AR Sponsor
Posted: 8/6/2013 5:31:27 AM EDT
|
Does anyone know what these are made of? Specifically the barrel and receiver?
I would suspect the barrel is made of steel and that, maybe, the receiver is either forged or cast aluminum? |
|
receivers were 6061 aluminum. Harvey Aluminum made the first forging dies. AS has been said, the rear of the receiver had to be reinforced by making a curved cut instead of a sharp cut, due to fractures. If you realize that the designer came up with the design and first prototypes within 30 days, not bad........Karl Lewis..........
TGUS had posted some pics from his extensive Colt Military collection, which showed the prototype XM148/CGL4 being testfired, and he also had a pic of a failed XM148 which was mounted to a XM177......... Barrel had to be alloy, but I do not know what type..........you might check with Karl Lewis'son over at Lewis Machine, as he still has all of his Fathers collection and XM148 stuff...... 
|
|
I was toying with the idea of creating a suitable replica. I figured the receiver was aluminum but, I couldn't tell if it was forged or cast. Aside from all the tiny fiddly bits, it really didn't seem like it would be that hard to make.
I may be able to get an original barrel depending on price. Most of the other parts seem to be few and far between. I'd love to purchase the one on AutoWeapons but, between the $6K asking price and the recent ATF problems with the owner, that's likely never going to happen. I really can't believe there isn't even an airsoft version available. It's such an iconic piece of that time period... at least, in my opinion. 
|
|
The XM148 was forged from Aluminum for Colt by Harvey Aluminum.
They were an interesting weapon, but the extended trigger got it in trouble in the field, and the ranging sight must have truly sucked. The SEALs used them extensively until the early 1970's........when the XM203 and M203 replaced it. Surprisingly there were over 20,000 of them made by Colts. That is a lot of grenade launchers to field with a bad trigger.......probably why they offered their CGL5 series improved grenade launcher with much more simplified trigger and cocking mechanism............. Making one is much more involved than making a M203.......believe me. A casting would have made it much simpler, but the entire mechanism is a bitch to make unless you have a lot of skills and patience. There are a lot pf pics of the different XM148's on the net.......I know Tgus has one up in CT, and I have handled 2 others, plus the CGL5 designer's model - which he had when he worked at Ruger........he was a designer there and had a model of the CGL and a weird Colt modular revolver......., I saw an unregistered receiver without a barrel at the Houston gun show back in the mid 1970's when I jeeped down there for a concert and stayed over for BBQ and the Great Gun Show.........fingered all of Roger Cox's Colt Thompsons......and saw my first Stoner 63 that he traded a PD out of.............Another MG dealer had a bunch of registered Vietnam era stuff like AK's and new MAC suppressors........he had the XM148 receiver under the table......he showed it to me and said I could have it for $500....................which was about $489 more than I had in my pocket after getting in the show and buying a hot dog.......................He also had a GE MiniGun in pieces in a large box and several stocked pistols, like Mauser Schnells and a Star select fire pistol...........................He took pitty on my poor college going ass and gave me a catalog of his gear............He was Fred Rexer of Special Forces fame.......and later a screen writer and he starred in the first "Red Dawn"movie......................................... Van at Autoweapons has some great stuff..........his prices are high since he tries and gets stuff that no one else has............never heard of him screwing anyone though.........if you don't like his prices, you can always try elsewhere...........Dennis Todd had original Colt XM148's advertised over on Subguns, but it was some time ago..........only others I remember where owned by the late Evan Wilden, who was a Colt saleman and who was well known as the Uzi guy at Action Arms when they were in business...........Evan has been gone for some time.......and because Dennis Todd was so close to him, he probably knows where that XM148 went to..............it was supposed to be the last XM148 that Colt had in their shop that reed Knight did not get............... Hope it helps........... 
|
That helps quite a bit. 
