3D Printed weapons...WTF!?

3d printing firm pulls pin on US 'printed pistol' project | Information, Gadgets, Mobile Phones News & Reviews | News.com.au




How scary...

 

I agree. Big brother comes and picks up your printer because they don't like what you're printing. That is scary.

 

Such an American response... : ) (Gotta love you personal rights loving people...)

 

Not exactly "Big Brother":

So, Wilson was leasing the 3D printer. If he was in violation of his lease, Stratasys would be within their rights to terminate the lease. It seems reasonable to me that, if he was indeed making an all plastic firearm that violates the Undetectable Firearms Act, Mr. Wilson has only himself to blame for not checking that out before he leased the printer. In fact, Stratasys may have saved his butt from being locked up in a Federal prison. (Not intentionally, of course. They were undoubtedly more concerned with their own potential legal/criminal vulnerability.)

 

Good call Tommy...

 

Thanks, CAC. Believe me, I am a big supporter of 2nd Amendment rights. However, if I wanted a firearm that would melt after firing one round, I'd get a High Point.

 

I think this dude and his mates are more about "publishing" the schematics or blue prints for said weapon...making it possible for anyone to download and "print" (using maker-bots) a pistol...Just imagine the near future where one doesnt "shop" much anymore, instead, if they like and want something...they "make" it in their lounge rooms...has massive implications to everyones economy...

 

The "undetectable Gun Act" will sunset in 2013, and if not renewed will become a dead letter. Further, the Law specifically allows the manufacture of a single copy of a gun for the purpose of having the government evaluate it and see if it violates the law-- so theoretically the effort may have been completely legal. Doc

 

Actually I was being sarcastic. I don't think it is scary because any pistol this printer creates will be of more danger to the shooter than their target. Melting is not the only problem, disintegration from the pressures created by the cartridge being fired would be my greatest concern. You might possibly get it to work with some specialty plastics, if the round isn't bigger than a .22, I wouldn't even bet on that.

Tommy-TD wrote:

Yes, they were within their rights and probably wise. I had read the story and understood who did what. Again I was being sarcastic. It was probably a self-resolving problem, anyone that built one would be dead or injured as soon as they attempted to shoot it. But, their families would sue, and probably win because someone has to protect us from our own stupidity. I don't believe the last statement, but that appears to be how much civil litigation goes.


The article also states in it's headline: "A STUDENT'S bid to make and test-fire a 3D printed pistol.."

The project would have ended on it's own when he got to this point. Then the bit about the partly printed AR-15, no way the barrel and chamber of the plastic printed weapon could take the pressures associated with that round.

 

Can I download mine before I print it?

 

I saw an article on "printing" a semi automatic rifle. 22 long rifle I believe. With that round it was suppose to be safe not sure about accuarcy or how long it would last. I believe the reciever has to have a serial number for it to be legal in the US.

 

Fair enough. Sorry for missing that. I'm often not very quick to pick up on sarcasm, even though I often use it myself (i.e. the "High Point" comment). You do make a very good point about the pressures involved. A melting barrel would be a distant second to the plastic gun blowing up on my list of bad things that could happen.

 

I found this on PopSci online, and does cover a bit more of the story. Or perhaps it may clear up just where the legality of said weapon may fall. I.e, home-made, not factory made. It also points out that at the current state of the "art", it is less expensive to simply buy one than make it yourself.

Goto:

FYI: Is It Legal To 3-D Print A Handgun? | Popular Science

 

Haven't followed the links posted here, but from what I've read, the "AR15" he was looking to print was just the lower receiver. And not being an AR owner myself (yet), IIRC, the lower doesn't actually house any of the high-pressure/high-heat components. The chamber and barrel are all part of the Upper. The lower is where other stuff attaches, but also is where the serial number is printed. Now, the US gov DOES allow assembly of personal weapons from kits, as long as they're not going to be used for any official (ie, military or law enforcement) activities. So, legally, he would have been within his rights to print the AR lower. Smart? Dunno....our 3D printing technology being what it is, I would equate it to sending the Wright Brothers' first half-dozen attempts on cross-country flights over the Rockies during the winter. Not really feasible with the technology available at the time. Is the lid off of Pandora's box now? Totally. And that's what has everyone up in a tizzy. Its been postulated, its been done, and the fact that everyone freaked and yanked this guy by the short-hairs means that those who chafe at The Man are going to be scrambling for 3D printers, free CAD programs, and hitting the labs to created new printable materials that are stronger, lighter, and WILL handle the stresses. Cat's outta the bag. Its only a matter of time. Smart thing for the .gov to have done would be to bring the kid on as an R&D dude for a contractual period of time, thus classifying everything he did with regards to this as military secrets. Its gonna happen (yay! I can finally own/print a BAR!!!!), they could have controlled it and developed it first. Heh. Best way to get something done/solved/cured is to have the .gov tell everyone that they're not allowed to do that.

 

Ann interesting related article:
Will 3D printing of weapons have to be regulated? -- Government Computer News

 

And another one:
3D printers now capable of producing firearms -- Government Computer News

I'm assuming 22 rim fire of some sort ...

 

If you read the first article which started this thread, it is designed for a few shots before melting (as expected) using .22 rimfire rounds. Of course it appears none were ever produced and fired so this is all just silly anyway.

 

As the first link I posted should have made clear there were two seperate efforts. Acording to the last link there is acutally a video of one of the weapons firing.

Note that the initial post was about a pistol and the second one I posted is about a rifle modeled on the AR-15.

 

Nice. Can I get one of these:Google Image Result for http://media.pcgamer.com/files/2012/09/Borderlands-2-Energizing-Bane.jpg

 

Have a Hi-Point 9mm pistol and carbine that I've fired probably a total of 5,000 rounds through combined. No melting. I did have a problem with the firing pin on the pistol...sent it in to their factory in Ohio...got it back with not only the warranty info but a detailed invoice from their gunsmith describing what was done to the gun...ya know, in case I ever sold it....guns are a lot more dangerous than a used car and no CarFax exists....so in terms of Hi-Point...I'd put more weight behind their work than some of the big boys. I sold guns for a long time and seen Remington and Winchester do some pretty crappy warranty work, or just "lose" guns.