Imura Pistol v2.0 – 3d Printed 22lr Revolver
The Imura Pistol v2.0 is back and with some bug fixes. Here are some prints by FP (fosscad member) on his RostockMax v2.0 in blue and black ABS plastic.
The Imura revolver started when a university official, named Yoshitomo Imura, was arrested in Kawasaki, Japan after he was found to be in possession of 3D printed firearms. Even though some of these weapons had the ability to be fired with actual metal bullets, Imura claims to have only ever fired blanks with the weapons. The arrest took place after Japanese authorities found a video online with Imura firing one of his 3D printed guns, called a Zig-Zag Revolver.
Since his arrest the FOSSCAD community has continued upon his work and make several key changes to the weapon. This is the latest version of the revolver now in 22lr. No word on if this has been test fired yet but this proves that the 3d printed gun is still alive and well and the designs are continuing to evolve.
If I might make a suggestion or two. The current problem with plastic designs is material strength, which is much the same reason you are not supposed to use smokeless powder (i.e. modern) ammunition in weapons originally designed for black powder. If you chambered a plastic weapon in a caliber for which black powder cartridges are made, your instantaneous chamber and barrel pressures would be much reduced. The other suggestion would be to recreate the old “Gyrojet” pistol, which used small rocket projectiles, allowing for a very lightweight design that did not have to handle either high pressures nor intense recoil. It seems that some A10’s (http://www.estesrockets.com/rockets/engines/mini/001510-a10-0t-engines) with a primer crazy-glued into place would work just fine in an ABS weapon, though a small blast shield/gloves/goggles might be in order…
I too have noticed the material strength problem.
The 9mm AUPO round is a hollow projectile containing propellant.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benelli_CB_M2
Its not a rocket, but rather more like a spigot launcher system, where the projectile is strong enough to contain the firing pressure.
I want to purchase a 3D printer along with the FOSSCAD software that is capable of building strong 3D printed guns or maybe a miniture CNC milling machine if that would be better. I would rather purchase a 3D printer with the capabilities to use both plastic as well as metal to build a number of products that I have to contract out to other small companies to build for me. I have the time to train with the software, but I just need some honest help on deciding which 3d printer is the best choice for me to purchase. Any suggestions please e-mail me. Thanks guys
Hi Lance, for a budget 3d printer that has a big enough print bed for gun related projects printed firearm recommends the XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 3D Printer
I see the links to download the 10 pistol plans but when I click on the download link it does not download, can anyone advise a newbie as to the best place to go for exchanging plans and files on 3D products like this.
I’ve been suggesting the black powder/black powder substitute in various places since the original Liberator came out. Not only do you have the advantages of lower pressure, but there are legal advantages: Single shot muzzleloaders and multiple shot “cap and ball” revolvers, because they are not legally firearms in the US, don’t fall under the prohibition against undetectable firearms. If you design a revolver that allows you to quickly swap a loaded cylinder for an empty one, you have a gun that reloads just as fast as a modern revolver or semiauto handgun: Just carry spare loaded cylinders.
Have there been any updates to the revolver as of yet?
Guys. I don’t want to be THAT guy, but it seems like none of you seem to understand this.
There’s no getting around using of proper materials with firearms pressure handling parts. None of the 3d parts are actually disposable, so replacing isn’t a solution. Too much time, energy and money is spent on creating one part.
Things like the firearm lowers will work, shit like this will never work. Not with PLA.
If you want to change things, then you should focus on designing 3d printable tools which allow creation of actual guns. Tools like lathes. Or, you could just exploit the lost cast method. Make it accessable by perfecting casting thermite. With some liners that could actually work just fine.