Gun 3D Printer

A few years back, 3D printing models or objects seemed to be a very sci-fi fantasy thing that was only reserved for high-end and well-known prototyping labs. Now, things have changed a lot.

Nowadays, regular printing objects in the home is gradually becoming a reality. Besides, the 3D printing technology also has brought more affordability and performance to the consumers.

After the 1990s, the technology of 3D printing started to evolve and picked up a decent speed. It has now reached a stage where all can use these fantastic machines to create 3D models.

With the participation of different companies and experts, the development of 3D printers quickly evolved to a point where the global market presents a vast selection of machines to the buyer.

3D printing technology is gradually creating a robust place in different industries, such as automotive, aerospace, education, health, dental, and more. However, another industry uses these machines quite widely, and that industry is a firearm or gun-making company.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, helps firearm companies drive innovation forward with lower lead times and lower costs for the prototypes.  

You will mainly find two types of 3D printers in the market, i.e., LCD and FDM 3D printers. But in the firearm industry or for gun production, FDM printers are used. Because only an FDM 3D printer can produce durable parts or models to create guns.

Besides, 3D printers create parts with a maximum precision level compared to gun parts and models using traditional equipment. Besides, the tensile strength limit of 3d printed plastic gun is also good. Furthermore, the 3d printer gun model will be resistant to chemicals and water.

With time, 3D printed working gun models appear more and more, and lawmakers and makers have noticed this. There has been an excellent level of efforts to stifle the use and production of 3D printed firearms.

Manufacturers are now putting a lot of effort into making them more accessible, easier to the manufacturer, and cheaper.  

However, to get the best result in this, you need to buy the best gun 3d printer, and this is where most of the 3D printer buyers face challenges. This guide will greatly help you understand how to choose the best 3D printer for gun manufacturing if you are one of them. Besides, we will also discuss the legality of 3d printed gun stock and its history. So, let’s talk about this in detail.

It is a fact that the utilization of 3D printing, or you can say additive manufacturing, has brought a whole new element to firearms technology. This technology has open new and faster production and development process for firearm manufacturers across the globe. On the other hand, for criminals, activities, hobbyists, an affordable gun 3d printer offer potentially unregulated access to different types of firearms.

Craft-made weapons have a year-long history of nefarious activities and have some characteristics perfect for various criminal activities. These types are firearms that are entirely unregistered and are disposable and easy to manufacture.

The 3D printed firearms or a 3d printed functional gun have added a modern twist to firearms’ traditional production. With easy access to a computer, advanced FDM 3D printer, and quality 3D printing materials, a perfect weapon can now be produced relatively quickly.

The new firearm technology remained static for a new century with self-contained pressure bearing surfaces, metallic cartridges, and looking methods. In this segment, the most basic form is a “Slam-fire” shotgun that can come with a tube and a perfectly designed striker to trigger the cartridge.

You will mainly find two types of 3D-printed firearms in this industry, manufactured entirely using high-quality printed polymer and other materials. Another one is hybrids that combine 3D printed parts with the traditionally manufactured components. A perfect example of the hybrids can be the 3D printing of pistol frames and producing non-pressure bearing lower receiver parts using polymers.

However, regardless of where you are standing now, the rise in the power and status of 3D printed weapons poses some difficult questions. To know more, let’s have a look at the recent happenings related to fully 3d printed guns.

Online 3D printed gun banned on 11-14-2019

As per the report, a federal judge in Seattle, USA, ruled that Defense Distributed, the well-known open-source hardware organization, is not permitted to publish the blueprints of 3D printable guns on the internet.

Stating they were violating the laws of arms export as the blueprints can be easily accessed and used by people across the globe. However, Robert Lasnik, a federal judge, termed this illegal.  

States suing the U.S. over the 3D printed gun laws

A combination of around 20 states and the District of Columbia is now opposing the United States of America’s federal government over a plan made by the Trump Administration to enable people to share and use 3d printed gun models or gun blueprints online. However, critics are very concerned about publishing the 3D gun’s blueprints online as it can offer easy criminal access to the guns that can be traced.  

However, it may be noted that legal firearm manufacturers can use a gun 3d printer that utilizes FDM printing technology. And most of the gun manufacturers are using it.

3D printing technology- Allowing firearm manufacturers to be economical and flexible

With the best FDM 3D printer, you can now easily print different parts for firearms in small batches, enjoying a lower manufacturing cost than traditional methods. This printing technology can be leveraged to produce intricate or complex pieces like backplate covers, trigger systems, hammers, recoil spring plugs, and more precision.

On the other hand, 3D printing’s rapid prototyping feature has allowed firearms manufacturers to reduce product development’s lead time. On the other hand, 3D printed parts also help lower the possible risk of trial-and-error methods as the prototypes are most cost-effective.

Besides, product revisions can be made quite easily and printed with the required adjustment. Whether you are making custom parts for the production of creating a prototype for a brand-new design, 3D printing can be a perfect solution for you. Now., let’s talk about the history of 3D-printed guns and their parts.

