Issue #25: XM5.7, New Kabuto FRT, DIY Body Armor, Belt-Fed .22LR, FTW Arms
Summer is approaching, and with it some very exciting designs!
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In this 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!
XM5.7 - Printable XM8 from AWCY Releases!
Tactical Tuna incoming! In a surprise drop with almost no buildup, AWCY developer RustyShackleford777 has released the XM5.7, a printable 5.7x28mm rifle styled after the famous XM8.
Internally this design is very similar to AWCY’s 3DP90, using a fully DIY bolt consisting of a printed shell filled with a low-temp melt metal called cerrosafe, then sandwiched between laser cut steel plates. The extractor and firing pin are also made from laser cut plates, making it fully DIY yet still very easy to assemble!
The design looks incredibly cool and has a lot of configurations, most excitingly an underbarrel 37mm Nameless launcher. The release package and documentation is very well put together, as expected from AWCY.
Complete kits are available from 3D2A.com, including prepoured bolts! Let’s start seeing some fish guns at the range!
DAEDALUS: Fuck You, Bullups Your Glock
The madman actually did it! After years of memes, DB Firearms has made bullpup Glocks real. It’s called the DAEDALUS and it’s available for download now!
It uses a single-piece printable trigger / trigger bar in the front to manipulate a custom trigger shoe, providing a surprisingly effective bullpup experience. Several blast shields are included to help protect your fingies from the spicy air while firing.
Of course within a day of release, someone has already released an FRT for it. Too damn cool. Yeah, I’m probably going to build this one.
Careless Whisper - Integrally Suppressed Lever Action AR!
Shhhhhh - don’t make a sound. One Careless Whisper can cause quite a stir…
From AvieAtrix, the developer of the incredibly popular “TP” Lever Action AR design, comes the Careless Whisper! It’s an integrally suppressed version of the lever action design, featuring a total suppression length of 16”!
The actual suppressor design is taken from a the FTN4.5; instructions and guidance is provided for drilling gas ports in your barrel to increase suppression and lower velocity.
This is a Form 1 suppressor, so Americans will want to register it. Remember, loose lips sink ships!
SendCutSumac - DIY Mac Upper
Whenever I see a release from ArmThyRightHand I always get excited, because I know it’s going to be both very interesting, and very thorough. He’s got a real doozy for us today!
The SendCutSumac is best described as a complete resource for fabricating your own Mac upper from steel plates. That’s right, this is a fully DIY metal Mac upper!
ATRH provides two methods for this: bending a flat, and welding individual flats together. For the latter, he provides guidance on how to properly weld, and for the former, he provides jigs and plenty of information for how to use a press brake to bend your flat into shape.
But that’s not all! These uppers also come with optional add-ons, including a metal magwell, and a sled for FRT operation! There’s also two different versions of everything - one for an OEM-style upper, and one for a DB Alloy style.
Like the Super Swanky, this project is cool for what it produces, but it’s even cooler for the techniques it pioneers. Imagine what we could do if bended or welded flats became a widely accessible skill in guncad? Well, why shouldn’t it be?
DeCBAR-22 - Bullpup DeAR22
I’m a bit baffled by the fact that I’ve never talked about the DeAR22 in the Digest, given that it may be the most popular .22LR project out there, at least if the number of threads about it on /r/3D2A are anything to go by. It’s a rock-solid AR-22 lower with about a million remixes, so no wonder it’s so popular!
That said, the recently-released DeCBAR-22 is the first bullpup DeAR remix I’ve seen, and it looks damn cool! It’s got solid documentation and comes with easy printable templates for creating the direct linkage trigger system.
If you’re looking for a fun .22LR build without too much complexity, this is a good option!
Printable Battle Belt and Mag Carriers
Attention all IDPA gamers! Rob Leatham needs your help. His belt broke and he needs you to print him a new one!
