***UPDATE: Feds make their move***World's first 3D printable handgun [banned]

[netcoyote]

***Just found this update.***
The Dept of Defense Trade Controls moved to block access to the download of 3D CAD data to build this gun. See it here:http://defcad.org/liberator/

"DEFCAD files are being removed from public access at the request of the US Department of Defense Trade Controls.
Until further notice, the United States government claims control of the information."

Interesting how fast the government can move when they feel threatened.
*******************************************

This should give the gun banners fits. It should also concern any of us that fly. Interesting how technology has a way of changing the discussion from long held beliefs.
[smg id=12004]
http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/05/03/this-is-the-worlds-first-entirely-3d-printed-gun-photos/?utm_campaign=techtwittersf&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Eight months ago, Cody Wilson set out to create the world’s first entirely 3D-printable handgun.

Now he has.

Early next week, Wilson, a 25-year-old University of Texas law student and founder of the non-profit group Defense Distributed, plans to release the 3D-printable CAD files for a gun he calls “the Liberator,” pictured in its initial form above. He’s agreed to let me document the process of the gun’s creation, so long as I don’t publish details of its mechanics or its testing until it’s been proven to work reliably and the file has been uploaded to Defense Distributed’s online collection of printable gun blueprints at Defcad.org.

All sixteen pieces of the Liberator prototype were printed in ABS plastic with a Dimension SST printer from 3D printing company Stratasys, with the exception of a single nail that’s used as a firing pin. The gun is designed to fire standard handgun rounds, using interchangeable barrels for different calibers of ammunition.

Technically, Defense Distributed’s gun has one other non-printed component: the group added a six ounce chunk of steel into the body to make it detectable by metal detectors in order to comply with the Undetectable Firearms Act. In March, the group also obtained a federal firearms license, making it a legal gun manufacturer.

Of course, Defcad’s users may not adhere to so many rules. Once the file is online, anyone will be able to download and print the gun in the privacy of their garage, legally or not, with no serial number, background check, or other regulatory hurdles. “You can print a lethal device,” Wilson told me last summer. “It’s kind of scary, but that’s what we’re aiming to show.”

[Dbax129]

Wow, crazy.  Seems like something like this could cause a lot of changes.  Very interesting.  I wonder how many rounds it could fire.  I guess you could always just print a new barell though!

[huntandjeep]

There's a guy that's working on an AR reciever and mags using the same 3d printer.

[christopheri]

Looks like the triggar is broken on that model.

[Smossy]

Plastic barrel? It appears to be some type of metal from that photo. Unless that's coloring from fire testing. That stuff can hold up safely? It probably does not shoot very accurate but I don't think that matters when your 1-5 feet in-front of someone.
Not sure people should be trying to create things such as this, It just seems like someone would be trying to bypass security systems that are in place to help protect the public. But then again, What do I know.

Cant deny its cool factor though.

[turkeyfeather]

I find it hard to believe that the govt or some anti gun billionaire wont try to shut this down pretty quick.

[netcoyote]

I find it hard to believe that the govt or some anti gun billionaire wont try to shut this down pretty quick.

I think THAT is where it will get real interesting in a hurry. The article sort of mentions it. Since this is a product of PRINT media (3D "printer"), is it not then a form of communication or an expression of an idea? Sort of like a book or a magazine article? An expression of an idea is protected as "free speech" by the first amendment. Is it different than the expression of an artists idea visualized by a painting or other work of art. Lawyers will have a field day working this out through the courts.

[magnanimous_j]

Interesting for the novelty and legal implications. But an all plastic chamber and barrel? As accurate and reliable as this thing is sure to be, you’d be better off using the 3d printer to make you a jagged shard of plastic as a shank.

[wildmanoutdoors]

There's a guy that's working on an AR reciever and mags using the same 3d printer.

This is the same guy. It will be tough to print a completely funtioning gun. The medias that the printers use are for proto typing and are really not that strong. He has not yet been able to print a reciever that hasent broke.

[netcoyote]

There's a guy that's working on an AR reciever and mags using the same 3d printer.

This is the same guy. It will be tough to print a completely funtioning gun. The medias that the printers use are for proto typing and are really not that strong. He has not yet been able to print a reciever that hasent broke.

This concept wasn't meant to produce a daily shooter. It's a demo to draw attention to possibilities. Even if the plastic gun is only able to shoot a single round, the process has been validated. The rest is process refinement.

You can't judge technology only by what is possible today. A few years ago even 3D printing was not possible. First it was an idea, then the concept became a reality. The concept will continue to be improved. Much needs to be done to refine the materials used with the process.

Using this process to make a firearm will be limited at first by materials. Materials research will be the holy grail to make this process useable for many manufacturing processes.

[headshot5]

“You can print a lethal device,” Wilson told me last summer. “It’s kind of scary, but that’s what we’re aiming to show.”

Wow you can now print a lethal device.  Almost as amazing as sharpening a stick, only more advanced.   

[netcoyote]

If you were a BG, which would be more likely to deter you and make you move on, someone confronting you with a sharp stick...or a plastic gun?

[nocklehead]

Its my opinion that by the time 3-d printing in metal and hard composites is publicly available, the market will render the bullet as we know it obsolete....( metal printing exists in some lab atleast Id bet)

Plasma guns, rail guns, microwave guns, lasers, sound guns, all exist at this time.
precision guided bullets arent too far away either, its just a matter of making existing tech. smaller.

Think star trek, star wars, HALO.......bullets will still be deadly, but guns themselves can and will outgrow the bullet one day.

remember on Star Trek how they could set the tasers to stun or kill?? That would be pretty cool and save lives.

How bout a railgun that shoots a .22 size projectile at 20,000 fps? 

[netcoyote]

How bout a railgun that shoots a .22 size projectile at 20,000 fps? 

That would sure make a mess of a gopher. 

[nocklehead]

  or an elephant!