3D printed AR-15 parts challenge firearm regulation

Submitted by Bill St. Clair on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:53:13 GMT  <== Guns ==> 

Cory Doctorow at boingboing - two guys have posted at Thingiverse 3d-printer designs for an AR-15 magazine and receiver. Lots of comments about the legality of actually building these, but in most US states, making your own gun is perfectly legal, as long as you never give it to anyone else. Hard to say how well an AR-15 receiver made out of typical 3d-printer plastic would work, though.

3d-printer AR-15 receiver design

Add comment Edit post Add post

Comments (3):

Not that hard to say...

Submitted by Dave Polaschek on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:08:13 GMT

Given that the strength of even non-3D-printed plastics is insufficient for receivers, I don't think it's much of a stretch to say that it wouldn't be up to the job.

But if you can 3D print an object, you can make a mold for it and make a cast steel part pretty easily.

Edit comment

Plastic AR-15 Receivers

Submitted by Bill St. Clair on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:19:22 GMT

Cavalry Arms used to sell the CAV15 polymer AR-15 receiver. PCF Manufacturing (formerly Plum Crazy Firearms) makes a composite receiver "for $100.00 bucks or so". Better plastics, I'm sure, than most 3d-printers use, but still proof that metal isn't necessary.

Edit comment

Guys'there are vendors

Submitted by Michael Jordan on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:25:33 GMT

Guys,

There are vendors out there making 3d printer units that produce stainless steel, bronze and several other metals

Edit comment