Posted on 08/24/2012 8:35:19 AM PDT by marktwain
Cody Wilson has a simple dream: To design the world’s first firearm that can be downloaded from the Internet and built from scratch using only a 3D printer–and then to share it with the world.
Earlier this month, Wilson and a small group of friends who call themselves “Defense Distributed” launched an initiative they’ve dubbed the “ Wiki Weapon Project.” They’re seeking to raise $20,000 to design and release blueprints for a plastic gun anyone can create with an open-source 3D printer known as the RepRap that can be bought for less than $1,000. If all goes according to plan, the thousands of owners of those cheap 3D printers, which extrude thin threads of melted plastic into layers that add up to precisely-shaped three-dimensional objects, will be able to turn the project’s CAD designs into an operational gun capable of firing a standard .22 caliber bullet, all in the privacy of their own garage.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Being made from plastic will limit them to something akin to a zip-gun
Are 3D printers up to a decent plastic, or are they still spitting out cornstarch and some sort of foam?
I’d advise finding a little iron pipe nipple of the right internal diameter to make this work. Plastic firing mechanisms exist, and could be made from the 3D printer.
Some of them print with powdered metal.
My Glock 22 is a ‘plastic’ gun, albeit the upper receiver parts and trigger assembly are metal. They would need a metal barrel in any event, wouldn’t they?
hmmm.. well, a 1/4” pipe will work for a .22
a 3/4” will work for a 12 guage
a 3/8” will work for a 9mm (tight, .375 vs .380)
print 3d at home.
yes i’ll just run down to office depot and pick up a 3D printer and material for a couple hundred bucks. RIGHT!!!!!
When the full auto AR-15 blueprint comes up, let me know.
Some 3d printers us ABS, others use a mix of ABS and polystyrene which is heat-treated after printing to fuse the layers together.
This is not particularly new.
9mm = .355", .38SPL = .357"
Is that bullet size or brass OD size?
OK, Cody. Just YOU be the one to test-fire it, OK? On YouTube.
9mm brass OD is .391 at the head and .381 at the mouth
.38SPL brass OD is .379
Numbers quoted from Modern Reloading 2nd Edition by Richard Lee.
I am continuing to compile a list of FreeRepublic folks who are interested in RKBA topics. FReepmail me if you want to be added.
.38SPL brass ID = .358
9mm brass ID = .356
The printers will be made illegal by the gubmint...meanwhile they gubmint presses will continue to run the money printing presses at maximum overdrive.
9mm = .355”, .38SPL = .357”
Simply a difference in chamber vs. bore diameter. ;-)
Chamber is about .380, Bore is .355 - .358. Trifling differences for homemade.
I think steel tubing exists in enough quantities, and is easily modified in inside diameter, to offer a variety of sources for .22 barrel liner material. It is not even that hard to make rifling, though it would take much more time than printing the gun.
Lots of tubing out there that could be made to work.
http://www.microgroup.com/Products/StockTubing/fractional_tubing.asp
The AR15 is unusual in that the serial numbered part does not include the barrel, the chamber, or the bolt. The serial numbered "lower receiver" holds the trigger mechanism, holds the magazine, and allows attachment of the stock and the "upper receiver".
That means that the 3D printer really just needs to be able to make the simple part. The parts essential to firing the cartridge are available without restriction. (At least for now.)
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