Finding Tested Gun Designs - Revision history

Mission: /* Release Groups */

2026-02-01T18:46:31Z

Release Groups

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:46, 1 February 2026
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	=== Release Groups ===		=== Release Groups ===
	Many popular designs are published by [[release groups]] who have ensured those designs underwent a minimum of beta testing before release. This does not discount the work of reputable independent designers like Timothy Hoffman or UnseenKiller.		Many popular designs are published by [[Release Group\|release groups]] who have ensured those designs underwent a minimum of beta testing before release. This does not discount the work of reputable independent designers like Timothy Hoffman or UnseenKiller.

	=== Avoiding Betas ===		=== Avoiding Betas ===

Mission: /* Best Practices */

2026-02-01T18:45:01Z

Best Practices

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:45, 1 February 2026
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	== Best Practices ==		== Best Practices ==

	=== ~~Stick to~~ Release Groups ===		=== Release Groups ===
	~~TODO: Document~~ release groups ~~and~~ beta testing~~, add caveats for popular indie authors~~ like ~~Hoff~~		Many popular designs are published by [[release groups]] who have ensured those designs underwent a minimum of beta testing before release. This does not discount the work of reputable independent designers like Timothy Hoffman or UnseenKiller.

	=== ~~Avoid~~ Betas ~~and Untested Designs~~ ===		=== Avoiding Betas ===
	~~TODO: Document how~~ beta ~~files often have unforseen problems because~~, ~~yaknow, testing~~		If a design is advertised as "in [[beta]]," it may be presumed to be less tested (and therefore less safe) than validated and "released" designs.

	=== ~~Ensure the Release has Good Documentation~~ ===		=== Known Your Local Laws ===
	~~TODO: Document how bad docs tend~~ to ~~correspond to low-quality designs and headache~~		In most parts of the world, building your own gun is of questionable legality. Many, if not most, 3D gun designs may also be illegal to possess where you live.

	~~=== Ensure~~ all ~~necessary parts and hardware can be acquired ===~~		Even in the United States of America, there are many states and cities that have criminalized all or some part of the process designing or printing a 3D gun.
	~~TODO: Document how parts may be discontinued, back ordered,~~ or ~~links in documentation may not be valid~~ or ~~accurate~~.

	== When to Be Adventurous ==		== When to Be Adventurous ==

Stickygumm: /* Best Practices */Added content about parts availability

2026-01-20T21:03:01Z

Best Practices: Added content about parts availability

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:03, 20 January 2026
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	=== Ensure the Release has Good Documentation ===		=== Ensure the Release has Good Documentation ===
	TODO: Document how bad docs tend to correspond to low-quality designs and headache		TODO: Document how bad docs tend to correspond to low-quality designs and headache

			=== Ensure all necessary parts and hardware can be acquired ===
			TODO: Document how parts may be discontinued, back ordered, or links in documentation may not be valid or accurate.

	== When to Be Adventurous ==		== When to Be Adventurous ==

Theshittinator at 21:16, 23 December 2025

2025-12-23T21:16:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:16, 23 December 2025
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	=== Stick to Release Groups ===		=== Stick to Release Groups ===
	TODO: Document release groups and beta testing		TODO: Document release groups and beta testing, add caveats for popular indie authors like Hoff

	=== Avoid Betas and Untested Designs ===		=== Avoid Betas and Untested Designs ===

Theshittinator at 20:26, 23 December 2025

2025-12-23T20:26:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:26, 23 December 2025
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	TODO: Document release groups and beta testing		TODO: Document release groups and beta testing

	=== Avoid Betas ===		=== Avoid Betas and Untested Designs ===
	TODO: Document how beta files ~~might~~		TODO: Document how beta files often have unforseen problems because, yaknow, testing

	=== Ensure the Release has Good Documentation ===		=== Ensure the Release has Good Documentation ===

Theshittinator at 20:24, 23 December 2025

2025-12-23T20:24:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:24, 23 December 2025
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	{{NeedsWork}}		{{NeedsWork}}Downloading random files off the internet carries some risk, especially with regard to DIY firearms. For any given model, there might be no indication of how much testing is done, what the results of those tests were, what ammunition is acceptable, what safe handling looks like, how to clear the firearm, etc.

			This guide will discuss best practices, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to find reputable firearm designs.

