I see it covered with surface rust
One can not have too many 22s and I love the odd ones

I have the Nylon 10 smooth bore. The front sight looks just like the Nylon 10 Rifle in the picture in the original article. Definitely not a bead.

John, I question about the Nylon 10 smooth bore. I own one of these. It was my grandfather's gun and I remember firing it a few times in the early 70's. My Dad inherited it and eventually it became mine. I am certain that it has not been fired in the last 20 to 30 years and I have no ammunition for it. I've looked for some, but it is very difficult to find. Part of the problem may be that I am looking for the wrong ammo. In my mind, the ammo we shot out of it 40 years ago were .22 short crimped brass bird shot. Your article says it is chambered for .22LR. How certain are you that it is .22LR and not short. I did find where I can buy .22LR crimped brass bird shot on-line today. I would really enjoy letting the newest generation in our family do a little plinking with this old gun and maybe share some stories about their great grandpa and great-great grandpa.

Resurrecting this thread got me to wondering about the caliber designation that may be stamped on my 24-inch barreled 11.

Never noticed before it's marked "22 Short Long or L.R." I'm guessing the same magazines that came with it are used for all three lengths.

It was about 15 years ago I found a table at a gun show that had one with a small scope , i twas nice clean con for 130 I took it home model 11 with I think 6 round mag. I left a green semi go new in box for 100 bucks .

I remember years ago, the Remington advertisement showing a Nylon 66 posing on a huge pile of empty .22 brass

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John

Your guess is correct - the same magazine works for all three cartridges.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Neat thread! Glad it came back - I don't think I knew about those old nylon bolt guns.

I do have a Nylon 66, however. Saw my first almost 50 years ago. Never forgot it. Just a few years ago my LGS had one and I scarfed it up. I don't use it but is nice to have around.

I learn something new every time I log on. Thank you for posting.

A very informative series. I have learned lot about the Nylon series 22 which I have seen, handled but never shot or owned. Not to mention the bolt and lever actions that I never knew existed. Need to start looking a lot closer I think. And John, your photo lessons are fantastic. I have printed them out so I can continue to work on my pictures. Your pictures have always given me something to shoot for if you don't mind the pun. Thanks John!

I bought my mod 66 in 1959, new for $68 win SW Wyo. I got a mod 12 years later for $125 and still shoot both of them regularly. I can't begin to imagine how many rounds have gone through the 66 and it is still a laser.
I bought several of the 66 and 77s over the years and have given one to each of my grandchildren when they reach their 10th birthday. The last granddaughter turns 10 next summer and will get hers. I still have a couple of extra just in case.
I would give nearly anything to find a decent 77 lever action. But the sky seems to be the limit if you can even find one.

UF

Like Unclefudd, I bought my 66 about 1959 or so. One of the selling points was a Model 66 for $66.00.

I guess the cost of living was lower in SE Wyoming than in the SW corner back then.

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Eccentric old coot

Thanks for the excellent thread, John. Information on these has been next to impossible to find. In fact those are the first actual pictures I've ever even seen of these rifles.