Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1516388
4.4 kilograms, the stock dampens the recoil quite significantly. Fol- ded stock might be used as a carry handle. There is also an additional hook which can be used for single hand shooting. Disassembly. SPAS-12 disas- sembles in a pretty similar way to any other semi-automatic shotgun. The barrel comes off together with handguard and forend. I recom- mend to clean those parts from time to time as they are attached only with a single screw. When cle- aning, take a good look at all of the rubber parts. SPAS-12 Tips & Tricks: Know before you buy 1. Price. Better in the EU than in the US. Typical price for a 35-40 years old shotgun will be around 3000-3500 EUR, but usually it will still require to buy some parts or replace some of them. Accessories are not required but definitely incre- ase collectors value. Sling is 50-75 EUR, key 50-75 EUR, butt hook aro- und 500 EUR, oval chokes are 50 EUR and standard ones around 25 EUR. Could be cheaper… 2. Spare parts are scarce. Stock is around 700 EUR, triggers 200- 250 EUR. And hard to find. 3. Check before use. Before sho- oting please check some of the key parts and replace if required. Such parts are: - rubber O-ring on the magazi- ne tube (it might be old or might be gone). - rubber buffer inside the stock. It is possible to shoot without one but the recoil is going to be more powerful and may cause damage to the stock mechanism (and you know the price of spare stock, do you?). - the most crucial is the rubber absorber in the rear of the receiver (there two variants). In my sample it was there, but when pushed to check its condition it literally tur- ned into dust. Shooting without an absorber in semi-automatic mode will cause critical damage to the rear of the upper receiver. 4. There are modern replacement parts kits available for around 75 EUR with all the necessary o-rings and rubber parts. They do their job. SHOOTING SPAS-12 SPAS-12 can be only fed with 12/70. In manual mode you can use whatever shells you want. When in semi-automatic mode the shotgun is quite… fussy. Anything below 28 grams will cause jams. In general, SPAS-12 likes to jam. It is extremely sensitive to proper grip (like polymer-frame striker-fired pi- stols). More powerful rounds = less jam = more recoil. Anyway, shooting itself is pure fun. Weight and stock dampen the recoil. Trigger is typical for shot- guns, but if you try, you will mana- ge to shoot quick double taps. Iron sights are clear and crisp. Contro- ls are easy to reach. What can be considered a downside, is slow charging. You have to use both hands and it won't be possible on the move. The internals are operating smo- othly in both manual and semi-au- tomatic modes. When in manual, remember to move the forend fir- mly. In sem-auto you will hear the "metallic" sound of the mecha- nism. Unforgettable. LOOSE ROUNDS SPAS-12 is a beautiful, iconic fire- arm. Huge, complicated to use but easy to shoot. Insanely expensive (more than Benelli M4), with rare and equally expensive spare parts. Ammo fussy, but accurate. Star 22 www.fragoutmag.com