Need a gun part? - print it

[Ric_in_OR]

This goes way beyond having to find a highly skilled gunsmith to fix a demilitarized prize.

http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/147576/

Apparently as a proof of concept a receiver for an AR 15 was printed
and then 200 rounds fired from it. ( in 22 not .223 )

Link to the picture -
http://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/3d-printed-lower-receiver-640x458.jpg


This could lead to all kinds of other political issues - search the net for the DVD encryption arguments if you want to see specifically what I mean.

 

[ldsgeek]

I work on those printers for a living and the larger ones, from the Fortus line, print in some pretty high strength materials. One of the strongest, Ultem, may actually be strong enough for full power 5.56 rounds. I have the lower, upper and pistol grip made from ABS on my desk as I write this and plan on making everything except pins and springs to assemble into a demonstration piece.