
But Solid Concepts, which describes itself as a world leader of 3D printing services, said making the classic 1911 shotgun did not come cheap, requiring a lot more than a souped-up desktop printer.
"It functions beautifully," it said of the gun, in a blog accompanying the video clips. "Our resident gun expert has fired 50 successful rounds and hit a few bull's eyes at over 30 yards.
The gun comprises more than 30 3D-printed components, including stainless steel and other metal parts.
"The whole concept of using a laser sintering process to 3D print a metal gun revolves around proving the reliability, accuracy and usability of 3D metal printing," said Solid Concepts' vice president Kent Firestone.
"We're working to change people's perspective," he added from the company's base in Valencia, 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
The 3D printer they use does not come cheap.
"This isn't about desktop printers... the industrial printer we used costs more than my college tuition - and I went to a private university," said Firestone.
"And the engineers who run our machines are top of the line; they are experts who know what they're doing and understand 3D printing better than anyone in this business."
The use of 3D printing technology to manufacture weapons is not new. But making them out of metal is.
Earlier this year computer files allowing someone to make a single-shot Liberator gun were downloaded more than 100,000 times from Defense Distributed, an open-source website dedicated to 3D printable gun components.
The State Department, which oversees US weapons exports, ordered the blueprints to be taken off the Internet in May - but by that point, users had already reposted them widely on various file-sharing sites.
But Solid Concepts said its system is legal, claiming that they are the only 3D printing service provider with a Federal Firearms License.
"Now, if a qualifying customer needs a unique gun part in five days, we can deliver," the company said said.
"We have the right materials, and the right engineers who know how to best program and maintain these machines, to make 3D printing accurate, powerful and here to stay."
COMMENTS (5)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@water bottle: what else to expect from a liberal
@water bottle: Maybe you should stay off the "water bottle" for a while. Too much water can cause electrolyte imbalance in the body and dull the thought process. 3D printing is like having you own factory in the house.
@water bottle:
Some companies have designed a 3D printer where u can design items and build it....There is a fear that this printers might be used to manufacture guns at home without the knowledge of govt.....
@water bottle: Me too..What I have understood from other sources is that, 3D printer is basically a machine which will manufacture an item completely within itself. For example, to manufacture a gun, you just put raw material and give instructions and it will give your the product. The word ' 3D printer" is confusing. Anyone please enlighten us. Thanks.
I don't understand a thing written here.
In English please.