Franchi SPAS-12

Franchi SPAS-12
Refer to caption
SPAS-12 with short barrel
TypeCombat shotgun
Place of originItaly
Service history
In service1979–present
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerFranchi
Designed1979
ManufacturerFranchi
Produced1979–2000
No. built37,000
Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 4.4 kg (9.68 lb)
Length
  • 1041 mm (41 in) stock extended
  • 820 mm (32.5 in) stock folded
Barrel length
  • 18",19-7/8",21-1/2",24"

Cartridge12 gauge 234 inch shells only
ActionPump-action/gas-operated
Rate of fireSemi-automatic (200-350 rounds/min) or pump-action
Effective firing rangeDependent on ammunition used
Feed systemTube extension 5+1, 6+1, 7+1 and 8+1 rounds, internal tube magazine
SightsIron sights

The Franchi SPAS-12 is a combat shotgun manufactured by Italian firearms company Franchi from 1979 to 2000. The SPAS-12 is a dual-mode shotgun, adjustable for semi-automatic or pump-action operation. The SPAS-12 was sold to military and police users worldwide, as well as on the civilian market.

The appearance and intended purpose of the SPAS-12 initially led to its "military" designation as a combat shotgun. The SPAS-12 was designed from the ground up as a rugged military shotgun, and it was named the Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun. In 1990, Franchi renamed the shotgun the Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun, which allowed continued sales to the United States as a limited-magazine-capacity, fixed-stock model until 1994. Following the United States Federal Assault Weapons Ban, imports of SPAS-12 shotguns to the United States were stopped. In September 2004 the ban expired, but Franchi ended production of the SPAS-12 in 2000 to focus on the manufacturing of the SPAS-15 model, which was based on the SPAS-12. [citation needed] The SPAS-12's factory retail price in its final year was US$1,500 averaged for its final sales outside the United States to non-restricted countries. [1]

  1. ^ Cooney, Chris (June 2002). "Introduction". Spas12.com. Retrieved 10 May 2010.