Issue 21: FossMG9 Release, GhostBolt Update, Printable MG42, 10,000 Guncad Releases
Folding guns, beltfeds, and printable fishhooks!
Welcome to the Guncad Digest! This newsletter will regularly round up the best and most interesting 3D2A releases, betas and news.
If you want the Guncad Digest delivered straight to your inbox, you can subscribe to this Substack.
You can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Reddit, where we’ll post notifications when a new issue of the Digest is live!
In today’s issue:
New Releases:
In this section, we cover new file releases that we find notable. If something catches your interest, go download and start printing!
FossMG9 - Folding Suitcase Gun Releases!
Starting off with what may be the most exciting release of 2026 - the FossMG9 by GreenWhiskey and Skum has released!
People have been attempting a DIY version of the FMG9 pretty much since the beginning of guncad. I can recall at least two prior attempts that failed to exit beta - and of course, I must tip my hat to Unseenkiller’s UFG9.
That said, the FossMG9 is the first proper realization of the folding gun idea to actually reach release, and it works! It uses easily available Glock parts and FMDA rails, and the build process is well documented and straightforward. There’s even a build video!
You should build one of these! Of course 3DPrintFreedom is offering complete hardware kits - make it easy on yourself and grab one. :)
Major congratulations to GreenWhiskey and Skum for this incredible 3D2A achievement!
VS-22 - New .22LR Semiauto with DIY Bolt
Following in the footsteps of notable designs such as the HD22 or the MP22K (or pretty much any Kaewon design), the VS-22 from Liberty3DPrinted is a .22LR semiauto with a DIY bolt. The only commercial gun part is a Rossi RS22 barrel.
This design is interesting to me because it was developed outside of the standard channels - I saw most of the development and discussion of this design on Facebook! The developer claims it has been in development for many months and has gone through 12 revisions to reach release. For this reason I’m comfortable listing it as a New Release.
It’s a cool looking design and I’m always in favor of more DIY. Now let’s see some of these get printed!
Reload your Trash Panda Fast with this Speedloader
The Trash Panda is extraordinarily cool, but it has one potential downside - like a true lever action gun, you have to load rounds one at a time. Or at least, you used to, but not anymore thanks to this Trash Panda speedloader from @TheArtithrifter!
The functionality is self-evident from the picture above, but I’ll explain it anyways - load up the speedloader, insert it into the loading gate of the Trash Panda, then press in the pusher to load up your mag all in one go!
A DIY solution to a DIY gun. I love it.
Hook Tuah - Print On That Thang
The second I saw this I knew I had to feature it in the Digest. It’s a 3D printed fishhook from Pembleton!
There was actually a small debate over whether this counts as 3D2A, but to me it’s quite obvious. 3D2A is not solely about guns - it’s about making useful tools for defense, sport and recreation. Humans have been making fishhooks for thousands of years, so of course we should explore printing one!
Will it work? I don’t know, let’s find out! If someone actually catches a fish with this thing, you’d better send me a picture. Triple bonus points if you are wearing this shirt in the photo.
Updates:
In this section we will mention updates to major releases - fixes, new variants, etc.
Yet Another L.A.R.K. Update
I hope you like L.A.R.K. updates, because we’ve got another one! In previous issues we’ve discussed how this design appears to require an M16-style trigger with two disconnector slots. Developer StealthTheUnknown has now released a version that does not require this unusual trigger, instead using a takedown pin detent spring to trigger the second disconnector.
This will make the design much more accessible to most developers - so what are you waiting for? Go print and test!
GhostBolt Hits Version 2.0
The GhostBolt has been around for quite a while now, and I’ve always been surprised it doesn’t get more attention. Like the Apple Pie and Monarch, this project allows you to make a DIY straight-pull AR-15 upper, although unlike those projects the GhostBolt is designed to be mated with any milspec upper or lower, DIY or commercial.
What’s new in version two? As noted by the developer, the charging handle is now directly connected to the bolt, and there is now a left-handed version for all you sinners out there.
Nice to see this project continue! Never stop developing.