1.1, Exploring the history of 3D printed gun parts

How did the story of the 3D printed gun start? Keep reading to know all the things. It all started in 2012 when Cody Wilson introduced his idea to convert the fire-arm design into open-source files, letting the public print a weapon at their home.

Speaking about Cody Wilson, he is a self-proclaimed crypto expert, and he has completed his Law degree from the University of Texas. He was neither a deranged geek nor a criminal. After a year of studying there, he left the university to develop and distribute functional 3D-printed guns.  

He also established a company called Defense Distributed for this purpose.

In 2013, the first Computer-Aided Design gun model file arrived online, which can be downloaded without paying money. The digital design file went viral immediately, and in just two days, it witnessed more than 100,000 downloads. However, after a few days, Defense Distributed removes the gun design file from the site.

As per the data, Defense Distributed has also created an AR-15 type rifle lower receiver, and the design is 3D printable. The gun is capable of lasting for 650 rounds, and it also supports different types of magazines.

However, the company faced various legal cases for violating the Arms Export Control Act.

In 2015, Wilson sued the US government, and in 2018 the case was settled by the Department of Justice, stating Wilson’s right to release the instructions online for the production of 3D printable firearms.

The incident has inspired the development of multiple decentralized 3D-printed gun communities, including FOSSCAD and Deterrence Dispensed.

In the year 2013, Solid Concepts, a Texas-based company, showcased the M1911 pistol’s 3D printed version made of metal, with the help of an industrial 3D printer.  Oceania Defense, a New Zealand-based company, produced 3D printed suppressors made of titanium, and they are around 50 percent lighter than the traditional ones.

A list of 3D printed weapons and parts

1. Raptor Grip M500

It was made public on 15^th December 2011. Shockwave Technologies produced it using the FDM printing method. Some important facts of this product are; the grip’s prototypes were 3D printed and then tested through firing. In a glass-filled polymer, grips were injection molded.

As per the report, the 3D-printed grip M500 can survive 200 rounds of 00 buckshot and 400 rounds of 8 birdshot. It never fails to work. On 27^th December 2011, the Raptor Grip M500’s production version went on sale.

2. The Cuomo Mag

It was introduced in January 2013 by Defense Distributed. This magazine can hold 30 rounds. As per the report, the first prototype was made with Connex26 using a transparent material called VeroClear. During the taste, it was able to handle less than 342 rounds.

3. Feinstein AK Mag

Defense Distributed revealed this in March 2013. The company made this using Stratasys Dimension SST 3-D printer that utilizes FDM printing technology. It was a 30-round magazine for AK-47.

4. Red Rocket Shotgun Slug

Jeff Hessel introduced this in May 2013, and they made it with the help of FDM and ABS using Solidoodle 3D printer. The printer managed to produce the bullet within an hour, and when tested, the bullet easily pierced through a 2×12 piece of pine wood.

5. 3DX Muzzle Brake

Introduced by Sintercore, it was made through DMLS. The brake utilizes metal Inconel material. During the test, the part managed to fire around 7900 rounds on semi-auto mode. On full auto mode, it fired ten magazines. It may be noted that USSOCOM- US Special Operation Command’s Science and Technology Directorate invited Sintercore to demonstrate the part for use by the elite troops. The test was conducted on 5^th August 2014.

6. FGC -9

Introduced on 27^th March 2020, this Parabellum Pistol caliber carbine was made by JStark1809 using FDM technology. The weapon is based on Shuty AP-9, and the barrel can be rifled through ECM- Electrochemical machining.

7. Chimera 410

This is a hybrid firearm. Pilotgeek combines FDM and PLA to produce this single shot shotgun.  The gun utilizes a steel pipe as a barrel and, for its frame, a rectangular steel tube. It has 3D printed parts for fire control components, receivers, and more. There are 3D printed jigs that offer a guide for accurate drilling and cutting of components.

1.2, Are 3D printed guns worth paying attention to?

The first case of 3d print real gun came to the limelight when Cody Wilson, a college student from Texas, introduced 3D gun design and created a functional weapon using an FDM 3D printer. The weapon can easily slip by the metal detectors as it is made of resins.

If you search online for 3d printed automatic gun, you will find much information with videos. If every person starts producing a 3D gun, then a time will come when everyone has a gun, and the situation can be terrifying.

The technology behind 3D printing has advanced dramatically, and current types of 3D printers can produce more sophisticated devices, like guns or other firearms.

That is why Congressman Israel is now proposing the Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act. If it gets a green signal, this can prevent guns’ illegal manufacture, and only registered companies are created guns.

The weapons are 3D printed in different pieces, and then the users can assemble them to get a functional 3d printed plastic gun. The only metal parts that the gun will have the bullet and the firing pin.

Some firearms can easily evade metal detectors, with a small steel and firing piece, complying with the Undetectable Firearms Act. Every gun can be reused and can fire multiple rounds based on the types of parts.

3D-printed guns may fire hundreds of rounds, but are they durable?

