this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2026
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Ironically, thanks to the 2A loonies we don't really need them anymore. Can even rifle a barrel liner using a car battery and a bucket of salt water at this point.
Print, [redacted], repeat
is there a more in depth write up on that process? that's pretty sweet
I'm pretty sure you can find videos on it on YouTube, but it essentially boils down to creating an array of copper wire in the shape of the rifling, inserting that into the barrel liner, then putting the whole thing into the bucket and hooking the wire up to electricity. This then slowly etches the rifling into the liner through electrolysis.
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.