3D printing muzzle brakes

[joojoobeans]

I know 3D printers aren't common place yet so there may be no experience with them yet but anyway...

It occurred to me they would be a great way to easily test the effectiveness of different muzzle brake designs.

Question is, would plastic hold up to the pressures of shooting?

[Chronos]

There are different types of plastic used in printers and results may vary depending on what you use.

It's certainly an option if you have the design skills. Most of the people buying them in what I've seen online don't have the technical design skills to get it right first time but it's still a cheaper prototype option than machining.

A lot of people got excited at the prospect of 3D printing but the reality is in their trade name

"Rapid Prototyper"

Chronos

[anthillinside]

There are 2 types of 3D printer;
1, Proffesional = $$$$$$$ = precision prototype parts
2, Hobby = $ = OK for fun but nothig serious.
If you have access to a mill and/or lathe you can produce something better than a Pro 3D print.
But that's the problem isn't it? Access to expensive gear!

[Tiiger]

Peak pressure at the muzzle is going to be the decider.

If the pressure is low enough when it reaches the break but hasn't vented through the points yet, happy days.

If it's too high for that fraction of a second while the bullet is out of the muzzle but still sealing the gas in the break, kaboom.

No idea where it lays though, haven't printed a brake myself of course.

[joojoobeans]

If you have access to a mill and/or lathe you can produce something better than a Pro 3D print.
But that's the problem isn't it? Access to expensive gear!

I haven't got access to s**ty gear, forget expensive gear

A few more years until 3D printers get cheaper and better, no cool fabrication stuff for me until then at least.

[Turkle]

I'm picturing some chunky-ass muzzle brakes to be able to do them out of plastic for full bore stuff.

Probably would work find for little recoiling stuff. Guys put them on their .223's to remove the hop so they can more easily see the impact on shooting, things like that.

Thinks like .308, 30-06, .300wm.... I'll be surprised.

[Tonit]

1, Proffesional = $$$$$$$ = precision prototype parts

You probably saw that mob in the US that printed the metal glock?

Great print, but half a mil US for the printer they said.

Better just get one

[Usurper]

There is always leasing.

Probably costs double your mortgage but if you really want that metal printer there it is