Jump to content

Plastic guns?.....


Recommended Posts

Don't know why the media think it's a big deal as .22 calibre 'zip' guns have been around for a long time, made from a basic piece of pipe, a spring and firing pin. It wouldn't take much imagination to construct similar out of non-metallic materials either, so the 3D printer isn't at all necessary.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This just makes it far more easily accessible, which is never a good thing.

Hardly. The 3D printer in the vid was bought second hand for $8K, whereas I could make something in plastic just as effective at firing a .22 cartridge from bits and pieces in my workshop. Just scaremongering by the US media.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

This just makes it far more easily accessible, which is never a good thing.

Hardly. The 3D printer in the vid was bought second hand for $8K, whereas I could make something in plastic just as effective at firing a .22 cartridge from bits and pieces in my workshop. Just scaremongering by the US media.

 

 

I do agree with that, but these printers will tumble in price as they become more common. And while it might be possible to create a makeshift gun easily, that takes resourcefulness which not many have, plus it isn't as refined a device as this is. Downloading a design off the net and sending it your printer as you would your holiday snaps is a little scary - it might not be the threat it is being made out to be but it is a genuine cause for concern.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

one thing they didnt mention was the fatigue on the gun, a 22 is a small rount and made what looks to be quite a mark on the end of the barrel. The likelyhood of repeated firing from this gun is very slim, also the accuracy is going to be awful! A 22 from a pipe would be far more accurate than this gun as the printing process would leave a ribbed structure for the barrel, there wouldnt be a way of rifling it as its not a smooth surface and anyone pulling such a large pistol out of their pocket would most likely be dealt with before they could hurt anyone with the weapon.

 

I would suggest that the maker of this design wanted to make it for "cool" points, to be the first to produce a printed gun. In reality they didnt show how accurate or resilient the weapon was so i would say a bit of scare mongering by the media again.

 

We have air rifles and compound bows which are legal that are far more dangerous than this device.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think people are disturbed that it actually looks like a gun, but as you say, the reality is that it's a one shot and throwaway device. The type of plastic used in the printers has a fairly low melting point and is low strength so it would probably be more of a risk to the firer.

 

Just found this which appears to prove the point: http://hereisthecity.com/2013/05/09/3d-printed-guns-expert-warns-of-threat-to-user/

 

 .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...