3D printed AR15 3rd Generation Ready for Download (600 rds, no wear)

[Dean Weingarten]

Defense Distributed announced that their 3rd generation of 3D printed lowers is ready for distribution. No one knows what the expected life of this lower will be, as it has been used to fire 600 rounds in rapid succession without discernible damage.

In the video, right and left handed shooters switch places while firing the test rounds in rapid semi-action mode. It is clear that the shooters are starting to suffer from hand fatigue from so much trigger action.

The lower receiver design has been reinforced. The upper used is a direct gas impingement type. I would expect that a piston driven design would also work, and might create less potential problems as there would be no hot gases ejected into contact with the lower receiver.

No one knows what the service life of this receiver will be, but 600 rounds without detectable problems is a good start.

Link to Announcement at KeepAndBearArms

Link to video

©2013 by Dean Weingarten Permission to share granted as long as this notice is included.

http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2013/02/3d-printed-ar15-3rd-generation-ready.html

 

[NickEllis]

Thanks, Dean.

 

[CMC]

Please post link to download the file.

 

[CoRoMo]

Dang. Those guys need a SlideFire stock or a trigger crank! You can tell that they were getting mighty tired of pulling that trigger as fast as they could just to get a round count.

 

[Sgt_R]

Tagged

 

[Solo]

But can they make me some Earl Grey tea?

 

[Dean Weingarten]

The site appears pretty busy. I have not been able to get the link for that file at defcad yet. here is the DefCad link:

http://defcad.org/

 

[c4v3man]

I wonder how long it would last when created on a personal 3d printer. From what I recall, they're leasing some high-end printer that uses high-strength polymers, but I could be incorrect.

Would be interesting to know how long a $1000 3d printer produced unit would last...

 

[murphys_law]

I wonder how long it would last when created on a personal 3d printer. From what I recall, they're leasing some high-end printer that uses high-strength polymers, but I could be incorrect.

Would be interesting to know how long a $1000 3d printer produced unit would last...

Working toward that is the ultimate goal.. Baby steps.

 

[Dean Weingarten]

From the announcement:

"The lower design was verified using a cheaper 3D printing technology - extruded ABS - and didn't show any signs of damage from shooting at a high rate of fire. 3D printed AR-15 lowers have arrived."

 

[NickEllis]

What's the legality of printing one's own lower? Do you need to print a serial number? Since no 'transfer' is taking place, does this have any legal requirements?

 

[SSN Vet]

our antivirus has the download flagged as malware and won't permit it to be downloaded....

now over-ride button offered.

this is the first time I've seen this particular error message and it has me wondering..... wondering.... wondering....

 

[SSN Vet]

What's the legality of printing one's own lower?

if you make it for your own use.... you're golden

if you make it for sale.... you're toast

 

[rodregier]

Kind of like the U-Brew shops?

 

[316SS]

if you make it for your own use.... you're golden

if you make it for sale.... you're toast

As long as you don't make a gun that you can't legally own. SBR and full-auto are out, for instance.

 

[c4v3man]

From digging around online, it sounds like either the first or second gen uses roughly $30-40 worth of plastic, although that may have been a low grade plastic. It's safe to assume V3 uses more material, the question is how much.

Coincidentally, I happened to bump into a member/leader of a local "makerspace/hackerspace" that has a 3d printer, laser cutters, electronics stations, etc AND a reloading press at Walmart a few weeks ago, and he pointed out that there was "one M4 style AR left", which was shocking to see in the cabinet during the time. I wonder if they're printing this up now...

The other question I'd have... I'd assume to fulfill the legal requirements of making this for your own use, all you'd have to do is press the "print" button... you wouldn't have to own the printer yourself. May have to join them just to see what's happening.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

I've got six different zip/flash/jump drives with all of their and then some CAD/etc. downloads. I'll be putting two in a "time capsule" for laughs later in the month.

This is the kind of politics we need gentlemen. The politics of the unstoppable, the politics of technology. I'm surprised though they managed with ABS as the media. Now if they could pull it off with corn starch as the media I'd be really impressed.

 

[Solo]

I've got six different zip/flash/jump drives with all of their and then some CAD/etc. downloads. I'll be putting two in a "time capsule" for laughs later in the month.

Be sure to seal against moisture.

 

[dmckean44]

I can't wait until the day I can just print two off at Staples and go pick them up.

 

[Blackstone]

Need Travis Haley to run that gun at speed

 

[c4v3man]

It'd be neat to see someone run a printed lower at a local competition, just for kicks. Honestly I like the white receiver. Obviously it'd get discolored pretty quick, but I like the contrast.

 

[barnbwt]

I've got six different zip/flash/jump drives with all of their and then some CAD/etc. downloads. I'll be putting two in a "time capsule" for laughs later in the month.

Just so you know, flash memory has a finite life-span, just like magnetic tape media (only electrical charge based, not magnetic). I've been told playback begins to be effected within 10 years
Wikipedia; Bit Rot

I'm surprised though they managed with ABS as the media. Now if they could pull it off with corn starch as the media I'd be really impressed.

AR15-America's favorite rifle and snack-food

Those guys need to learn to bump-fire or something. Or get a lighter trigger (guy was jerking the whole rifle around). Anyone else (especially those who "said it couldn't be done") notice the exponential increase in service life these guys have going? 6, 80, 600...I think they may be onto something here

Honestly I like the white receiver. Obviously it'd get discolored pretty quick, but I like the contrast.

The SLA machine by Formlabs will eventually be able to print in a glass-clear polymer. Visible AR15, now functional!

TCB

 

[Sam Cade]

Excellent.

Van Vogt anyone?

"The right to buy weapons is the right to be free"

 

[Dean Weingarten]

Those guys need to learn to bump-fire or something. Or get a lighter trigger (guy was jerking the whole rifle around). Anyone else (especially those who "said it couldn't be done") notice the exponential increase in service life these guys have going? 6, 80, 600...I think they may be onto something here

Yes, at that rate they will break the bank on ammo expenditures on the next three iterations... 8,000, 60,000, 800,000... It starts getting into real money!!

 

[Dean Weingarten]

Van Vogt anyone?

My FFL was Isher Enterprises....