3D printed AR-15 magazine

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This one is a five-rounder, but it wouldn't be hard to make one larger.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11636

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For those who don't yet know what 3D printing is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMhG4fWQnlE

[youtube]iMhG4fWQnlE[/youtube]

The reprap is really basic, but would be able to make these mags.
 
This was making the rounds when it first hit the press about 6 months ago. Still a really neat idea.

You wouldn't believe the 'debate' on the 3-D printer forums about whether or not they should be promoting the manufacture of gun parts and possibly contributing to gun violence. I didn't read much since it was all stupid and petty. Sound familiar?
 
This technology will eventually be the end of gun control.

3D printing is in it's infancy now, but we've been making guns for 500 years, they are the modern day technological equivalent of a sharpened stone.

Once anyone can "print" themselves all the various parts of a gun how do you restrict them? You'll be able to download an Ar15 as easily as the latest episode of Walking Dead.
 
How long does a 3d printer take to make one magazine? Unless it's close in speed to an injection mold (magpul) or a 20 ton press (conventional mags), I don't know that it would be financially viable.
 
*MALICE* said:
How long does a 3d printer take to make one magazine? Unless it's close in speed to an injection mold (magpul) or a 20 ton press (conventional mags), I don't know that it would be financially viable.
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Maybe not on a large scale. Many of the uses considered are for example astronauts using this technology to manufacture things they need on the fly to make emergency repairs and such.
 
HedonismBot said:
This technology will eventually be the end of gun control.

3D printing is in it's infancy now, but we've been making guns for 500 years, they are the modern day technological equivalent of a sharpened stone.

Once anyone can "print" themselves all the various parts of a gun how do you restrict them? You'll be able to download an Ar15 as easily as the latest episode of Walking Dead.
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Very interesting
 
Yes, I agree if you were going to space it would be great, but I'm guessing that the alien technology is advanced enough that an ar-15 in space may not do the trick against them ;)
 
*MALICE* said:
How long does a 3d printer take to make one magazine? Unless it's close in speed to an injection mold (magpul) or a 20 ton press (conventional mags), I don't know that it would be financially viable.
Click to expand...

You certainly wouldn't use a reprap or similarly cheap printer for industrial applications, but it does have a few niches.

There is almost no waste material in additive manufacturing processes, so if you're working with something expensive (say, titanium/cobalt alloys), it can be extremely advantageous.

Each part made can be to different specifications, which is why it's growing in popularity in medical fields for prosthetics. You could have a grip that is built SPECIFICALLY to your hand.

You can also make full assemblies in one go. Things that would otherwise be impossible to manufacture are perfectly viable via 3d printing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArGg3fdqLj4

[youtube]ArGg3fdqLj4[/youtube]

There are also new 3D printers that can print more than one material at once, including mixing them. You could have a shaft with a uniform diameter that gradually becomes more elastic as you get to one end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbRlDBScDz4

[youtube]ZbRlDBScDz4[/youtube]
 
That is not going to last very long due to the type of plastic. What this would be really useful for is making boots for the LAR mags that makes them the length of 30 rounders. Then they could be used in Service Rifle. Ontario SR, requires you to carry 60 rds. This would cut the number of mags you need to carry in half, while still allowing you to use the mag as a monopod. The rules allow for boots, provided they are no bigger than regular mags. I'm currently machining some out of aluminum...
 
I've made quite a few 3D printed parts from Shapeways (a company in the netherlands).

They use a Nylon-12 (IIRC) material for their plastic, the "strong Flexible" type and can dye it.

Its very cool for making prototypes and for certain parts, for example I made magazine baseplates for my handgun that are extended so I can use a flared mag well. The down side is YES, the material isn't extremely strong, and under certain types of load the feed lips would definitely crack, or something would break on it.

I also made an MP5-SD handguard for my USC-UMP conversion (although I don't use it often) which has a very skeletonized interior to reduce cost mainly, it's still about 1/8th inch thick at most places which is the minimum I would go for anything structural. It still has 2/3rds of the handguard supported by the factory USC receiver.

So while it's a very cool way to make stuff, and some structural parts are feasible to make - Something like a magazine is not, unless you had the space to make thick feed lips. If you wanted to make a single or 1.5x stack magazine then it would possibly work, but it will wear out quite quickly. The fibreglass re-enforced nylon 6-6 or Nylon-6 they use for most gun/magazine parts is an extremely strong plastic for it's weight and volume.

ETA

kombayotch said:
That is not going to last very long due to the type of plastic. What this would be really useful for is making boots for the LAR mags that makes them the length of 30 rounders. Then they could be used in Service Rifle. Ontario SR, requires you to carry 60 rds. This would cut the number of mags you need to carry in half, while still allowing you to use the mag as a monopod. The rules allow for boots, provided they are no bigger than regular mags. I'm currently machining some out of aluminum...
Click to expand...

That would be a perfect type of project for Shapeways. I don't have an LAR 10-rounder (or a pinned 30 rounder) but It would be very easy to make something like that, and for the time and energy probably a very good price too.

If you have a .STL (Stereolithograph) file, you can upload to shapeways with that file, they even have a "dyed black" version of the White-stong-and-flexible although it's a bit light for my tastes, its died deep enough that light scratches won't show.

If you have any measurements for the stuff, I could do some 3D modeling and upload it to my shapeways account and have it listed for anybody to purchase (I don't have a business account so it's just payment to shapeways! FYI). If you're interested shoot me a PM :)
 
Um, has anyone considered printing up some 10 round Austrailian International Arms Magazines, and selling them to the M305 guys?......

Just saying. The magazines *are* technically different, but I don't think they'd care...
 
Guys, 3D plastic printed parts will not work as a reliable magazine. The plastic used just isn't strong enough. As well, 3D printing is SLOOOOOOW, relatively.

There is also metal 3D printing. Direct laser sintering, is one type.
 
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