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| Caliber: | 12 gauge | |
| Action: | Pump-action/ gas-actuated | |
| Weight: | 4.4 kg (9.7 lb) | |
| Length: | 1041 mm (41 in) | |
| Barrel length: | 546 mm (22 in) | |
| Magazine: | 8+1 rounds, internal | |
The SPAS-12 is a dual-mode 12 ga. shotgun manufactured by the Italian company Franchi S.p.A. .
The SPAS-12 was designed during the 1970s as a semi-automatic military/law enforcement shotgun. The SPAS acronym stands for Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun - in the United States it was marketed as a sporting shotgun to help bypass laws that would normally label it as illegal for civilian ownership. However, military-oriented features like a heavy heat shield for sustained fire increase the weight of the weapon to the point where it can become unwieldy for hunting or competition shooting.
The SPAS-12 can function in two roles. The first is as a regular pump-action shotgun, where the foregrip is manually "pumped" back after every shot to eject the spent shell and load a new round from the internal magazine. The second mode is automatic (more accurately, self-loading semi-automatic), where the foregrip is locked forward and a gas system serves to load the next round without further effort from the operator. In automatic mode, the gun can expend around 4 rounds per second, one round per trigger pull.
The SPAS-12 also has an interesting feature that, when activated, prevents the loading of a new round from the internal magazine when the slide is opened. This allows the operator to load a specialized round into the chamber without going through the entire magazine first.
In recent years, US firearm laws have completely blocked the importation of the SPAS-12 shotgun, since it fits the profile of a military shotgun (an illegal destructive device). Re-sales and transfers within the country are relatively unobstructed in most states, but no more SPAS-12s are coming in accross the border. Additionally, in 2000 Franchi has ceased production of the SPAS-12 altogether, and has since shifted its marketing focus towards the new SPAS-15. Due to these events, the SPAS-12 is now a collector's item in the US.
In popular culture, the SPAS-12 is the definitive pump-action shotgun. Its distinctive looks and beefy ka-chunk-chunk sound have helped it gain appearances in Hollywood blockbusters like Jurassic Park and The MatrixThis article is about the film The Matrix, for other usages of the term, see Matrix. The Matrix is a film first released in the USA on March 31, 1999, written and directed by the Wachowski brothers (Andy and Larry). It stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishbur, as well as massively successful video games like Grand Theft Auto III and Half-LifeThis article describes the computer game. For the meanings in chemistry and other sciences, see half-life. Half-Life is a first-person shooter computer game developed by Valve Software and published by Sierra On-Line in 1998, based on a heavily-modified Q.
The SPAS-12 comes with an optional folding stock. The stock may carry a large hook at the end, which acts as a carrying handle and can also be used to brace the weapon while firing. Full stocks are also available, as are pump-mounted tactical flashlights and lasers. Some versions of the SPAS-12 also have a shortened barrel for lower weight and better maneuverability in tight quarters. The magazines on these "shorty" variants can only accomodate 6-7 rounds.