From developer Glockenkemper comes a modular printable IPDA-style belt, so you can look cool at the competition without spending $$$. Print out each link, pin them together, attach a ratcheting system, and you’ve built your own gear!
The same developer has also released some magnetic magazine pouches for both pistol and PCC mags, requiring only a Teklok connector to attach to the belt. Way cool!
Here’s the truth guys: competition shooting is one of the best ways to improve your shooting skills. “But it’s a game, it’s not real combat!” True, which is why you should also attend force-on-force classes - but if you want to get gud at pure shooting, you should be attending comps.
It’s also a fantastic way to spread the signal! Despite what 3D2A fuddlore claims, most shooters are fascinated to see printed guns and gear running on a stage. You have no excuses - go compete!
Cyclic Corner:
Today’s Community Corner has changed into Cyclic Corner, because we are focusing on some new FRT drops from the past few weeks!
R.A.D. - Reset Assist Device from the Kabuto Developer
He returns! Those with long memories will recall that the developer of the famous Kabuto / “T.U.R.D.” trigger reset device pulled his own copy down shortly after upload, feeling that it was unsuitable for release. Every Kabuto iteration out there currently originates with those files, but was modded by other developers.
But now, the OG developer himself has uploaded his own iteration! Now called the R.A.D. (Reset Assist Device), this design simplifies the original Kabuto into a single-pin, three piece drop-in. It can be paired with a two-position AR safety for safe-FRT mode, or a three-position safety for safe-semi-FRT operation.
The documentation is straightforward, simple and clean. I predict this will become a new standard in DIY FRT development, and indeed we’re already starting to see mods of the R.A.D., including one for a CMMG AR22. Expect more to come!
UDIS - Universal Drop In Kabuto
But that’s not all! While the R.A.D. may be the next Kabuto iteration, the original Kabuto has been remixed and remixed again to the point of being its own separate line. We now see the next step in that line with the Universal Drop In Kabuto!
The idea here is to take the Kabuto design and create a true drop-in that will work with all sorts of setups - milspec AR15, aftermarkets, M16 triggers - without requiring any cuts or modifications to your FCG hardware. The release package is essentially a “build a bear” for Kabutos, allowing you to customize it to your particular setup!
The thing about these Kabutos is that they’re fully printable and therefore there’s no reason not to print one of each type and see what works best for you. Give it a try!
Updates:
In this section we will mention updates to major releases - fixes, new variants, etc.
Glarpion - Glock Fed Scz0rpion
Developer SkeleTim continues to iterate on the famous AWCY Scz0rpion, bringing us now a Glock mag-fed, AR15 FCG version called the Glarpion!
This work is being done in pursuit of requiring fewer and fewer hard-to-find CZ components. At this rate, eventually all components will be replaced, at which point we’ll call it the AR9.
Kidding, of course. Nice work, keep it coming!
Reach Around - FossMG9 Updates
Even after release the FOSSMG9 continues to be iterated on! These remixes from ON3251CC introduce several changes, including a modified rear shroud, arch and knob, a more extended mag release, an easier-to-print stock lock, and a carry handle with a pic rail. The primary goal appears to be quality of life improvements.
If you’ve already built a FOSSMG9, consider upgrading it with these remixes! And if you don’t yet have one, consider one of our kits :)
Lever Action AR in Straightwall .350 Legend!
Apparently there are some cucked not very nice states that disallow hunting with normal rounds, instead requiring bizarre straight-wall calibers like .350 Legend? That’s not a problem where I live, but if it is one for you, now you can build a lever action AR modded to work in this straight-wall caliber!
Primary changes are to the magwell, to adapt it to the different round. .350 Legend still uses a standard AR bolt head, so you’re good there, but this release does provide a printed carrier along with a few other quality of life upgrades to the overall design.
We’re seeing a lot of these quality of life upgrades. I’d like to see them rolled into a V2 for this design - we’ll see!
Notachi DIY Revolver Updates!
