What have you just 3d printed (for airsoft)

[GiantKiwi]

Wanted to make my WE Scar H mags look kinda like Lancer L7AWM’s - found a guy on Reddit who had previously talked about working on one, and got involved with testing it (and suggesting changes/improvements).

 

After about 50 hours total of printing I’ve now got 7 of these done successfully.

[casual-player]

On 13/07/2025 at 19:49, Jez_Armstrong said:

What have I just 3d printed? 

 

This ?

 

What law says about custom 3d printed airsoft guns? I would like print one at some point, but I am afraid that police - in case of random control - might not like it at all!

[Tommikka]

1 hour ago, casual-player said:

What law says about custom 3d printed airsoft guns?

 

 

Not a lot - as long as the functional elements of the design is for airsoft, and is UK compliant then airsoft has a convenient clause exempting from firearms legislation (so it’s not a low powered air weapon / air gun - which are  legal but are under firearms legislation)

1 hour ago, casual-player said:

I would like print one at some point, but I am afraid that police - in case of random control - might not like it at all!

Dont be a dick with it and you should not find out what they think

The legislation that would apply would be the VCRA - if it is not clear nor in the specified bright colours then you would be manufacturing a RIF

 

The manufacturer is responsible, but you won’t need to prove your use to yourself so UKARA membership would not be a requirement 

 

Make it for airsoft and as long as you are old enough then you are legal

 

 

Finally …. Are you capable of doing so?

 

It would make sense if you are making a body for standard internals to go in - and it has been designed by someone with the knowledge / skills to do so

 

Or if printing specific parts to modify an existing two tone etc, then the VCRA still applies - but you as the modifier are the responsible person.

The original VCR draft had a specific offence of modifying an IF to a RIF no applicable defence, but the final legislation can be read to include the defences - so only do so for airsoft purposes 

[Lyndication]

1 hour ago, casual-player said:

What law says about custom 3d printed airsoft guns? I would like print one at some point, but I am afraid that police - in case of random control - might not like it at all!

 

99% of the time it's just a shell to slap a standard gearbox into. 

 

Very, very few people are 3D printing the working parts.

[EDcase]

I would say its impossible to 3d print an entire working airsoft mechanism so yeah, shell bits around existing components would be fine.

[Lyndication]

There's this one Japanese guy who 3D prints different MWS GBB guns. Petty incredible, but it's all running deliberately gently

[mightyjebus]

early work in progress of a replacement top slide for the TM FN FNX 45. Externals are basic as I'm more interested in getting the internals sorted first. Might make a Glock style upper for shits & giggles once it's a working prototype.

[Lyndication]

Big Glock

[mightyjebus]

did a bit more work on the FNX slide. Still got a bit to do but getting there. (original broken TM slide at the top)

[BigStew]

Impressive work. 

[BigAl]

3D printing an airsoft gun would not be illegal.  However if they are black or other realistic colour assembling gun would be manufacture of a RIF you would need a defence.  If it is a conversion kit going on an already existing RIF then that does not need a defence.

[BigStew]

13 hours ago, BigAl said:

3D printing an airsoft gun would not be illegal.  However if they are black or other realistic colour assembling gun would be manufacture of a RIF you would need a defence.  If it is a conversion kit going on an already existing RIF then that does not need a defence.

Had this discussion on Reddit. Surely that is still manufacturing if you are dismantling a RIF and reassembling it as a different RIF?

[Lyndication]

It's kind of irrelevant given that "yeah I play Airsoft and this is an Airsoft gun" is a legal defence.

[BigAl]

On 26/09/2025 at 14:59, BigStew said:

Had this discussion on Reddit. Surely that is still manufacturing if you are dismantling a RIF and reassembling it as a different RIF?

 

No your not creating a RIF, it already was a RIF.

[Tommikka]

The VCRA section 36.1 and 36.2 cover:

 

 

 

36. Manufacture, import and sale of realistic imitation firearms

(1)A person is guilty of an offence if—

(a)he manufactures a realistic imitation firearm;

(b)he modifies an imitation firearm so that it becomes a realistic imitation firearm;

(c)he sells a realistic imitation firearm; or

(d)he brings a realistic imitation firearm into Great Britain or causes one to be brought into Great Britain.

 

36.2 Subsection (1) has effect subject to the defences in section 37.

 

 

 

36.1a is about the manufacture - if 3D printing parts to modify then 36.1a does not apply.  If making a new RIF then 36.1a does apply

 

36.1b is about modifying an IF into a RIF, therefore if it already is a RIF then 36.1b does apply 

 

36.2 highlights that there are defences to all parts of 36.1.  I’m not bothering to quote the defences, but the core VCRA defences plus the additional statutory instrument airsoft skirmisher defence apply to all parts of 36.1 - manufacture, modification, sale, import 

 

For 36.1c the seller is liable, so a good seller will want some form of documented defence, and for 36.1d the courier/customs want to be convinced by a documented defence 

 

For 36.1b and 36.1d the individual acting may be the ultimate user or may be don’t so on behalf of the ultimate user.  If the latter they may need to think about some documentation.   (Eg if you submit 3D files to a 3D printing service provider - though they may have no idea about the VCRA)

 

If you are the individual manufacturing / modifying then it’s all down to you ….. 

 

….. when we look at what the defences are (I still can’t be bothered to copy/paste to quote them) - the airsoft skirmisher defence does not state the original 2006 proposal nor the UKARA 3 game requirement.

If you manufacture a RIF or modify an IF into a RIF for the purpose of being a chav, then you’re committing a VCRA offence, if you intend to play the game of airsoft skirmishing on an insured site then that intent is your defence and you know whether or not that is your intent

Don’t be a dick after manufacturing / modifying and you won’t have to prove your intent in court 

 

Though of course - if you are modifying a RIF into a RIF then there is no offence 

 

**** Note that in early drafts the modification of an IF into a RIF was a separate offence excluded from the defences, but the paragraph was moved / wording was changed and the defences are valid