The next iteration of metal 3-D printed handguns

[MillCreek]

http://3dprint.com/21109/3d-print-metal-gun-reason/

Absolutely gorgeous.  But I do have a question: is something like this essentially ready to go when you take it out of the 3-D printer, or is there additional machining and finishing work that has to be done?

[Fly320s]

I'm sure more machining is required, at least for threading the screws.

[MechAg94]

The article made it sound like all the fancy work on the slide is all done by the 3D process.  That would be surprising.  I was also curious how many different parts were made using this process and how many not.

[AJ Dual]

The article made it sound like all the fancy work on the slide is all done by the 3D process.  That would be surprising.  I was also curious how many different parts were made using this process and how many not.

I think they polished the high spots for effect, but other examples of late 3D metal printing I've seen have come out relatively smooth, or no worse than military phosphate finish gun parts, and were lots of shapes like metal Klein bottles etc. and "impossible shapes" where I sincerely doubt anyone was able to get in there and polish every last surface.

[Northwoods]

Most 3D printers have support material that has to be cleaned out, but otherwise the usually are pretty good in terms of finish.

[CypherNinja]

I'd guess a teensy bit of hand fit is required for the barrel/slide pair no matter what. Then a quick ream on all the holes, a quick tap on the ones that need it, and your good to go.

Coarse, large threads are probably fine being made by the printer. Finer stuff is going to need a tap, if only for cleanup.

Probably. 

[zahc]

The article didn't mention that the gun is obviously named after Reason from Snow Crash , which was a nuclear-powered, portable flechette gun.