SPAS 12

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SPAS-12 : Franchi Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun 12

Airsoft Information

Tokyo Marui SPAS-12

The SPAS-12 was the first airsoft shotgun produced by Toyko Marui and enjoys a reputation as one of the two most practial airsoft shotguns. It is a spring operated airsoft gun where the pump action must be cocked for the gun to be fired (there is no select fire as on the real-steel). The airsoft gun is fed from a magazine designed to look like a 12 bore shotgun cartridge (although slightly larger in diameter) which holds 30 BB's each. These are inserted through the dummy loading gate in the bottom of the reciever and on each 'rack' of the pump 3 BB's are released from the magazine and channelled into 3 separate inner barrels for firing. The 3 inner barrels are cunningly hidden inside the large 12 gauge outer barrel.

The SPAS-12 has a fixed rubber hop-up for added range, set for use with 0.2g ball bullets. Velocity is usually around 260-280 fps stock, although some power-up springs are available. Internal modifications of Marui shotguns should not be attempted without a good experience of airsoft guns, as the mechanism is very complicated.

The much sought-after metal folding stock for the SPAS-12 is no longer sold with the gun and must be sourced separately. KM produce a forward pistol grip to aid in cocking the gun.

The TM SPAS-12's major criticisms are of a slight rattling when shaken and the the overall low weight of the plastic gun (which may be somewhat remedied with the metal stock).

Other Manufacturers

Dong San and a range of other cheap companies like Detonics make cheap replicas in full or 3/4 scale of the SPAS-12, but none have any sporting (airsoft) purpose as both quality and power are unforgiveable.

From 1990, KTW produced an airsoft SPAS-12 simliar to their Ithaca, but it is extrememly rare outside of Japan. The rarity of this replica makes it a collectors piece, and it is one of the few high quality airsoft replicas available apart from the TM version. The KTW gun was made with or without the civilian buttstock. KTW also released a smaller scale version of the gun in a similar vein to TM's 'Boys' series.

A gas version of the SPAS which is now relativley unheard of was made by Sherriff in the early 90's.

It is rumoured that some custom SPAS-12's are available housing Maruzen M1100 or M870 internals.

Real Steel Information

The SPAS-12 originated in the 1970's as Franchi attempted to corner the market for a dual mode combat shotgun. Although undeniably a combat shotgun, Franchi marketed the weapon as the 'Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun', and the gun is described in the owners manual as such.

The SPAS-12 can function in both pump-action and a semi-auto manner- this allows the user to fire both full and low power/non lethal ammuniton which will not cause a semi auto shotgun to cycle fully. The SPAS 12 is fed from a tubular magazine situated below the barrel (as are most conventional repeating shotguns). The reciever is made from a light-weight alloy to reduce the overall weight and keep the weapon maneuvreable. All exterior parts are finished with a matt black phosphate coating.

The SPAS-12 is normally supplied with a folding stock, although early civilian models had a fixed choate buttstock (which may be seen in the 'Lobby' scene in the movie, 'The Matrix'). The folding stock features and 'arm hook' designed to allow one handed firing, although the practicality of such operation is questionable. A range of accesories built for the SPAS 12 include a grenade launcher, an optics mount and a 'spreader choke' attachment for the muzzle which aids the dispersion of the shot.

Although an interesting development in the field of combat shotguns, the SPAS 12 was not widely taken into use. The one notable exception is the French GIGN. The gun was trialed by the SAS and rejected on the grounds that it was too heavy and over-complicated. The UK Police bought some guns for testing, but they are not used by firearms response teams.

Complications arising with the SPAS-12 mainly involve the original lever style safety, which was reportedly so dangerous that it 'could kill you'. Also, unlike most other pump shotguns, a round cannot be chambered nor the hammer cocked with the safety on.

Franchi's production of the SPAS-12 ceased in 2000, and they are now collector's items in civilian circles. Franchi's premier combat shotgun is now the SPAS-15.

REAL STEEL SPEC: Calibre: 12 gauge. Operation: Gas, Semi-Automatic or slide action. Feed: Underbarrel tubular magazine. Capacity: 8 rounds. Weight: 4.3 Kg. Length: Stock extended:1040mm; Stock folded:787mm Barrel: 546mm Chamber: 70mm Fore sight: Ramp. Rear Sight: Notch.

Manufacturer

Luigi Franchi.