Shotgun Franchi SPAS-12

The SPAS-12 automatic shotgun was developed by Italian gunsmiths from Franchi for police and special forces. This is precisely the meaning behind the abbreviation SPAS - “sporting automatic shotgun” or “special purpose automatic shotgun.”

Currently, the Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun is used by police and military personnel for its intended purpose, it is popular among athletes, and is also used as a weapon for self-defense. The SPAS-12 automatic shotgun has a complex design, large weight and an expensive price, but at the same time the shotgun is very easy to use and reliable.

General description of SPAS-12

The Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun was developed by the Italian company Luigi Franchi in the late 1970s as a universal combat weapon for the police and military.

Hence the pistol grip and folding stock. The ability to select an operating mode - semi-automatic or manual loading - provides the ability to use non-standard cartridges (for example, with traumatic ammunition) or cartridges with a high probability of misfire (for example, wet ones).

The first prototype was presented in 1979. In the early 1980s, Luigi Franchi Spa began mass production of Franchi SPAS-12.

The Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun is a dual-mode shotgun, meaning it can be used as a semi-automatic or pump-action weapon. Switching between firing modes is done by pressing the button under the forend, and moving the forend slightly forward or backward until it clicks.

One of the unique features of the SPAS-12 is the switch visible on the folding stock of the gun. This switch can be rotated 90 degrees to fit the shotgun under the shooter's forearm.

Theoretically, holding the gun by the pistol grip, the shooter can fire with one hand: from the hip or from an outstretched arm, in reality, due to the weight of the shotgun, this is unlikely. Despite its heavy barrel, the SPAS-12 has the least recoil of any 12 gauge shotgun. A grenade launcher can be attached to the muzzle, the firing range of which is 150 m.

The shotgun stock is made of metal, the handle is plastic, and there is the possibility of installing solid plastic stocks. The barrel has a cylindrical drill, replaceable chokes and an 8-round magazine. For aiming, there is an open front sight and rear sight in the muzzle. You can install a collimator sight, a combat flashlight, and even a laser target pointer. The main successor to the shotgun was the Franchi Spas 15 self-loading pump-action shotgun.

The SPAS-12 shotgun was never popular due to its excessive weight and complex controls. Following the introduction of shotgun import restrictions in the United States in 1989, a version with a plastic fixed stock and a five- or six-round magazine was produced to comply with the required restrictions.

Franchi has released two shotguns based on the SPAS-12: the LAW-12 and the SAS-12. The LAW-12 was self-loading, while the SAS-12 was pump-action only. Accessories and many parts from SPAS-12 are suitable for these guns.

The gun was used to supply police and paramilitary units and was used by special forces. Thanks to this, Italy, as a weapons manufacturer, was known throughout the world.

general description

The SPAS-15 combat shotgun received approval on the world arms market, thanks to which it entered the commercial market. Currently, it is used mostly for sport or hunting, although it is in service with the army in several countries around the world. At the moment, it is not available for purchase and use in all countries, but in Russia it is quite legal and is sold on the consumer market.

According to the documents, it is a smooth-bore hunting rifle, but this weapon is very poorly suited for hunting. The shotgun has a 12 gauge, or more precisely, uses 12x70 cartridges. Magazines with a capacity of 6 or 8 rounds. Typically, magazines are marked with the maximum number of charges. It can be equipped with either a folding plastic stock or a non-folding one, which is now a rarity.

Media fame of the shotgun

Due to the fact that the gun was sold to paramilitary and police units around the world, the SPAS-12 brand gained widespread popularity, which was reflected in a large number of popular feature films, television series and computer games in the action genre. The gun is used in such media franchises as Terminator, Stargate, Half-Life, Grand Theft Auto and many others.

In the Half Life series of games, this weapon is capable of firing a doublet, supposedly from two barrels. In fact, the barrel from the bottom is nothing more than a tubular magazine. This gross error was probably made for the sake of the gameplay, since a double volley in the game is a convenient way to finish off most opponents without wasting a lot of time and with less risk of being attacked in response.

Such a noticeable weapon as SPAS-12 was actively used in films, but computer games brought it worldwide fame and popularity. The games in the Call of Duty series have especially distinguished themselves in this regard. It was in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in pump-action reload mode. It was introduced into Call of Duty: Black Ops in an incomprehensibly fantastic way - it began to be produced in 1979, and in the game it is used in the events of 1968. They tried to animate him in semi-automatic mode, but it turned out incorrectly. But all these flaws are forgiven by a realistic depiction of firepower, especially in the case of using explosive cartridges: SPAS-12 literally tears everyone and everything to pieces.