It’s still alive! Developer clearview4851 has posted some updates on his Notachi DIY revolver project.
What’s new? One of the primary updates has to do with testing a new spring design which ultimately wasn’t adopted. I like updates like this - it’s often just as important to know what not to do. Aside from that, we have a simplified hammer and other small quality of life updates. This produces a revolver which “strikes all primers [clearview] has”.
The updates are available for anyone who would like to try them out!
New Betas:
In this section we round up recently opened betas. Help support development by joining these betas and testing!
Chimera VZ-61 Early Release!
Last announced in Issue 20, the Chimera VZ6 from Penteona has now entered its pre-release phase! This design is a new printable VZ61 lower, with an integrated grip, utilizing an AR FCG. It also features a dovetail mount for the surplus folding stock, which is pretty cool!
Its developer has released this early for “personal circumstances.” Wishing him all the best - stay safe man.
DIY Body Armor Project from BoozeAndBullets
Yep, we’re DIYing body armor now! This release from BoozeAndBullets provides support and instructions for creating handgun-rated soft plates from welding blanket and resin.
How does it work? You cut out pieces of the blanket, place them in the printable mold, fill with a layer of resin, then put another layer on and repeat. Eventually the mold is full, at which point you clamp it as shown in the photo and let it cure.
Should you trust your life to DIY body armor? Probably not - but you should learn about it, you should try it, and you should iterate on it! Modern 3D2A came from people working on stuff like this years ago. Imagine where this could be in a few years time with similar effort!
“X” - Laser-Cut 9x19 Upper Project
I’ve mentioned in the past that, every so often, I like to feature something that is apparently totally untested, just out of sheer novelty and to keep things fresh and interesting. This is one such thing.
This design, apparently called simply the “X”, by developer rolantikush, was recently released in three iterations - V1, V2, V3. Each is a Professor Parabellum-esque design featuring a metal upper paired with a printed lower. Each metal upper - and its bolt - is made from laser cut metal plates, tack welded or otherwise fastened together.
No documentation, no build proof, no testing, no idea if it can work. What I do know is that I virtually never see designs like this, and I’m not sure there’s a good reason why that is. The potential is there guys! We’re just waiting for someone to take it up!
Laser-Cut DIY AR FCG
Testing a totally unknown DIY gun a bridge too far for you? How about an AR FCG? The same developer as above, rolantikush, has released a design for an AR FCG also made from laser cut parts.
Some might argue that laser-cut plates aren’t true DIY, since they rely on a third party service. But with projects like the Betta from RackRobo, the ability to cut metal flats to arbitrary shapes is within reach. Projects like this FCG are worthy ways to explore the potential of this technology.
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!
BFG .22 - Belt Fed Primarily DIY .22LR Coming Soon
We are getting a .22LR Beltfed! The BFG .22 by HammerHead1911 was recently announced and as you can see he’s got a full model built! We’ve also got shooting footage!
He has described the design as “primarily DIY”, with a “hybrid metal / printed bolt”, 50 round ammo box, and FRT compatibility. I am erect.
HammerHead notes that an open beta is coming very soon. I’ll absolutely be jumping into this one as soon as it’s live, and so should you! Keep an eye out!
DIY Kriss Vector Cycling!
The DIY Kriss Vector project continues! As developer EfficientRabbit7377’s latest video shows, it is now cycling. The video shows one complete cycle and one partial cycle, which fails to eject. That’s major progress!
Just from the video it doesn’t seem like the ejection problem will be too hard to overcome - it’s not a fundamental design problem, it’s just about creating a clear ejection path. Once that’s done, I expect this design will enter into open beta!
You know I’ll be all over this one. See you all there!
Halo Magnum Approaching Drop
The Halo Magnum remix, first announced back in Issue 18, is almost ready to drop! Developer Helpful_Spell_5896 notes that he’s got his final prints complete and will be finishing up his own livefire testing. Assuming all goes well, he’ll package it with a README and release it!
