What are your thoughts on 3d printed accessories?

I have to admit I was never a 3D printing fan. I never really was impressed because it was used in applications that were improper for the material or intended use. I called it 21st century pot metal. Because it was always falling apart. But over the years it has moved forward with the technology and the use of materials in proper realistic areas. Now I find it satisfactory but always prefer metal.This week I guess I made a big change. I bought a butt hook for a BB gun and had no intention of spending 350 bucks on a metal butt hook . Besides the price the weight would not function well.
So I bought a 3D printed one. For 35 bucks. I am so impressed with it all I am replacing a Rowan adjustable butt plate on my TX200 with a 3D printed one. It’s light works great will never corrode and it feels good.

I just retired from mechanical CAD design and have my own 3d LCD printer for several years now.
Along my years I have been exposed to designing for 3d printing and my company outsourced to different shops/processes depend of size and required material properties.
This how I chose a resin printer for myself, also I did my own outsourcing for 3d printing metal parts as well.
I am working with specialty engineering resins and developed a full post processing for my own hobby, including ultrasonic washing and annealing oven

I have used several 3d printed solutions on firearms and automobiles. For many parts they are ideal. I just ordered a rod guide for a rimfire that is 1/3 the cost of commercial products. Front and rear sights. The cable ends on my jeep. Body insignia on my Toyota. All a fraction of the cost of conventional replacement parts.

Prototyping has already been mentioned above. You couldn't imagine a better machine for creating workable prototypes.

I've been printing several items, one of my favorites is a simple print in place box that holds two of the Big Air 12 shot mags.

Makes carrying extra ammo nice and quiet and keeps it safe from the elements.

I’m a buyer from ahh think….. buckrail, bravo 3d, maple custom, and something unidentifiable.
The moderators (2) are ok, not near the silent Thunder or huma. The magazines are great and
affordable compared to what the gunmakers charge. The add on parts though while functional
just don’t add to the looks. Thinking of removing and painting

I have a lot of 3d printed parts. Magazines from @QD_Fox for my Bobcat are great. Custom barrel bands for my crazy ideas from Jake at jb3dpd.com are solid and don't start cracking when you tighten the screws. Stock for my Gauntlet .25 (since sold) by Terminador.com and barrel bands for both my .25 and G30 Gauntlets have been off and on my guns so many times without any issues that you know they used the right filament. Some I have from other sources you could hear cracking with anything tighter than hand tight on the screws.

What filament used is the critical part of 3d printed parts. I've been playing with printing now for 6 months and experimented with multiple types. The strongest that does not require a lot of special setup is the PLA/PETG with carbon fiber threads. I've used that to print a stock for my Barrage that was far superior to plain PETG. I did use TPU 95A for the hand grip as the flexible filament was just a much better feel.

Importance:
Filament
Nozzle and layer

3D parts have their place and I am happy to use them for the right applications.

I designed & 3d printed this adapter for my P-rod

Gramps said:

I designed & 3d printed this adapter for my P-rod
View attachment 535666

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Nice. Great looking print

Some (many) printed accessories are poorly done and look kind of cheap. But done right I have no beef w how it looks as long as it functions as needed.

rhobbs said:

I have two different single shot loaders that are perfect.

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Zero stress on that part lol

Here is my contribution to 3d printing and airguns. 5 different versions of a tech stock for my Altaros M24 and still tweaking the design. Printed on a Bambu X1C printer. PLA plus for now and final will use ASA. The front coaxial rest is also 3d printed and works exactly like a professional $1500 coaxial rest used in benchrest matches.