Issue #5: Projectiles, Bi-Poly and TURD Dump
In the last two weeks, four different launcher shell projects and much more!
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New Releases:
In this section, we cover new file releases that we find notable. If something catches your interest, go download and start printing!
BiPoly - Printable AR15/10/9 Lower Receivers
At first glance the Bi-Poly from developer Caliber would appear to be simply a sequel to 2022’s Mono-Poly, i.e. a printable monolithic AR lower. It is that, but it’s far more than that as well.
What’s new in the Bi-Poly? First of all, multiple calibers are now supported - not just AR15, but also AR10 and AR9. Both monolithic and two-piece versions are included, as well as bufferless versions.
The truly interesting improvements come in the reinforcements and DIY-ability. Like the Urutau, threaded inserts are used in the Bi-Poly to reduce wear on pinholes. Furthermore, Caliber states that his goal was to be able to build the lower with parts from the hardware store - keystock, nuts and bolts, etc. - vs. requiring custom-cut SCS parts. “Hard” versions are included that utilize these hardware store parts.
These small, incremental improvements are in many ways more interesting to me than the emergence of yet another AR lower. I commend the work and I hope to see these techniques continue to spread!
Addendum: right before publication, an NFA Version of the Bi-Poly was published as well. Any SOTs in the chat?
FBP 15mm Projectiles
From developer StridAst comes some new projectiles for 15mm launchers (like the recently released PEN15!). These projectiles are designed for improved altitude and stability over the originals.
There are three versions: a chalk version, with features meant to help with chalk dispersal on impact; a fuse version for bangers or fireworks; and a fused remix by PrintGunner to utilize the threaded caps found in his basic 15mm projectiles.
4th of July may be over, but now’s the time to start prepping your loads for New Year’s!
Whistle Pig: 37mm Whistle Round
Want to make some noise with your 37mm round without risking a fire? The Whistle Pig from Bigbore729 is the solution for you!
Whistler rounds are showing up more and more lately. I think they’re cool option for your launcher sessions, especially for folks who live in dry areas. Don’t set the woods on fire for Independence Day, folks.
Nut Buster - Printable AR Wrench
I have often said that much of the real value in guncad comes from the accessories, and this is a great example. Why pay good money for an armorer’s wrench when you can print one for a few dollars in PLA?
There are many different styles of wrench, including crescent, full round, anti-mar and, of course, chode. I would expect no less from ButtStufferMan. Never change, guncad.
Updates:
In this section we will mention updates to major releases - fixes, new variants, etc.
Print-In-Place Ammo Updated with .300BLK
I’ve always had an interest in the Print-In-Place (PIP) ammo project from developer Tee-in-a-Skee-Mask. For the uninitiated, these are printable cartridges that are printed as a single unit, and charged with a 209 primer (absolutely no powder). You can then fire the projectile out of a real firearm. Originally released for 9mm, this latest release adds .300BLK and a 5.56 beta version.
What’s the purpose? These won’t have sufficient velocity or mass to kill or even really injure, but they are useful for function testing / plinking. In any case I like anything that pushes us closer to DIY ammo.
NylAUG v1.2 Updated Build Guide Release
We reported on the unofficial NylAUG v1.1 release back in Issue 1, and this release has now bumped to v1.2. The main improvement in this release is a revised build guide, but plenty of other improvements are present as well.
To be honest, I thought this new guide was already in v1.1, but either way it’s out now and it’s a massive improvement over the original!
If you’re building a NylAUG in 2025, I’d recommend this version. At 3D Print Freedom we have updated our NylAUG kits to be compliant with the new v1.1/1.2 remix - and hey, it’s fully in stock as of this writing. :)
“Trip Kits” for Super Safe CMMG Bolts
We have a very safety-minded community. Every day we help more and more guns become Super Safe. Today’s upgrade is for CMMG .22LR conversion bolts. After installing these onto the conversion bolt, it will properly trip either a Super Safety or standard FRT trigger. See it in action here!
This is actually version 2 of this design (which is why I’ve placed it in “Updates”). This V2 release increases the strength, removes useless material and improves overall reliability.
Casted Super Safety Update
We wrote up the “Super Swanky” in Issue 2, and its developer RedneckInsurgency has not been idle since that time. He’s released an update to the casting process that reduces the chance of getting water trapped in your cast.
Great to see the work continue on this project!
New Betas:
In this section we round up recently opened betas. Help support development by joining these betas and testing!
TURD Dump:
The Trigger Usage Reset Device from KabutoFilearms has taken the 3D2A community by storm, and has produced quite a few remixes and modifications. I’ve rounded them up for your reference. As the original file is still considered a beta, these remixes too are listed as betas, so handle with care.
