Now 3D-Printed Guns Can Fire Even Bigger Bullets

1 minute read

3-D printing hobbyists have managed to print up a functioning Colt CM901 assault rifle, what’s said to be the heaviest caliber rifle to ever roll off the presses of a 3-D printer.

Hobbyists at PrintedFirearm.com posted an animated GIF of the 3-D printed rifle firing off several rounds at a shooting range, according to military blog War Is Boring.

The CM901 fires 7.62 mm rounds, a heavier caliber bullet than that of the AR-15. The gun also recoils with greater force, requiring gunsmiths to print up sturdier plastic parts that can withstand the stresses of multiple rounds. After a period of trial and error, the team claims the CM901 can fire off several rounds “with little to no issues.”

And the most unsettling part: the rifle can be printed using a $500 Da Vinci 3-D printer. That’s a bargain compared with the first 3-D printed firearm, which first rolled off of an $8,000 printer in 2013.

In other words, hobbyists in the 3-D printed arms race, for better or worse, are getting more bang for their buck.

See Photos of Europe's Largest 3D Scanner

Martin Benes from 3D gang company demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. The 3D scanner is the largest in continental Europe, with 115 sensors, and is designed to scan objects, people and animals.
Martin Benes from 3D gang company demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. The 3D scanner is the largest in continental Europe, with 115 sensors, and is designed to scan objects, people and animals. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Martin Benes from 3D gang company is seen through the viewfinder as he demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic.
Martin Benes from 3D gang company is seen through the viewfinder as he demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Martin Benes works with a 3D model on the computer on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Martin Benes works with a 3D model of himself on the computer on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Martin Benes from 3D gang company holds a printed figurine of himself on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Martin Benes from 3D gang company demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Printed figurines stand on display at the 3D gang company on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images

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