M1911 pistol (3D printed solid concepts replica) is a 3D printed version of the M1911 pistol.[1][2] It was made public around November 2013 [1][2] and was printed via the Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) method.[1][2] It was created by Solid Concepts.[1][2][3] The Solid concepts browning M1911 replica fired more than 600 bullets without any damage to the gun.[2] The metal printer used to create the weapon cost between $500,000 to $1,000,000 at the time the gun was created as of November 2013.[2] The gun is made up of 34 3D-printed components.[4]
Specifications
It weighs 2.25 pounds when it is empty i.e is not filled with a magazine and the trigger pull weighs 5 pounds. The width is is 1.3 inches wide. The sight radius is 6.4 inches and consists of a standard GI with a square notch rear. The ratio of the twist is 1:15.8; at 6=Lands 6=Grooves.[5] The gun used Inconel 625 (a nickel-chromium alloy) material and stainless steel via the Direct Metal Laser Sintering method.[5]
The Solid Concepts browning M1911 replica is composed of 38 stainless steel and Inconel 625 components. Furthermore the two carbon-fiber filled nylon 12 grips were also 3D printed. Unlike early 3D printed plastic guns, the barrel of the 1911 was rifled. During the production of the gun, at no time were any parts machined and the assembly of the 1911 took less than 7 minutes once the parts have been de-supported and cleaned up.[6]
Printer
The German EOSINT M270 Direct Metal 3D Printer printer used[7] to create the weapon cost between $500,000 to $1,000,000 at the time the gun was created as of November 2013 and requires a commercial-grade power source.[2] The printer requires argon and nitrogen gas[7]
Capability and firing tests
According to Sky News, during the initial test Solid Concepts stated: "It functions beautifully. Our resident gun expert has fired 50 successful rounds and hit a few bull's eyes at over 30 yards (metres)".[8] In subsequent tests it fired more than 600 bullets without any damage to the gun.[2] The chamber can handle the pressure of more than 20,000 pounds per square inch generated when the gun is fired.[2] The Solid Concepts Pistol fired it's 5000th round on 6 September 2014.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d First metal 3D printed gun is capable of firing 50 shots, The Guardian, November 8, 2013. (archive)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i World’s First 3D Printed Metal Gun Successfully Fires 600+ Rounds, CNS News, November 13, 2013. (archive)
- ^ 5 Different 3D Printed Gun Models Have Been Fired Since May, 2013 – Here They Are, 3D Print, September 10, 2014. (archive)
- ^ Solid Concepts 3D-printed 1911 gets version 2.0, Guns.com, November 20, 2013. (archive)
- ^ a b 3D Printed Metal Gun Hitting the Market, GunDigest, January 3, 2014. (archive)
- ^ Solid Concepts manufactures first 3D-printed metal pistol, Gizmag, November 8, 2013. (archive)
- ^ a b Gun Review: Solid Concepts 1911 DMLS, Truth about guns, December 10, 2013. (archive)
- ^ First 3D-Printed Metal Gun Fired Successfully, Sky News, November 9, 2013. (archive)