Download and print a 30 round mag?

[olyinaz]

Remember when I said that soon we will be able to simply scan, modify, and "print" out parts for our lever guns? I wasn't kidding guys. The mag in this AR was downloaded and printed on a 3D printer that is commercially available today:

http://defcad.org/ar-15-magazine-30-round-mag/

Makes a pretty compelling case for the argument that if you make certain kinds of guns and magazines illegal, you will NOT "control" their availability, you'll just make sure that only criminals have them.

The elected morons:

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/futur ... -1B8035746

Oly

[J Miller]

My computer is goofy. I opened the Ruger site to use their contact system and then came here and tried to open the article about the 30 round magazines. The Ruger site worked great, and the magazine article site still has not even opened.

Must be a lot of folks interested.

Joe

[JohndeFresno]

Wow.

[Old Ironsights]

And (right now) unlike 3d printing lowers, a 3d printed magazine shell might actually hold up... for one loading anyway. (Long term feed lip viability is questionable).

[El Chivo]

I heard about this, and if CNC's become fairly cheap like printers, entire guns could be made out of data available online. Also non-metal guns could be made, like the one in "In the Line of Fire". Of course you don't need CNC to make guns, but to have plans and CNC printing available would make it easier and faster.

[FWiedner]

Thank the Lord for sending us Star Trek.

As the (replicator) technology advances, just think how convenient it will be to simply print up loaded magazines with just press of a key on your smart-phone (communicator).

[Grizz]

Thank the Lord for sending us Star Trek.

As the (replicator) technology advances, just think how convenient it will be to simply print up loaded magazines with just press of a key on your smart-phone (communicator).

it's the update on the Indian with the tomahawk racing downhill toward the trapper reloading his front-stuffer....

who's "smart-phone-printer" can finish printing out the loaded mag first? talk about "just in time" manufacturing...

[sore shoulder]

And (right now) unlike 3d printing lowers, a 3d printed magazine shell might actually hold up... for one loading anyway. (Long term feed lip viability is questionable).

I've been assured by my friend who sells and services 3D printers that they can print a very serviceable lower. There is no stress placed on the lower by firing, as demonstrated by those being used with .50BMG uppers. What information do you have on the 3D printed lowers?

[olyinaz]

Something to remember also guys, is that they're not just working on this printed plastic (which is not just for objects that you would use, but also for molds/casting and prototyping), but they're also working on printing with metal powder as the "ink". You would print the object, fire it in a furnace to specifications, and voila - a robust object that's ready for years of service.

The stocks in this sector sure are on fire:

http://investing.money.msn.com/investme ... bol=US:DDD

Which always makes me wonder, is the stock doing well because the company is on the forefront of a wave, or is it doing well because the brokers are all hawking it? Heck if I know...

Oly

[Old Ironsights]

And (right now) unlike 3d printing lowers, a 3d printed magazine shell might actually hold up... for one loading anyway. (Long term feed lip viability is questionable).

I've been assured by my friend who sells and services 3D printers that they can print a very serviceable lower. There is no stress placed on the lower by firing, as demonstrated by those being used with .50BMG uppers. What information do you have on the 3D printed lowers?

Only that the polymer currently being used won't hold up to rigorous handling (i.e how combat guns are handled). The firing might not tear it apart, but slamming magazines in & general handling will cause stress cracks ( ultimately failures.

Maybe they have different polymers now, but long-term reliability is still in question IMO...

[Griff]

Something to remember also guys, is that they're not just working on this printed plastic (which is not just for objects that you would use, but also for molds/casting and prototyping), but they're also working on printing with metal powder as the "ink". You would print the object, fire it in a furnace to specifications, and voila - a robust object that's ready for years of service.
Oly

Now THAT's interesting... intriguing... aw heck, I WANT ONE!

[FWiedner]

... long-term reliability is still in question IMO...

As long as it works the one time you really need it.

If it doesn't work... well...

[Mike Hunter]

The technology has been around for some time, when I went down to General Dynamics Defense about 10 years ago, they had one, they used it for prototype work; make the parts in plastic and see how they fit /worked together. The technology has just gotten cheaper.

Yes you can make a firearm with one, but you can also make a firearm with a hacksaw and files.