The world's first 3D-printed gun (pictures)

Cody Wilson, of Defense Distributed in Austin, Texas, fires a handgun manufactured entirely of 3D-printed parts, in a screenshot from a YouTube demonstration video.
Defense Distributed has already made plans for this open-source weapon -- dubbed a Wiki Weapon -- available online for free, and continues to refine and test the design to improve reliability.

These are the components of the Liberator handgun by Defense Distributed, 3D-printed from an open-source design.

Defense Distributed's 3D-printed weapon, the Liberator, is seen here disassembled.

Defense Distributed's 3D-printed weapon, the Liberator, is seen here mounted on a metal holder during testing at a secret location outside of Austin, Texas.

A printed part for the Liberator, the world's first 3D-printed gun.

Cody Wilson loads the Liberator into its carrying case.

The parts for the Liberator are almost completely 3D printed. The only nonplastic components of the weapon are the firing pin -- a standard metal nail -- and a six-ounce piece of steel whose function is to make the gun spottable with a metal detector. (The U.S. Undetectable Firearms Act, which is set to expire at the end of 2013, prohibits weapons that don't set off a metal detector.)

Defense Distributed's 3D-printed weapon, the Liberator, is seen here mounted during live-fire testing at a secret location outside of Austin, Texas.

The Liberator during testing.

Another shot of the Liberator during testing.

Defense Distributed has successfully manufactured an AK magazine as well.

The AK magazine being tested.

Defense Distributed's 3D-printed AK magazine.

Defense Distributed's 3D-printed AK magazine can accommodate 30 rounds.

Defense Distributed's 30-round AK magazine.

Different prototype magazines undergoing testing by Defense Distributed.