You've given me several names that I can follow up on and hopefully glean some more information from. I have no idea of Van's reputation and, his prices don't seem that bad to me, I just read that he was in trouble with the ATF as of late. Even if I had that much to spend, I'd be hesitant until those affairs were sorted out. Quoted:
You might check with member MOMIL. I searched and came across an old thread where he post pictures of his. He may still have it, and might could answer some of your questions too. Whatcha have in mind Chris? Will do. I may have some of his pictures already but, perhaps I could talk him into taking a few more. What do I have in mind? Well, that's up in the air. I have every intention of buying an XM148 hand guard in a few months. It's a little overpriced but, it's the only one I've seen lately. I can also find a barrel, and I'm likely going to try and get that as well, and perhaps any other small parts this particular outfit may have, assuming they don't want all of my arms and legs as payment. After that, it gets tricky. If I have a 40mm barrel, I can't really build a receiver without applying for a DD tax stamp but, if I don't get the barrel, I'll essentially have to rebuild the design from scratch... If I want one in this decade, it's going to be a daunting task, that's for sure... |
|
Quoted:
If I have a 40mm barrel, I can't really build a receiver without applying for a DD tax stamp but, if I don't get the barrel, I'll essentially have to rebuild the design from scratch... This seems like a fun project. I think if you're going to all the trouble to do this up right, you should get the tax stamp. However, if you decide against it, I wonder if you could press fit a sleeve into a 40mm barrel to make it 37mm smoothbore and avoid the DD issues? Click here for info and a photo of the XM148 at the Springfield Armory Museum. John Thomas |
|
Quoted:
This seems like a fun project. I think if you're going to all the trouble to do this up right, you should get the tax stamp. However, if you decide against it, I wonder if you could press fit a sleeve into a 40mm barrel to make it 37mm smoothbore and avoid the DD issues? John Thomas Quoted:
Quoted:
If I have a 40mm barrel, I can't really build a receiver without applying for a DD tax stamp but, if I don't get the barrel, I'll essentially have to rebuild the design from scratch... This seems like a fun project. I think if you're going to all the trouble to do this up right, you should get the tax stamp. However, if you decide against it, I wonder if you could press fit a sleeve into a 40mm barrel to make it 37mm smoothbore and avoid the DD issues? John Thomas I was wondering the same. Maybe press a sleeve in and plug weld it, or something along those lines. About the same as a pinned/welded flash hider to meet min barrel requirements for rifles. Guess you'd have to get an ATF opinion. |
|
Quoted:
Does it need to be a press fit??? Why not an insert??? Quoted:
Quoted:
...I wonder if you could press fit a sleeve into a 40mm barrel to make it 37mm smoothbore and avoid the DD issues? John Thomas Does it need to be a press fit??? Why not an insert??? I think the ATF would frown on the complete assembly if the sleeve/insert was easily removed. John Thomas |
|
Quoted:
So, is it the barrel or the receiver that is the "regulated" part? I'm assuming the barrel as the 37mm replicas of the M203 are OK. You can have a stripped receiver, and it's a Title 1 firearm. If you put a 37mm barrel on it, you still have a Title 1 gun. If you own or install a 40mm barrel, then you have a NFA regulated firearm. John Thomas |
|
Quoted:
You can have a stripped receiver, and it's a Title 1 firearm. If you put a 37mm barrel on it, you still have a Title 1 gun. If you own or install a 40mm barrel, then you have a NFA regulated firearm. John Thomas Quoted:
Quoted:
So, is it the barrel or the receiver that is the "regulated" part? I'm assuming the barrel as the 37mm replicas of the M203 are OK. You can have a stripped receiver, and it's a Title 1 firearm. If you put a 37mm barrel on it, you still have a Title 1 gun. If you own or install a 40mm barrel, then you have a NFA regulated firearm. John Thomas Thanks for clearing that up John. |
|
I once got in to a pissing match on another forum with a MACV-SOG vet who KNEW that the XM148 was invented/designed, built, and then fielded all in Vietnam.. The facts didn't matter to he, nor the forum's mods.. 
Anyway.. the XM148 was a neat concept, yet it was succeeded by the M203, also not invented/designed,nor built, in Vietnam.
