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Wikipedia-Article "Spas"
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| Caliber: | 12 gauge | |
| Action: | Pump-action/gas-actuated | |
| Mass: | 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 gauge shotgun manufactured by the Italian company Franchi S.p.A..
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Overview
The SPAS-12 was designed during the 1970s as a semi-automatic military or law enforcement shotgun. In the United States, the gun was marketed as a sporting shotgun to help bypass laws that would normally label it as illegal for civilian ownership. As a result, the SPAS acronym officially stands for "Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun". 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. For this reason, a popular reinterpretation of the acronym is "Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun" or "Special Purpose Assault Shotgun".
The SPAS-12 can function in two roles. The first is as a regular pump-action shotgun, where the foregrip is manually "pumped" back and forth 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 a magazine cut-off 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 across 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 States.
In popular culture, the SPAS-12 is featured in many action films and video games. However, while it looks quite formidable, the SPAS-12 is surprisingly fragile due to its complex design.
Variants
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 "sawed-off" barrel for lower weight and better maneuverability in tight quarters. The magazine on these variants may also be shortened, resulting in diminished capacity.
SPAS-12 in popular culture
In popular culture, the SPAS-12 is the definitive pump-action shotgun. Its distinctive looks and beefy ka-chunk-chunk sound have earned it appearances in Hollywood blockbusters like Terminator, 3000 Miles to Graceland, Jurassic Park and The Matrix, as well as massively successful video games like Grand Theft Auto, Rainbow Six, Half-Life: Opposing Force, and Hitman.