The Grizzly 2.0: 3D-Printed Rifle Shows Better Performance in New Demo

This is an update to the ongoing progress with 3D printed weapons. 

The eyes of the world are on the innovation of 3D printing. Naturally, whenever a new technology is created that offers open source DIY opportunities to the average individual, it is going to make governments and their protected corporate interests very nervous.

Such is the case with 3D weapons manufacturing. Defense Distributed has been offering sets of computer files for free through their DEFCAD online library, including their now 50+ files in the MEGA PACK. Their progress, as well as their subsequent hindering by the US Department of Defense Trade Controls, has been documented by a series of video updates below.

Legal difficulties aside, progress continues. The Lulz Liberator built upon the work of Defense Distributed and entered into the 3D handgun market as the cheapest yet produced at just $25.

A prototype for the first fully 3D printed rifle followed. Now, just a short while later, “The Grizzly” is moving a bit closer to being worthy of the name modeled after the Canadian-built Sherman Tanks of WWII.

In fact, development is moving so fast that it prompted a frightened Huffington Post to declare:

3D-printed guns can be built entirely in one’s home without a license, and the more advanced the guns get, the more dangerous 3D printing becomes. (Source)

The meaning of “dangerous” becomes debatable. If by dangerous they mean open-source self-defense for all, thus empowering responsible individuals to protect themselves against criminals and a rogue government … then, yes, dangerous indeed.

The latest demo from the creator shows solid improvement, increasing to 14 shots of Winchester Dynapoints from just 1 in the first video they posted. According to creator ThreeD Ukulele, files will be available soon for download.

Creator “Matthew” explained to The Verge some of the upgrades to the original Grizzly that led to the vast improvement in performance:

Matthew said he improved upon his first design of the Grizzly by making the barrel 50 percent larger, increasing the size of the receiver (the main portion that holds the firing mechanism), and adding groves to the inside of the barrel. (Source)

Please read the chronicle below to understand the pitched battle between those who desire freedom and the regulators who would have us believe that this technology is a slippery slope down the path to utter anarchy.