From a Baltic island to Ukraine’s warfront: The unlikely journey of a 3D-printed gun

The Printax is no ordinary gun. It looks like a fusion of an AR-15 and a sci-fi blaster, yet it was crafted in a peaceful Nordic outpost of just 30,000 people

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Elias Andersson—an amateur inventor from Finland’s remote Aland Islands—saw a chance to put his unusual creation to use. He had spent years designing and perfecting a 3D-printed rifle he called the Printax 001. As war broke out, Andersson travelled to Ukraine to offer the gun, and his broader 3D-printing expertise, to the country’s military. Though the rifle itself wasn’t adopted, Andersson has continued seeking ways to support Kyiv’s defences with low-cost, printable hardware, the New York Times reported.

“I’m interested in modifying and improving and creating stuff that goes ka-boom in Ukraine and for Ukraine,” he said.

Printax: A modern weapon from a forgotten archipelago

The Printax is no ordinary gun. It looks like a fusion of an AR-15 and a sci-fi blaster, yet it was crafted in a peaceful Nordic outpost of just 30,000 people. Andersson built it in his workshop on the Aland Islands—a demilitarized autonomous region of Finland—where gun culture is rooted in hunting traditions. Bored during the pandemic and drawn to American YouTube channels about firearms, he dove into internet forums focused on DIY gunmaking.

The Printax’s name nods to the islands’ web domain (.AX), and its design is his own, though inspired by communities like Hoffman Tactical and the popular channel Print Shoot Repeat. Built for just $200, the Printax uses 9mm rounds and features parts common to AR-style rifles, though it lacks advanced mechanics like a bolt-locking function. It’s technically a pistol-caliber carbine—simpler, but functional.

Shaped by solitude, inspired by conflict

Isolated by geography, Andersson found motivation in global upheaval. During Covid lockdowns, he explored 3D printing not just as a hobby but as a craft with tactical potential. When war came to Europe, he envisioned his invention as more than a curiosity.

On a visit to Ukraine, Andersson and a friend pitched the Printax to military contacts. While drones were in higher demand than rifles, the trip confirmed for him that his technical skills could be applied to real-world combat scenarios. He has since shifted focus to drone components and battlefield accessories, hoping his designs can still play a role on the front lines.

Between tradition and disruption

Andersson’s background is steeped in traditional firearms—he grew up shooting with his father, hunted seals and raccoons, and once built a bolt-action rifle from BMW parts. But his mindset has evolved into something more digital and design-driven.

Despite the gun’s potential, Andersson has no plans to release its schematics. “The harsh reality is that there are idiots everywhere,” he said, noting that Finnish and European law forbids circulating gun blueprints. He supports regulation, unlike many of the more radical US-based 3D gunmakers. Finland’s licensing regime is strict, and Andersson intends to stay within legal limits.

The bigger question: What comes next?

The Aland Islands have little violence, and Andersson doesn’t aim to change that. But his creation symbolizes how far digital manufacturing has come—and how global crises can draw even the quietest innovators into geopolitics. His workshop hums with the sound of 3D printers building new parts, as Andersson chases what he calls “perfection,” even if he’s unsure what that means.

What’s clear is that the next battlefield innovations may not come from defence contractors but from people like him, working alone on tiny islands with big ideas.