Urutau Ghost Gun –  9mm Bullpup Pistol-Caliber Carbine

The urutau ghost gun stands as one of the most advanced and accessible fully DIY 3D-printable firearms available today. Designed by Brazilian innovator Zé Carioca (also known as Joseph The Parrot), this compact bullpup pistol-caliber carbine delivers serious performance in a short, lightweight package that requires no traditional commercial firearm parts. Whether you call it a privately made firearm, a 3D-printed PDW, or simply the urutau ghost gun, this platform represents the current high point of open-source DIY design.

What Is the Urutau Ghost Gun?

The urutau ghost gun is a closed-bolt, straight-blowback 9×19mm Luger / Parabellum carbine built almost entirely from 3D-printed polymer components and simple metal hardware. Its bullpup layout places the action and magazine behind the trigger group, resulting in an overall length of approximately 475 mm (18.7 inches) in the base configuration while still offering a usable barrel. The name “Urutau” comes from the common potoo, often called the “ghost bird,” a fitting reference for a firearm designed for private manufacture and maximum independence.

Unlike earlier designs that still needed AR-15 triggers, welding, or hard-to-source commercial parts, the urutau ghost gun uses a fully DIY bolt, a fully DIY fire control group, and an optional fully DIY barrel created through electrochemical machining (ECM). This makes it one of the purest examples of a true ghost gun in the modern 3D-printing community.

Key Specifications of this Urutau Ghost Gun

• Platform / Model: Urutau
• Caliber / Cartridge: 9×19mm Luger / Parabellum
• Action: Closed-bolt, straight blowback
• Layout: Bullpup (action and magazine behind the trigger)
• Standard Barrel Length: Approximately 250 mm (9.8 inches) – can be a DIY ECM barrel or a standard AR-9 style barrel
• Overall Length: Around 475 mm (18.7 inches) in base form
• Weight: Approximately 2,830 g (6.2 lbs) empty in the base configuration

These dimensions make the urutau ghost gun exceptionally maneuverable for home defense, vehicle storage, or range use where a full-length rifle would be cumbersome.

Magazine and Feeding System

The urutau ghost gun feeds from CZ Scorpion EVO 3 magazines or 3D-printed magazines that follow the same pattern. This compatibility gives builders easy access to reliable, high-capacity magazines without needing proprietary designs. The magazine well sits behind the pistol grip in true bullpup fashion, contributing to the short overall length while maintaining a full-length barrel for better ballistic performance than many other compact 9mm platforms.

Optics and Accessory Mounting

A continuous Picatinny rail section runs along the top of the upper receiver, allowing easy installation of a red-dot sight or other optics. In the configuration shown, a red-dot optic is mounted for fast target acquisition. The rail also supports backup iron sights or other accessories. Side and bottom mounting points (including M-LOK style options on many builds) give users flexibility for lights, lasers, or grips.

Muzzle Device and Suppressor Compatibility

The barrel is typically threaded, allowing the attachment of a screw-on suppressor or mock suppressor. Many builders equip their urutau ghost gun with a suppressor for reduced report and recoil impulse, or a mock suppressor for a tactical aesthetic. The threaded muzzle also accepts standard 9mm muzzle devices, giving owners a wide range of options.

Finish and Customization Options

Because the majority of the urutau ghost gun is 3D-printed, builders have complete freedom over color and surface finish. The example shown features a custom two-tone or camouflage scheme — an olive drab / forest green body paired with a mottled camo print on the suppressor. Filament choice (PETG, nylon, carbon-fiber reinforced materials, etc.) and post-processing techniques such as painting, dyeing, or Cerakote-style coatings allow each build to be unique while remaining fully functional.

Why the Urutau Ghost Gun Stands Out

The primary advantage of the urutau ghost gun is its complete independence from regulated commercial firearm components. Everything critical to function — bolt, fire control group, and even the barrel if desired — can be made at home with basic tools and a consumer-grade 3D printer. Comprehensive open-source documentation, often exceeding 100 pages with clear illustrations, guides builders through every step.

Compared with earlier platforms such as the FGC-9 series, the Urutau offers a more refined bolt design, a purpose-built fire control group, and a true bullpup layout that maximizes compactness without sacrificing barrel length. The result is a reliable, soft-shooting 9mm carbine that many builders describe as easier and more enjoyable to assemble and shoot than previous DIY projects.

Building Your Own Urutau Ghost Gun

A complete hardware kit supplies the heat-treated firing pin, precision-machined bolt face, bolt weight material, springs, pins, fasteners, and other metal components. The polymer receiver, grip, stock, and other non-stress parts are printed by the builder. Assembly requires only common hand tools, a drill, and careful adherence to the official build guide. When finished, the urutau ghost gun delivers a compact, accurate, and reliable 9mm platform ready for the range or home defense.

Legal and Responsible Ownership

As with any privately made firearm, builders must ensure full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Magazine capacity restrictions, serialization requirements, and other regulations vary by jurisdiction. The urutau ghost gun is intended for lawful personal manufacture and use by non-prohibited persons.

Final Thoughts

The urutau ghost gun represents the modern evolution of DIY firearms design — compact, fully independent, and highly customizable. With its bullpup layout, 9mm chambering, red-dot optic readiness, suppressor compatibility, and complete freedom of finish, it offers builders a capable and distinctive platform. Whether you are looking for a short-barreled personal defense weapon or simply want to experience one of the most advanced open-source designs available, the urutau ghost gun delivers performance and independence in equal measure.