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UK Ballistics Scientists: 3D-Printed Guns Are 'of No Use To Anyone'

Posted by Soulskill on from the might-hurt-if-you-throw-them-at-somebody dept.

New submitter graveyardjohn writes: "The BBC has a short video about why the U.K.'s National Ballistics Intelligence Service thinks 3D-printed guns are 'of no use to anyone.' They show a 3D-printed gun being fired in a test chamber. The barrel explodes and the bullet flops forward a few feet. They say, 'without additional expertise and the right type of ammunition, anyone attempting to fire one would probably maim or even kill themselves.'"

4 of 490 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Apparently, Phillipean barrios are full of people with substantial engineering expertise.

    http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/2013/04/08/backyard-gun-shops-in-the-philippines/

  2. 3D Printing is Not Just Glorified Glue Guns by LuxuryYacht · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's sad that 3D printing had become synonymous with FDM or glorified glue guns (GGG). There are lots of different technologies that fall under the umbrella of 3D printing.

    Here's a gun that was 3D printed using DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) for the metal parts and SLS for the grips. It's both durable and viable.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
    http://www.engineering.com/3DP...

    Here's a few other 3D printing processes that are not FDM glorified glue guns:

    SLS
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...

    DMLS
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D...

    LOM
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...

    SLA
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...

    --
    Quidquid latine dictum sit altum viditur
  3. Re:polymer AR lower recievers... by PseudoCoder · · Score: 5, Informative

    what's the difference between a lower and an upper? which part has the barrel? or the trigger and "chamber"?

    Barrel, chamber and bolt assembly go on the upper receiver. The trigger, magazine, stock and serial number on the lower receiver.

    --
    "Now, I doubt any of you would prefer a rolled up newspaper as a weapon against a dictator or a criminal intruder."
  4. Re:Can't the Brits get it right? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Cause they want to show them exploding.