Reworked TURD: from DissidentArms, this remix provides a new housing, loosens the tolerances and uses 6mm pins
TURD SCS Parts: from hughseless. Much discussion has gone into whether certain TURD parts can be SCS’d instead of printed for greater durability, and this remix attempts to do so. Actually, it appears that as of this writing these parts cannot be correctly made by SCS, but hughseless is working with them to fix the issues, so keep an eye on it.
TURD Alternate Selector #1: this release from hughseless remixes the selector and apparently makes it more tactile
TURD Alternate Selector #2: hur hur hur, number two. This is another selector remix, this one from DissidentArms. It’s not specified how it differs from the original.
TURD Alternate Selector #3: by developer Fl-Eggs, this three-position selector uses a steel rod for reinforcement.
KAK 3Pos Selector File Jig: from KNACK Tactical, this jig allows you to modify a commercial three position selector from KAK to work with the TURD.
Note: shortly before publication we saw that the original TURD design was removed from Odysee to limit the spread of what the developer now considers an old design. Make of this what you will.
SF5 Ammo Counter
Remember when Clint Eastwood couldn’t remember if he had fired five shots or six? That was really cool, but it probably wouldn’t work so well in real life. You can avoid this situation with this ammo counter beta from IDunnoBro. It uses magnetic sensors to detect the bolt position, as well as whether a magazine is installed or not.
This is designed for the SF5, but presumably could be adapted for other designs. I love seeing electronics use in guncad - let’s get more of this!
PEN15 Thumper Remix - “Projectile Dysfunction”:
If you’d rather shoot 15mm firecrackers out of a bloop tube than a pengun, this remix from Professional-Bid1842 is for you. It adds hardware and furniture to the PEN15 to achieve that cool thumper aesthetic.
It’s more than just a visual remix! Actual break-action functionality is introduced here, meaning you no longer have to unscrew / rescrew your barrel with every shot.
The beta is open now, so let’s get testing.
Open Pew Project OP9 -100% Printable 9mm Suppressor
This is technically not a new beta, as the first beta files for the OP9 dropped a few months ago. However, the OP9-A was updated in late June, and this is what led me to first discover it.
If you were also unfamiliar with it, the OP9 / OP9A are fully printable 9mm suppressors from the “Open Pew Project”, an organization dedicated to creating a highly practical suppressor platform for the DIY gun community. The OP9 is fully plastic - no metal parts, no adhesives - making it lightweight enough to reliably cycle in a pistol. The OP9A differs only in the inclusion of an aluminum thread adapter.
Learn more in the introduction video!
These designs contains several additional thoughtful features as well, like an off-axis bore to allow the use of standard height sights. Yet the main goal of the project is not just the production of a 9mm suppressor, but a suppressor design that can be easily adapted to any caliber.
It certainly has my attention, and I look forward to seeing the project continue! If you want to support the project, print one and provide your feedback - it’s likely the easiest suppressor to print at time of writing.
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!
Dirte Dozen (JD12) Hardware Store Shotgun
The dream of a proper fully DIY pipe shotgun has been pursued from guncad’s earliest days, and with the Dirte Dozen, developer JoeDirt from BLC throws his hat into the ring.
As with all good pipe shotguns, this design can be made using parts at your local hardware store. This is currently in development at BLC and is not yet open for beta. Also under development is a double-barrel version!
MILC Without Bolts
MILC projectiles remain the final boss of launcher rounds, but what if you are too lazy to drill out a bolt? Developer rudkinp00 has you covered. The “MILC At Home” project replaces the drilled-out bolt chambers with a set of hardware and SCS parts.
In truth, this design appears to be more than just a way to avoid fabricating a chamber - it appears that it turns the whole rim into metal, which likely will strengthen the round considerably. I’m looking forward to seeing this one advance.
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.
I’m seeing several Defiance Lower remixes lately, and this beta from AlphaCureMom69 adds super safety compatibility to the lower. Go help test it out!
Developer s3igu2 has teased an MCX / MPX super safety trip. It’s exciting to see the creative ways devs are finding to trip a SS.
AemAer, developer of the original SSAUG, has now moved onto a V2 design, incorporating several improvements described in the Reddit thread comments.
He’s targeting a 2026 release date, which stretches the definition of “coming soon” - but hey, you heard it here first.
One of the tragedies of building a vz61 is that you technically can’t (legally) install the folding stock - that is, unless you use Phoenix Designworks’ VZ61 Dovetail Stock Blocker. Basically this locks the stock in the closed position, allowing you to install it and look cool. Will work great with our 3D Print Freedom VZ61 kits!
JoeDirt is doing more than just shotguns! He recently showed off two fully DIY single-shot 9mm pistols, describing them as “scaled down version[s] of the Dirte Dozen.” I’m not sure if these are actively in beta, but Joe claims to have achieved test fire with his prototypes.
About the Guncad Digest:
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The Guncad Digest is sourced using the very excellent Guncad Index, from /r/fosscad, 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!