Posted on 07/27/2012 4:54:37 AM PDT by marktwain
I’ve used my Stratasys to prototype out various ideas for paintball gun parts, but the concept of using it for actual firearm parts hadn’t really occurred to me until early last year. I first thought of making some dummy 12 gauge shells to test out the action on a Remington 870, and then thought of using it to test out 1911 pistol grip panel ideas. Gun manufacturers have been using rapid prototyping for years, and the concept is now making its way to the hobbyist gunsmith. To the best of my knowledge, this has been restricted to mockups (Justin Halford used a stereolithography made frame to test component fit for his fantastic Beretta 92FS project) or less critical parts like furniture (grips, buttstocks and such). It wasn’t until I came across an AR-15 magazine follower on Thingiverse that I began to wonder about the feasibility of making more functional parts with a rapid prototyper.
-------------------cut-------------------------
The AR-15 rifle, while designed to use an aluminum lower receiver, has such limited force imparted while firing that I guessed it could probably be made of printed plastic with little worry of breakage.
(Excerpt) Read more at haveblue.org ...
If this is done without a firearms manufacturer license, the ATF will likely consider it a violation.
> If this is done without a firearms manufacturer license, the ATF will likely consider it a violation.
As long as you do not sell and the items made are not used in an illegal firearm, you are OK and you are not manufacturing for sale.
True.
Side note, how is Montana doing with there in-state firearms sale law suit?
I believe it is on appeal to the 9th circuit.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/15/states-challenge-feds-on-guns/
No violation unless made to sell.
You can also make a fully functional version out of flat sheets of Lexan, a drill, coping saw, and some screws and nuts. OMG! a gun that doesn’t show up on x-ray scanners! /s
My goal is to have my own CNC milling machine, took a machine shop college course when I was younger, almost every day in some form I use that knowledge.
My goal is to duplicate a Sig P220, easier than the traditional 1911 frame. Not to knock the 1911 frame as its history alone is worth preserving and when accurized is an awesome tool.
Also having a milling machine frees me up to design something radical.
Not having any luck with the link.
...and I see why, as about:blank comes up in the address bar when I click on either link, top or bottom of article.
I went to their website and can’t open any of their articles. I suspect it’s Gogle and their new BS policy.
Gee, might it get to the point where you could get the new “Bad News for Bad Guys” disposable double barreled pistol from Gillette?
YES!
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/313929704/Goldensign_color_lexan_sheet.jpg
A clear gun would look like a toy IMHO.....
There is a discussion on AR15.com about this with pictures.
BFL. The idea of using clear lexan for building the lower is quite promising.
The metal barrel, breech, and such would still show up. A lower receiver isn’t all that impressive in the grand scheme of things - it doesn’t have to withstand all that much force compared to other parts of the gun.
And thus the reason for the “/s” tag at the end of my statement. It was meant as a jab at the liberal idiots that infest the news organizations. Word for word what they said about the Glocks when they were introduced with their plastic frames.
Got a link to the thread? I went and looked around and didn't find it, also didn't find a search feature.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
