News I Tried 3D Printing a Gun: It’s Not as Easy as You Think

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You gotta be pretty bored and skilled to make these things, this is nothing more than a hobby for people with lots of free time.

Btw whats up with all those links in the article? Why do they go to google first as a redirect? If i'd be signed into my google account they'd know im visiting all these gun related topics and throw gun ads my way.
 
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Those interested in this part of the "Maker Space" should also read up on Philip Luty.

He didn't use a 3D printer but worked entirely with what was available at a regular hardware store.
 
USAFRet said:
Anyone that wants to enact laws regarding 3D printers and guns should be required to spend a year with their own personal 3D printer, trying to make a gun.
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I bet it will get easier in the future, just not as soon as originally anticipated given that 3D printing overhype has died down and feds are sniffing around.
 
peachpuff said:
Btw whats up with all those links in the article? Why do they go to google first as a redirect? If i'd be signed into my google account they'd know im visiting all these gun related topics and throw gun ads my way.
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I apologize. Seems that Google mucked up some of the links when I transferred them from the Gdoc this was originally written in. Fixed.
 
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funguseater said:
A CNC machine and a lathe are more dangerous than a home consumer 3D printer, and they all take specialized knowledge to make anything usable.
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That's not really true anymore, there are many programs that write the entire g-code for the CNC, all a person needs is some basic understanding for the setup. Could have a person running one with a couple hours of instruction.
 
Fates_Demise said:
That's not really true anymore, there are many programs that write the entire g-code for the CNC, all a person needs is some basic understanding for the setup. Could have a person running one with a couple hours of instruction.
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If you live in the U.S., you don't need the CNC machine because many websites sell the metal parts for relatively little money. And, as we said in the article, the cost of buying a gun at a gunshow, where no one tracks the sale, is pretty low.

In countries with stricter gun laws, it's different obviously.
 
Ah, the Gun Show Loophole Myth. You really shouldn't rely on single sources with clear bias for your research. The chances of finding a private seller at a gun show are quite small as the limits imposed on the number of guns that can be sold in a year make renting booth space a money losing proposition. Many stores with a regular gun show presence do consignment sales and thus a background check is required. If you have a problem with private sales not involving a FFL holder, that is another issue. Letting a licensed retailer handle the transaction is much less hassle and avoids having people coming to your home or vice versa. A private seller doing volume that violates law is not going to advertise his existence at a gun show where the legit FFL retailers are likely to report.
 
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epobirs said:
Ah, the Gun Show Loophole Myth. You really shouldn't rely on single sources with clear bias for your research. The chances of finding a private seller at a gun show are quite small as the limits imposed on the number of guns that can be sold in a year make renting booth space a money losing proposition. Many stores with a regular gun show presence do consignment sales and thus a background check is required. If you have a problem with private sales not involving a FFL holder, that is another issue. Letting a licensed retailer handle the transaction is much less hassle and avoids having people coming to your home or vice versa. A private seller doing volume that violates law is not going to advertise his existence at a gun show where the legit FFL retailers are likely to report.
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Exactly. As you point out if the seller at a gun show is a FFL holder they have to do the background check and if the seller at the gunshow is a private party they don't. (But they still get in trouble if they sell to someone they reasonably should think can't own a gun.) Oh another thing is some states require a background check on private sales as well. (As you point out it has nothing to do with Gun shows and everything to do with if the seller is a FFL or private party.)
 
derekullo said:
We have 6 MakerBot Method X Carbon Fiber 3D Printers at the library where i work.
We only allow them to print on PLA, but the printer is capable of doing stainless steel 316L, nylon and obviously carbon fiber.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_316L_stainless_steel

I don't see why the printer wouldn't be able to print them in steel without much issue
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Stainless steel?
Really?

Please show us some documentation that says this.
 
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I'd say you're more likely to be able to get a gun at a pawn shop with no questions asked than you are a gun show, but I agree that there are cheaper and easier ways for criminals to obtain firearms than 3D printing them, especially considering the number of convicted felons arrested every week for possession (and use) of a firearm.
 
apiltch said:
If you live in the U.S., you don't need the CNC machine because many websites sell the metal parts for relatively little money. And, as we said in the article, the cost of buying a gun at a gunshow, where no one tracks the sale, is pretty low.

In countries with stricter gun laws, it's different obviously.
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Ah this isn't true, or rather it's way more nuanced. There is no special exception for gun shows, and FFL carrier is required to do background checks and registration for all firearms sold regardless of location they were sold at. All private person to person transactions don't, regardless of the location the sale is at. Gun shows happen to be a place where firearm enthusiasts will gather and hang out. Sometimes those enthusiasts decide to conduct a private exchange. Bob has a Glock he doesn't anymore and Barry is looking to buy a Glock, they meet at a gun show and get to talking, Bob offers to sell Barry he's Glock and thus a private sale happens. It's no different then you selling someone an old GPU you have laying around, or how I bought my first car for $200 from another soldier at my first duty station.
 
Alvar Miles Udell said:
I'd say you're more likely to be able to get a gun at a pawn shop with no questions asked than you are a gun show, but I agree that there are cheaper and easier ways for criminals to obtain firearms than 3D printing them, especially considering the number of convicted felons arrested every week for possession (and use) of a firearm.
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Most illegal weapons are acquired from an illegal weapons dealer who bought them from thieves who stole them. All those home break ins, car theft / break ins will have the thief steal any firearms they find, then sell them to a local reseller, usually gang related.
 
If you are going to have metal components you probably might as well use CNC throughout, rather than 3D printing plastic and adding metal parts.

If you are going to 3D print then you might as well use ceramic, with a 3D dental printer; strength and accuracy, along with light weight. Some dental printers of reasonable quality are available for under 10K.

3D printing isn't really practical unless you are an inventor (and Engineer). If you are a copier then you might as well copy a proven existing design; but then it will likely be cheaper to simply buy the product (assuming you can).

An FN P90 Tactical in ceramic with a hardened steel barrel, and easier to obtain ammunition, would make it worthwhile to invest in a decent printer. A cheap gun would be expensive to 3D print, and impractical.
 
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