There was a dude making PVC replicas of the XM148, but I'm sure if many were ever made. Maybe KingArms will make a replica someday.. |
|
Quoted:
all the ones i've seen are for 1 12 gauge sleeve. but you can get 10 rounds of .22
http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/beehive.JPG Quoted:
Quoted:
How many 12 ga bbls will fit inside a 37mm bbl? all the ones i've seen are for 1 12 gauge sleeve. but you can get 10 rounds of .22
http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/beehive.JPG They'll think they're being swarmed by bees! 
|
|
Quoted:
I once got in to a pissing match on another forum with a MACV-SOG vet who KNEW that the XM148 was invented/designed, built, and then fielded all in Vietnam.. The facts didn't matter to he, nor the forum's mods..
Anyway.. the XM148 was a neat concept, yet it was succeeded by the M203, also not invented/designed,nor built, in Vietnam.
There was a dude making PVC replicas of the XM148, but I'm sure if many were ever made. Maybe KingArms will make a replica someday.. You know, I think I may have read that exchange. 
I may actually go the PVC route myself, at least to create a master. There are so many rounded areas and exterior features that it may be easier/cost effective, to have a receiver cast in aluminum and finish machined, rather than cut from billet. If nothing else, I can mold and cast a few resin copies and sell them to airsofters. 
|
|
57Oct,
I understand your concerns about the BATFE intervention. AS long as you do not buy any Post 86 samples or parts from those samples or Nightvision or IR related items.......I think you would be in the clear. I would prefer to give him a 50% or even less deposit pending clearance of the item if I bought anything from him........from past experiences......his business is set up as a corporation, so all items, except those types involved in the criminal matter would be transferred as long as his corporation had an FFL. Some of us old timers remember Jim Carmey of Vic's Gun Corp, which was a sham corporation set up as a front for a convicted felon to deal in MG's,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,he transferred in and out a lot of guns due to his heavy advertising in the day.................his BS cost us collectors a lot of really rare and desirable guns when BATFE finally found out what he was doing and shut him down......we still lost a lot of transferable guns, many of them treasures like Colt M52 watercooled 50's, Stoner 63's and M60's..........................A friend of mine bought several guns and traded several others to him and when the doom came down, BATF actually delivered his guns to him with the approved Form3's............................all had evidence stickers on them...............a Knight Stoner 63a carbine was missing parts, which ended up being shipped from the St Louis, MO BATF office by a gun friendly Agent who figured out what they were........they were about to be thrown out..................... Be wary, but be smart also...... There is a post over on a Airsoft forum where a gent made a fairly credible XM148 out of PVC.................If I were to go that route, I would try the Colt CGL5 with the simple trigger and cocking mechanism.............there are also bllueprints for the XM148 at the Army Historical Center......and there are supposed to be a set at Rock Island......but I an not sure.......they were supposed to get all the blueprints on those things after Springfield Armory, MA closed down.... Good Luck! |
|
Quoted:
all the ones i've seen are for 1 12 gauge sleeve. but you can get 10 rounds of .22
http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/beehive.JPG Doesn't that turn your 37mm tube into a DD? Hm, though if smoothbore, would it be legal on ducks? : ) |
|
I emailed a friend who is a prefessional Weapons researcher. He said that the US Army still maintains blueprints for the XM148. but they are archived. He did not know if they were archived in a Army Historical Center (Ft Leonard Wood), Rock Island Arsenal's Historical center or The National Archives. He did check with his friend, who was a long time employee at Colts......and he was told that Colt still had engineering samples of the XM148 in different forms, but the blueprints are not available.
Here are some pics of XM148 goodness. The Actual XM148 weapon.......I do not know who the pics belong to.....if some one can advise I can give credit to them......the B&W Colt pics belong to TGUS's collection.........Please do not hotlink to my pic hosting.....or I will pull down the pic links........Not that I hate foreign gear dogs...........but I am intolerant of hot linking..... 
Original XM148 testing pic......nice recoil device.......used tire......... 
The Best pic in my opinion, the 1960's pic of the Engineering Office for Colts Military DIvision.............. 
Still looking for the pic of the wrecked XM148................. |
|
Quoted:
I <a href="http://s1120.photobucket.com/user/LogSu2/media/26a9eb63_zps8650b816.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l481/LogSu2/26a9eb63_zps8650b816.jpg</a> interesting stock.. |
AR Sponsor