Powerful 3D-printed rifle fires NATO rounds | Fox News

A 3D printing enthusiast recently created a lower receiver for a high caliber Colt CM901 rifle. (printedfirearm.com)

A group of gunsmiths just 3D printed a bigger, better caliber rifle.

PrintedFirearm.com , a website devoted to 3D printing of guns, announced that one of its members successfully developed a lower receiver for a Colt CM901 rifle. The receiver for the CM901which is considered to be a much stronger brother of the popular AR-15 assault riflewas crafted on a XYZ Da Vinci printer, which normally costs around $500 - considered cheap in the 3D printer world. While they were not the first to 3D print a lower receiver, it seems as if Printed Firearm has taken an evolutionary step.

This is the FIRST EVER 3d Printed AR-10 (CM901/LE901) lower receiver by JT, reads a blog post on PrintedFirearm.com. OH YES WE DID!!!!!!! Yes people its pure awesome sauce and it has been tested, fired with little to no issues.

The CM901 has a similar design to the AR-15 but can fire a heavier and more powerful 7.62 millimeter round, which results in higher range and stopping power. The standard NATO rifle cartridge has a 7.62 mm diameter and a 51 mm case length.

- PrintedFirearm.com blogger who asked that his name be withheld

The rifle is also a modular weapons system, which allows for multiple modifications, so it is also capable of firing lighter 5.56-millimeter rounds as well.

Printed Firearm posted a five-second GIF of the lower receiver in action at a firing range. Like most 3D printed objects, the part is made from a plastic-like filament so it is not clear how many shots could be fired before it breaks or becomes damaged.

This receiver is durable enough to work, The Author of Printed Firearms blog, who asked that his name be withheld, told FoxNews.com. The reality is the lower receiver in an AR style weapon does not need to be that strong.

Is it as strong as metal, no, is it as strong as wood, probably not, is it strong enough to work, yes and it has proven just that.

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Powerful 3D-printed rifle fires NATO rounds | Fox News