Quick question about posting 3DP gun parts

I'd hate to see a US gov over-reaction shut the site down.

That aside, if the consensus is to allow it,  I would suggest it get its own sub-forum or that one be created for controversial or adult topics.  That would allow those of  us who would prefer to ignore such topics to do so without causing any trouble for those that are interested. 

Sooner or later someone is going to show up and want to post their "Adult Toy" stl.  We might consider how to handle that as well.

Thats a good point. I would imagine a carte blanche ban on both would probably occur. Although, I think there would be good cause to create a sort of "Thingiverse After Dark" sort of site for all the stuff we don't want our kids seeing/printing."

being raised very familiar with firearms I too think 3D printed gun parts are unsafe to use with well over 50,000 Lbs PSI forces banging the parts each time fired (anyone ever put a fire craker in a plastic egg?). things like clips maybe as long as not exceeding local laws capacity limits but also anyone manufacturing the parts has to be licensed and insured to sell them at least in most countries that allow sales. so I for one have more safe uses intended for my 3D printer. also not into Porn. there's plenty places to get that stuff already we dont need any defamatory abuse of 3D printers to slow down growth of this industry. and I am pro guns. just dont mix things others find offensive with a new tech that can fix the world economy.

+1 I too have been wondering why nobody is 3D printing custom pistol grips for target pistols like High Standard etc. make a file that you can punch hand measurments in for specific pistol and print.

I have seen a few for 1911 on thingiverse.
Personally, I never liked the polymer bodies. All metal handguns always had a nicer balance IMO. Personally, I see absolutely nothing wrong with shared files for grips, mounts, etc. I love my guns and I love me some printing, but I can easily see how sites like DefCAD can be abused.

With all due respect, I would suggest persons interested in the idea of 3D printed guns take some time to study SAMMI specs for things like cylinders, chambers, and gun barrels.

Without exception, these parts are made of specially tempered, high grade carbon steel, developed exclusively for those parts of a gun that MUST stand up to the high pressures developed in modern firearms so they don't blow up in your face.

When you cut through all the smoke, mirrors and hype on printed guns, what you have left is nothing more than what used to be referred to as a "zip gun". Constructing a device that will cause a cartridge to detonate isn't exactly rocket science. Unemployable highschool drop outs have been doing it for at least a century. At the end of the day, what it comes down to is the difference between a firearm you can safely, accurately and reliably put 20,000 rounds of ammunition through without any problem, and one that may take your hand off the first or tenth time you try to fire it.

In a typical year I'll go through several thousand rounds of ammo in target practice and plinking. I know guys at the range who shoot competitively who go through more than that in the average month. On a good day I can consistently shoot groups under an inch at 100 yards from a benchrest. On the day someone comes along who does the same with a plastic gun they whipped out on a 3D printer, I'll listen respectfully to anything they have to say on the subject. However, until that day comes, you'll have to pardon me for being skeptical on the whole printed, plastic gun thing.

If a person isn't a criminal and wants to own a gun, there is no shortage of acceptable to excellent quality firearms to choose from, at prices that will fit any budget. In all seriousness, what possible use would anyone, not a criminal, have for a plastic gun when they may walk into any gun store and buy a safe, quality firearm at an affordable price, that is so far superior to anything you could make on a printer that there is no comparison?

Even if you accept the proposition it may eventually be possible to print a gun of better quality than current printing technology permits, I don't see that as the question that should be answered. The question that should be answered is if it will ever be possible to print a gun of such high quality that it would be in some way superior to even a budget class of modern firearms. Keep in mind that a top of the line firearm is manufactured to tolerances measured in the fourth decimal place, out of materials that will easily withstand pressures well over 100,000 PSI, with which a world class marksman may use to accurately hit a target a mile and a half away. When that can be done with a printed gun, not only will I change my mind on the subject, I will be be more than a little bit impressed.

so which of those plastics is your Elk hunting gun made of out there? lol dont think they allow Lazar guns for hunting yet
the only 3D printed guns I have heard of being fired was a single use disposable single shot 22cal and even that lil thing blew up 50% of the time. so for the sake of this topic I think tose of us that know about guns and like them as much as 3D printing, dont see any purpose for posting same on here and risking having both taken away along with this forum. same goes for anything that controversial e.g.porn... other than accessories not subject to regulation like grips, sights, storage devices etc.

Wow, you guys dug this out of the archives  : )

Just to be clear, I have no interest in actually using an AR receiver that was 3d printed. As my username indicates, I am a machinist of some years, and it would be easier and faster for me to machine something that would fire a round than it would be for me to print it out. My OP was more of a chance to test the waters here and see if folks would be opposed ethically to firearms files being posted on the forum.

I'm no firearms expert, but I will say this; while firing high power ammunition out of your 2nd amendment-protected elk rifle is great, there is a guy in an oppressed, developing country who had to build his gun out of parts he found at the junk yard. I don't think printing critical structural components for firearms is the best use for 3DP. I do think that it will eventually allow the oppressed in other countries to build better firearms for themselves and their fellow citizens. They can build stocks, magazines and grips as well as covertly manufacture replacements for procured weapons or other miscellany used for fighting.

Since I first got my SD2, I have used it to make everything from medical device prototypes, all the way to an ar-15 magazine. I'm also designing a custom butt stock for my son's CQB airsoft m4.

The magazine that I printed out could send me to jail in some states. This is America, remember?

Now, for folks in other countries, 3d printing democratizes not only the manufacturing of cute crap you can sell on Etsy, but it also democratizes the ability to stand up against your oppressors. Everyone thinks it great when a tribe in Africa starts making bamboo bike frames for spoiled hipsters to buy at top dollar, but the smiles all get a little uncomfortable when those same people start making weapons to stand for what they believe in, whatever it may be.

+1