[Vince Ferrer]

This is why I think that trying to manufacture an ordinary firearm with current printing technology is the wrong track. Instead, they should focus on a design that can function reliably for a short time, say a few hundred rounds, while being cheap enough to throw away after that. Just use it until it starts wearing out, then print a new one.

Yes, I have written this on other threads, the beauty of 3d printing is that you get to customize your own design. You don't need to copy a commercially available product if you don't want to, and that includes weapons as well. If they can't make a gun barrel, I'm sure they can make other weapons that people haven't thought up yet.

[marktwain]

Gun barrels that can be used in a 3D printed receiver would be childs play on a modern CNC machine. Make pistol barrels about 4 inches long.

I bet a 20,000 dollar machine could turn out hundreds a day.

take a look at the design of the Zip22. Simple, and it uses very common .22 rifle (1022) magazines.

http://zip-22.com/