In the ongoing debate over 3D printed guns, opinions are divided—some support the technology, others strongly oppose it, and many call for stricter legislation. However, the FOSSCAD community, a group of free open-source software and computer-aided design enthusiasts, continues to push boundaries. Recently, members of this community have once again developed another 3D-printed firearm.
According to the blog "The Truth About Guns," users named Warfairy and Frostbyte are working on a .38 caliber Zig-Zag revolver. This isn’t the first time such a project has emerged, but it’s certainly one that has sparked renewed controversy. The development echoes an earlier case in May when a 27-year-old Japanese student, Yoshitomo Imura, was arrested for producing and possessing five 3D-printed guns. His creation was also a Zig-Zag revolver, which featured grooves along the barrel.
Imura was arrested after posting videos demonstrating that his gun could fire five bullets. While some claimed he only fired blanks, the truthaboutguns.com team insisted otherwise. His arrest led to public outrage online and inspired others to continue the work he started. Now, the FOSSCAD community has taken up the challenge, creating a new version of the Imura gun, named in honor of the original designer.
Like its predecessor, the new Imura revolver operates on the Zig-Zag principle. However, the latest design includes additional features like steel bushings and chamber sleeves. Most notably, the gun is designed to automatically rotate the cylinder, lift the striker, and fire with just a single trigger pull. This means it can fire at extremely high speeds, raising serious concerns about safety and regulation.
Although still in development, multiple images show that different parts of the gun are already printable. According to the Antarctic Bear 3D Printing Network, social media updates from the designers reveal the progress made so far. And according to reports, all of this was accomplished using a simple desktop 3D printer.
However, experts remain skeptical about the practicality of the design. As one commenter noted, “The tensile strength in the proposed design is very low. A typical revolver uses a metal frame to withstand the forces generated during firing. The gun must maintain pressure on the barrel, while the frame, grip, and clip all experience stress when used. If one part fails, the results could be catastrophic.â€
While it remains to be seen if the Imura revolver will ever be fully functional, the mere fact that such a project exists highlights the growing challenges surrounding 3D-printed firearms. Even if this particular model never materializes, it's clear that similar developments will keep emerging, fueling ongoing debates about the future of 3D printing and gun control.
As the conversation continues, one thing is certain: the line between innovation and danger is becoming increasingly blurred.
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