3D printed guns
Ron Czapala
Posts: 2,418
http://news.yahoo.com/you-don-t-bring-a-3d-printer-to-a-gun-fight----yet.html
Excerpt:
Excerpt:
Why would a 3D-printed gun be appealing? For one, it could potentially be cheap. You can buy a preassembled 3D printer for about $500. A spool of ABS plastic to print with goes for $50. Depending on where you shop, you can buy .38 Special ammunition for 30 cents a round. The plans will undoubted be distributed free like so many MP3s.
The increased attention on printable guns comes as Defense Distributed is approaching a firing test, said Cody Wilson, a University of Texas graduate student and the chief spokesman for the group. Depending on the outcome of that testing, 3D-printing companies, file-hosting sites, and law enforcement and legislative groups may have to tackle a challenging set of questions regarding the manufacture and regulation of firearms, both in this country and abroad.
Comments
A functioning weapon IS already possible, assuming you can accept a few limitations:
1. Firing pin needs to be metal, so can'tbe made using a 3D printer. Possibly a few other pins in the mechanism, also.
2. One-use barrels.
3. .22" rimfire shots. (Slightly larger pistol calibres may be possible also,)
4. Barrels will need to be drilled up after printing.
The firing mechanism is the trickiest part, with the mechanism and handgrip making up the bulk of the plastic. This can all be reused.
You will need new barrels for each shot, though...
And if you think a pistol/revolver where the barrels must be replaced after use is 'impractical'...
The English SAS, German Special forces, US 'Spec Ops', Norwegian Special Forces(I assume mostly our Navy Jaegers, MJK, and possibly the FSK), and even Lara Croft will tell you otherwise...
(Even the Israeli uses it, and they really prefer 'homegrown' solutions where possible)
http://www.hkpro.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31:the-p11-underwater-pistol
See this table http://www.lasc.us/SAAMIMaxPressure.htm
I remember when this story first surfaced, it elicited a boat load of laughs from gun owners and gunsmiths.
Name me a 3d plastic that can withstand the pressures and shock that steel can. BTW this is why receivers and barrels aren't made out of aluminum or some lower end metal like Zamak 3.
Besides ever hear of a "zip gun"? Cheaper than any flimsy toy made by 3d printer and safer too if you stay with .22. About any teenage boy with a mechanical aptitude(very rare nowadays thanks to computers) can make one.
And changing barrels after a single shot. Are you joking. Not practical at all.
Doesn't need to be "practical". Think about... how many people do you need to shoot in a day? Usually?
Unless your planning on taking out a whole movie theater, one shot should be plenty. And if you plan on taking out a whole movie theater, one shot is too many.
Strangely enough we were making a list over a beer last night and very soon good up to seven. Luckily most on the list are no longer alive anyway. It all started with wanting to shoot they guy who invenetd the vacuum cleaner.
Less than one on average.
Just curious... what do you have against vacuum cleaners?
They just suck.
Stick with Props and stay away from devices that if designed and built wrong will blow off your hand or your face. Which is what will happen if people try to roll their own plastic gun.
Normally I'm not serious, but this stuff is just insane.
Tech should be safe and fun for kids, but this is one topic that shouldn't even be brought up for discussion. It's going to get some kids injured or worse.Because they'll be the first ones to try and build them.