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Technology

Have You Heard of the ‘Wiki Weapons Project’ That Plans to Make the 3D Printable Gun Designs Available to All?

Nov. 28, 2012 12:45pm Liz Klimas

With 3D printers being so detailed that they’ve already been welcomed with open arms by the medical community for a variety of applications — it helped give this woman a new jaw and this little girl “magic arms” – the gun community is taking an interest as well.

In fact, a Texas-based group called Defense Distributed has begun a project that could make 3D printable designs for firearms available to anyone — anyone who had the use of a 3-D printer that is.

The group’s purpose, according to its website is:

To defend the civil liberty of popular access to arms as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and affirmed by the United States Supreme Court, through facilitating global access to, and the collaborative production of, information and knowledge related to the 3D printing of arms; and to publish and distribute, at no cost to the public, such information and knowledge in promotion of the public interest.

Learn more about the purpose of the project and its logistics in Defense Distributed’s video from earlier this year:

The ”Wiki Weapons Project”project has seen significant attention in the media in the last six months or so, ranging from gun regulation issues to features on the technology. The ultimate goal of the project is to make the “world’s first 100 percent 3D printable gun” and make that design publicly available.

“This project could very well change the way we think about gun control and consumption,” the website states. “How do governments behave if they must one day operate on the assumption that any and every citizen has near instant access to a firearm through the Internet?”

Regarding legality, in it’s FAQs the groups points out that it is legal to make your own firearm. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, based on the provisions in the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968 an unlicensed person can make their own gun but not for the sale or distribution to others.

Using a trial and error method, the project will first create Wiki Weapon A, which has no moving parts and uses an inserted solenoid to fire. After that, they’ll move on to Wiki Weapon B, which would have moving parts for firing.

Defense Distributed Wiki Weapons Project Ready to Start Using 3D Printers to Make Guns But Waiting for License

The group hopes someday signs would be able to be made on printers like this RapMan 3D printer. The cost of an unassembled RapManUSA Kit is $1,495. (Image: RapManUSA.com)

Earlier this year, Defense Distributed raised enough money through fundraising to rent a 3D printer, but after the company learned what the group would be making with the equipment, they took it back. According to Animal New York, the 3D printer company Stratasys said that it does not knowingly allow its machines to be used for illegal purposes. Shortly thereafter though, in October, Wired reported that anonymous companies had come out to help Defense Distributed. One of the companies is offering what co-founder Cody Wilson called a “safe haven” for the group to test the guns and the other works with a 3D printer.

To prevent further legal issues, Defense Distributed is applying for an official firearms license. According to a recent article in The Guardian, Wilson said the group, which has non-profit status pending, could be making and testing its prototypes before the year is out if they obtain the license. Wilson said it expects it in the next two to three weeks.

The Guardian also reported that Defense Distributed won’t accept further donations until it gets the green light to print its first prototypes. Wilson told The Guardian they have several concepts submitted from designers. On Defense Distributed’s website, there’s an area where designers can submit plans to its contest.

As an example of a gun design that has already been created with a 3D printer, check out this YouTube video of a Nerf dart design:

What do you think of the idea of publicly available 3D printable gun designs? Let us know in the comments.

Featured image via Shutterstock.com.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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Comments (77)

IWISHIWASINTEXAS
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 3:31pm
Cool idea…but not realistic. Just more of a reason for pansy little liberals to get their panties in a bunch.

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- Silvertruth
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 4:20pm
  It’s realistic, just not in the form they are proposing. The problem is the materials cannot support even the pressures or friction velocities of the .22LR. That means they need to start partnering with easily obtainable materials: steel tubing, springs, thin steel rods (firing pin) etc.
  
  To have a truly 100% printed weapon design would be possible, but not as a firearm, in the end, you still need gunpowder and an ignition source (flintlock, etc.). A fully printable weapon would likely need to be air powered and realistically, would be impractical since even PVC pipe has been successfully turned into a useable bow for firing arrows.
  
