Printable Lowers and mags, does this make gun control obsolete?

I'm looking for meaningful discussion on the issue. I know it has been around, but the technology is going to keep getting better.
 
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Well then I'm sure the mod before he locks the thread as a drive by, will say he was looking for meaningful discussion from you.

Personally I think its great, if people ban 3d printers because they could be used to print a lower or maybe something nefarious then why not ban syringes because people use that to shoot up.

The govt is always afraid of things they can't regulate or tax.
 
I watched part of the video. No offense I dont do infowars that much...WIth that said, and having watched many other videos on the same subject, I will share my thoughts.

I think its interesting and the technology will only get better in time, if allowed. The interesting idea with 3d printing is that its not only used for firearms, but for a vast aray of other uses as well on varying levels.

Basically, in reference to the 3D printing ability and gun control, I think it factors in to gun control in only that, honest law abiding folks will resist the urge to break the law if it becomes illegal in all 50 states. Criminals, hence the name typically dont follow laws so this would be one avenue for them to obtain standard capacity mags.

Things I would like to see with this printing firearm parts:

1. Im not the smartest when it comes to computers, but would love to know more about the process, and what (program and equipment wise) is involved, and how to set it up.

2. From reading of the lowers breaking that they tried, I wonder if there could be any way to have the 3D printing techniques to be able to print around/on a steal or aluminum die/brace/reinforcement/whatever you want to call it to stregnthen it. Talking about mags generally speacking, I believe it was the lancer AR mags that had steal feedlips in a polymer body. Unsure if it would work with 3D printing, let alone any issues with patents, user agreements, etc.

3. Wonder how the project could be expanded to include many other types of firearms as well.

4. I do think it will take a bit longer to become "ripe" speaking, its going to take a while for to get the price down on the equipment though. The printers I have research seem to go between $2-$3k and unsure beyond that whatever software etc, may be required. I also think its going to take a while for consumers to warm to the idea, if at all, "hey, I will make it myself instead" vs going out and buying a manufactured product instead.

ETA:

I think this will bring interest in building stuff to a whole new generation.

It seems to be easier then the older process of using a form block, and a hammer or press to form the metal around the block to make a mag at home the old fashioned way.
 
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The printing does not really mean that much (I think)

One can very easily make either item in a basic machine shop (I could do it at school pretty easily).

It is just people not understanding technology.
 
I'm looking for meaningful discussion on the issue. I know it has been around, but the technology is going to keep getting better.
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Then provide more information on what the link is talking about and some of your input on the matter...
 
I'm not much of an infowars guys myself, I just stumbled across this video.

Technology seems to be advancing with this stuff. I hope the govt doesn't try and put a stop to making your own guns, although it is not a stretch to think they would try.

Im not the smartest when it comes to computers, but would love to know more about the process, and what (program and equipment wise) is involved, and how to set it up.
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Me too.

I'm not really familiar with 3D printers, but I am sure they could refine the "resin" that is used to manufacture products.

Does anyone here work with any of this stuff with regard to firearms?
 
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I've had a few prototype parts made by suppliers on 3D printers and the technology and tolerances are getting better. That being said, while it very well may be possible to print a part with adequate strength and tolerances at some point (possibly today), it could also as easily be done on a CNC in a machine shop. Items like barrels and bolts I doubt would be able to be printed.

Possible does not always mean feasible or realistic. This is just another tactic to get uninformed people in an uproar.
 
The printing does not really mean that much (I think)

One can very easily make either item in a basic machine shop (I could do it at school pretty easily).

It is just people not understanding technology.
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Yes your are right someone could make anything in a shop. I could bend out some sheet metal and make a magazine on my bench. But a company with a few printers that made non firearm related products could turn out manufacturer numbers of magazines or lowers by a keystroke.
 
Any Vo teck student can read a blue print.

As demonstrated during hearings on the Clinton assault ban in south Arkansas anyone with minimal mechanical skills can build a full auto weapon using materials purchased at the local ACE hardware store.

This was shown in El Dorado AR. A high school student produced one in under one hour.
 
I think the printing technology will affect gun control. Remember, in primitive countries people have long made their own firearms by hand. I have seen films of 1911s being made, one piece at a time, by hand in Afghanistan and else where.
Videos are starting to go around showing how to make guns in a simple home shop. And, those with milling machines, lathes, etc. could make almost anything.
I made zip guns from junk piles in Chicago when I was a youngster.
 
@ Rifleman: I seem to remember a story right before we invaded Afghanistan back in 2001 about how their biggest industry aside from Poppy Fields were making knock offs of old Russian Firearms like the AK-47 locally.
 
Yes, I think it does, the way guns are currently regulated (with lowers being the evil part).

The disadvantage to handmade, small machine-shop, and 3d-printer-produced firearms is that certain parts won't be as durable, and, for uppers, guns won't be as accurate (ak-47s are notorious for loose tolerances, for instance).

Lower accuracy might have affected the Beltway snipers, but they could have simply switched to a bolt-action rifle. Whitman had an M1 but it was similarly not critical to the outcome (I can't find how many rounds he shot from which guns). None of this semi-auto high-cap paranoia materially affects either of those cases. For the rest of the rampage/spree killers... neither accuracy nor durability (to a point) makes much difference. They're short-range attacks.

It's precisely law-abiding citizens who want high-reliability, higher-accuracy firearms. They want the full advantages of modern commercial cnc manufacturing tech, modern heat treating tech, and sometimes cryo for barrels: for reliability, accuracy, durability. Criminals don't care so much. They're not putting hundreds of rounds (sometimes more) per month through their firearms.
 
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It's precisely law-abiding citizens who want high-reliability, higher-accuracy firearms. They want the full advantages of modern commercial cnc manufacturing tech, modern heat treating tech, and sometimes cryo for barrels: for reliability, accuracy, durability. Criminals don't care so much. They're not putting hundreds of rounds (sometimes more) per month through their firearms.
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That was the point I was trying to make.

This is just one more easy way to make a gun that will work long enough for you to do your evil deed. What is the point of gun control if something like this is so easy to make?

Anyone can have an AR15 upper, LPK, buttstock shipped to their house. Print a 3D AR15 lower, add a 30 round mag... Heck, someone could do that in California right now and the authorities wouldn't likely know until you have another massacre on your hands.

A criminal or psycho like James Holmes could make his own AR15 and kill plenty of people with a home made gun... Heck, criminals sometimes don't even fire a shot. You could rape a woman or rob a bank with a crappy gun that never fires a shot.

Unfortunately, politicians do not realize that criminals will always get access to guns if they want. Heck, sometimes the US govt will just give criminals guns (fast and furious).
 
Please Print Responsibly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXPv9FwXM8s

$1k High Resolution 3D Printer: SeeMeCNC dotcom

ABS filament is a standard print material
Nylon variant filament available

Please print responsibly and observe local laws. 3D printing merely makes manufacturing what you want easier, not necessarily safer, unless it's a printed metal part (but only large companies can afford that). A plastic receiver might get you hurt (physically and legally). A manual mill will make a better gun part, but requires more skill. The technology allows a less-skilled person to print incredible stuff. Not just firearm parts. You don't have to know CNC control code.


The general print process is:
1. Generate or download a CAD MODEL, then export STL format
2. Slice STL to generate the G-Code (the code that runs a CNC machine )
3. Load the G-Code program you just sliced and press start on your printer


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nZl_oZSr9E

:)
 
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