I owned several variations of the Nylon 66 and they were fine plinkers, but not as good for using with a scope. The stocks were susceptable to side pressure and would shoot to the opposite side. Never had one misfeed, though.
The only problems I had with misfires was with some Filipine ammo that had a brittle primer mixture and would break away from the rim. I had several rifles made by the same company. They were crude and full of filings, but cleaned up, they worked well.
I bought a JC Higgins that was made by Winchester as the 190. I paid $5 at a yard sale, as it was missing the rear sight. The owner told me it shot slow, and I could not figure out what he meant until I test-fired it. The bolt just crept along. I must have cleaned a handful of fouling out of the action. A Williams gib-lock sight and I was in business. It fed reliably and shot quite accurately. Money sell spent.
Kmart had some Chinese knockoffs of the Browning Auto and I got one. The machining on the barrel nut was sloppy and I had trouble tightening it. I gave it to my brother and he still uses it. Shot all the Long Rifle I put through it and would also cycle Longs, for what that was worth.
I currently have a Ruger 10-22 and it had a horrible trigger, about 20 pounds or more. After a little work and some drop-in parts, it shoots really well. I mounted a laser sight on it and it is my after-dark varmint getter. The only feed problem I ever had was fixed by cleaning the magazine. The stock is clunky and if I reach for a woods loafing rifle, it is my BL-22, because it carries so well.
If I were in the market for another .22 auto, I think I would look at Ruger first, then at some used ones. Most of the problems I have ever seen with auto's could be taken care of by a good cleaning. The reason I would pick Ruger is the wealth of aftermarket offerings. Among used guns, a Remington 552 would be a great find, and so would a Weatherby.
