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Whenever this type of article appears, presenting a danger-hyping narrative of how anyone can make weapons using modern technology, I like to point out that 70

Whenever this type of article appears, presenting a danger-hyping narrative of how anyone can make weapons using modern technology, I like to point out that 70 years ago Allied resistance fighters were able to manufacture good submachine guns [1] by the hundreds [2] while under heavy surveillance by ze Germans. The Mark III Sten can apparently be built in just four hours in a typical machine shop. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sten https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sten [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bror_With https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bror_With

Zancarius 10y ago
I'm not terribly surprised. Submachine guns, being pure blow back firearms, are probably among the simplest to make with the most difficult component in the manufacturing process being the barrel. Even the bolt would be relatively simple given its fixed firing pin, provided it's been appropriately heat-treated, and everything else is just a matter of springs, stamping (or pipes), or welding. I agree with you, though. "Danger-hyping" seems to ignore the fact that in nearly all cases, many of these weapons aren't new technologies. Modern techniques and tools may make it easier (or faster), and certainly new technologies (like drones) expose us to additional risks (but RC aircraft have been around for decades). It's a trade off we'll always face.
- lifeformed 10y ago
  This may be a naive question, but why is the barrel the hardest part to make? It looks the most geometrically simple part to make. Does it require a very high degree of precision?
  - CapitalistCartr 10y ago
    Yes, plus making twisted landings is tough. Akin to threading the inside of a pipe.
    - Someone 10y ago
      Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifling https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifling
    - gonzo 10y ago
      It's not that tough. Cutting rifling with a button is done at home from time to time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihPFjuxBjPo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihPFjuxBjPo
jkot 10y ago
I would not call Sten 'good'. It required good maintenance. After assembly it required a few blind shots to warm up and it often misfired (both are terrible if you are hiding in woods), Plus it jammed often, at Heydrich attentat for example. Main reason why (czech) resistance used Sten was to show their association with British. There were better guns available among people and stolen from Germans
- semi-extrinsic 10y ago
  Maybe "good" is too high praise, but they did make four million of it in total, so it was at least somewhat useful in the field. Which can't be said of some of the modern boogeymen like 3d-printed guns.

Zancarius 10y ago

I'm not terribly surprised. Submachine guns, being pure blow back firearms, are probably among the simplest to make with the most difficult component in the manufacturing process being the barrel. Even the bolt would be relatively simple given its fixed firing pin, provided it's been appropriately heat-treated, and everything else is just a matter of springs, stamping (or pipes), or welding. I agree with you, though. "Danger-hyping" seems to ignore the fact that in nearly all cases, many of these weapons aren't new technologies. Modern techniques and tools may make it easier (or faster), and certainly new technologies (like drones) expose us to additional risks (but RC aircraft have been around for decades). It's a trade off we'll always face.

lifeformed 10y ago
This may be a naive question, but why is the barrel the hardest part to make? It looks the most geometrically simple part to make. Does it require a very high degree of precision?
- CapitalistCartr 10y ago
  Yes, plus making twisted landings is tough. Akin to threading the inside of a pipe.
  - Someone 10y ago
    Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifling https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifling
  - gonzo 10y ago
    It's not that tough. Cutting rifling with a button is done at home from time to time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihPFjuxBjPo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihPFjuxBjPo

jkot 10y ago

I would not call Sten 'good'. It required good maintenance. After assembly it required a few blind shots to warm up and it often misfired (both are terrible if you are hiding in woods), Plus it jammed often, at Heydrich attentat for example. Main reason why (czech) resistance used Sten was to show their association with British. There were better guns available among people and stolen from Germans

semi-extrinsic 10y ago
Maybe "good" is too high praise, but they did make four million of it in total, so it was at least somewhat useful in the field. Which can't be said of some of the modern boogeymen like 3d-printed guns.