3D printed gun - this is more like it!

[Yogi GunKanobee]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... eated.html

[Mike357]

Can only be a bad thing!

[meles meles]

Nothing new there: we've had 4 such machines in service in our lab for nigh on 4 years oomans. And on the contrary, they are a very good thing if used correctly.

[IainWR]

Wasn't the problem with printed guns that they were plastic and thus could evade all security measures?

I rather suspect that it will require no more skill to build a gun in metal starting with a lathe and milling machine than it will with a computer and laser sintering machine. Gadgets like that are not plug-and-play in the normally understood sense.

[meles meles]

No, the plastic guns weren't invisible to security. The problem with them was that it was a story too good to report factually and rationally.

Yes, the LMD (Laser Metal Deposition) systems can build viable firearms. So can anyone with a modicum of talent and access to a lathe, a forr of steel tube and a spring. The IRA turned out several hundred Sten guns of better quality than the WW2 production, and at far less cost than a LMD system

[Polchraine]

Sintered materials have been used in weapons for many years - so nothing really new.

Given the stresses that part of a handgun face this goes to further prove how effective the process is and can also be used for other very high tolerance components.

[breacher]

No, the plastic guns weren't invisible to security. The problem with them was that it was a story too good to report factually and rationally.

Yes, the LMD (Laser Metal Deposition) systems can build viable firearms. So can anyone with a modicum of talent and access to a lathe, a forr of steel tube and a spring. The IRA turned out several hundred Sten guns of better quality than the WW2 production, and at far less cost than a LMD system

I have handled a couple of the IRA sten guns waveirishflag

[ordnance]

Both sides were making guns. Below some loyalist home made machine guns.

[Mezzer]

The sten gun model was designed to be built in small workshops. As such, any person with access to a lathe / CNC / Tig Welder and associated skills in a small workshop shouldn't really have too much trouble churning these things out.
I've handled a deactivated model and looking at it, albeit not with an engineer's eye, there didn't seem to be too much work in it.

Mezzer

[Chuck]

Considering Singer made them in Clydebank during the war instead of sewing machines you are probably right. I fired one a couple of times, heavy uncomfy and probably the Brit equivalent of an AK at the time.