Primary Weapons Systems installs SLM500 metal 3D printer to make suppressors
Vigilant Gear, LLC (DBA Primary Weapon Systems) has acquired a Nikon SLM 500 metal 3D printer from Nikon SLM Solutions to expand capacity for its rapidly growing BDE suppressor product line, supporting both commercial and government markets.
As we reported in 2022, when we visited the state-of-the-art Beretta factory, suppressors are a booming (pun intended) market for additive manufacturing. Their geometric complexity, which is more efficient when produced as fewer or even as a single component, combined with their size, makes them ideal products for metal PBF.
The acquisition is a key step in PWS’s strategy to meet rising demand for its suppressors while enabling the development of next-generation designs. The SLM500’s quad-laser system delivers the speed and precision required to scale additive manufacturing production efficiently, without compromising part quality or cost-effectiveness.
“We have been at capacity with our current machine for over a year,” said John Meehan, Director of Engineering at PWS. “The SLM-500 is a welcome addition to our in-house capabilities, and I have no doubt it will perform flawlessly and increase our production bandwidth.”
The SLM500 will enable PWS to increase output while expanding material capabilities, transitioning from titanium to printing Haynes 282—an alloy renowned for its exceptional strength and high-temperature performance. This opens up new engineering possibilities for suppressor applications where material performance is critical.
“In the end, the SLM500 provided the best of both worlds,” added Meehan. “The quad lasers allow high production outputs for PWS’s BDE suppressor line while delivering a competitively priced finished product.”
Installation and qualification are set for June at PWS’s 65,000-square-foot vertically integrated facility in Boise, Idaho, where most key components—including receivers, handguards, barrels, and additively manufactured parts—are produced on-site. The new system will significantly reduce lead times for customers and support faster introduction of new models and technologies developed by the PWS engineering team.
