Posted on 04/29/2013 11:41:09 AM PDT by marktwain
In February, the techie gun-rights group Defense Distributed unveiled a 3D-printed lower receiver for an AR-15 rifle that withstood hundreds of rounds of fire. A YouTube video of the component in action was accompanied by the terse statement, “Does not fail from firing stresses. 600+ rounds.”
This impressive development came just months after the group earned some ribbing for its first attempt at a homebrewed plastic receiver (the core of the AR-15 and the component that is technically regulated by law), which disintegrated after six shots. But success followed failure, as Defense Distributed unveiled a high-capacity rifle magazine that could be manufactured in a home workshop on a 3D printer. They named it Cuomo after New York’s governor, who recently pushed a new, stricter magazine limit through the state legislature.
3D printers, which are getting cheaper by the day, lay down layers of plastic or powdered metal to produce solid objects. Using digital specs that Defense Distributed plans to make available online, individuals will be able to produce this vital component of a gun that has become highly controversial (and popular) since the Newtown and Aurora massacres.
In February, Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) announced his intention to impose a legal barrier to the home manufacture of firearms and magazines. Defense Distributed’s official response: “Good luck.”
If I could get ammo at a decent price I would like to print up a few magazine boxes to fit an AR-180.
Could we print some ammo as well? LOL! I need that more than the weapons.
reminds me of an old old movie where a horse outraces a horseless carriage. The victor on the horse is expecting everyone to congratulate him for his victory but is shocked to see people going over to the new fangled horseless carriage.
The Genie is out of the bottle.
This is just old style weapons.
Imagine what is going to happen with coil guns and rail guns.
look up “coil gun” on youtube.
I recall an interview where beck interview a guy that has 3D plans to make a handgun (maybe free). I recall the controversy is that the gun is made from plastic.
If made out of plastic, why not a slot where a coin can be dropped in. Voila, a gun with metal components. For showing up in x-rays?
Knew it was just a matter of time. Look at what DoD has done dozens of times with guns, aircraft, etc., that at first looked real sketchy. Given time and some engineering almost any turkey can be turned into a solid performer.
The real question is when do we take the plunge and buy a 3D printer? Now? A year from now? How long before gov't muscles in and requires manufacturers of 3D printers to build in features that make it impossible to print the things we'd most like to print, like lower receivers?
I recall something similar was done (to both scanners and printers, iirc) quite a while back to frustrate all the teenage counterfeiters who seemed to be popping up everywhere.
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