3D printing has revolutionized ammunition prototyping by allowing for the creation of customized projectiles and casing designs. While the technology is primarily used for prototyping, researchers and military organizations have successfully tested 3D-printed bullets made from metal powders using Selective Laser Melting (SLM). These metal-printed rounds can match the precision and strength of traditional ammunition, though they are significantly more expensive to produce.
The concept of 3D-printed firearms and ammunition gained significant public attention with the creation of the “Liberator” pistol in 2013. This functional single-shot handgun, almost entirely made from 3D-printed plastic parts, sparked debate about the potential for undetectable and unregulated weapons. While the initial Liberator design primarily used traditional ammunition, the project highlighted the emerging possibility of creating both firearms and their components through additive manufacturing. The controversy surrounding 3D-printed guns often extends to the idea of easily produced ammunition, raising concerns about safety, traceability, and the circumvention of existing gun control laws.
