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The Franchi SPAS-12 is a high performance combat shotgun designed manufactured by the Italian company Franchi S.p.A..
By: 
marvin Posted: May 10, 2007
marvin Posted: May 10, 2007 
The SPAS-12 was developed and designed during the 1970s as a law enforcement or semi-automatic military shotgun. Production of the shotgun began in October 1979. The Franchi PAS-12 can function on two distinct settings. The first setting is "automatic" (more accurately, semi automatic, self-loading) - the foregrip of the shotgun is locked forward and a unique gas system loads the next round without any additional effort from the operator. In automatic mode, the gun is capable of firing around 4 rounds per second, one round per each trigger pull. The second setting of the shotgun is pump-action - the foregrip of the weapon must be manually pumped back and forth smoothly after every shot to eject the used shell and load a fresh round from the internal magazine. Pump Action mode is mandatory to reliably fire low-pressure ammunition such as the less lethal bean bags or the more lethal tear gas rounds. Switching between firing modes on the shotgun is performed by pressing a small button under the foregrip, and sliding the foregrip slightly backwards or forwards until it clicks into position.
The SPAS-12 also has an exclusive magazine cut-off feature that, when activated, disallows the loading of a fresh round from the internal magazine when the slide is opened. This feature permits the operator to load a specialized round into the distinct chamber without emptying the entire magazine first. Early Franchi SPAS-12 models additionally featured a lever-type safety, but this feature often tended to malfunction. The lever safety was later replaced by a reliable push-button safety.
In 1983, the gun was introduced to the United States, where it 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, there exist popular reinterpretations of the acronym, such as "Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun" or "Special Purpose Assault Shotgun".
Legal Status in the United States
US firearm laws, in recent years, have universally blocked the importation of the SPAS-12 shotgun, because the shotgun fits under the profile of a military shotgun (which is defined as an illegal destructive device). Transfers and re-sales within the country are generally unobstructed, but few SPAS-12s are being imported from foreign countries. Additionally, in 2000 Franchi stopped production of the SPAS-12 altogether, and Franchi has since shifted its entire marketing focus towards the new and improved SPAS-15. Together, these drastic events have made the SPAS-12 a true collector's item both in the United States and abroad.
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Details of Franchi SPAS-12
- Category: Shotguns
- Manufacturer: Franchi S.p.A.
- Action: Pump Action
- Caliber: 12 Gauge
Franchi SPAS-12 Videos (5)
Franchi SPAS-12 Pictures (2)
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55 Comments
Anonymous
I have almost everything for sale...No lower receiver...,but I have :
1. Pistol grip and folding stock WITH HOOK.
2. Spas 12 Barrel with Choke...and a lot more.
This is a spas 12 with early numbers AA06XXX. If you are interested in parts for your SPAS 12,please email me.
Thank you,
Marc
Anonymous
When I inspected my buffer, it crumbled. Have you any idea where I can get one? I cant find spas12.com's web page anymore.
DukeScout
The best I have ever seen is Chris' at: SPAS12.com
Anonymous
looking for a pistol grip both sides the gun was droped!
thanks BILL
Anonymous
I have a pistol grip I could sell you. I had another but sold that. It's now a rare item and I had to pay a lot for it about 5 years ago so I'm afraid it would be expensive, but at least I have one.
Send me your email address and I'll send you a photo if you like.
Which country are you in?
bushhogbill
Ed send me a photo of the grips and price! I live in ohio thanks Bill my email address is billl@defabco.com
Anonymous
I saw your post on gunslot.com about your spas-12 for sale. I have been looking to buy one for a while and was wondering if you could send me some pics of the one you have, i'd also like to know how much you're asking.
Thanks
Anonymous
I have a SPAS-12 brand new in the box, never fired.
Make me an reasonable offer. All offers concidered.
Thanks
Anonymous
i am intrested in finding out what you are trying to get for you spas 12.
Anonymous
HELLO, WITH THE FOLDING STOCK/HOOK???? IF IT DOES CALL ME AT 813-968-2878 IN THE DAY... THANKS EVAN......
Anonymous
Do you still have the SPAS for sale?
Anonymous
I have a brand new law 12 by "spas". I should have bought a spas-12 when i bought this law -12. What are you asking for your spas-12? My law-12 is still in the box and haver been fired.
Anonymous
Hey i was wondering if you still had that Spas 12 im looking to buy one, money is not a problem finding one is lol thanks.
Anonymous
How much do you want for your SPAS-12?
sportpro448
I was also wondering the asking price, im looking for the spas12 also. I can offer a trade and or money.
Thanks
Jamieson
Anonymous
I will be putting the following parts on Ebay ..soon..:
1. pistol grip and folding stock with butt plate and HOOK.,
2. Barrel with RARE OPTIONAL VARIO CHOX
3. Trigger assembly ( complete ),
4. Springs,handguard,forehand.,rear and front sight
and if anyone have any questions or offers,please e-mail me...at marcdesfosses@yahoo.ca
Anonymous
if you still have the pistolgrip with the folding stock write me back and i will buy
Anonymous
Do you still have Spas 12 folding stock?
