Posted on 04/26/2013 10:33:29 PM PDT by neverdem
If you think 3D printers have given would-be gun controllers the vapors already, just wait until you hear the latest from Cody Wilson, the head honcho of Defense Distributed. He told reporters at the Inside 3D Printing Conference in New York City that the group's latest project — a gun made entirely with 3D-printed parts (except for a metal firing pin) — is just weeks away from success. If Wilson and company can deliver on the promise, it would be an important step beyond their already impressive accomplishments in producing functioning AR-15 lower receivers and "high-capacity" magazines for AR-15s and AK-style rifles. It would also be an unmistakable message to government officials that gun control laws are becoming ever-more unenforceable.
From Mashable:
For Cody Wilson, the world's most notorious 3D printing gunsmith, it all started with a simple question: "Can you use a 3D printer to print a gun?" The answer to that question might come sooner than anybody expected, as Wilson says he will 3D-print an entire handgun in just a couple of weeks.
If Wilson does print an entire handgun, he will reach a milestone that many thought couldn't be reached so soon. And he will also throw a monkey wrench into not only the broader gun control debate, but also into recent legislative efforts to limit the use of 3D printers to make weapons.
Yesterday, the controversial founder and director of Defense Distributed, a non-profit that he launched to explore the possibility of manufacturing weapons with 3D printers, was in Manhattan to talk at the Inside 3D Printing Conference. After a panel on how copyright affects the 3D printing industry, he confirmed to Mashable what he had already hinted at before: that what was once unthinkable — a gun entirely made of 3D-printed parts — is actually right around the corner.
Will it work? Wilson thinks it will, and it won't be just a one-shot wonder it will be able to fire a few shots before melting or breaking.
Some critics of Defense Distributed's efforts have pointed to the limitations of the materials used by all but the highest-end 3D printers as imposing barriers to creating a full firearm, at least at the current state of technology. But CNet separately reports Wilson's claim that "he and others successfully fired 11 rounds through a 3D-printed gun barrel not long ago." The trick seems to be that Defense Distributed is creating an all-new design around the material (ABS plastic) rather than trying to print parts for an existing firearm design.
But merely limiting commercial availability of ammo means that the reloader, who can make and distribute ammo outside of these restrictions. So thus the materials used in reloading is equally as desired as being eliminated from the marketplace.
And already, there are calls to eliminate and control any access to gunpowders - smokeless or black powder. To restrict access to lead and tungsten, to curtail the availability of brass. Cheap surplus from military? Virtually gone. Police ranges are melting down brass rather than sell it off to the reloading market. Calls for licensing of the purchase of gunpowders, of requiring specialized marking on firing pins and brass as well as markers in the bullets themselves, unique properties which the reloader won't be able to duplicate and thus produce legally.
And this 3D printed gun will kick all those efforts into high gear. Many on here were well prepared before the ammo shortages hit, now is the time to prepare for the ammo shortages of the future; get your powder, your lead, your tungsten, and your brass in hand now. Make sure you have the molds that will be required for your favorite rounds, even if you don't personally do reloading yourself. Most especially, get your primers now.
Because these restrictions are going to find their way into law. First they'll shut down internet and mail order of the supplies, then they'll go after the reloaders themselves for not meeting impossible marker requirements, microstamping, etc.
The well prepared person will probably have most of this already in hand. And a lot of us will be playing catchup.
Very important response, kingu. BUMP!
Barrels made from a forging or similar “working” would seem to be best. (along with chamber machining.)
Yep, back to the pre-history Chinese times.
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Yup. Ammo is the Achilles heel of the 2nd Amendment. I haven’t heard any calls to restrict gun powder sales yet, but I would not be surprised if such a call was made combined with new regulations on ammo sales.
all plastic. interesting.
That was fast. Sometimes, I think the gun-grabbers check this site and do everything they can just to spite us.
I wonder what screen name Frank Lautenberg uses to troll this site. LOL.
I have not read that chemical analysis of the bomb residue even confirmed that gun powder was the explosive used. There are countless low velocity explosive mixtures that can be used to make an IED. Imagine one if the large commercial fireworks exploding inside a sealed vessel that was filled with shrapnel for example. That ain’t gun powder.
I have seen some speculation about it on the interwebz — I don’t think any official information has been put out there yet.
I heard something about them removing the powder from fireworks. That isn’t gunpowder. I really think Lautenberg needs to show us his evidence that it was in indeed gunpowder before we talk about restricting the sale of gunpowder.
No no no no no. I don't care if he can prove it was gunpowder taken directly from bullets! It does not matter! If your mindset is that Lautenberg has no legitimate case to restrict gunpowder because it was not used in the boston bombs, I can guarantee that he will have proof gunpowder was used the next time something blows up. You can't let them get this foot in the door. Stop being the girl with low self esteem at the prom. Its ok to say NO.
When they say, "Why do you need an AR15?" Respond, "Why do you NEED a car that goes over 55mph?" "Why do you NEED that iPhone?" "More people die texting and driving fast in cars every single day, but no one wants to ban cars."
"Why do I need access to gunpowder? Why do YOU need access to alcohol? Alcohol kills more people every day than gunpowder."
Refuse to play. Its the only way to win against the relentless illogical lying insanity that is liberalism.
I am reminded of A. E. van Vogt’s The Weapon Shops of Isher. If you are not familiar with this bit of 1950s science fiction, you should be.
So why not 3-D print bullets and shells? If a 3-D printed gun can withhold the pressure of the explosion, why could a 3-D printed bullet or shell do the same? Seems like a logical leap. Now we just need to ask the question about the powder but I suspect, that there are other explosives that can do the work, just that powder as it is developed to today’s standards, is just the most efficient.
Just musing here.
JoMa
I agree but, at the same time, I don’t think it was gunpowder and I would love to expose this POS as the overzealous gun grabbing commie that he is. How sweet would it be to be able to excoriate him in the media for going after gun powder having not even bothered to confirm that it was actually gunpowder that was used? We could get years of play out of that.
I used to make my own gunpowder in 6th grade. Easy to do and ingredients are abundant.Ever hear of powdered aluminum and powdered sugar mix?(rocket fuel)
Metal storm doesn’t use cartridges.
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