To my knowledge it’s limited to parts that can be polymer and don’t need a ton of strength and thermal endurance. On an AR, I’m certain that would at least be the stock, buffer tube and lower receiver.
Biggest downside of these particular prints (in PLA+) is that the frame will melt if you leave it in a hot car.
Otherwise they are good for thousands of rounds and 30rd mag dumps though, and if you do melt a frame it's not like they are expensive or difficult to replace.
I'd like to learn more about this if you have more info. Not really set up to do aluminum casting but I expect it's not too difficult and the idea of turning beer cans into a handgun is appealing to me.
What parts can be printed these days
Most importantly the frame as this is the regulated part.
But more recently plans have been developed to use 3d printed parts to aid in creating essential metal parts like barrels:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Z9DpoGW7Y
And even more recently a 3d printed AR-15 style fire control group has been developed:
https://ctrlpew.com/the-common-sense-gun-control-group-3d-printable-fire-control-group/
And this has allowed designs like the FGC-9 to be manufactured without needing any "firearms" parts for our frens in Europe.
https://ctrlpew.com/fgc9-file-drop-2/
Other fun things you can print:
AK lowers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_gjwGNkVX8
Drop-In Auto Seer for AR-15's:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvy1QTQ_K3Y
Happy plates for glocks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WDETRB7gXs
Suppressors:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuhEdk62_ZA
And of course magazines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwiY2RPiI6c
How can an AK be modified? Is there a drop-in disconnector?
I don't think there's been as much focus on the AK platform, so not that I know of.
Sad because AKs are way more fun than AR-15s, lol.
Ivan the troll. He has his plastikov. It's a sick ass rifle.
yankee boogle work with standard bolt or it needs full auto bolt? reminds me of a lightning link.
I think it works with a standard bolt, but it's not something I've tried myself.
Lower receivers, magazines and I think they're working on some fire control group parts.
"Common Sense Gun Control Group" got released a week or two ago:
https://ctrlpew.com/the-common-sense-gun-control-group-3d-printable-fire-control-group/
They just released a video and 3d parts to chemically bore, add twist, and collar/throat to a blank barrel or tube stock.
Also uppers too don't forget about the glutty.
Whoa
To my knowledge it’s limited to parts that can be polymer and don’t need a ton of strength and thermal endurance. On an AR, I’m certain that would at least be the stock, buffer tube and lower receiver.
^ This.
Biggest downside of these particular prints (in PLA+) is that the frame will melt if you leave it in a hot car.
Otherwise they are good for thousands of rounds and 30rd mag dumps though, and if you do melt a frame it's not like they are expensive or difficult to replace.
How much more would it cost to do them in polycarbonate? Much stronger, great temperature resistance.
It requires higher temperature than PLA, but is doable with a few printer upgrades. Nylon also.
Not sure about polycarbonate, but it is possible (but harder) to print with glass-filled zytel for more durable frames.
Lost PLA casting can be used to “turn it” into aluminum
I'd like to learn more about this if you have more info. Not really set up to do aluminum casting but I expect it's not too difficult and the idea of turning beer cans into a handgun is appealing to me.
https://github.com/CheapshotYT/CheapShotYT-Print-2A-Master-Repo