14 DAY TRIAL // You might be familiar with 3D printed guns like the Liberator, and how much fuss they've caused around the world, causing the Australian congress to debate for weeks, and getting a Japanese man arrested.
There are many other incidents, but the opinion still hasn't truly swayed in favor or against 3D printed guns being more tightly regulated.
The latest development we're about to talk about might finally tip the scales: 3D printed guns now have special bullets just for them.
Previously, most firing tests concluded with the guns breaking after several shots. Sure, some models can go longer, and metal printed guns don't have this issue at all, but that was usually the gist.
Michael Crumling, a 25-year old machinist from Pennsylvania, has developed a new type of bullet for 3D printed plastic guns, with a thicker steel shell that houses a normal lead bullet. The shell plays the role of buffer between the round's gunpowder and the weak plastic of the gun, significantly reducing the strain.
A test in which a gun fired 19 rounds showed no visible damage.
Alas, it takes one hour to make a single of these bullets, even if the price is of just 27 cents. The shells are reusable though.