Many gamers were especially pleased with the addition of SPAS-12 to the zombie mode of Call of Duty: Black Ops. The shotgun that went through the Improver received the name SPAZ-24 and wonderful features: shooting with laser-like beams, the magazine increased from 8 to 24 rounds, reloading was carried out in 1 round.

In Call of Duty Black Ops II, the SPAS-12 became the official weapon of the main bad guy in the person of Raul Mendez, and again it was used in pump-action mode. The game developers even offered us an unrealistic option with a magazine of 16 rounds, instead of the maximum 8.

SPAS-12 also found its way into the newly released Call of Duty Infinite Warfare, where it hides under the names S-Ravage and Rack-9. Both are only available in pump mode.

The legendary shotgun was also used in the cult game Left 4 Dead 2, where it received a 10-round magazine and a semi-automatic mode.

The Battlefield series of games could not pass by SPAS-12 either. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 uses a pump-action version. It came to Battlefield 3 with the Close Quarters Love at First Sight add-on. Unfortunately, in computer multiplayer games you won’t find his insane rate of fire of 4 shots per second, it would simply tear the entire game balance to pieces. In Battlefield 4, the Franchi SPAS-12 is again in a pump-action version.

They brought our old man to the gangster-police Battlefield Hardline, where he is accessible only to criminals. And again they got tricky with the reloading animation - it seems to be self-loading, but the delay between shots is like a pump.

The SPAS-12 shotgun is present in Rainbow Six: Siege, where it is only available to the American Valkyrie.

Design Features of SPAS-12

The automatic operation of the SPAS-12 shotgun is based on the discharge of powder gases into a side hole located in the barrel wall. The barrel channel is locked with a rotating bolt.

In semi-automatic firing mode, reloading after the next shot is performed by moving the fore-end. This mode is used if the automation system fails. This can happen when using cartridges with a weak charge, the energy of which is not enough for normal operation of the automation.

The barrel channel and gas chamber are chrome-plated. To make the barrel box, a light resin is used, the outside is phosphated to prevent the formation of corrosion. The charges are placed sequentially in a non-removable tubular magazine located under the barrel. It is possible to cut off the magazine in order to quickly manually load the cartridge of the required equipment.

USM SPAS-12 trigger type. The trigger is equipped with two fuses - a flag one, mounted on the right in front of the trigger guard, and a combat one, located on the left on the same guard. As a rule, to guarantee safety, both fuses are in the on state.

The time it takes for the trigger to fire makes it possible to develop a rate of fire “with the frequency of pressing the trigger.” If the shooter is trained, then in one second he will fire up to four shots.

Accuracy of fire at a distance of forty meters gives a dispersion of no more than 90 cm. The shot charge has a sleeve made of plastic material and a metal tray. You can also fire cumulative rounds and special cartridges designed to be loaded with a plastic container of tear gas.

The rear sling swivel is located on the barrel box, the front one is on the magazine tube.

The SPAS-12 became a very popular shotgun in the West as a police weapon and was successfully used by the Italian anti-terrorism unit NOCS, as well as many other special forces and police forces around the world, from the French group GIGN to the British SAS.

Operating principle of SPAS-15

The SPAS-15 smoothbore combat shotgun supports two firing modes: pump-action and self-loading, switching between which is quite simple. The choice of shooting modes (manual pump-action “PUMP” or semi-automatic “AUTO”) is carried out using a button on the top side of the fore-end: to put the gun in semi-automatic mode, you need to press the button and, holding it with your hand, move the fore-end forward until it stops. At the same time, a red “AUTO” mark will appear on the side behind the forend. To put the gun into manual pump-action mode, you need to press and hold the button and move the forend slightly back until it engages with the bolt rods, and a red “PUMP” mark will appear in front of the forend.

The semi-automatic mode in this gun works due to the removal of powder gases. After the shot is fired, the gases are vented through holes in the barrel into the gas chamber. This chamber contains a piston, which is pushed out due to the expansion of gases. At the same time, the bolt frame moves back and the ejector ejects the cartridge case, and when the frame is returned from the magazine, a new cartridge is sent. The chamber is locked by turning the bolt by the barrel, and interaction occurs with the barrel itself, and not with the receiver.

In pump-action mode, the SPAS-15 shotgun works like any other pump-action shotgun, that is, by moving the fore-end back and forth. When the forend is jerked, the same thing happens as in automatic mode (ejecting the cartridge case, chambering the cartridge), but due to the strength of the shooter. To prevent dirt from getting into the fore-end mechanism, the rods are covered with a special cover.

