Modern Falling Block Action? 3D Printed?

[Wolfdog91]

So I know their alot of gunsmiths and people who would know about this on here so figured I'd ask.
1. With modern technology how hard would it be for a company to produce a falling block action like a Stevens favorite?
2. Could one be 3d printed and be safe for use like a poly AR lower? I least for small calibers or rim fires
3. Would it be possible to have a falling block action that would be to have a deal where you could easily change the barrel and caliber ? Kind of like how you can with some of the savage bolt guns and the like.
Thanks !

 

[Bocephus]

So I know their alot of gunsmiths and people who would know about this on here so figured I'd ask.
1. With modern technology how hard would it be for a company to produce a falling block action like a Stevens favorite?
2. Could one be 3d printed and be safe for use like a poly AR lower? I least for small calibers or rim fires
3. Would it be possible to have a falling block action that would be to have a deal where you could easily change the barrel and caliber ? Kind of like how you can with some of the savage bolt guns and the like.
Thanks !

Sounds like a great idea. Savage reintroduced one several years ago. I bought the first one I saw for my young son.
Maybe I got a lemon, but as a wise fellow once said, it was “a good idea very poorly executed, which is a bad idea.”
I’ve lamented letting quite a number of goods ones go, but this one is most certainly NOT on that list.

 

[shortgrass]

Start programing, then let us know! I don't think 3D printing would be the answer here. The AR 'locks-up' at the bolt lugs and barrel extension, a falling block doesn't. The AR lower just houses the fire control components.

 

[DaveTooley]

1. Not hard just complex. Complexity = $$$$$
2. You could 3D print it but then you have to machine many of the surfaces. By the design it adds complexity.
3. Barrel changes yes but that adds complexity and issues aligning optics.

 

[Will Henry]

It would be possible to build a falling block action wherein only the barrel, receiver, and block, were of steel and all of the firing and actuation components were housed in a polymer frame but I think it would be even easier to build a receiver with a side plate which would allow easy access for machining then CNC the whole thing. Given properly fitted mortices, the side plate could be a reasonably robust structural piece. Machine a cocking cam into the side plate, and you could use an inline striker mechanism. WH

 

[mdram]

isnt the ruger #1 a falling block?

 

[butchlambert]

isnt the ruger #1 a falling block?

Is it printed?

 

[Ggmac]

So I know their alot of gunsmiths and people who would know about this on here so figured I'd ask.
1. With modern technology how hard would it be for a company to produce a falling block action like a Stevens favorite?
2. Could one be 3d printed and be safe for use like a poly AR lower? I least for small calibers or rim fires
3. Would it be possible to have a falling block action that would be to have a deal where you could easily change the barrel and caliber ? Kind of like how you can with some of the savage bolt guns and the like.
Thanks !

Short answer = NO

 

[dellet]

Short answer is yes.

One of the first metal 3D printed guns was a 1911, about 10 years ago. It certainly had more complex parts than a Stevens Favorite.

A Favorite, and the larger version, the Stevens 44 did not survive the transition to smokeless powder in anything higher pressure than a 22 LR, or a 32 S&W(short). The pivot pins for the hammer and block shoot loose at higher pressures. Not sure the modern polymers would hold up any better.

If you go to a Stevens 44 1/2 , Winchester 1885 Highwall, Ruger, or Sharps designs, the strength would be sufficient, as long as the printed material would hold up.

Steel yes, polymer would require someone other than me to do the live fire testing.