Michael Thad Carter for ForbesPosted on 05/06/2013 11:36:35 PM PDT by neverdem
Michael Thad Carter for Forbes
Remember when Defense Distributed's Cody Wilson promised to unveil an entirely 3D-printed handgun made of ABS plastic with the firing pin its only metal part? Well, he's apparently done it. Forbes's Andy Greenberg was given a sneak peek of the result, and it looks and appears to be quite an achievement. If all goes well, the plans will be unveiled at Defcad.org next week.
Writes Greenberg:
Eight months ago, Cody Wilson set out to create the world’s first entirely 3D-printable handgun.
Now he has.
Early next week, Wilson, a 25-year University of Texas law student and founder of the non-profit group Defense Distributed, plans to release the 3D-printable CAD files for a gun he calls “the Liberator,” pictured in its initial form above. He’s agreed to let me document the process of the gun’s creation, so long as I don’t publish details of its mechanics or its testing until it’s been proven to work reliably and the file has been uploaded to Defense Distributed’s online collection of printable gun blueprints at Defcad.org.
All sixteen pieces of the Liberator prototype were printed in ABS plastic with a Dimension SST printer from 3D printing company Stratasys, with the exception of a single nail that’s used as a firing pin. The gun is designed to fire standard handgun rounds, using interchangeable barrels for different calibers of ammunition.
Some people have asked why you would bother to print a gun like this when you can purchase a stronger, more durable gun made from traditional materials. The answer should be obvious: This is an exercise in political theater, to demonstrate that technology is empowering individuals by stripping governments of the ability to enforce restrictions. Yes, you can make guns in a host of ways, including the similarly advanced technology of CNC machines. But 3D printing is a hot and increasingly accessible technology that has been specifically called out by the president. To use it to so easily defeat restrictions (or outright prohibitions) is to demonstrate the limits of the coercive power of the state.
Update: Rep. Steve Israel proposes an impotent ban on plastic homemade guns and ammunition magazines.
Thanks but for the present I’ll keep the px4 I just got. It’s likely more fun.
I’m waiting for the full-auto rifle.
Democrats including Schumer are already writing bills to ban 3-d printers
Democrats want to grow government which will result in a loss of individual rights and freedom as democrats intend
This solves that pesky ban on felons buying guns. Just make all you need.
Is there a phone app for that yet?
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Chuck the Schmuck (Wiley Coyote)Schumer is writing a bill as we speak to ban nails and ammo.
“I’m waiting for the full-auto rifle.”
I’m having trouble getting my head around this. How are the various parts made? Are they cast, milled, what? Also, is ABS hard enough to function as a barrel? Hard to believe.....
I found it hard to believe too. But apparently it's been tested, and is good for at least one or two shots.
Not a bad start.
It isn’t the gun I have been waiting for.
I don’t want something that only lasts for ten rounds and then maybe blows up in your hand.
What I am waiting for is ammunition I can buy to fire the weapons I have. Government has closed up the ammunition market. Without legislation.
“I don’t want something that only lasts for ten rounds and then maybe blows up in your hand.”
Right. Unless they can boast a repeatable/reliable product life cycle of 100 years or more, I wouldn’t fire that thing or anything like it even one time.
Also, the name "Liberator" is intentional. In WWII, we manufactured handguns with stamped metal, called the FP-45. They cost pennies to make, and were only good for a single shot. We literally dropped millions into most Nazi-occupied territories. Most were likely never used... but every little bit helped.
That not it’s purpose. Would you similarly critique a screwdriver for not being good at driving nails?
In 3-D printing, the object is laid down one thin layer at a time. I’m not sure how the moving parts are made—maybe of a different material that does not stick to the other parts.
Pretty cool technology. Maybe when it becomes possible for anyone to print their own guns, the gun control nuts will turn their attention to the real problem of mental illness.
I want a 3-D printer to make models of biological molecules. But that’s just because I’m a biotechno geek.
We used to make 22 cal handguns using an old car antenna. Those were just chrome plated thin walled brass.
Most of the chamber pressure is from tight chambers and barrel rifling. These are likely smooth bore so that wouldn't be a factor.
If I were going to make one entirely of plastic I would 3-d print it with an over-sized barrel opening and press in a chambered barrel made of acrylic.
they are printed with a 3-D printer... no machining/casting involved
Assuming America has been invaded and we have a real enemy to confront I would design a Liberator pistol to pass unnoticed through all their security systems.
make it look like a cell phone, flashlight, remote control, hairbrush, deodorant container. Anything else BUT a gay looking gun shape.
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