  The idea is great, and I agree it’s unrealistic without other manufacturing disciplines involved, but it’s not impossible if you allow for those other proceses. It’s just unrealistic as a 100% printed weapon.
  
  Report this comment
- IWISHIWASINTEXAS
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 4:34pm
  Makes sense and I would love to see this explored a little more! The technology is impressive for sure, all it needs is a few missing parts.
  
  Report this comment
- C. Schwehr
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 5:48pm
  Has anyone here noted the advances in 3D printer technology? METAL parts are now possible, along with printed pieces made of other materials than just plastic…This is a doable project although the printer required is outside the budget of the common person right now….the future?
- Silvertruth
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 5:59pm
  The metal 3D printers are either a combination of epoxy/metal or very, very expensive metal deposition machines that are out of reach of the 3D printer context used in this article. Even the deposition printers would not be able to generate a barrel that could handle repeatable pressures of a fired round. Drawn steel tubing only lasts for so long before becoming next to useless. Most firearm barrels are hardened and made for the job.
  
  Report this comment
- RepubliCorp
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:06pm
  Star Trek a replicator
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replicator_(Star_Trek)
  
  Report this comment
- Lt_Scrounge
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:56pm
  If you used MIM (metal injection molding) you could print the metal parts and then bake them to remove the resin components, you can produce everything but springs. Barrels can be produced using MIM inside and carbon fiber or high density polymer exterior. You’d have to produce the MIM internals, bake out the resin and then put the resulting cylinder into the printer to have the outer casing printed around it.
  
  Report this comment
- scarydave
  Posted on November 29, 2012 at 12:54am
  The Mexican Drug Cartel will be using this method, with refinements of course, well before anyone else.
  
  Report this comment
- Afungi
  Posted on November 29, 2012 at 12:58am
  The basic frame in a glock is plastic a rebuild kit and barrow is all you will need to have a unregistered gun.
  
  Report this comment
- Cousi
  Posted on November 29, 2012 at 9:22am
  Why wouldn’t it be realistic? They can print a titanium jaw. The barrel would be what I’d worry about most in regards to containing the pressure from a bullet when fired, the firing pin just needs to be dense enough to activate the primer. The materials needed would be expensive (powdered titanium isn’t cheap) but it is possible to have a design. Even plastic could be used for a single-use firearm, even though it would probably be highly inaccurate.
  
  Report this comment
- Silvertruth
  Posted on November 29, 2012 at 1:38pm
  Folks, keep the context in mind. Yes those metal printing technologies exist but they are NOT in the realm of the inexpensive, made from parts off the shelf, 3D printing technologies that are being used in the video or spoken of in the article.
  Also, those expensive technologies are not rated for the friction or pressures generated by a firearm. They will work longer than anything from an inexpensive printer but they will fail relatively quickly compared to a purpose made barrel.
  I’m saying the projects goals need to be revisited if they want to succeed. Yes, you can print a majority of the components, but you will need other readily obtainable ones to make a reliable, multi-shot weapon. There are plenty of reliable, multiple round capable ‘zip’ style guns out there made from common elements. They should partner with those guys and have a truely useful, multi-round weapon that can be made from common hardware store or junkyard parts.
  If you can ‘flex’ the caliber, then you have a massive range of ammo available.
  
  Report this comment
- scjeff
  Posted on November 29, 2012 at 2:51pm
  I think you could use the 3-D printed parts as casting templates that melt away when the metal is poured for things that must be strong. Metal 3-D printing by itself leaves a very porous item that you can snap with a light touch. To make the printed parts useful they print with stainless steel powder then infuse it with bronze.
  
  Report this comment
- navykurt
  Posted on November 29, 2012 at 3:54pm
  It’s partially true. Some parts of the gun you could “print” but you can’t “print” most of the fun bits. You know, the barrel, mainspring etc.
  
  Report this comment
FaithfulFriend
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 3:21pm
Brilliance is always defined as a simple concept, made possible through a natural process of innovation, and realized by the one who will use their intellect in the moment.

This concept, if realized, will change the entire world yet again.

