Saturday, May 25, 2013

3D Plastic Guns that Blow Up upon Firing

13 comments:

  1. I agree, we don't need gun control.

    We need thought control.

    Gun laws, however stringent regarding civilian possession, are meaningless if advancing technology allows these potential enemies of the State to arm themselves at will, regardless of the availability of conventionally produced firearms.

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  2. Mike,

    I'm not sure what you're aim is with this video. Should it be a suprise that plastic guns might fail? That was proven with the prototype Liberator when they changed from the .380 auto round and tried a rifle round.

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    1. Well, that's one of the major problems with this technology, which will be a long time in the correcting. Even "real" guns sometimes blow up causing injury to the user. With these unregulated weapons, it'll be a serious problem. We should be seeing the reports soon enough.

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    2. Look, Mikeb--people have every right to risk their own eyes and fingers. The people making Liberators know they're not practical weapons, which is why you see more of them fired with lanyards than in the shooters' hands.

      As someone pointed out before, the Wright Brothers' first plane wasn't exactly conducive to long life. "Screw it--aviation is too dangerous. Ban it." Is that what you would have said?

      Besides, even if we wanted to eliminate this "danger," how could we solve this "serious problem," and prevent more of the, er . . . zero injuries it has so far caused?

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  3. Strange how the inventor was able to make it work.

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    1. My guess is that the .380 is right at the limit of the capacity of the plastic to withstand the pressures of the round. It might work most of the time, but every once in a while it's too much.
      Suprisingly, .22 long rifle has a higher chamber pressure than the .380.
      http://www.leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm

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    2. The plastic gun in the picture doesn't look like the Liberator. I have to wonder if the Aussie one was designed to fail.

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  4. So what do you propose, Mikeb--prohibiting Australian cops from printing guns?

    OK--I guess.

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  5. The Liberator still had a metal barrel sleeve. I don't see that on this one.

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    1. That metal piece was not part of the gun in order to prevent accidents. It was there to beat the law about metal detection.

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    2. It was there to beat the law about metal detection.

      Hmm . . . "there to 'beat' the law." That's your way of saying "comply with the law," correct?

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    3. Mike,
      Your comment shows some bias. The designer of the Liberator did everything legally required of him. He got a license to manufacture and sell firearms, which I imagine included a background check. And you take the stand that complying with the undetectable firearm law is somehow "beating " it. Or wouldn't another word for the be that he obeyed the law?

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  6. Since you're so worried about 3-D printed plastic guns blowing up and injuring shooters, I have fabulous news for you, Mikeb. The 3-D printed metal gun is here! Strong and precise enough to make a full power semi-automatic .45 (the 1911--still the best fighting handgun ever) . Here's a short YouTube video, and here's my take on it.

    And yes, the industrial-grade printer used for this is undoubtedly well beyond the reach of the aspiring militia armorer--for now. That won't last, especially with patents on this technology (Selective Laser Sintering) and others related due to expire in February:

    Here’s what’s holding back 3D printing, the technology that’s supposed to revolutionize manufacturing and countless other industries: patents. In February 2014, key patents that currently prevent competition in the market for the most advanced and functional 3D printers will expire, says Duann Scott, design evangelist at 3D printing company Shapeways.

    These patents cover a technology known as “laser sintering,” the lowest-cost 3D printing technology. Because of its high resolution in all three dimensions, laser sintering can produce goods that can be sold as finished products.


    "Gun control" is going to become obsolete. Let freedom ring.

    By the way, Mikeb, with the future of your favorite cause looking so shaky, have you given any thought to choosing a new evil to advocate--legalizing rape, or something?

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