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phantom power

(25,966 posts)
Mon May 6, 2013, 04:27 PM May 2013

3-D-printed gun available for download after firing first shots

The nonprofit group that created the world’s first 3-D-printed gun on Sunday proved that the weapon could be fired.

In a YouTube video published by Defense Distributed, 3-D-printed gun creator Cody Wilson fires a single shot from “the Liberator,” which features interchangeable barrels to handle different caliber bullets.

On the first attempt, the pistol showed no damage after firing a single standard .380 round. A second attempt misfired due to a misalignment. After switching the barrel to handle a higher-charge 5.7×28 rifle cartridge, “the gun exploded, sending shards of white ABS plastic flying into the weeds and bringing the Liberator’s first field trial to an abrupt end,” according to Forbes.

...

“I recognize that this tool might be used to harm people,” Wilson told Forbes. “That’s what it is — it’s a gun. But I don’t think that’s a reason to not put it out there. I think that liberty in the end is a better interest.”

“Once the file is online, anyone will be able to download and print the gun in the privacy of their garage, legally or not, with no serial number, background check, or other regulatory hurdles,” Forbes‘ Andy Greenberg noted last week.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/06/3-d-printed-gun-available-for-download-after-firing-first-shots/
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3-D-printed gun available for download after firing first shots (Original Post) phantom power May 2013 OP
Having been a machinist and used a Stratysis printer, knowing what I do.... NYC_SKP May 2013 #1
I would encourage everyone who downloads it to definitely not stop at one round. mbperrin May 2013 #2
Typically, such a remark would be alerted upon and removed. NYC_SKP May 2013 #3
Heavens to Betsy, no! I'm just letting people exercise that liberty found mbperrin May 2013 #4
I more or less agree phantom power May 2013 #5
 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
1. Having been a machinist and used a Stratysis printer, knowing what I do....
Mon May 6, 2013, 04:47 PM
May 2013

...this does not warrant the drama that it's likely to produce.

First, it's not an all plastic gun, it needs a metal nail for a firing pin.

Second, even if the design and files disappeared, any tinkerer worth his or her salt could design something equally (in)effective.

Meh. One round and it blows up.

mbperrin

(7,672 posts)
2. I would encourage everyone who downloads it to definitely not stop at one round.
Mon May 6, 2013, 05:30 PM
May 2013

Have some confidence and fire away!

Oh, noes! Plastic shrapnel in my poor poor baby? Who knew?

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
3. Typically, such a remark would be alerted upon and removed.
Mon May 6, 2013, 05:33 PM
May 2013

But I think I'll just let it sit out there for others to see.

Wishing ill and injury upon others. Not cool.

mbperrin

(7,672 posts)
4. Heavens to Betsy, no! I'm just letting people exercise that liberty found
Mon May 6, 2013, 05:37 PM
May 2013

and rated so highly in the article.

I want them to have all the liberty they can stand!

And as the designer himself noted, people can be hurt by guns....

phantom power

(25,966 posts)
5. I more or less agree
Mon May 6, 2013, 06:58 PM
May 2013

I see it as an early example of more sophisticated designs and materials that will eventually exist. For example, I keep thinking of these guys, who will print designs for you in stainless steel:

http://www.shapeways.com/materials/steel

So, I imagine that eventually there may be affordable 3d printers for metals, and/or perhaps better plastics, etc. No 3d printing tech I'm aware of can equal the strength of "real" firearms, but we can clearly do better than this current "1-shot" design even now.

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