SFFA V3 - DIY Machinegun AR FCG Goes Gold
Here’s another project that’s been around for some time - from S3igu2, it’s the Select Fire Full Auto v3 fire control group! Long in beta, it’s now reached release status, with a final version ready for download.
S3igu2 is at pains to note that this is a machinegun and should be treated as such. It provides strong and reliable three-position operation in any milspec AR lower, without requiring modification to any trigger parts.
S3igu2 is one of the undisputed kings of full auto. Very cool work man!
New Betas:
In this section we round up recently opened betas. Help support development by joining these betas and testing!
Printable MG3 / MG42 Entering Beta
I was serious when I said previously that 2026 is going to be the year of the beltfed. Another very interesting DIY beltfed project is entering beta - it’s an MG3 / MG42 design from developer Nope!
Now this is confusing, so stay with me - Nope and Nopel are two different people, despite both working in the field of DIY mounted beltfeds. The actual design is at a very early stage but is soliciting beta testers - if you want to check it out, DM Nope on the Guncad Index forum!
DB Alloy MP Enters Beta
My man DB Firearms moves so fast - we only just announced that this design was being worked on, and already it is entering public beta. Excellent work!
For those who missed it, this is a lower for the DB Alloy that allows the use of MP5 mags. This is interesting because Mac uppers were designed for single feed mags - adapting the upper for double-feed MP5 mags is an impressive feat!
I’m firmly in the camp that prefers the MP5 mag aesthetic to Glock mags, so this beta particularly has me excited. If you’re interested too, jump in and test!
FrictionLock Beta - Collet-Based Suppressor Mounting System
Suppressors remain one of the major focuses of 3D2A lately - years of ideas are flooding out now that the tax stamp is zero. This is one such idea - a new way to mount a suppressor on a barrel without threading it!
How does it work? Developer michael-lenz explains that it uses an ER25 collet to mount a base for a muzzle device like a suppressor directly onto the barrel. Cool!
No “official” beta has started yet on any of the platforms, but Michael is seeking collaborators and asking them to email him. His email address is in the description of this thread, so if you want to help out, here’s your chance!
Coming Soon:
This section lists announcements or previews for projects that have not yet hit open beta. Keep an eye out for further news about these projects!
M249 FRTs On The Way!
Everyone should know about the M240 FRT project being developed by the aptly-named @M240 FRT Dev. One of the most common questions in reaction to this project is - what about the M249?
Happy news - he’s started work on an FRT for that platform as well! Both projects will run simultaneously, and I look forward to watching both!
This is a good opportunity to mention that an apparently separate dev has also released his own take on a 249 FRT. No idea on the testing status of this, but if you’ve got a 249 and feel like playing around, consider trying it out!
Super Safe PWC Mac from NightAlliance
The PWC platform continues to bear beautiful fruit! Friend of guncad Nightalliance has demonstrated a new trip of his own design to enable super safe functionality on the PWC.
Nightalliance confirmed to me that this design uses a sliding trip that is cut and bent from metal, but which is more robust and easier to make and tune than the ealier SS Mac designs we discussed way back in Issue 2. That sounds like progress to me!
More details will be revealed with time, so keep an eye out!
Sten Eleven Test Fire Coming Soon
I am perhaps unreasonably excited about this design, but what can I say, I love Stens! The Sten Eleven design that we announced in Issue 20 is near to test fire status.
We learn some interesting things in this Reddit thread, including the fact that the developer intends to include a spicy version. Are we talking full spicy or super safe spicy? We’ll find out!
News:
In this section we’ll review major news events either originating in the 3D2A space, or particularly pertinent to this space.
Ze Carioca Arrested
We open with bad news yet again. Ze Carioca, developer of the Urutau, was arrested in Brazil as part of a nationwide enforcement action against the “production and sale of weapons manufactured with 3D printers.”
People on Twitter are digging deep into how this may have happened and what’s going to happen to him next - go check it out there if you want to learn more. It breaks my heart that he was arrested, but at the very least I’m glad he’s still alive.
It’s tempting to offer lessons in the aftermath of something like this, but for me at least, it’s too new and fresh to do that yet. Others have offered commentary to this effect that I don’t disagree with, and I may add my own thoughts on it later. For now, pray for Ze, and for all other international 3D2A devs. Stay safe guys.