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snowshooze
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 3:19pm
They will control the technology, or the material supply.
otherwise, well, they will be out of control. lol.

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Flyingfish
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 3:07pm
I thought about this concept a long time ago watching star treck with replicators. I always wondered how they delt with lazier and criminal elements found in every population. A test at birth followed up by a firmly pressed pillow in the event of a positive test, or a quick teleporter ride out to the middle of the Pacific for adult criminals?

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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 2:40pm
I agree that owning a firearm is a human right, however they will never allow plastic guns that are not detectable at air ports be given a license to manufacture? Protect the rights of people to own metal firearms, and you don’t need 3d printers?

Sure, the government should allow people to make plastic guns, then they can not just feel you up at the airport, now they can demand that you strip naked?

Go ahead make their day? Think it is easier to just send $20 to the NRA?

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- socialism.rocks
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 3:04pm
  ceramic guns.. carbon guns.. they have them all in the 3-d print world
  
  Report this comment
- southernORcobra
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 3:59pm
  The NRA is a useless organization that gives people bad advice. Like if the jack boots come for your guns give them to them and get a badge number and a receipt. Yeah thats gonna work out well.
  
  Report this comment
blackyb
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 2:23pm
Yes, that playing field will level to some extent.

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Wethepeople1970
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 2:17pm
These guys are true Americans like “Nikola Tesla And The Tesla Generator” and Ben Franklin “Franklin Stove” They gave it to the world for Free.

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- AndySchmandy
  Posted on November 29, 2012 at 2:27am
  There will always be a resistance apex to any government. That time for us is drawing near.
  
  Report this comment
LMW
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 2:06pm
We want to make everything hard. Anybody remember the “Zip Gun”? I made and used a zip gun in the 50,s and can still have one made in a few mins. It shoots a 22 shell and does quite well at short range.Note: This was never used to hurt another human so don’t get upset thinking I was some kind of bad guy. We built them to prove to ourselves that it could be done. We even made home made bombs. That was dangerous as we almost hurt ourselves a couple of time so do not attempt that.

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THX-1138
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 2:03pm
Even if I can’t “print” one yet I could use other tools to cut the parts based on the published design until the Printers can do steel.

Maybe I *will* get that Barrett .50 cal for Christmas!

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- Cadcamtrainer
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 6:13pm
  All that you will need is the cad file that will be used for the 3d printer. Once you have it, anyone with a CNC machine can duplicate it out of any material is needed for that aplication.
  
  Report this comment
ronin_6
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:33pm
meh. Guy in the video is not a gun advocate. Quite the opposite. Just another 20 something that hasn’t yet been hit in the head by reality. It will of course, eventually work.

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Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:32pm
I’ll try a handgun only after you. I think I will wait and see whether or not your hand is blown off.

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- 00100111
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 2:39pm
  My thoughts exactly. A gun printed from some kind of rosin? No thanks. Even polymer pistols have steel barrels, chambers, slides, trigger mechanisms (even if the actual trigger is polymer). It’d be funny to see it blow someone’s hand off.
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:28pm
I have been “working” on my own guns since I was a teenager (Ford was in Office) and there are a couple things that stand out.

1. 3d printers are very expensive and they can’t print in steel. Only steel or some VERY high tech ceramics will handle the pressure involved with modern ammunition.

2. The only way to rifle a barrel is on a lathe or with a very specialized tool called a button rifler. Or you can cast the rifling if you are using ceramics.

3.They are speaking about electric ignition that would require cartridge cases or some other unique form of fixed ammunition. These things exist….in the lab but you aren’t going to find them at the gun show.

Not to say this can’t be done but I have a lathe in the shop. I can make guns with it right now out of parts from a junk car. I’d be looking forward to see what they come up with but I’m not selling my old Atlas.

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- ronin_6
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:37pm
  They mentioned attaching things after printing is complete. Think 1911. All you really need is a barrel, metallic firing pin and heat resistant breech block. The slide and lower receiver can be of printed composites.
  
