Should I print this?

[Nylocke]

I got a guy on 3D hubs asking me to print a stock for an old shotgun. Since its a non functional part of a gun, unlike a receiver or magazine, it seems like it would be okay legally and stuff, but I don't really know if I should accept the job, since it is a part of a gun.

[geneb]

It's a total non-issue, really.

I know of a few folks that have a great business making replacement stocks and grips using a CNC router. It's essentially "furniture" and requires no special licenses or permits to make.

g.

[Nylocke]

I thought as much, just didn't want to get into legal trouble etc.

[bot]

I believe that in the US, only the part that bears the serial number, usually the frame/lower receiver, is considered to be a firearm. All other parts are not considered controlled.

Also, can't anybody in the US build a firearm for personal use, without licence?

[geneb]

Also, can't anybody in the US build a firearm for personal use, without licence?

That's correct. However, you can't make an automatic weapon. (Well you CAN, but if you don't get a pile of special licenses you're dogmeat if the BATFE catches you.)

g.

[nitewatchman]

I believe that in the US, only the part that bears the serial number, usually the frame/lower receiver, is considered to be a firearm. All other parts are not considered controlled.

Also, can't anybody in the US build a firearm for personal use, without licence?

You are correct, only the receiver is consider a firearm. Everything else is metal or wood or plastic stuff WITH THE EXCEPTION of NFA controlled parts like suppressors, auto sears, drop-in sears, etc.

Under the GCA of 68, a person who is not otherwise forbidden to own or purchase a firearm by local or federal law can produce a firearm for their own use without intent to transfer, gift or sell. Things that fall under NFA - automatic weapons, sawed off shotguns, 3" howitzers are excluded. Interestingly while the GCA strongly recommends the addition of a Serial Number to the firearm it is not required when built but will be required if it is ever transferred.

As far as printing a stock or any other part, please post your results. I have been printing magazine followers for my .50 Beowulf AR-15.

[bubbasnow]

kind of related... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwRtll3jjU4[/youtube]

[Mac The Knife]

.50 Beowulf AR-15? and here I thought my 300 ACC I built was neat,,,,, I go home now.

[nitewatchman]

Yeah, The wulf is a real thumper. 300ACC is pretty neat also.

[Generic Default]

What kind of plastic are you using for the followers? I was considering printing some mags and stuff a while ago, but i don't have an ar-15...

Any problems with cracking, delaminating, ect?

[PrintableStudios]

What kind of plastic are you using for the followers? I was considering printing some mags and stuff a while ago, but i don't have an ar-15...

Any problems with cracking, delaminating, ect?

I've made magazines in ABS, PLA, Nylon, and PET.

The best followers I've had to date were the PLA.

Best Result for the Magazine:
Nylon
ABS
PET
PLA

If I can get my PET profile tuned for better layer adhesion, I suspect it could compete with Nylon.

I've made magazines for my Glock 19 and my AR.

All of them have failed at the top of the magazine after 100 or so rounds.

I've ordered an E3D for my Rostock to see if I can improve on the Nylon results.

[nitewatchman]

What kind of plastic are you using for the followers? I was considering printing some mags and stuff a while ago, but i don't have an ar-15...

Any problems with cracking, delaminating, ect?

ABS so far, I think eventually I will graduate to Nylon.

So far no issues.

[Generic Default]

If you have delamination problems, print hotter. Nylon stops delaminating above ~270, ABS stops above ~250, PLA lower, I haven't figured out PET yet.

Delamination should be a thing of the past! Nitewatchman, have you had problems with the magazine lips cracking? There is a ton of force slamming on those every time a round pops up.

[nitewatchman]

Haven't tackled a magazine body yet, just followers for magazines. The .50 Beowulf is a very large case and a 10 round .223 mag will hold 4. The follower is radiused in the center for single stack loading. With fitting it will work in most bodies.

I can see how a magazine body would crack. Feeding the round is pretty violent. Might try this one in the future. Stl's of the follower and of a magazine.

[Mac The Knife]

On my list of projects is a hand guard to cover a 10.5" barrel out of weed trimmer line, dying it black afterwards.

[nitewatchman]

Mac

Something like this?

I find it easy to modify the length by cutting it into three pieces with Netfabb, throwing away the center, positioning the two ends on the bed with Repitier and then saving out the spliced ends as an .stl file. Makes it any length you wish.