3D-printed AR-15 lower

[Complication]

I just ran across this: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11669

The short-version is that, with a 3D printer, you can manufacture your own lower at home, no background checks, no nothing.

The functionality issues are almost as interesting as the legality issues. It seemed to me to be a subject a few here would be interested in discussing.

[4thPointOfContact]

3D printing is still in the infant stage, but I see a great deal of potential there. I can Really see someone printing out a few Generation-1 PS90 internal components to replace their Generation-3's.

If it were up to me, I'd probably make a few changes in a lower made from ABS rather than aluminium such as reinforcing the pin holes or perhaps making the holes large enough to accept larger, metal bushings which would then hold the pins.

[Blowby]

I printed the upper and lower on one of my 3D Printers. No testing yet!


I did cut a lower so I can access the TG for detailed modifications.

[Pork Chop]

Tagged:

This is interesting, more pics & info please.

[J8127]

My first question is, didn't you just manufacture two illegal firearms?

[truckie453]

as far as legality goes, would these fall under the same rule as the 80% lowers?

ETA: This is awesome.

I printed the upper and lower on one of my 3D Printers. No testing yet!


I did cut a lower so I can access the TG for detailed modifications.

[northern1]

This 3-D printing is new to me.

And frankly my mind is spinning right now. Ohhh the court battles to come

[Stickman]

My first question is, didn't you just manufacture two illegal firearms?

No, no he didn't.

[offshorebear]

We have a Dimension at work, however, its much quicker to just make one from aluminium on the mill. Go buy a cheap used mill on on craigslist and start cranking them out.

[TY44934]

No, no he didn't.

Stick is 100% correct.

There is NO indication that simply printing or machining your own AR-15 at home violates any laws at all.

Frankly, it is frightening how many people on this site are ignorant of the legality of home-building of assault rifles, pistols, etc.

A good comparison would be members of a "beer appreciation forum" who ignorantly believe that home-brewing of beer is illegal.

The fact is: most adult citizens who can lawfully own a typical gun can also "make" such a gun at home IF it is for their own personal use.

In the U.S.A., we do NOT register guns (although some states do have such infringing laws on their books). Unless state law requires it, a home built gun does NOT require any serial number on it at all - although it is recommended and I personally think it would be very foolish not to put some sort of made-up, fictitious number on such a gun.

Like the beer analogy above, the gun must be made WITH THE INTENT to use it yourself, so you could not (for example) start selling your home-made beer or a home made gun out of the trunk of your car for profit.

Also, you have to do the work YOURSELF. I can't ask the local brewery to take my beer kit, make beer for me & then I simply claim "look what I made!" (I did not make anything in such a case) - same goes for guns. A gunsmith CANNOT make the gun for you!! A special FFL holder who is licensed to "manufacture" guns could take on such a project - though in that case a serial number IS required, along with NICS check, taxes, etc. as you are simply purchasing a firearm that was lawfully manufactured.

At any rate, please understand that: under certain circumstances, a person can make guns at home in the U.S. (for now).