The Remington Nylon Model 66,Quick, name the first mass produced rifle to use a synthetic stock rath
The Remington Nylon Model 66,Quick, name the first mass produced rifle to use a synthetic stock rather than wood? If you guessed the AR-15 invented by Eugene Stoner, you would be wrong.In the 1950’s Remington was looking for a new rifle that would save money in production costs and revolutionize the market. Collaborating with engineers from DuPont, Remington requested the development of a new material that was cheaper than wood and metal, yet strong enough to function as material for a stock and receiver. The material DuPont came up with was called Zytel-101, and was injection molded to create both the stock and receiver.While other companies had produced shotguns and rifles out of synthetic materials due to wood shortages during World War II, the Remington Nylon Model 66 would be the first mass produced and commercially successful synthetic rifle with over 1 million produced between 1959 and 1989. A classic .22 rifle for plinking, waging war on cans, and small critter hunting, it was the second most popular .22 rifle in America during the 60’s, only surpassed later by the Ruger 10/22. It featured a blowback semi-automatic mechanism which was fed by a 14 round fixed tubular magazine. During its heyday these rifles were typically found for sale in Sears and hardware stores. However, with a sale price of around $50 (about $400 today), it was not cheap. However due to it’s quality and unparalleled accuracy they sold well regardless. I can attest to their accuracy, as I have fired one belonging to a friend of mine on a few occasions, and was amazed at the pinpoint accuracy I was able to achieve with the rifle.While the Model 66 was a favored hunting and plinking rifle in the 60’s, today they are more and more becoming a favored collectible among vintage firearms enthusiasts and antiques collectors. -- source link
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