8 ms·
the most difficult bit from the AR-15 As far as I understand it, the lower receiver on an AR-15 is actually a pretty trivial housing component, subject to almo
by _delirium 14y ago
the most difficult bit from the AR-15
As far as I understand it, the lower receiver on an AR-15 is actually a pretty trivial housing component, subject to almost no operational pressures, but interesting legally because it's where the gun's serial number happens to be stamped. (But I should note I don't really know much about AR-15s, just stuff I've read.)
- cturner 14y agoAh - thanks. Seems I've made a bad assumption that was key to my position. I understood the significance of the stamp but had also thought it was among the most vulnerable spots for operational shock. I'll go back and re-read on this.
- temphn 14y agocturner, you're actually right overall here. The DD team has succeeded in 3D printing a rifle barrel that works for 10 shots. See the Forbes article linked at the very top of the thread.
- bluedino 14y agoIt's simple as in there are no moving parts, but if it's not machined to the proper specifications the gun will be unreliable. The market failed for years trying to make the lower out of things such as carbon fiber instead of regular cast metal.
- sk5t 14y agoCorrect: the gas block, barrel, breech, etc., are all "upper" bits and take most of the physical stress. The lower includes the trigger assembly and magazine holder thingy, which are the serialized, "this is a gun" parts. Conceivably one could 3D-print the lower receiver, order the upper assembly, rotating bolt, recoil buffer, etc., through the mail with a prepaid card, and have an essentially untraceable rifle.