SPAS 12 SHOTGUN Version SPAS 12 SHOTGUN

Type: selective pump-action or gas-operated
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 2 3/4" (70 mm)
Length: 1041 mm
Barrel length: 546 mm.
Weight 4.4 kg
Capacity: 8 rounds in underbarrel tube magazine

The SPAS-12 was designed in the late 1970s by the Italian company Luigi FranchiSpa as a special purpose, military and police close combat weapon (actually,SPAS stands for Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun, or Special Purpose AutomaticShotgun, depending on the source). It featured a selective action for greater versatility, and can be used as a gas operated semi-automatic repeater or as amanually operated pump action repeater, depending on the mission and ammunition used. Since its introduction SPAS-12 became a very popular police and specialforces weapon, being versatile, reliable and with good firepower. On the other hand, it is heavier than most other similar shotguns and quite complicated,which results in relatively high prices.

SPAS-12 utilizes somewhat traditional for shotguns gas system with annular gaspiston locating around the underbarrel magazine tube. It operates the bolt withvertically tilting locking lug that engages the barrel extension to lock.SPAS-12 can be switched between gas operated self-loading mode and manuallyoperated pump mode by pressing and holding a button at the bottom of the forearm and pulling the forearm slightly forward for AUTOMATIC mode or backward for PUMP(or MANUAL) mode. Earlier models of the SPAS-12 had the lever type safety at the front of the triggerguard, but due to some deficiencies this was latter replacedby the push-button (cross-bolt) safety at the same place.

SPAS-12 could be fitted with stamped metallic buttstock that folds to the top ofthe receiver when not in use, and with a pistol grip made of plastic.Alternatively, solid plastic buttstocks with pistol grips are available. Barrelhas cylinder bore with screw-on muzzle devices (cokes of flash hiders). Sightsusually are of rifle type, with post front and open notch rear sight.