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Posted: 5/23/2017 11:05:32 PM EDT
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I got very lucky last month and added this XM148 to the collection. The handguard, sight, and combination tool were already waiting around in my parts boxes for the rest to show up. Most of those pieces were waiting for 10-20 years, by the way. It arrived without a barrel so it's just a Title I firearm at this point. I may eventually file a Form 1 and register it if a proper barrel can be found but it currently has a dummy barrel machined from black nylon rod stock.
At the muzzle end, a 2" length of 40mm barrel harvested from a demilled M203 barrel has been pressed in to give it a proper rifled look. In addition, a bottom rail and mounting lug for the grip was attached by cutting a dovetail in the plastic rod and inserting it from the rear. As you can see, there is no chamber and the rear 6" is solid plastic. The 40mm launchers are the main reason I got involved with retro ARs and I've always joked that the rifles are the accessories required to hang the real gun on. Now I need to get busy and get something assembled to mount it on. Enjoy the pictures. 
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Thats just...awesome! 
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Quoted:
That is REALLY AWESOME! I have been dreaming of finding something like that. Where did you find it? Congrats! |
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The luck you have!
That has been a dream of mine, to just find a receiver, finished or not. Parts and pictures are so difficult to find. You have the original front mount and you even have the disassembly tool! I've never even seen one of those outside of a manual. I'd love to get an up close look at the whole thing some day. I do know of an original, complete, barrel assembly if you ever decide to finish it. 
I may also have a source for a stripped barrel but, I don't know if the guy still has it or not. |
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The luck you have! My first attempt to buy an XM-148 came in the late 1970s from a Shotgun News contact. When it arrived, it wasn't an XM-148 at all but the bare receiver of a Colt prototype CGL-4 launcher. I was bummed at first but quickly realized the good fortune I'd been handed. Much easier to find a standard issue item, even something as scarce as an XM-148, than a prototype they maybe built 10 or 20 of. Regarding value, I really don't know as they don't often change hands. Autoweapons had one a few years back and I think their asking price was $6500. It's gone now so someone bought or traded for it. And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Moore Militaria listed their XM-148 on Gunbroker a few months back with a $10K opening bid. I think it got one bid and was sold, although I can't find it in a search anymore. Did I imagine that? |
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Quoted:
My first attempt to buy an XM-148 came in the late 1970s from a Shotgun News contact. When it arrived, it wasn't an XM-148 at all but the bare receiver of a Colt prototype CGL-4 launcher. I was bummed at first but quickly realized the good fortune I'd been handed. Much easier to find a standard issue item, even something as scarce as an XM-148, than a prototype they maybe built 10 or 20 of. Quoted:
My first attempt to buy an XM-148 came in the late 1970s from a Shotgun News contact. When it arrived, it wasn't an XM-148 at all but the bare receiver of a Colt prototype CGL-4 launcher. I was bummed at first but quickly realized the good fortune I'd been handed. Much easier to find a standard issue item, even something as scarce as an XM-148, than a prototype they maybe built 10 or 20 of. Regarding value, I really don't know as they don't often change hands. Autoweapons had one a few years back and I think their asking price was $6500. It's gone now so someone bought or traded for it. And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Moore Militaria listed their XM-148 on Gunbroker a few months back with a $10K opening bid. I think it got one bid and was sold, although I can't find it in a search anymore. Did I imagine that? |
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Quoted:
Oh man, that is good fortune indeed. As rare as 148's are, the thought of stumbling across a prototype wouldn't even cross my mind. Do you have both currently or did you let the CGL-4 go at some point? A question for the Air Force guys.....The XM-148s stayed in Air Force service far longer than other branches of the military. I know I heard of them still in use with Air National Guard units until at least the late 1980s and probably into the 1990s. Anyone know of any being issued later than that? I know they made over 35,000 of them and the AF got a high percentage of those. Any other personal stories or sightings are welcomed. |
Yep, you win!  
I bet even the 601/602 guys are jealous. I know I am! I feel lucky just to have found a great deal on an Edgewater. Thanks for sharing. Those are great photos. I wish I'd had them for this video:Â https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkctiMhIguM |
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