Printable View
So, from what I understand you can go to a site and download plans for a gun and then use a three dimensional printer to print out the parts onto plastic and then assemble it and it actually works. The test I saw was for the receiver assembly for an AR-15 and it fired about 5 or 6 rounds before it stopped working.
Think this is the next wave of gun mania to sweep this country? Do you think this is really practical?
No doubt it could be done. The real kicker is when software can be made from these plans and models to be run on CNC machines. Real, quality guns could be spit out on a daily basis in small shops with relative ease. I think!
Yep, and the Afghani's and their cousins the Pakistanis are making quality knock offs of about anything on the planet in little blacksmith shops in the mountains.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hle0zJ5ZubQ
I think with the ease of getting a fully functional illegal gun, spending the time and money getting one from a 3D printer wouldn't be worth it to a criminal.
Anyone with the expertise to set up CNC machines for it could already be cranking out a steady supply of illegal guns. AFAIK, that isn't happening - probably because it's not worth the trouble to those that would be inclined.
Cheaper to buy an 80% casting and finish it on a mill.
Until they outlaw them and then it'll get REAL profitable. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by scap99
i always found it strange that growing up a copy of "Anarchist Cook Book " was taken from our school and local library as well as bookstores but now all you have to do is google anything or watch it on youtube and get the same info and much much more without leaving the house ..
Got that right. I had a copy and it got stolen! LOL
so did i ...lol...Quote:
Originally Posted by Wullie
Ragnar was a fun read. ;)
You just cant trust those damned Anarchists!
It will be interesting to see what new materials the 3d machine will be able to use to reproduce items in the future, I dont think I could trust a gun made of plastic laminates at this time, unless you guys want to send me one for a proper review.
a friend told me about one of his books a few years ago i never read any of them ....Quote:
Originally Posted by Wullie
Doesn't a GLOCK fall into that category?Quote:
Originally Posted by nun2sharp
FYI, I don't trust them or any of their plastic/composite cousins either. ;)
Later, we'll look back at this as the point where the thread began it's downhill slide into heated arguments and mud-slinging.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wullie
I like them for what they are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wullie
A gun good enough to carry, but if it got confiscated, it's no major loss.
I'd never carry my full custom STI high cap 1911, no matter how tempting.
I suppose there could be a circumstance where concealing (metal detector) a weapon/ bullets could come priority over long term durability.
Maybe Secret service, UC agents, ect.
Eric.
IIRC, glock had a composite frame, not barrel.
Secret service doesn't really have much use for such a gun, since they are expected to be armed. Neither does an UC agent, since carrying a true polymer gun would be a huge red flag that would certainly blow their cover status. The crowd they hang out with would not typically use metal detectors, but pat downs. So the added value of the non detectable frame would be very slim compare to the big questions it would raise when found during a pat downs.
Besides, what I understood it that currently they can print parts of the frame. The barrel and chamber still need to be steel because no polymer could stand that pressure repeatedly and reliable. I suppose you could easily make single shot guns that way, but you can already do that without expensive 3D printer.
It will be interesting to see what the future will bring though, as 3D printers become more commonplace.
Good points.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
Any Glock I have ever shot had a metal barrel sure, but a metal side as well. I can't imagine any center fire pistol, or revolver for that matter, that could withstand the pressures of repeated use were it 100% plastic - even if the barrel was metal.
Now if you could print ammo... that would be something lol :).
I use a press. Not a printing press, but similar in concept.Quote:
Originally Posted by earcutter
Reloading rocks :). But hitting a button that says print to create hand-loads would be awesome :).Quote:
Originally Posted by scap99
I like having that personal involvement in the process. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by earcutter
It's therapeutic.
Hey I just printed out a Lars hand rocket launcher. It only shoots potatoes though. Which IS legal and not consider a weapon by the BATF by the way. Hmmmm Gatling potato gun....... These printers are only 3k for the home model. I saw them at a trade show over 13 years ago but they where really slow then.
Reloading rocks?:thinking:Quote:
Originally Posted by earcutter
WHAT A CONCEPT!!! :rofl2:
Guess I'm gonna have to dig out all my old reloading junk, set it up, and get busy again. Oh well.
LOL - yeah good point - if it's rocking that could be a problem lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wullie
What I meant to say - nothing better than creating a load that prints under an inch :).
Wullie, I can't believe you put it all away! :)
Packed it up when I moved to city 12 years ago. It's a PITA to pack up and go shoot nowadays and I REALLY don't like "ranges". I used to have a 358° free fire zone where I used to live. Burned a lot powder back then. Moved to the city and started building bikes in my little shop. Ain't doing that now so I might as well used the bench for something besides overhauling the occasional razor. Glad I didn't sell any of that stuff. Thought about it a time or two but I'd buried it pretty deep in the attic and didn't feel like excavating it.Quote:
Originally Posted by earcutter
Can't find any once fired or new 308 brass right now, so no hurry. LOL
Under an inch?Quote:
Originally Posted by earcutter
But only at 300 yds.
I don't mess around when it comes to rifle ammo. ;)
You're not looking hard enough. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Wullie
Unless there's been a huge run on Lapua brass.
Midway, Powder Valley, Third Generation Shooting Supply all had some the other day.
AAAAHHHHH i miss my H&K 91 and Springfield Armory SAR-8 :( .... .308 is a machine !!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Wullie
That Lapua stuff is pretty pricey to be running through an auto. It's great stuff, but I'm thinking of most bang for the buck.Quote:
Originally Posted by scap99
I'm pretty well set for the other rifles, just low on 308 is all. :)
They do 3D metal printing, too. Obviously, the 2 major issues will be giving some power back to the little guy (corporations and their bought-and-paid-for governments hate the idea) and patents. By the way, I'll have to get into reloading, especially if I get the Norinco Type 97 next spring. 5.56 costs double what I'm getting milsurp 7.62x39 for. Eventually, I'd even buy some Prvi and reload 7.62x39 for accuracy at the range. For now even a single stage will do. I don't go through more than 200-300 per week. If I get into handguns, I'll get into progressive. Just sold my only handgun because it was a safe queen. Too much fun with the rifles.