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paperpushermj
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:27pm
It’s made out of PLASTIC

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cause_glen_said_so
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:21pm
Great, anyone wanting a “home based business” and a few thousand dollars for a printer and any thug is packin heat and untraceable….make them that green color shown and it will pass for a water pistol

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- cause_glen_said_so
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:30pm
  As a matter of fact, cannot beat you “I wanna a weapon of any magnitude no matter what because of the second amendment and the NRA and I just want to shoot thing” kind so I might just take that up and make a living off of you guys…….;)
  
  Report this comment
- grayling646
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:59pm
  You should try that, Cause. Free enterprise is a good thing but I think you’ll find that there’s more to it than ‘a few thousand dollars for a printer and a thug’. Good luck.
  
  Report this comment
jackact
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:20pm
No, didn’t hear about this but I now understand that this past Black Friday was, ‘National Federal Income Taxpayer Buy-A-Gun And Arm Yourselves Against Your Federal Government Day’!
:) :) :)

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- Lt_Scrounge
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 8:45pm
  If it wasn’t, the FBI background check system certainly wasn’t where to look for information otherwise. The number of checks was a new record and the system crashed on a couple of occasions as a result.
  
  Report this comment
nesmond
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:19pm
While I applaud their efforts,this will only give the U.N.another reason to to take control of the internet. Also, it will make it easier for the bad guys to get guns. Anyway, I’m waiting for Beck to come out with the obama pee-pee snow globe.

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- PaxInVeritate
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:37pm
  The “bad guy(s)” already has/have guns.
  
  Report this comment
- THX-1138
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 2:06pm
  “The “bad guy(s)” already has/have guns.”
  
  The real bad guys have armies. The rest are just posers…
  
  Report this comment
- ItchyTheClone
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 3:23pm
  THX: there are some evil people out there who are not poseurs. If you happen upon someone like that you will need to defend yourself or die. The politicians consider your life to be expendable and that’s why they are trying to ban guns. If they were interested in reducing the number of accidental injuries and deaths in this country they might start by making a drivers license much harder to get. As it is, a few tens of thousands of people getting killed or maimed in a year is not an interesting statistic for them.
  
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ZAP
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:15pm
I would like a grenade launcher, please

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Psychosis
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:11pm
make your own ……….learn how to operate some metal lathes and other readily available machinery

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grayling646
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:09pm
Supports my belief that if I want a gun of any kind I should be able to buy it without any paperwork or background check of any kind.
You know that the politicians will clamp down on this some how. Maybe the ‘Internet Switch’.

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ThePostman
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:09pm
Let me know when they print out a SAM.

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marvlus
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:04pm
When printers are outlawed, then only outlaws will have printers.

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RaydocX
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:03pm
some extra pip and a nail are all that you need… ask the folks in NYC who’ve been using zip guns since at least the 60′s.

can’t imagine just having the 3D blueprint makes cutting out a weapon that will tolerate high pressures and meet critical tolerances for accuracy and longevity is cheap.

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IndyGuy
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:03pm
I want the Tommy Gun prints…

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- grayling646
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:23pm
  I want the Stepford Wife print.
  
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- THX-1138
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 2:09pm
  Hmmmm, a Stepford Wife with a Tommy Gun? I think we’re on to something here….
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 12:53pm
Here comes more screaming from the anti-second amendment lunatics of the left; and more cries for government control of the internet.

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- cause_glen_said_so
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:24pm
  must be a new 2nd that says you can manufacture and destribute untrackable weapons
  
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- IWISHIWASINTEXAS
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 3:24pm
  Huh…I don’t remember anything in the 2nd amendment that says that the arms that citizens own must be “trackable” by the government…maybe you should read it again :)
  
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ResistSocialism
Posted on November 28, 2012 at 12:49pm
No big deal. Guns can be made quite easily in a home garage anyway.

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- Walkabout
  Posted on November 28, 2012 at 1:44pm
  Yes, but liberals want us to live in apartment complexes, tell us where to work, what to eat, when to die. So you see we won’t have garages, basements, the means of production.
  
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