The right answer is no, they are not durable like the traditional guns, and some shooting ranges ban the 3D firearms from being used.

As per a report, The Liberator, a 3D printed gun made by Defense Distributed, broke down after a single discharge. Experts have said that some guns can be created using a gun 3d printer, but they are not reliable and don’t have the commercial qualities like a real gun.

3D guns produced by plastic ABS-M30, the material used to make toys, can fire one .380-Caliber round for around eight times.  When fired, the bullet traveled around 11 inches into gelatin. Compared to the original .380 pistol, the bullet can travel around 18-inches.

However, the demand for 3d printed toy gun is getting higher. There are some toy 3D guns that kids love to have, and they are the exact replicas of guns used by superheroes. For example, using an FDM 3D printer, you can create a batman grapple gun.

Look at the image, and you will find it a fully functional toy gun along with a hook-projectile. When you fire up the gun, the projectile will come out of the weapon, and it will automatically release its hooks. Using the cord, the projectile is connected to the bat gun. There is a round chamber using which you can roll back the cord inside. To give it a realistic look, the gun has a 9v battery and LED lighting system.

If you are a toy manufacturer and want to produce some cool toy guns to expand your business, then an FDM 3D gun printer will be the best choice for you. However, you should not use it for any illegal activities. As long as you are following the law, you can keep using a gun 3d printer.

1.3, What countries think about printing guns – The legal minefield of 3D printed guns

3D printed gun is generally printed in different plastic parts, and the users have to assemble by themselves. As per the experts, like Wilson, one can create a pistol within 24 hours. Even though there are DIY kits for manufacturing guns at-home, blueprints of 3d printable gun parts will allow the users with an FDM 3D printer easier access.

However, some gun experts have said that criminals are unlikely to utilize the blueprint as 3D printers required to print guns are quite expensive.  On the other hand, guns can deteriorate relatively faster than traditional weapons. Printers required to make the guns can cost around USD 2000 to USD 20,000.

You may find an FDM 3D printer in some public libraries; most of them have banned the printers from being used for dangerous and unsafe reasons. So, nowadays, these printers are generally used by licensed gun manufacturers and toy gun manufacturers. Now. Let’s discuss the legal status.

Legal minefield or incident of 3D printed guns

1. The United Kingdom

In the UK, the Firearms Act 1968 bans gun parts and guns without government approval. The Home Office, a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government, updates the Firearms Licensing Law rules to mention about 3D printed weapon ban. In 2013, police raided a Manchester gang and found some 3D printed gun parts.

2. The United States

As per the Undetectable Firearms Act, the firearms that are unable to be detected by a metal detector are now allowed to produce such a legal production of weapons; for example, the Liberator needs a metal plate attached to the printed body.  On 27^th August 2018, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill following which the Undetectable Firearms Act was extended for ten years. Even though the Act was extended, it didn’t change any provisions. In 2014, 3D printed guns again gain attention when Netflix released a documentary named “Print the Legend.”

On 27^th August 2018, a Federal Judge ordered Defense Distributed to remove the blueprint of a 3D printed gun from the site, and the legal proceeding related to this matter are still ongoing.

3. Australia

The state law of New South Wales in Australia criminalizes 3D print firearms and the digital blueprint of the guns under the Firearms Act 1996, Section 51F. In 2015, during a raid on a meth lab, police seized a fully loaded 3D printed firearm. In another case, Since Sun was arrested for his connection with 3D printable guns.

In December 2017, he pleaded guilty to a few changes, like manufacturing 3D-printed firearms, possessing a blueprint of a 3D gun, and an unauthorized pistol. During his hearing, he informed the court that he wanted to replicate the Hollo videogame gun, and while searching for the blueprints online, he found blueprints of other firearms.

4. Singapore

Singapore issued that persons who create a 3D printed gun or firearm in Singapore who don’t have a valid license to do that will be charged under the Guns, Explosive and Weapons Control Bill.  

Risks associated with 3d printable guns

After the increasing popularity of 3D printed guns and 3D designs of different types of firearms, the government from various started assessing the risks related to this. The first and most crucial thing to note here is that 3D-printed guns don’t require identification codes, such as serial numbers or barcodes.

All the traditional firearms have serial numbers, and that helps in tracking down those owning these firearms. This allows law enforcement and other authorities to effectively regulate such harmful weapons. However, 3D printed guns cannot be traced.

On the other hand, to produce 3D printed guns, you don’t have to go through any background check. So, you can just go ahead and produce a gun using an FDM 3D printer. Here, the probability of getting the guns in the criminal hands increases even more. The biggest question here is, are these issues are only after the publication of 3D design files on the internet? Well, the answer is no.

As per various reports, such an issue has existed since the start of producing guns illegally. But it can be said that 3D printing has wide the existing loophole, offering all easier access. However, all licensed firms can produce 3D printed guns and gun parts to better make the final product.

Besides, gun toy makers also are using a gun 3D printer to develop sophisticated toy guns. If you have all the required licenses and want to improvise your gun production process, you can always go for the FDM 3D printers.