How much?
Anonymous
If you have one you want to sell ,I am really needing one ,if you need to email me my email adddress is gyoung2993@charter.net, thank you and God Bless
nsw550
What vario chokes do you have?
DukeScout
Jettagl90, (Marc) I need the chokes!
Lonewolf1722
Hello,
I recently created an account on this site and saw that you are selling parts for early model SPAS 12's. I am missing the stock fastener and stock fastener washer for mine. If you still have these parts are you willing to sell just them? If so, please write back and I'm sure we can come to a reasonable price. Thank you for your time.
-Kris-
sportpro448
how much for the pistol grip stock and hook
Anonymous
I really would like to buy a folding stock and hook for my spas 12. If you have these email q7cd@aol.com or call 575-202-9576. I will pay good money!
thank you
-Seth
Anonymous
Marc, how much do you want for the folding stock ?
Carl Ward
wilcam47
I know this is an old post but do you still have parts? let me know thanks!
tutu 02
Hi Marc !
Hope it's not too late...
I'm interested in your folding stock for my spas 12, because I just broke the gum part around the axis of the shoulder plate today.
Pls keep me posted if yours is still for sale and at what price.
Best regards
Stephan
from Geneva, Switzerland.
ghostrider3
i am in need of a few spas 12 parts.
1. full stock (plastic)
2. safety
toms_stuff32
I have a Used Spas 12 with the hook that I am trying to sell.
email me at toms_stuff32@yahoo.com
Anonymous
If you still have one ,I am interested in buying one .Let me know if you are still wanting to sell
Anonymous
Looking for a folding stock w/ pistol grip for spas 12. Will settle for just the pistol grip if anyone has one. email me with pics and price.
Anonymous
I am looking for SPAS handguard and pump grip.will accept ANY condition!
one mans garbage is another mans gold.
nsw550
Anyone have any of the Variomix choke tubes for the spas/sas 12?
Dr wrink
Always like Spas 12 always will.
chapiro1269
i have a spas 12, im missing the pistol grip and the trigger wont click , what is that i need ?? anyone...
fordvg
Great shotgun and fun to shoot.
trip210
send me a PM if interested
afourfoothitter
anyone have a extra plastic full stock or wood stock for sale with all the parts i am looing for one and will pay VERY GOOD for 1 make me a offer afourfoothitter@yahoo.com
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=...
Reaper308
as of a few years ago... i know this guy was pretty much the only person in the country importing parts for the SPAS 12. its worth a shot...
Carlson's
720 S. Second
P.O. Box 162
Atwood, KS 67730
(785)626-3700
Fax: (785)626-3999
afourfoothitter
yea they have the stock but no buttplate or pistol grip cap so does anyone have spares of these?
afourfoothitter
spas 12 parts anyone got any?
jaymce
Currently have +2 & +4 Mag extensions. Not factory but they do work.
I also have the stock shock figured out but need pin hole dia. to be sure the dia is right.
I am working on the stock buffer
and reciever shock absorbers
I am fairly cirtian I can reproduce the hook as well.
E-mail sinister_sleds@yahoo.com for pics and info.
afourfoothitter
YEA I WANT ONE OF YOUR EXTENTIONS YOU SAY +4 THAT WOULD MAKE IT A NINE SHOT RIGHT
jaymce
Sent you a PM. E-mail me I can send pics and we can work out the details. Working on the washers right now to make the extensions more closely resemble the real extensions.
afourfoothitter
theguy from the spas 12 website is back so i dont know what your gonna do now are you gonna build a site he eraseda all the post including the ones i wrote about joining gunslot
jaymce
His site his rules I guess. Wants to keep the market cornered. Oh well. I do not know what I will do but it does not concern me too much as this is not the way I make my living. I may start a site. I think my brother already secured a name which would be good to use for start a tactical firearms site and board may persue that if time allows.
If you still want a mag tube let me know and I can send pics. If you have e-mailed pm me with your e-mail and I will send you pics that way.
UrbanArtillery
Chris my be back but i am now making the new style recoil buffers at a lower cost that Chris is. you can tell that Chris does not like competition because he has ban me from his SPAS 12 forum. anyway if your looking for this part then i can help you out. Email me if your interested at ak47help@hotmail.com
afourfoothitter
i thought he would hes a dick like that he was off on some vacation somwhere on the money he makes off the site with out telling everyone he cam back seen he had compation and got pissed oh well i have old style buffers besides the one i orderd from him in aug is finaly in da mail i got the email today i still want a extention im waiting on selling my t5 tranmission on ebay
afourfoothitter
i live in charlotte that would be quick to get
jaymce
I have found bumpers that should be suitable for the Spas 12 folding stock. These are the bumpers that would go on the top of the stock to stop it from hitting the reciever when stock is collapsed. Steel Rubber products sells them there are 2 options part # 33-0123-42 and 33-0368-30 not exactly the same dimensions but close and should work. I am looking into finding a better match. Looks like GM part #s 3688811, 3655015, and chrysler 972724 might be good matches as well.
Not selling these just throwing out the info for folks to use.