this post was submitted on 19 May 2025
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[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (6 children)

I wonder why they don't work so well. Maybe I don't understand how they operate but it seems like if the frame is in the correct precise shape it should work like a regular Glock.

Probably better for everyone that they don't work like the real thing.

In The Philippines there is a thriving underground industry making illegal pistols from scratch. Last I heard the 1911 was the favorite, here's a newer video from 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok43dZAVdQM

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

Hand machining precision parts to construct working firearms that are so identical to the originals that official parts or attachments would be interchangable... This is like a dream job for me. If I could stand living in the tropics, maybe I'd move to the Philippines...

Speaking of the tropics, in that video the workshop is exposed to the humid tropical air. I wonder how they deal with rust on their tools and swelling in the wooden tool handles.

At any rate, I say keep it up. Keep doing fine artisan work while simultaneously sticking to the man and earning a living. Very impressive.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 days ago (2 children)

It's the suppressor. Since most semi-auto pistols relies on the recoil from firing to cycle, adding a suppressor can mess up the cycling without a Nielsen device.

There are plenty of examples of unsuppressed pistols with 3d printed frames working just fine on yt

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 hours ago

Of fucking course Hiram Maxim invented that shit.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Seconded, this is the best explanation here. The browning action, on which most semi automatic pistol operate on, does not function well when a suppressor is added w/ out a Nielson device or 'booster'.

The design is made assuming the barrel weighs ____ oz, if suddenly it weighs more then the reliability is impaired.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 days ago

3d printed material has a lower tensile strength than injection molded or stamped materials. Most prints are weakest between the layers, and it's not always immediately obvious where the weakened points are. Even the parts that don't get hot or explode are moving and rubbing against other parts.

Gun parts are subjected to rigorous testing and grading. Not only do they know roughly how many uses before a part will break, but also what to look for on a worn or breaking part.

3d printed guns, you never know which bullet will be the last.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 days ago (2 children)

if the frame is in the correct precise shape

3D printing isn’t meant for production-level accuracy. It’s a prototyping technology that is good enough for a lot of different applications, but not when sub-millimeter precision is necessary.

Can you make something that works? Of course! Will it work as reliably as something made using better processes? Usually not.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago (2 children)

You can definitely reliably get sub-millimeter precision with a consumer-grade 3d printer. Even with a 0.4mm nozzle, once dialed-in, you can make print-in-place models with a clearance of 0.1mm, and the default layer thickness is typically 0.2mm.

While layer adhesion is usually the weakness of 3d-printed parts, some materials like PETG or TPU have very good adhesion, to the point that printing on a glass plate can damage the glass when removing the model.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

A tpu boaty ruined my pei mat and, after voidstar's most recent video, it looks like current ones could be used for lowers.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Material shrinkage is another factor to consider, and there are a myriad of other reasons why there are more accurate ways to mass produce things.

Even assuming a perfect print - no blobs, no zits, and, just for the sake of argument, let’s ignore the Z seam - I disagree that you can reliably get 0.1 mm precision off of a FDM machine in all directions. I’ve been able to get parts to fit each other to within 0.3 mm reliably in the best conditions on a properly-calibrated Prusa MK3S+

But that’s just my experience.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Can you make something that works? Of course! Will it work as reliably as something made using better processes? Usually not.

Are you mad?!? My wife might read this!!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

I give you my permission to “attack the source” on my comment since attacking the fact won’t get you far.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Objects are more than their shape

If you made a Glock out of frozen custard, would you expect it to perform the same as the real deal?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

But if you make a Glock out of steel, would you expect it to perform the same as the real deal?

Mostly, i'd say.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 days ago (2 children)

So it's a lack of integrity of the 3D printed plastic? What's a Glock made of, nylon?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

Yeah, I did know that. It's just the frame that's "plastic". I remember years ago when they got popular some people were freaking out that a "plastic gun" could go though a metal detector and others had to correct them.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I'm assuming you partially know the answer to that given nylon is a random thing to pull out if you didn't

But it's a specifically engineered polymer of nylon..... And steel.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The problem with building rigid objects with 3d printers is that their weakest point is usually along the layer lines. So even if pieces of real firearms are made of nylon or ABS, they would be injection molded or use a process that forms more durable shapes.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

Post processing can address most of that. Pack it in casting sand and heat it up again and let it cool.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 days ago

I guess it's nylon because that's one of the hardest plastics we have. Many of my tools have "plastic" parts that are nylon.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

Velma pulls off the mask and it's an I-beam yelling about pesky kids