World's first 3D printed metal gun

[Doppel]

That didn't take long.

All parts except the springs were printed. Based on a 1911.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/3d-printed-gun-metal_n_4234900.html

Lawmakers will have a fun time with this technology. I just see no way to control it other than all 3d printers eventually require an Internet connection before they print and all models that are printed get first uploaded to a database so that what is made can be traced. Probably many ways around such a limitation though.

 

[xBiffx]

I can assure you this wasn't the first. But props to these guys for having the balls to admit they did it. Hope they don't get too many unwarranted full cavity searches.

I'll be interested to see what reactionary, feel good laws are proposed that will do nothing to stop this. Watch and see them require an FFL for any 3D printers.

 

[PokerGuy]

It's kind of funny watching the usual crowd of terminally stupid anti-gun nutters flailing away at this stuff trying to figure out how to regain control of it. They are just too dumb to understand that the gun (printed or not) is not the issue, the issue is how some people choose to use it.

I'm sure we can expect all sorts of insipid laws or resolutions passed to 'save the children'......

 

[poofyhairguy]

I can't wait for my 3D printed AK.

 

[WackyDan]

I can assure you this wasn't the first. But props to these guys for having the balls to admit they did it. Hope they don't get too many unwarranted full cavity searches.

I'll be interested to see what reactionary, feel good laws are proposed that will do nothing to stop this. Watch and see them require an FFL for any 3D printers.

This is a commercial operation and they hold an FFL. They are using a manufacturing process, not a print at home solution.

 

[Doppel]

This is a commercial operation and they hold an FFL. They are using a manufacturing process, not a print at home solution.

Not yet!

 

[Theb]

Kind of cool. At least it's not plastic. That was an accident waiting to happen.

I can't wait for my 3D printed AK.

AKs are easy to build. No fancy equipment needed.

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/179192-DIY-Shovel-AK-photo-tsunami-warning!

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/05/ak-47-semi-automatic-rifle-building-party

 

[Incorruptible]

This should frustrate the gun control supporters even more so this is good news.

 

[brycejones]

Cool, while the 3d printed gun "issue" gets a lot attention its going to be interesting to see how disruptive 3d printing is going to be a whole host of industries.

Since the springs seem to be the limiting factor maybe we can institute some spring control legislation to make sure the springs aren't being used to manufacture weapons at home.....(I jest)

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Not yet!

Just define owning, using, attempting to obtain any machine capable of this an act of terrorism. That would shut this down at least in the US.

 

[k3n]

Hopefully 3d printing will allow more competition/cheaper prices for CPUs and computer hardware in general.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Hopefully 3d printing will allow more competition/cheaper prices for CPUs and computer hardware in general.

How?

 

[blankslate]

Can't wait for the reactions when gangbangers are able to use this technology to arm themselves. It'll be interesting days indeed.

 

[ElFenix]

anyone with access to a decent metal shop could already make their own guns. the issue is that its not cost effective compared to stealing one. this isn't changing that.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Hopefully 3d printing will allow more competition/cheaper prices for CPUs and computer hardware in general.

Just wow you have no clue whats involved in even creating a CPU......you will never see a CPU via 3d printing....

 

[Doppel]

anyone with access to a decent metal shop could already make their own guns. the issue is that its not cost effective compared to stealing one. this isn't changing that.

It certainly changes it. Do you know how to metal work to the degree required to make a decent semi auto from raw materials? Me, neither. Consumer grade 3D printers are now plug, in press a few buttons. This wasn't done on a consumer grade printer. However, in time that simplicity is likely to make its way to high end printers, too.

 

[Moonbeam]

anyone with access to a decent metal shop could already make their own guns. the issue is that its not cost effective compared to stealing one. this isn't changing that.

In reading the forums with no particular intention in mind, I have become aware that on numerous occasions now, this one included, that your name is attached to posts that make really good sense to me.

 

[Harabec]

We're on our way to printed organs, weapons, everything. It is the way science goes, unfortunately idiots will always try to outlaw change.
The fix is in the society, not the tech. We first need to stop wanting to kill other people.

 

[blankslate]

Just wow you have no clue whats involved in even creating a CPU......you will never see a CPU via 3d printing....

well...

http://slashdot.org/topic/datacenter/ink-jet-printing-custom-designed-micro-circuits/

they're not cpus but perhaps after everyone who currently browses these forums are dead... it could become reality.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

anyone with access to a decent metal shop could already make their own guns. the issue is that its not cost effective compared to stealing one. this isn't changing that.

True, but how does machining one compare to printing? If an untraceable weapon could be produced cheaply, why risk stealing one? Technology changes the equation. I hate to think what will be possible in my children's lifetime.

 

[Zodiark1593]

I wonder how the government would tackle this. Short of completely barring non-commercial ownership, any attempt of controlling what can be printed through software measures will inevitably be broken by hackers, and regulating what a civilian can and can't do with their 3d printer is unenforceable. Even if the government can regulate circulation of blueprints, it is not at all rocket science to replicate a simple firearm through Blender. In this case, knowledge is most certainly power in a very tangible sense and is impossible to regulate.

Can't wait to get my own 3D printer. I already have a few various 3D models in Blender I want to print and experiment with.

 

[Moonbeam]

True, but how does machining one compare to printing? If an untraceable weapon could be produced cheaply, why risk stealing one? Technology changes the equation. I hate to think what will be possible in my children's lifetime.

I worry more about some future psychologically damaged teenaged super-genius getting involved with the genetic manipulation of viruses or nanobot molecular disassemblers or things I can't even yet imagine than I do about ghetto kids learning how to print guns.

 

[Moonbeam]

I wonder how the government would tackle this. Short of completely barring non-commercial ownership, any attempt of controlling what can be printed through software measures will inevitably be broken by hackers, and regulating what a civilian can and can't do with their 3d printer is unenforceable. Even if the government can regulate circulation of blueprints, it is not at all rocket science to replicate a simple firearm through Blender. In this case, knowledge is most certainly power in a very tangible sense and is impossible to regulate.

Can't wait to get my own 3D printer. I already have a few various 3D models in Blender I want to print and experiment with.

Have you thought about printing printers that have sex and print printers using hydrogen gas. I'm patenting the name 'Cosmic Fuckers' for my company.

 

[Zodiark1593]

Have you thought about printing printers that have sex and print printers using hydrogen gas. I'm patenting the name 'Cosmic Fuckers' for my company.

I'll be your first investor. Hope my $0.02 will help you get started.

 

[xj0hnx]

True, but how does machining one compare to printing? If an untraceable weapon could be produced cheaply, why risk stealing one? Technology changes the equation. I hate to think what will be possible in my children's lifetime.

Machining one will be a LOT more labor intensive, and more prone to mistakes, as with printing one all the measurements are in the file and the computer sorts it out.