As a reminder, this is more or less a Glock 19 mod, so it will be a pretty simple build with familiar parts kits. I’m eagerly awaiting its release!
Has there ever been a good, canon explanation for why would Captain Keyes didn’t keep his gun loaded?
GB11 - Abomination from MPMS Enters Alpha
I have to write about this, and you have to read it, but don’t worry, we’ll get through it together. M-P-M-S’s “GB11” is entering alpha testing. So what is it?
This project started as a C96-looking remix, and I got excited. Now it’s mutated into…god knows what. That’s a 1911 slide on top, hence the “11” in the name, but it also has a sliding brace. And a pic rail for an optic mount.
Knowing you degenerates, this will probably become the most popular design in 3D2A. Well, who am I to stand in the way of progress? Expect to see it drop soon!
Fully DIY .380 PCC with Integral Suppression
Here we have another Prof. Parabellum-esque design, like the “X” design described above! It’s a fully DIY PCC, chambered in .380ACP, using a metal square tube upper and printed components.
This project has some maturity on it, as we’ve actually got shooting footage! Its developer Admirable_Scholar_36 notes that the project can be configured as both an open and a closed bolt. He’s testing it internally right now, but intends to release once he feels it’s ready!
There needs to be a better name for these sorts of designs, that more closely integrate home-DIY metal parts with printed plastic. I like “hybrid”, but that term has been used before in various contexts. I’ll continue to think on the matter.
Upcoming SMGs from Stubbs
My best boy Stubbs, in his ongoing quest to make DIY versions of every SMG ever, has teased three of his upcoming designs! We have, from left to right:
The SMPL / SMPK, a DIY design based on the Walther MP, which uses an AR FCG and optional drop-in FRT
The SMP.44, a true plumber’s pipe gun based on the German EMP44 “Primitiv-Waffen” design. Stubbs notes that his version will be super-safe compatible, and will have versions not just in 9mm but also 10mm, .22TCM, 7.62x25 and “.960”, whatever that is.
The SMP5K, a fully DIY MP5 clone in .22LR, which as with the others will be FRT compatible! There will be four versions of this, each replicating a famous MP5 variant.
It’s a safe bet that all of these will use common Stubbs design characteristics of an internal metal pipe housing a commercial AR9 or AR22 bolt, making them fairly straightforward builds. I’m excited to see them start to enter beta!
(Good) News:
In this section we’ll review major news events either originating in the 3D2A space, or particularly pertinent to this space. It’s all good news in this section!
Print-A-22 Evolves into FTW Arms!
What? Print-A-22, the premier parts kit supplier for .22LR designs, is evolving! A few days ago the fantastic folks running Print-A-22 launched FTW Arms, a new venture focused on developing and selling affordable Form 4 polymer suppressors.
These suppressors are designed in conjunction with the team behind the famous FTN series, and in fact are an evolution of that series! Unlike the fully printed FTN, the FTW suppressor is a hybrid reinforced design, using internal metal reinforcement. While these suppressors are still consumable, they will last quite a bit longer than a fully printed design. This all allows the FTW to be offered at a very affordable price compared to other commercial designs, while still delivering comparable levels of quality!
At time of writing they are offering their first design - the FTW OG Founder’s Edition .22LR direct-thread suppressor, at an easily accessible $99! This Founder’s Edition design will also come with a unique “Founder’s” reserved serial number, to mark you as a true OG. Only 100 will be sold, and they’re going fast, so go grab one while you can!
What’s going to happen to the Print-A-22 website? It will continue to exist as a reference guide, but its products will be cleaned up and migrated over to the FTW Arms website, which is also where new .22LR kits will be posted as well.
Major congratulations to our friends for their exciting new journey! I’ll follow you with great interest.
PS: shout out to FTW’s lovely wife, who has helped tremendously with bringing this project to its fruition, including building their amazing new website! You can feel good knowing these designs are made with care from a dynamic husband-wife duo!
