What they are referring to is electrolytic etching (et al). Yes, you can get something approximating what is essentially tapping a thread, but I can pretty much guarantee you that anyone doing this in a shed isn’t getting that level of precision and is, arguably, doing a worse job than not rifling at all. The folk who DO know how to do this have access to machine shops… and the tools to do it correctly.
Regardless, the real problem is making the barrel in the first place. Anyone who bought a mini lathe or got a drill press on facebook marketplace thinks they can do this. They chew threw mild steel like butter! And… there are a LOT of recovered guns from The Troubles in Ireland that fractured or literally exploded after even moderate use. Because you need proper alloys to handle the pressures of repeated explosions AND need to machine it in a way that is less likely to fracture/chip the parts containing that pressure. And drilling through THAT takes much better gear and skills that go beyond “Only an idiot wears gloves”
Also… it is irrelevant to the topic of Ghost Guns. Because, in almost all cases, barrels (and springs and levers) are not controlled items. So you print what is controlled and buy a parts kit for the rest.
is there a more in depth write up on that process? that’s pretty sweet
What they are referring to is electrolytic etching (et al). Yes, you can get something approximating what is essentially tapping a thread, but I can pretty much guarantee you that anyone doing this in a shed isn’t getting that level of precision and is, arguably, doing a worse job than not rifling at all. The folk who DO know how to do this have access to machine shops… and the tools to do it correctly.
Regardless, the real problem is making the barrel in the first place. Anyone who bought a mini lathe or got a drill press on facebook marketplace thinks they can do this. They chew threw mild steel like butter! And… there are a LOT of recovered guns from The Troubles in Ireland that fractured or literally exploded after even moderate use. Because you need proper alloys to handle the pressures of repeated explosions AND need to machine it in a way that is less likely to fracture/chip the parts containing that pressure. And drilling through THAT takes much better gear and skills that go beyond “Only an idiot wears gloves”
Also… it is irrelevant to the topic of Ghost Guns. Because, in almost all cases, barrels (and springs and levers) are not controlled items. So you print what is controlled and buy a parts kit for the rest.