SIGforum
3D Printed Suppressors
January 13, 2026, 03:47 PM
P250UA53D Printed Suppressors
Was browsing the app for my new printer, happened to see a print file for a 22lr can.
A quick search says you must have an approved Form 1 before any manufacture can begin.
Assuming those things are settled & sorted, how durable could one expect a 22lr can to be from a 3D printer? From what I was reading, it wasn't a real viable option with the $200 tax for each one, but with that being $0 now, maybe a moreviable option.
I'd expect anything bigger in caliber would likely blow up on the first shot.
The Enemy's gate is down. January 13, 2026, 05:17 PM
Mars_AttacksThey are titanium powder printed.
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Eeewwww, don't touch it!
Here, poke at it with this stick.
January 13, 2026, 05:43 PM
P250UA5I'm guessing your average hobby grade printer can't use any material hardy enough to be usable for more than a few shots.
The Enemy's gate is down. January 13, 2026, 07:40 PM
P220 Smudgequote:
Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
They are titanium powder printed.
Yes. And no.
There are a number of print files out there for Form 1 cans that use PLA and carbon fiber filament, with a 1/2x28 nut and a washer as the serialized part. You can use a carbon fiber tube for the body and print a core. So, he likely found what he thinks he found, and in fact, I intend to file for a number of these. Yes, they will stand up to .22 and pistol calibers surprisingly well, depending on the quality of the filament you use and your experience and skill level with printing.
What happens when it wears out? Well, filing is free, so who cares?
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"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
January 13, 2026, 07:41 PM
sigfreundI don’t know if it was ever confirmed, but one of the rumors about the murder of the United Healthcare CEO was that it was a 3D printed suppressor the killer used. Of course there were claims that it was a Welrod pistol, so I wouldn't bet the rent about the first claim.
I’ve also seen any number of references to 3D-printed commercial suppressors. The ones for high powered cartridges are obviously not made of polymer.
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“I can’t give you brains, but I can give you a diploma.”
— The Wizard of Oz January 13, 2026, 07:48 PM
P250UA5quote:
Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
quote:
Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
They are titanium powder printed.
Yes. And no.
There are a number of print files out there for Form 1 cans that use PLA and carbon fiber filament, with a 1/2x28 nut and a washer as the serialized part. You can use a carbon fiber tube for the body and print a core. So, he likely found what he thinks he found, and in fact, I intend to file for a number of these. Yes, they will stand up to .22 and pistol calibers surprisingly well, depending on the quality of the filament you use and your experience and skill level with printing.
What happens when it wears out? Well, filing is free, so who cares?
Could you, technically, print the engraving on the body?
Also, the $0 tax was what had me thinking about it. Interesting that PLA could work, I'd assumed it would fail pretty quickly. I suppose subsonic 22lr & no rapid fire it could work.
The Enemy's gate is down. January 13, 2026, 08:45 PM
P220 Smudgequote:
Could you, technically, print the engraving on the body?
Sure, but a washer is more durable. Was a time when a $200 washer was reusable, though not necessarily legally. I think it's a gray area, which usually means "NFA violation" to rebuild a can with a blown-out core, but these days, there's no added cost to just filing another Form 1.
quote:
Also, the $0 tax was what had me thinking about it. Interesting that PLA could work, I'd assumed it would fail pretty quickly. I suppose subsonic 22lr & no rapid fire it could work.
Nah, the FTN 5 stuff is a much more durable design. There's also newer high-temp carbon fiber filaments that are surprisingly durable.
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"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
January 13, 2026, 08:48 PM
P250UA5My only TB firearms are my ARs.
Wonder if .225/5.56 would obliterate a polymer can...
The Enemy's gate is down. January 13, 2026, 09:26 PM
hrcjonI don't think you have to wonder on that one. or maybe it was tongue in cheek.
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
January 13, 2026, 09:52 PM
P220 SmudgeYeeeeaaahh... we ain't quite there yet.
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"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
January 13, 2026, 09:53 PM
P250UA5quote:
Originally posted by hrcjon:
I don't think you have to wonder on that one. or maybe it was tongue in cheek.
Might work, once. Or at least be entertaining.
The Enemy's gate is down. January 13, 2026, 10:14 PM
hrcjonWhat is kind of interesting though is some people taking the B&T .22 printed Ti suppressor and shooting it to destruction with aggressive 5.56 firing schedules and it lasts a very, very long time IMO.
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
January 15, 2026, 02:55 PM
ibandaMy limited understanding is that the big 3D DMLS printers the suppressor manufacturers are using cost about $750,000 and can make a batch of 40 suppressors in about 40 hours. I'm thinking that's out of reach for a SF members group buy?
The serialized titanium tube with plastic printed inner core for a .22 can might have some merit. I'm sure there will be hardier materials coming out.
"The left can't applaud me because their hands are in other people's pockets." - Javier Milei
January 15, 2026, 03:12 PM
P250UA5If I had a threaded barrel 22lr I might consider giving this a try with one of the CF based filaments.
The Enemy's gate is down. January 15, 2026, 09:04 PM
hrcjonwhat exactly do you mean IF you had a .22lr threaded barrel? isn't that a requirement to post on this section of the forum
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
January 20, 2026, 03:26 PM
AUTiger89You can learn a lot just looking at manufacturers' web sites.
A Dead Air Mask (.22LR) can handle 850 ft-lbs of pressure.
A Dead Air Mojave 9 (9mm) can handle 1900 ft-lbs of pressure.
A Dead Air Primal (up to .338 Lapua) can handle 5100 ft-lbs of pressure.
So your 3D-printed material would have to stand up to this amount of pressure spike.
Also consider that the material would have to survive the heat generated from a gunshot, or multiple.
Phone's ringing, Dude. January 29, 2026, 09:50 AM
rainmaker5505The PA-CF filaments can handle .22 LR pressures with ease. I'm using a couple of printed suppressors on my FX Impact air rifles, to include my .35 cal. These I printed from ABS.
I would be perfectly comfortable using a PA-CF suppressor on a 9MM as long as the rate of fire is kept low. Baffle design and careful design of the outside structure would let this last a while I think. With a design that can be serviced, a metal blast baffle could be implemented, greatly extending the life of the unit. Serialize the baffle, and print as many replacement housings as you like.
"America could use some turpentine, all the way from Hollywierd to New York City." -- Phil Robertson February 02, 2026, 06:22 PM
vthokyPartially [un]related:
I received a part today for a product we’re developing. It’s 3D printed aluminum. Holy smokes, the detail was amazing!
Admittedly, it was done overseas. The comment was made, “this is why we can’t have a metal 3D printer of our own.”
We laughed a little, recognizing that if we had one there would likely be a lot of “government work” lined up behind it.
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around.
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God bless America.