Solid Concepts 1911 DMLS
{{Infobox weapon
|image= The Solid Concepts 3D printed 1911 pistol.jpg
|caption= The Solid Concepts 3D printed 1911 pistol
|name= Solid Concepts 1911 DMLS
|origin=United States
|type= Semi-automatic pistol
|is_ranged= yes
|service=
|used_by=
|wars=
|designer= John Browning
|design_date= 1911 (original design) / 2013 (3D printed version)
|manufacturer= Solid Concepts
|unit_cost=
|production_date=2013
|variants=
|number=
|part_length=
|cartridge= .45 ACP
|feed= 7-round standard detachable box magazine
|action= Short recoil operation
|velocity=
|weight=
|length=
}}
The Solid Concepts 1911 DMLS is a 3D printed improvised firearm version of the M1911 pistol.{{cite web|author-first1=Samuel|author-last1=Gibbs|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/08/metal-3d-printed-gun-50-shots|title=First metal 3D printed gun is capable of firing 50 shots|work=The Guardian|date=November 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831163012/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/08/metal-3d-printed-gun-50-shots|archive-date=31 August 2014}} It was made public around November 2013 and was printed via the direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) method. It was created by Solid Concepts.{{cite web|url=http://3dprint.com/14636/3d-prnted-guns/|title=5 Different 3D Printed Gun Models Have Been Fired Since May, 2013 – Here They Are|work=3D Print|date=September 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911193036/http://3dprint.com/14636/3d-prnted-guns/|archive-date=11 September 2014}} The first gun, version 1.0, is made up of 34 3D-printed 17-4 stainless steel components.{{cite web|url=https://www.guns.com/news/2013/11/20/solid-concepts-3d-printed-1911-gets-version-2-0/|title=Solid Concepts 3D-printed 1911 gets version 2.0|work=Guns.com|date=November 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911001719/http://www.guns.com/2013/11/20/solid-concepts-3d-printed-1911-gets-version-2-0/|archive-date=11 September 2014}}
Specifications
File:Looking from the “Chamber end” of the Solid Concepts 3D printed barrel.JPG
File:The ability to place text inside the barrel is possible with 3D printing.JPG
It weighs {{convert|2.25|lbs}} when it is empty i.e is not filled with a magazine and the trigger pull weighs {{convert|5|lbf}}. The width is {{convert|1.3|in}} wide. The sight radius is {{convert|6.4|in}} and consists of a standard GI with a square notch rear. The ratio of the twist is 1:15.8; at 6=Lands 6=Grooves.{{cite web|url=http://www.gundigest.com/guns/handgun-reviews-articles/3d-printed-metal-gun|title=3D Printed Metal Gun Hitting the Market|work=GunDigest|date=January 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006102424/http://www.gundigest.com/guns/handgun-reviews-articles/3d-printed-metal-gun|archive-date=6 October 2014|author-first1=Elwood|author-last1=Shelton}} The gun used Inconel 625 (a nickel-chromium alloy) material and stainless steel via the Direct Metal Laser Sintering method.
The Solid Concepts Browning M1911 replica, version 2.0, will be composed of 34 Inconel 625 components, (not including grips). The two carbon-fiber filled nylon 12 grips were also 3D printed. Unlike early 3D printed plastic guns, the barrel of the 1911 was rifled. None of the parts were machined during production, and assembly took less than seven minutes once the parts had been filed and hardened.{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/worlds-first-3d-printed-gun/29702/|title=Solid Concepts manufactures first 3D-printed metal pistol|work=Gizmag|date=November 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006081450/http://www.gizmag.com/worlds-first-3d-printed-gun/29702/|archive-date=6 October 2014|author-first1=David|author-last1=Szondy}}
Printer
The German EOSINT M270 Direct Metal 3D Printer used{{cite web|url=http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/12/robert-farago/gun-review-solid-concepts-1911-dmls-direct-metal-laser-sintering/|title=Gun Review: Solid Concepts 1911 DMLS|work=Truth about guns|date=December 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006084810/http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/12/robert-farago/gun-review-solid-concepts-1911-dmls-direct-metal-laser-sintering/|archive-date=6 October 2014}} to create the weapon cost between $500,000 to $1,000,000 at the time the gun was created as of November 2013 and uses a commercial-grade power source. The printer requires argon and nitrogen gas.
Capability and firing tests
According to Sky News, during the initial test Solid Concepts stated: "It functions beautifully. Our resident gun expert has fired 50 successful rounds and hit a few bull's eyes at over 30 yards (27.43 metres)".{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1166303/first-3d-printed-metal-gun-fired-successfully|title=First 3D-Printed Metal Gun Fired Successfully|work=Sky News|date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806212148/http://news.sky.com/story/1166303/first-3d-printed-metal-gun-fired-successfully|archive-date=6 August 2014}}
The Solid Concepts Pistol fired its 5000th round on 6 September 2014.{{cite web |url=https://3dprint.com/21109/3d-print-metal-gun-reason/
|archive-url=
https://web.archive.org/web/20141028214509/http://3dprint.com/21109/3d-print-metal-gun-reason/
|archive-date= 28 October 2014
|title=Solid Concepts 3D Prints Another Metal Gun, 'Reason', a 10mm Auto 1911
|author-first1=Brittney
|author-last1=Sevenson
|website= 3DPRINT.COM
| date=26 October 2014 |access-date= 26 November 2021
}}