A printed AR

Enjay · Aug 1, 2012

We may not need to worry about bans on guns or magazines if we can download a file and print one ourselves. A gentleman in WI has successfully printed a functioning AR receiver with a 3D printer.
The first blog post:
http://haveblue.org/?p=1041

the followup blog post:
http://haveblue.org/?p=1321

His was made on an older model 3D printer that uses plastic sheets but newer higher end printers that can use ceramic and metal are currently available, although they're expensive. A modern low-end plastic printer starts out at about $500. Wouldn't it be fascinating if this were another option for gun purchases? Here's a promo spot for the Solidoodle, which runs $499. Wouldn't it be cool to print up a new stock with it?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxC2xOKky_A[/youtube]

Midnight Raver · Aug 1, 2012

Wow, that is unbelievable! Like the guy said, he can't be the first person to make parts for firearms like that. Talk about giving the government more food for thought!

thebrasilian · Aug 1, 2012

One of my customers is 3D systems in Rock Hill. Rapid prototyping is coming into its own. Still not production ready but very close.

They have a unit coming out shortly aimed for grade school. I don't believe it out yet so that's all I can say about it for right now. Just wait till someone can print out a barrel.

fiundagner · Aug 1, 2012

Enjay: you said you wanted a new printer. you didnt tell me we'd save a fortune on guns and ammo. I could print out 303 and 5.7 cases by the bushel!!!!

i'm wanting printed bullets now. i saw a design for a ramjet style bullet a few years ago, but it would have cost about 50$ per round at the time. hopefully i can find it again. Maybe this means gyroslug style pistols will make a comeback?

Enjay · Aug 1, 2012

Fiundagner:
I'm pretty sure lead is still cheaper than the printing media.

Brasilian, that's interesting to know. As I was making the post I was thinking I bet my teenager could make the files, he's good with CAD.

Midnight:
I'd really prefer not to give the gov anything at all. :roll:

Midnight Raver · Aug 2, 2012

Enjay said:
Midnight:
I'd really prefer not to give the gov anything at all. :roll:

That's for sure, they certainly get enough already! :lol:

Wait... why am I laughing?

thebrasilian · Aug 2, 2012

www.quickparts.com is owned by 3D of Rock Hill. You want like the price.

There are several different printing technologies. The cheap one that uses plastic string (typically ABS) is not that expansive. But I wouldn't recommend the parts for long term use. Now if you go a little higher end (start at about $300,000 for the printer), you will get stronger parts.

But please remember that the AR lowers were not designed to be manufactured in plastic. I would highly recommend that you revisit the design before thinking it will be robust coming off a printer or from an injection process (plumcrazy comes to mind).

04ctd · Aug 2, 2012

please expound on the Plum Crazy lowers, do they break or something? I like the colors.

even if you can't subject it to high stress, it would still be nice to be able to make something small, or replacement parts, like a picture stand or frame.

everything you buy now, is supposed to be disposable. i hate throwing everything away, instead of fixing it.

Enjay · Aug 2, 2012

Brasilian:
I figure give it five or ten years and the technology will be much cheaper and the products more durable. I'm going to check out quickparts in a bit though, thanks for the link

bigfutz · Aug 12, 2012

04ctd said:
please expound on the Plum Crazy lowers, do they break or something? I like the colors.

even if you can't subject it to high stress, it would still be nice to be able to make something small, or replacement parts, like a picture stand or frame.

everything you buy now, is supposed to be disposable. i hate throwing everything away, instead of fixing it.

The idea of a plastic lower seems cheesy to me, but what about a plastic "lower" on a pistol. I think there are some Glocks out there that have proven to be sturdy. And AR lowers are generally aluminum. I have an aluminum frame laptop that has some dents and bends in it, whereas my wife's plastic one is still structurally sound. But back to the original topic, I doubt the printed plastic is anywhere near what would be produced in a manufacturing environment. This cheap printer is a toy. The expensive ones are mostly for building prototype models for establishing fit,etc., not for making production grade components.