ATF

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives / Internet Investigations Center

Privately Made Firearms (PMFs) – Additive Manufacturing (3-

D Printing) Quick Reference Guide
General Process:
1. Draw and design in a computer-aided drafting (CAD) program (Fusion 360, Solidworks,
Tinkercad).
2. If not designing parts, the user would go to the website hosting 3-D printing files and download
the file to an item.
▪ Files will download in a zipped format and generally contain several files, to include
Renders, Stereolithography (STL) and sometimes a Text (TXT) file.
o Renders – pictures of the item produced or CAD drawings
o STL – typically the file format the user would use with desktop 3-D printers
o TXT – may include name of the file designer and any special instructions for
printing or assembly
o STEP – 3-D graphic file used by CAD software to transfer between different CAD
software tools

3. User will have to import the .STL file into slicer software (Cura, Simplify 3-D) to convert to a G-
CODE file.
4. Save the G-CODE file to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive or Secure Digital (SD) card.
5. Input the USB drive or SD card into a 3-D printer and navigate through the printer menu to
select the file. Some printers can accept the file via a USB cable, Ethernet cable, Wi-Fi or
Bluetooth.
6. User will have to warm up the machine and zero out for accuracy. User can then print the item.
7. Remove any excess filament and make modifications based on instructions.
Note: This is a basic outline of the process and may require additional steps to print an item.

Common 3-D Printer Brands: Common Filament Options:

Ender PLA+
Prusa PA12
Flashforge ABS
Anycubic ASA
Monoprice PETG
Note: Several different models per brand Note: Can order filament in any color

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Websites: PMF Related Files (Firearms/Frames/Machineguns/Silencers) and Supplies

• https://www.defcad.com/
• https://ctrlpew.com/
• https://fosscad.org/
• https://www.thingiverse.com/
• https://www.stlfinder.com/
• https://odysee.com
• https://thegatalog.com
• https://grabcad.com
• https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com
• https://www.yeggi.com
• https://pinshape.com
• https://cults3d.com
• https://ghostguns.com/
• https://www.3dforprint.com

3-D Printed Machinegun Files:

Glock Conversion Devices (GCDs):

Make Glocks Full Auto Sear One-Piece GCD

GCD Installed Traditional GCD

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 AR-15 Drop-in Auto Sears (DIASs):

Yankee Boogle Swift Link No Name Swift Link

Mom’s Demand Swift Link The Choosy Express Swift Link

Note: The italicized names above are generally what the device is referred to as, but the user can change the
name of the file. If you notice a Micro SD card or USB drive in a 3-D printer (or around) during a search warrant,
plug the USB drive or Micro SD card into a computer with slicing software to view the G-CODE file to decipher
what the user printed or intended to print if there are no finished products within view.

Reference

For additional information and questions, please contact the Internet Investigations Center (IIC) at
IIC@atf.gov. For firearms-specific questions, please contact the Firearms and Ammunition Technology
Division (FATD) at Fire_Tech@atf.gov.

UNCLASSIFIED//LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE