Don't 3D print a gun. It'll just explode in your hand.
this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2026
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Don't 3D print pressure-bearing parts of a gun. You can print the other parts just fine, though.
I've been 3D printing for a while, not this specific thing though. Nonetheless, I would imagine any part which is made of plastic on production models is probably fine to 3D print.
Even some parts that are normally aluminum are fine to 3D print. Definitely want to think twice and maybe consult with an engineer before replacing any steel parts with 3D printing, though.
Then again there is lost PLA casting, where the part itself isn't printed. I definitely don't have the materials science background to determine feasibility of using that method for parts that cannot be printed directly, but it's food for thought.
Well, there are firearms out there that use cast parts. Ruger, especially tends to use a lot of castings.
But casting is often a finicky process and can sometimes leave unexpected and invisible voids and weak spots in the metal. It's not something you'd want to use on the pressure-bearing parts of a firearm unless A) the firearm was designed with that in mind and those parts are overbuilt to compensate for potential weaknesses, and B) you have a lot of experience with casting and you're well able to examine the parts and determine if they have hidden weaknesses (such as with x-ray analysis to detect defects). And even then, you'd better proof test it in a very safe place, hiding behind a strong barrier.
Casting also usually leaves somewhat of a rough finish, so it usually needs finish machining done where mechanical parts need to interact with close tolerances. So casting is more of a starting point than a one-and-done manufacturing method. Casting can save you some effort when compared to starting with a solid block of metal.
3D printed guns are used all the time. In Myanmar rebels use them in their civil war. They are legitimate weapons with war time experience.
Ah the FGC-9, but personally I like the Urutua
In America, the only part that most people would want to print is the serialized part of the firearm. In a Glock it's the frame (which is polymer in OEM Glocks), and in an AR, it's the lower receiver.
You can buy a Glock slide assembly, barrel, frame rails, trigger, etc anonymously and without any paperwork.
The same is true of ARs, you can get all of the parts except the lower receiver anonymously and without paperwork.
Also, unless you live in a state where the local laws explicitly prohibit it (like WA), it's perfectly legal to make your own firearms. You can even serialize and register them with the ATF if you want (but you are not legally obligated to do so). You don't need an FFL/SOT to do it.
I wouldn't do it if you don't know your local laws though... If you break the law or violate ATF policy, they'll shoot your dog and send you to prison forever.
Legal or not, I don't think anyone should be building a gun from some instructions they found on the Internet. I'd put that right up there with following directions in the anarchist's cookbook on the list of good ideas.
If you're lucky, it will be a painful way to lose a finger.
Technically, as long as you're only shooting .22s, you can 3D print a barrel out of nylon. Printing with nylon is way more advanced than just doing a TM 32-210 (Extended Version) at your local hardware store though
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