Convert STLs to STEPs with 2STEP Converter
How many times have you wanted to remix a design, only to find that the dev didn’t release his STEP files? Your best bet is to either do your remix in an STL editor like Tinkercad (ew) or to convert the mesh to a STEP in Fusion, which tends to result in an ugly “solid” comprised of a billion triangles.
Developer YaneonY has a solution! He has developed software to perform a better conversion, not simply creating a solid but properly restoring its original STEP characteristics. This can also run in batch, so you don’t have to convert these things one at a time!
You can download the software from YaneonY’s Github, which also contains thorough documentation for how to use it. See further discussion the matter as well.
NOTE: this is not an excuse for you to not release your STEPs. Every release should include STEPs - that’s the ethos of this community!
Guncad Index 1.10 Adds Advanced Search
The Guncad Index continues to grow even more useful! Developer Shittinator just pushed a new update with two major changes: boolean filters in search, and a new tag page!
The boolean filters allow you to use Google-like text in your tags to filter for specific results - for example, “glock -tag:9x19mm” to show all releases with the word “glock” tagged with the 9x19mm tag. This dramatically improves your ability to find very specific items! Full documentation can be found here.
Paired with this is a tags page, which helpfully shows a full, easily browsable list of all tags on the platform. Use it to browse directly, or copy them into your searchbar for use with the boolean operators.
See a full writeup for this Index update here!
Browsing this tags page floors me for just how much this community has produced over the years. It’s a beautiful thing we’ve built, gentlemen. Major props forever to Shittinator for his continuing work on the invaulable Index!
Guncad Digest Newsletter Contest!
We’re two weeks into the contest to improve the Guncad Digest logo! I need a new logo to celebrate one year of the Digest, but unfortunately graphic design is not one of my strong suits.
Readers: help me design a new logo! I’ll be accepting submissions for new logos through the month of May. At the end of the month I’ll either hold a popularity contest or select my favorites, depending on what we get.
Please email your design to: customersupport@3dprintfreedom.com (or DM them to me here on Substack!) Winners will get the privilege of seeing their logo on the Substack - oh, and any1 free hardware kit you want from 3D2A.com :)
(Bad) News:
I have grown frustrated with the practice of compiling a bunch of bad news in the Digest, especially when it gets mixed in with legitimate good news that should be celebrated. Yet some bad news is worth sharing nonetheless. To this end I have separated the news section into two parts, for this issue at least.
Dugan Ashley Arrested
Terrible news. Dugan Ashley, one of the OG Guntubers, and one of the progenitors of the DIY movement, has been criminally charged by the US DOJ.
The charges originate from Dugan’s videos related to the manufacture of explosives. The feds claim that a terrorist used these videos to build IEDs used in an attempted 2025 attack. As such, Ashley is charged with “distributing information related to the manufacture of explosives.”
That sharing information is a crime in any circumstances is disgusting. Other commentators have noted that the crime requires intent for the information to be used in a violent attack, and foreknowledge thereof, which Dugan certainly did not and could not have possessed.
Beyond this he is charged with unlicensed manufacturing and possession of explosive devices. All in all, it’s bad.
A GiveSendGo campaign has been created to support Dugan’s defense. Please donate. Dugan is a hero to us all - don’t let him slip away into the darkness without a fight.
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.
DBFirearms is back with yet more printed frames! He’s now got a release for the FN FNS 9/40, and the FN 509. Looking solid!
Developer StuckOnPrecision has released a TDP for the Tippman SMG-22. It’s a design I admit I’m not familiar with, but it’s apparently a progressive ROF pellet rifle - something that’s well worth us looking into for DIY inspiration!
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 3D Print Freedom / 3D2A. 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!
Excluding the M1337 Complete Kit - sorry - but including the M1337 Advanced Kit!
📢How much is the fish
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