DIY Chassis Developer Hit with Flux C&D
Moving back domestically, the antigun fight against 3D2A is proceeding not solely through government-led efforts (though they do their best) but also through backbiting intellectual property disputes.
Everybody knows about Rare Breed’s suit against Hoffman; not to be outdone, now Flux Defense has threatened suit against developer SumOne for a printable Glock-style chassis, claiming it violates their Raider design.
This has not yet transformed into an actual suit, but a threat is a threat - one Flux can withdraw. Addressing Flux: your reputation is, compared to Rare Breed, relatively undamaged. You can preserve it by simply not proceeding with this idiotic, destructive IP suit. The choice is yours.
Guncad Index Tracks 10,000 Releases
Can we finish up with some good news? The Guncad Index is now tracking 10,000 3D2A releases! (Actually more now - 10,023 at time of writing!)
Every time I write up bad news for the Digest it depresses me, and it probably depresses you to read it. But stats like this really help me look at things in a different way.
Despite it all, we’re putting out more releases than ever. The genie is permanently out of the bottle and the signal cannot be stopped. With every release you put out, that becomes even more true. Never stop developing, friends.
Accessory Corner:
This corner has pretty much turned into a space where I can yammer about whatever subject I want that doesn’t fit anywhere else. Today’s theme is accessories - they’re a few steps removed from being a defensive tool, but they support these tools in various ways!
Printable Taco AR-15 Mag Pouch
Printable guns are cool, but if we focus too much on just the “gun” in guncad, then we miss out on a tremendous amount of potential - and actual - other cool DIY Defense related projects. Case in point - here is a printable taco-style mag pouch for AR-15 mags by developer QwermMakes.
These cost over $40 commercially, whereas with this you can print enough to fill an entire battle belt for $10 in materials. I’m no economist but that makes sense to me!
Printable Portable Target Stands
If you’re lucky enough to have land to shoot on (this meme made by #WesternStatesGang) then these will be of interest to you. These are printable bases for 1” x 2” furring strip. You can hang a single cardboard target on one, or a double up with two - why not because, once again, when you DIY them you can make as many as you want!
Speaking of cardboard targets, how about a printable stencil so you can spray paint your targets with various details?
Rattler Innovations Mini Camouflage Stencils
Speaking of spray paint, I’ve been following Rattler Innovations for some time now - they are true friends of 3D2A, sponsoring the Guncad Index and now offering miniature versions of their printable camouflage stencils for free download!
The idea behind these is that you can place each stencil on top of your project - a gun, a magazine, whatever - and hit it with the right color spray paint. For multilayer camouflage designs, multiple stencils are included for each layer!
Rattler sells full-sized versions of these stencils on their website, and I think it’s cool that they are offering a free sample version to help get people interested. Nice work guys!
Other Links:
This section will collect any other links I find interesting. These may be older designs I want to share, releases I find notable but don’t have much commentary on, or anything else that catches my eye.
Developer @K1RBY was frustrated with the fact that the SMP40’s mag release was on the right side, instead of its historically-correct left side placement. This was done because the Colt SMG mags used with this build were meant for right-side mag releases, but K1RBY figured out a way to modify the mag and flip the mag release over to restore period correctness. Well done! Our kits will still work with this mod, FYI :)
A new Printgunner release! One of the coolest guys in the launcher space has dropped a new 37mm round that allows you to set off three 15mm rounds with one primer. Um, based?
For everyone’s reference, Vazer1079 has mirrored all FTN designs, from FTN2 to FTN5. This may be useful.
About the Guncad Digest:
Thank you for reading this issue of the Guncad Digest! Please send us your feedback and suggestions for improvements on the issue.
The Guncad Digest is sourced using the very excellent Guncad Index, from /r/3D2A, and from readers like you. If you know of a project you think should be featured, send it our way!
This issue was compiled and authored by Alyosha from 3D2A / 3D Print Freedom. We sell high quality parts kits for some of the best DIY guns available - if you’re looking for your next gun build, come check us out!
I like the addition of accessories. Like you said, it's not all about the guns.
I been patiently awaiting this!!!!! Also, thanks for the update email 📧 👍