Revolving Shotgun Concept Suited for 3D Hybrid gun

Gun Watch ^ | 14 July, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

This homemade revolving shotgun design seems well suited for a 3D printed/hybrid metal version.    While the version pictured uses cut off chambers from cast off 12 gauge barrels, the same effect could be accomplished by using sections of the appropriately sized water/gas pipe or tubing.  The same tubing/pipe could be used for the barrel. 

The concept would be that the 3D printed parts would comprise the cylinder into which the chambers would be fitted and glued, and which would have the more difficult mechanical details to revolve the cylinder.   Perhaps a modification of the zig-zag revolver design by Yoshitomo Imura would work.   A metal frame created with the "sandwich" system, laminated of sheet metal, would provide the necessary tensile strengh, which is not very high for smoothbore shotgun cartridges in any case.   The top or bottom of the frame would consist of a bolt that would form the axis for the cylinder to rotate on.  A loading/ejection port would be left on one side to load cartridges into the chambers.   A simple rod or dowel could be used to eject them.

Screenshot of Imura's Zig-Zag design

One of the attractions of this sort of hybrid system is that it uses commonly available materials.   Shotgun shells are the most easily available ammunition in most countries, and a revolver design does not rely on ammunition consistency to work well, as do semi-automatic designs.   Even crude home made ammunition, such as Russians used to make with ground up match heads as gunpowder, would work in this type of system.   A six shot revolving shotgun cylinder whose bulk is composed of ABS plastic should not be too heavy or cumbersome.   The steel chamber inserts would contain the bulk of the pressure created by firing the cartridge.   The steel frame would prevent the chamber inserts from moving forward or backward when firing, provide the necessary tensile strength, and the attachment point for the barrel.  A small welder could simplify frame construction, but is not necessary.

Surprisingly, revolving shotguns seem to have less problems with cylinder/barrel gas leakage than other systems, perhaps because of the relatively low chamber pressures for shotgun shells.

 ©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.  Link to Gun Watch

[marktwain]

Hybrid 3D designs offer many advantages.

[Dusty Road]

The smooth bore Colt Patterson has been around for a long time.

[ryan71]

If we ever get to the point where we resort to making plastic guns on a printer, we’re screwed.

[from occupied ga]

Let the urine soaking of the mattresses in NY, MA, NJ, the MSM, black democrat mayors of big cities, and “law enforcement” in general begin.

[reed13k]

I get that many shots from a pump or autoloader - is the advantage supposed to be in the simplicity of reload, weight, or some other aspect?

[Nervous Tick]

>> is the advantage supposed to be in the simplicity of reload, weight, or some other aspect?

The advantage is in manufacturability. It’s not a way to replace a pump shotgun. It’s a way to produce a multi-round shotgun when you are unable to buy a factory-made firearm.

[marktwain]

Yes, and it is a way to educate the many low information voters that “gun control” as promoted by the old media, is physically impossible.

[from occupied ga]

Yes, and it is a way to educate the many low information voters...

I think that "low information" really means unable to think rationally. The people who advocate gun control have had thousands of examples of why it doesn't work - at least to achieve its stated goals. They refuse to learn from them.

Gun control advocates exhibit a militant and selective ignorance that isn't worth arguing with. You can't reason with them because their position isn't based on reason. Gun control is one of the tenents of faith of the religion called "statism" To them, we aren't people with a different point of view, we're blasphemers - attacking their religion. You can't really do anything with them except outvote them.

[Nervous Tick]

>> a way to educate... that “gun control”... is physically impossible.

Yes, all that you said.

The interesting thing to me: given the torrid pace at which the technology is moving, it’ll soon progress from creating inferior but workable weapons at home, to creating weapons with firepower superior to what can be purchased at the gun shop.

And (as you point out) — COMPLETELY beyond the reach of the government to control.

[from occupied ga]

One thing you can’t print is the chemicals that go into making munitions. Don’t think that the statists won’t take them off the market if they can. For example try getting ammonium nitrate now.

[PapaBear3625]

Some years ago, you could get a 12-shot Street Sweeper revolving shotgun, before the BATF declared them "destructive devices" and banned them. The Sweeper had a spring-wound drum, so you could fire all 12 rounds as fast as you could pull the trigger, thus putting a lot of lead downrange.

[reed13k]

got it

[marktwain]

The statists are certainly working at it, but it is a difficult task.

I have thought of a method where an 3D printer could print gunpowder. It would not be that hard, and would be usable, I believe. It might take an hour to print enough gunpowder for five to ten cartridges, but it seems plausible.

It is quite difficult to control basic chemicals in an industrial society, though of course, they can try.

Our best bet is to do what we are doing: keep access to firearms by the masses legal and a protected right.

[norwaypinesavage]

"While the version pictured uses cut off chambers from cast off 12 gauge barrels, the same effect could be accomplished by using sections of the appropriately sized water/gas pipe or tubing."

Using "appropriately sized water/gas pipe or tubing" would certainly put you in line for the Darwin Award. In fact, it might guarantee a win.