			== Best Practices ==

			=== Stick to Release Groups ===
			TODO: Document release groups and beta testing

			=== Avoid Betas ===
			TODO: Document how beta files might

			=== Ensure the Release has Good Documentation ===
			TODO: Document how bad docs tend to correspond to low-quality designs and headache

			== When to Be Adventurous ==
			TODO: Document when to eschew the previous suggestions, what skills you should have, what precautions you should take, and how doing so can contribute to guncad

	== Finding Files ==		== Finding Files ==
			[[File:FGC-9 MkII Index Card.png\|thumb\|The FGC-9 MkII with a green stamp in the corner, indicating it meets the Index's quality standards.]]

	=== GunCAD Index ===		=== GunCAD Index ===
	The [[GunCAD Index]] ([https://guncadindex.com/ https://guncadindex.com])is ~~the best resource available~~ for finding files. It is a ~~powerful~~ and ~~easy-to-use search engine~~.		The [[GunCAD Index]] ([https://guncadindex.com/ https://guncadindex.com]) is a guncad-specific search engine and a powerful tool for finding files. As its name implies, the GunCAD Index is an index of designs hosted elsewhere and '''does not itself host or serve any files.''' Instead, each listing at the Index provides links to where the file can be downloaded, such as [[Odysee]].

			GunCAD Index has a feature that marks certain designs as "verified" via a stamp on the thumbnail. Verified releases meet a threshold for quality as defined on the Index's "About" page, which includes some amount of testing and good documentation.

	~~As its name implies, the GunCAD Index is an index of files hosted elsewhere~~. ~~'''It does not itself host or serve any~~ files.''~~' Instead~~, ~~each listing at the Index provides links to where the file can be downloaded~~.		Note that not all "unverified" releases are bad. Users are encouraged to investigate files that pique their interest even if they don't have a stamp, especially for low-risk things like furniture.

	=== Odysee ===		=== Odysee ===
	[[Odysee]] ([https://odysee.com/ https://odysee.com])is a file hosting website, and is where the vast majority of 3D2A files are actually hosted. ~~You~~ can ~~visit Odysee~~ directly ~~to find files~~, ~~but it's far more convenient to use the '''GunCAD Index''' to find~~ the ~~file you are looking for. The~~ Index ~~will then provide a direct link to the file~~'s ~~page on Odysee, where you can download it~~.		[[Odysee]] ([https://odysee.com/ https://odysee.com]) is a file hosting website, and is where the vast majority of 3D2A files are actually hosted. In a pinch, it can be browsed directly, albeit without any of the Index's quality-of-life features.
			[[Category:Guides]]

Theshittinator: Created page with "{{NeedsWork}} == Finding Files == === GunCAD Index === The GunCAD Index ([https://guncadindex.com/ https://guncadindex.com])is the best resource available for finding files. It is a powerful and easy-to-use search engine. As its name implies, the GunCAD Index is an index of files hosted elsewhere. '''It does not itself host or serve any files.''' Instead, each listing at the Index provides links to where the file can be downloaded. === Odysee === Odysee ([htt..."

2025-12-23T20:01:18Z

Created page with "{{NeedsWork}} == Finding Files == === GunCAD Index === The GunCAD Index ([https://guncadindex.com/ https://guncadindex.com])is the best resource available for finding files. It is a powerful and easy-to-use search engine. As its name implies, the GunCAD Index is an index of files hosted elsewhere. '''It does not itself host or serve any files.''' Instead, each listing at the Index provides links to where the file can be downloaded. === Odysee === Odysee ([htt..."

New page

{{NeedsWork}}

== Finding Files ==

=== GunCAD Index ===
The [[GunCAD Index]] ([https://guncadindex.com/ https://guncadindex.com])is the best resource available for finding files. It is a powerful and easy-to-use search engine.

As its name implies, the GunCAD Index is an index of files hosted elsewhere. '''It does not itself host or serve any files.''' Instead, each listing at the Index provides links to where the file can be downloaded.

=== Odysee ===
[[Odysee]] ([https://odysee.com/ https://odysee.com])is a file hosting website, and is where the vast majority of 3D2A files are actually hosted. You can visit Odysee directly to find files, but it's far more convenient to use the '''GunCAD Index''' to find the file you are looking for. The Index will then provide a direct link to the file's page on Odysee, where you can download it.