Posted on 10/26/2014 8:32:55 AM PDT by Jack Hydrazine
In yet another move which may send shivers down the spines of law enforcement agencies around the world, while at the same time exciting techies and firearm advocates, Solid Concepts has revealed yet another 3D printed metal gun.
Just under a year ago, the company, which has since been acquired by 3D printing giant Stratasys, revealed the world’s very first 3D printed metal handgun, the 1911. Although there had been a number of interesting plastic firearms 3D printed up until that time, this metal firearm was the first capable of shooting several rounds of ammunition flawlessly. In fact the original 3D printed 1911 has since fired 5,000 shots without a problem, prior to it being retired.
Solid Concepts made 100 of these firearms available for $11,900 a pop. It is unknown, how many of these guns have sold, however such a limited edition run is certain to have captured the attention of many collectors around the globe.
Here we are, almost one year later, and Eric Mutchler, Project Engineer at Solid Concepts, who was the developer of the first 1911 pistol, has produced a new 1911, this time a bit fancier. Although the gun likely will not appeal to everyone, the detail and lettering on the firearm show just how incredibly accurate the direct metal laser sintering machine used to create it must have been. Using a high powered laser to directly melt metal powder, layer-by-layer, this weapon was produced.
The gun, with the word ‘Reason” printed onto its barrel, is chambered in 10mm auto. This new firearm is much more stylish than its predecessor, with a wave-like design printed into the grip, and a gradient of parallel lines throughout the barrel. What will make this 1911 pistol stand out the most, however, is the preamble of the Declaration of Independence printed onto the front of the grip, making a statement obvious to anyone who sees the weapon.
Solid Concepts has not officially released any information on this new pistol, meaning that future plans by the company on whether or not they intend to sell printed copies of this new design like they did with the original 1911, have yet to be announced. Either way, this is another incredible print, one which is sure to be a bit controversial, yet stands out as a symbol of how quickly technology is progressing.
Let’s hear your thoughts on this new 10mm 1911 Pistol by Solid Concepts. Discuss in the 3D Printed Metal Gun forum thread on 3DPB.com.
Did anyone tell Chuck Schumer?
If they are selling them, they have to have a FFL, ship to a FFL, be produced with a serial number and the buy has to undergo a background check?
How is this any different than any other gun manufacturer?
Why would this be any concern for the feds?
$11,900 a copy?
HS!
I wouldnt want to the first person to fire it.
I can’t see why this technology should send shivers down anybody’s spine. Do they really think a criminal or terrorist is going to buy the tools and go to the trouble to build a gun when it’s so easy to buy a gun on the street? Why would anyone spend $10,000 to make a gun when they can buy a gun out of the newspaper classifieds, from a guy at a bar or at work or through one of the various Facebook gun swap groups. It’s not like it’s hard to obtain guns without going through a licensed dealer.
Much to do about nothing.
Brittney, Brittney, Brittney... that's called a "slide", not a barrel.
As a 1911 collector, I think it's kind of... ugly.
But I know there's always a niche.
Banglist (((ping)))!
“As a 1911 collector, I think it’s kind of... ugly.”
I’ll second that. Sticking to my old original blued Colt. Also looks like it would shred your fingers.
Solid Concepts and what they’re doing is unlikely to concern the Feds, per se...SC is no different than conventional manufacturers with respect to following “manufacturing for sale” regs and laws...
I suspect ATF/Feds concerns have to do with the certainty that this technology is becoming “perfected” and will not remain in the hands of “responsible” manufacturers forever...
Eventually it may/probably will become available to anyone with the cash to set up the process...Get the cost down to say 10K$, and there could be a gun “printer” in any neighborhood basement or garage...Imagine the innovation we will see?!
I’m no fan of the FedGov and ATF, and their “concerns” are nothing to me except inasmuch as they infringe on the 2nd A...Future looks bright for gun owners and enthusiasts once this tech crosses the cost threshold...
Unless...A ban on this tech follows...In 1-2-3...But it’s likely too late, gun grabbers; “cat’s out of the bag”...
I agree.
It's a validation of the technology. Suppose some moderately adept designer sat down with an AutoCAD version he stole of Pirate Bay, and drew up an STEN, chambered for 9mm, in 3D? You can order a barrel. Or how about a P08 Luger in .45 ACP?
What scares the Left is altho they haven't a clue as to how to use the technology, The Right does. How hard would it be to design and make a toe popper land mine with current 3d printing, in plastic? Lead azide from an automotive airbag, or home made C-4...
Lust.... Pure... Lust...
Which goes to show how little you know about this technology.
Machine shops have been diddling with this kind of thing since forever. Without saying too much, there has been more than 1 gun mod that some machinist brewed up at lunch time.
I’m a 10mm fan-boy. Never really like 1911’s.
With two, now three, exceptions.
Coonan .357
STI Perfect 10.
Now this...
I have always loved the lines of a GI 1911 or 1911A1. Most commercial variants and copies are also aesthetically pleasing, but some of the more recent versions have been altered a little too much for the sake of altering, IMHO.
This thing, however, looks like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down before it came to rest in a murky puddle of hideousness.
If George Patton were alive today, he’d say that only a pimp from a New Orleans whorehouse would carry a fancy printed pistol.
(Old photo)
WRONG!
M1911 pistol, designed by John Moses Browning.
Yet another STUPID reporter...
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