Posted on 12/30/2024 5:00:56 AM PST by marktwain
JStark1809 was a firearms enthusiast and innovator who wanted all people to have access to effective firearms. He lived in Europe, in a country where access to firearms is strictly controlled.
JStark1809 was passionate about owning firearms. He taught himself the technology of 3D printing and electro-chemical machining. He perfected the most successful 3D printed/hybrid design thus far, the FGC-9. JStark1809 is no longer with us, but his design lives on. FGC is an acronym for F*ck Gun Control. The FGC-9 is a semi-automatic pistol/carbine designed to be chambered in 9mm.
3Dprint.com has published an article explaining the use of FGC-9 pistol/carbine firearms in the Myanmar conflict. From the article:
In a 2020 documentary by POPULAR FRONT, filmmaker Jake Hanrahan met up with the gunsmith, who told him that “to bear firearms is a human right. The government or the entity that has rule over you has an executive force. The police, the military—they have firearms. To be able to escape that injustice, [citizens] need to have that same force on an individual level.”
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
The electro-chemical work is easily done at home with a few hours of work.
What happened to JStark1809?
He was being investigated by German police.
He was found in a car in front of his parents home.
It was ruled he died of a heart attack.
Dumb question here, I was under the assumption that you can make the 3D printed parts, but you still need steel for parts like the barrel and springs. I also thought that 3D printed guns don’t have the life of a steel gun?
The 3D printed parts are the frame and hand grip. The barrel, firing pin, and all springs must be steel. The printed parts will eventually deform or break, or just melt if the barrel get too hot. Trigger group parts can be 3D printed, those having a very short life. Most people put purchased trigger parts into the lower housing.
The electro-chemical machining for the rifling is very rough and crude. That limits the range and accuracy. The barrel must be machines on a metal lathe. One must either make or buy a chamber reamer.
Those weapons do shoot, and sometimes will work for a few weeks. They certainly can be used in the process of gathering well manufactured weapons from the battlefield.
The FGC-9 is a hybrid design which uses a steel barrel, bolt and springs.
The design was meant to be made with a minimal investment in tools, using widely available steel and springs. One of it’s major innovations was the homemade, relatively high quality steel barrel. It uses the strengths of both 3D printing and commonly available steel items to produce a firearm approaching the longevity, accuracy and reliability of low end factory produced firearms.
OK, that is what I was thinking. Thank you for the explanation!
GingisK wrote:
The barrel must be machines on a metal lathe. One must either make or buy a chamber reamer.
Marktwain replies:
The designers of the FGC-9 claim the barrels are useable without being machined on a lathe. They claim the chamber can be formed with electro-chemical machining. Using the electro-chemical machining, at least one maker reports accuracy approaching that of the ordinary Glock pistol.
Smith & Wesson has used electro-chemical machining to rifle its pistol barrels for a long time, so the technique is capable of precise work.
As with most things, initial attempts by amateurs usually do not equal production by skilled professionals.
That is true as long as you can find a chunk of pipe that fits the ammunition you will use.
They claim the chamber can be formed with electro-chemical machining.
Also true. But, if not reamed and polished, a casing will stick in the chamber when fired.
Using the electro-chemical machining, at least one maker reports accuracy approaching that of the ordinary Glock pistol.
Glock follows up with reaming and polishing. electro-chemical machining leaves a rough finish.
While machining isn't strictly necessary, weapons made in that fashion will not have the range or accuracy. The bullet often "key-holes" in the target because they tumble when fired from some of those weapons.
Here is a detailed description of the electro-chemical machining used for Smith & Wesson revolver barrels.
It does not appear that post-processing finishing is necessary.
https://www.firearmsid.com/Feature%20Articles/ecr/electrochemicalrifling.htm
As I've said before, a usable and effective weapon can be produced at home using a 3D printer and electro-machining. The precision parts are still purchased.
3D printed parts are often fragile, and will fracture between layers. Some materials will deteriorate in sunlight or melt in a hot car interior.
I would not want such a homemade weapon if I were going to engage in combat. I would use one only because I must.
I have a nice machine shop and a wonderful 3D printer, so I speak from direct experience. But, suit yourself.
I don’t think we disagree.
The process is an iterative one. 3D printing, conventional machining and access to materials are getting better and better. Precision is now available in pre-formed metal forms at much lower costs than ever before.
Homemade weapons tend to be weapons of desperation. They, and small, clandestine shop weapons keep getting better.
True
Some people like to make those things "because they can". I don't make firearms of any sort simply because the BATF is hostile toward citizens and downright unpredictable. I think making a nice firearm from scratch would be rewarding; however, I am going to avoid Imperial Entanglements through abstinence.
They certainly do. Casings will get stuck in a chamber that isn't baby-butt smooth. Velocity and accuracy decrease when a barrel is not within tight specifications. The only way I'd test fire a homemade high-power rifle would be by remote actuator.
Only a matter of time until our overlord child killers at ATF make everyone who owns a drill press, lathe, mill, or 3d printer register and subject to warrantless unannounced searches. Those Frs tried that in my area when they sent goons to every machine shop in the county for a “friendly visit.” “If you aren’t doing anything wrong you don’t mind if we have a look around, right?”
The end game is to register all those machines and more.
The problem for the totalitarians is it makes the society so corrupt and inefficient, other societies gain competitive advantage.
There have been numerous attempts to overcome this limit. The latest is China.
Not sure if I told you my little story but here it is again for all to read.
When Okenyan announced “under the radar” gun control I (and everyone else in the county) got a visit from some under cover agent asking if we could finish 80% lowers and host “build parties” in the machine shop. I said HELL NO. A few days later our friendly child killing ATF agent came over and said he heard I was making gun parts and wanted to have a look around. “If you aren’t doing anything wrong you won’t mind if I take a look around. “ At that point I told him to get off the property and called the sheriff who HATES the feds and have him arrested for trespassing. If he wants a “look around” he can get a warrant. He never came back. I am sure I am on a list. Sadly, every other shop let those atf goons wander around their shops sans warrant.
As an aside. I have never produced anything firearm related and I have ITAR approval for aircraft parts so have a full back ground check on record.
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