Solid Concepts Unveils First 3D-Printed Metal Gun
November 9th, 2013I don’t like 1911s on the best of days, and I was thinking, “No way that thing will cycle properly. Even once.”
Well, I’ll be damned.
Via: Guns:
Solid Concepts is taking 3D printing over a threshold with their just-announced 3D printed stainless steel handgun. A 1911, the Solid Concepts pistol is chambered for full-power centerfire .45 ACP cartridges.
The company is out to prove a point, that 3D printing has reached a level of maturity and precision that they can make a traditional firearm with the leading-edge technologies. Naturally, they are working with industrial-scale 3D printers, not the types of devices hobbyists have at home.
“Solid Concepts is a world leader of 3D printing services, and our ability to 3D print the world’s first metal gun solidifies our standing,” explained Alyssa Parkinson in the company announcement. “The gun is a classic 1911, a model that is at once timeless and public domain. It functions beautifully: Our resident gun expert has fired 50 successful rounds and hit a few bull’s eyes at over 30 yards. The gun is composed of 30-plus 3D printed components with 17-4 stainless steel and Inconel 625 materials. We completed it with a selective laser sintered (SLS) 3D-printed hand grip, because we’re kind of crazy about 3D printing.”
Apparently the only part of the gun that was not 3D-printed was the magazine. All of the other handgun’s components — including the rifled barrel — were 3D-printed.
Of course, when they say “full power .45 ACP” they are not adding that this is a sub-sonic factory load, travels like a bumble-bee (and stings hard within it’s range)…. the 1911 is iconic, and deserves to be too. It is not a magnum auto frame or action, however, and needs extensive smithing to make a decent ‘modern’ firearm. That being said, Kevin, I still kinda like them. They don’t stand up in the SIG or Glock fields, but they sure fill your hand, and *everyone* knows to keep quiet once they come out at a party.