In semi-automatic firing mode, the rate of fire is much higher, but accuracy is reduced due to upward recoil. In non-automatic mode, the accuracy when hitting a target at a long distance is much higher, and the accuracy of fire when firing shotguns increases, but each shot will require much more effort. The gun works normally in any of the modes. "PUMP" mode is usually used for:

Shot with an underbarrel grenade.
Increased shooting accuracy over long distances.
For shooting even cumulative cartridges (such cartridges for 12 gauge actually exist; special variations have been developed for 12 and 15 models).
For firing rubber bullet cartridges.

If we take a closer look at cumulative projectiles, then 12 caliber rescue is capable of penetrating 8-10 mm sheets of steel, or, to be more precise, it “burns through” them. After such ammunition hits the target, a hole remains melted at the edges.

Application

The SPAS-12 shotgun is universal in its own way: although it was intended for assault units, usually fighting at close range in confined spaces, it can also be suitable for competent defense and medium-range shooting. Compared to many other shotguns, the SPAS-12 has a relatively soft recoil, which, coupled with good accuracy, allows it to compete with pistols and even assault rifles.

It is enough to load the gun with bullet ammunition, after which, thanks to semi-automatic, it allows you to fire quite intensively to quickly shoot an enemy with a machine gun, pistol or other shotgun. Up close, when using shot or buckshot, it is simply a killing machine.

A significant drawback with all this is the tubular magazine, due to which you will have to frequently reload the shotgun one cartridge at a time, which takes quite a lot of time and effort.

On the other hand, at any time, the shotgun can be fully loaded without performing any additional manipulations: just control the consumption of cartridges and insert new ones in time so that you don’t have to juggle the forend when fully reloading, which also takes precious seconds.

There is no particular point in shooting in pump-action mode, except at medium distances, so you should use semi-automatic only. Since the SPAS-12 has a noticeable weight and length, as well as a capricious system that requires careful examination, it places some demands on the shooter.

Advantages and disadvantages

The SPAS-15 combat shotgun has its strengths and weaknesses. Let's start with the positive points:

Very flexible tactically, thanks to semi-automatic or non-automatic firing. This will be useful both during combat operations and during hunting.
A large caliber and the ability to fire shot, rubber or cumulative bullets may also be needed.
Good rate of fire in self-loading mode or excellent accuracy in pump-action mode.

Now a few words about the disadvantages:

Strong recoil negatively affects the accuracy of rapid shooting.
Quite a lot of weight (from 3.7 kg).
The sighting mechanism is inconvenient for hunting.
The cost is about 60-80 thousand rubles, even on the secondary market.

Many gunsmiths criticize the SPAS-15 because it is quite difficult to disassemble and even more difficult to put back together. But in reality this is not entirely true; parsing and collection is quite easy:

First you need to unscrew the holder located on top of the forend, which secures the front sight. Remove the front sight itself.
Switch the gun to “PUMP” mode and turn the holder that has opened on the fore-end upward, then simply pull it out.
Unload the weapon and switch it to “AUTO” state.
Next, just carefully remove the entire forend from the barrel.
After this, you need to remove the two clamps near the butt that hold it and the handle. (here you will need something to pry the latch, an ordinary spoon will do)
Pull the butt out until you can pull out the holder that secures the chamber.
After this, calmly remove the handle and pull out the butt.

If you are seriously thinking about purchasing a shotgun, then you need to consider all aspects carefully. This specimen is not very suitable for hunting. It’s another matter if it is needed for some kind of weapon sport. In this case it will be quite interesting.

Opinions about this shotgun are mixed. Some owners praise it, while others are dissatisfied. The SPAS-15 model was discontinued from production in 2005.

Technical characteristics of SPAS-12

Performance characteristics of the Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun:

model – 11/12;
caliber, mm – 12;
cartridge – 12/70;
operating principle - automatic, using vented powder gases, self-loading;
length, cm – 104.1 – 80;
trunk length, cm – 54.5;
weight without charges, kg – 4.4;
number of charges, pcs - for Spas 12 with a plastic butt - 5 - 6 rounds, but a shotgun with a metal butt has an enlarged magazine for 8 charges;
combat rate of fire - from 24 to 30 rounds per minute.

Shotgun disassembly:

Unscrew the under-barrel magazine.
Separate the barrel assembly from the receiver.
Remove the two pins securing the trigger mechanism housing and separate it from the receiver.
Pull the cocking lever forward.
Pull the bolt block forward from the receiver.

The SPAS-12 shotgun, unlike any other shotgun of a similar caliber, was never popular due to its heavy weight and complex control system, and even a large magazine could not change the rating. As soon as the import ban was imposed in the nineties, this shotgun became a collectible weapon in America.

The SPAS-12 shotgun is distinguished by its high reliability and flexibility in use, but, on the other hand, this weapon is quite heavy and complex, and, as a result, has a high price.