3D Scan and Print a Mag Release

[onthefence]

Need help with an AR mag release. Anyone out there that can 3d scan and print this part? Or can you point me towards a firearms-friendly person/company? I'm guessing a 3d print will hold up since it's not near the firing mechanism? Maybe a machinist/fabricator?

Any input appreciated!

[billofrights]

The button would hold up, but the mag catch wouldn't. There isn't a print orientation that wouldn't break from the stress of either the spring, or the mag being inserted. That's with an FDM printer, a resin print would just shatter.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:854292

There's one already modeled if you want to try.

[onthefence]

It's for the button and mag catch. It's for an AR9 so different from AR15 but if you're saying the mag catch wouldn't hold then I guess 3d printing is out.

[billofrights]

if you're saying the mag catch wouldn't hold then I guess 3d printing is out.

It really wouldn't. If you print it the way the model is that I linked, the spring tension would just delaminate the catch between layers. If you printed it laying down, inserting the mag would snap off the catch. If you rotated it in the other direction, you'd snap the base off of the pin when trying to tighten it on.

[wilit]

It really wouldn't. If you print it the way the model is that I linked, the spring tension would just delaminate the catch between layers. If you printed it laying down, inserting the mag would snap off the catch. If you rotated it in the other direction, you'd snap the base off of the pin when trying to tighten it on.

The AR9 mag catch is nothing like an AR15 mag catch. It would probably hold up okay with a few extra walls and higher infill. I have to wonder why you would 3D print one though, when a replacement is only $10. https://www.newfrontierarmory.com/pr...-catch-c9-c45/

[billofrights]

If it isn't regulated by the government, expensive, or hard to find- just buy a metal one. 3D printing has a lot of people trying out things because they CAN, whether or not they SHOULD.

There's been tons of innovation in the past year on printed ARs, Scorpions, and Glocks. But you still want the critical parts that are made of metal to still be made of metal.

[onthefence]

The AR9 mag catch is nothing like an AR15 mag catch. It would probably hold up okay with a few extra walls and higher infill. I have to wonder why you would 3D print one though, when a replacement is only $10.

I actually did pick this up from them but their parts only work for their lower.



Seems most AR9s are going a proprietary route. Here's a couple for example. First is Juggernaut and second is JP.

[onthefence]

you still want the critical parts that are made of metal to still be made of metal.

I would love to get this part in metal. Know anyone who can do this? And hopefully not charge me the cost of the whole firearm?

[wilit]

I would love to get this part in metal. Know anyone who can do this? And hopefully not charge me the cost of the whole firearm?

Do you already have a technical drawing of the part you can give someone or does it need to be created from scratch?

The problem is, there's a fair amount of labor that's involved in manufacturing a part and they are generally cheap because they're made in China on a large scale, so you get those economies of scale. For a single part like that that's normally $10-$30, you're going to pay all of the development costs and machine setup for one part. At $100-$150/hr, you can see how you'll never get one part down to an affordable cost.

[M1NM]

It would help to know which brand of lower you are working with. As you mention the AR9 is not a mil spec part.

[onthefence]

Don't have a technical drawing. Just the actual parts.

I totally get what you're saying. I figured as much. I can only go maglock with this firearm, can't go featureless. I was hoping 3d printing would work but guess I'm still looking.

[onthefence]

It would help to know which brand of lower you are working with. As you mention the AR9 is not a mil spec part.

It's a Lone Wolf G9.

[wilit]

Don't have a technical drawing. Just the actual parts.

I totally get what you're saying. I figured as much. I can only go maglock with this firearm, can't go featureless. I was hoping 3d printing would work but guess I'm still looking.

What exactly are you looking to do? Are you trying to make a Maglock work with this release?

[onthefence]

What exactly are you looking to do? Are you trying to make a Maglock work with this release?

Yes. Copy my release and add the arm to make a maglock.

[wilit]

Honestly, what you're asking for is a clean sheet design of a product that doesn't exist. Probably your best bet would be to get a welder to weld some material onto the end of the mag release so the tip of the red L rests on the upper, preventing it from allowing the mag release to operate. once you tip up the upper, then it'll allow the release to function normally. I wouldn't rely on a plastic 3D printed part for this. Welding on an extension is going to be the cheapest route. If you have a shop machine this, you're probably looking at $300. If you bring a pre-cut L to a welder, you're probably looking at $50.