3D printed AR-15 parts challenge firearm regulation
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.
Plastic AR-15 Receivers
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.
Guys'there are vendors
Guys,
There are vendors out there making 3d printer units that produce stainless steel, bronze and several other metals
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Sgt. Schultz Says…
Not that hard to say...
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.
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