Defense Distributed is offering downloadable plans for its Liberator gun online, for anyone worldwide -- for free.
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Cody Wilson fires his 3D-printed handgun, the Liberator
Cody Wilson, of Defense Distributed in Austin, Texas, fires a handgun manufactured entirely of 3D-printed parts, in a screenshot from a YouTube demonstration video.
Defense Distributed has already made plans for this open-source weapon -- dubbed a Wiki Weapon -- available online for free, and continues to refine and test the design to improve reliability.
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Liberator handgun components
These are the components of the Liberator handgun by Defense Distributed, 3D-printed from an open-source design.
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The Liberator disassembled
Defense Distributed's 3D-printed weapon, the Liberator, is seen here disassembled.
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Liberator testing
Defense Distributed's 3D-printed weapon, the Liberator, is seen here mounted on a metal holder during testing at a secret location outside of Austin, Texas.
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The Liberator
A printed part for the Liberator, the world's first 3D-printed gun.
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Testing the weapon
Cody Wilson loads the Liberator into its carrying case.
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Wiki Weapon
The parts for the Liberator are almost completely 3D printed. The only nonplastic components of the weapon are the firing pin -- a standard metal nail -- and a six-ounce piece of steel whose function is to make the gun spottable with a metal detector. (The U.S. Undetectable Firearms Act, which is set to expire at the end of 2013, prohibits weapons that don't set off a metal detector.)
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Live-fire testing
Defense Distributed's 3D-printed weapon, the Liberator, is seen here mounted during live-fire testing at a secret location outside of Austin, Texas.
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Testing
The Liberator during testing.
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More testing
Another shot of the Liberator during testing.
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3D-printed AK magazine
Defense Distributed has successfully manufactured an AK magazine as well.
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AK magazine during testing
The AK magazine being tested.
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High-capacity AK magazine
Defense Distributed's 3D-printed AK magazine.
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AK magazine
Defense Distributed's 3D-printed AK magazine can accommodate 30 rounds.
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AK magazine at the shooting range
Defense Distributed's 30-round AK magazine.
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Prototype magazines
Different prototype magazines undergoing testing by Defense Distributed.
