Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1516388
was manufactured only for the mi- litary and law enforcement custo- mers. Magazines were available in 5, 6, 7 and 8 shells capacity. What is important, the SPAS-12 can be only fed with 12/70 shells. Regarding the stocks, there were fixed and folded ones available. First variant of the fixed stock was essen- tially a copy of earlier LAW12 design – a separate pistol grip was connec- ted with screw-in wooden stock. La- ter version, polymer one, was a sin- gle piece. SPAS-12 could also have one of three folded stocks. Earliest variant (in the photos) required to press the release button twice when folding or unfolding. Second version required just one press to release. The third, late version, was locked with a single ball-shaped button. During the production of SPAS-12, three types of front sights existed. Differences were in shape and its placement (on the muzzle end or end of handguard). At least two rear sights types existed. There were also two types of charging handles (slight difference in the shape) and two variants of receiver (difference was in the buffer and its socket). So, if you want to become a SPAS-12 collector now you know that there were at least a dozen variants of the single shotgun. SPAS-12 HANDLING Handling aka manual of SPAS-12 is probably one of the most com- plex I have ever experienced. Magazine charging. It is easier with hammer cocked, but to even load the shell inside the magazine, operated. From the gas port, the gas vents downwards into the gas block where it pushes the piston rearward. Because of the magazine tube,, the gas block and the piston are annular, along with the piston spring they enclose the magazine tube. Once operated, the piston dri- ves two symmetrical sprung ope- rating rods located in the corners formed by the barrel and the ma- gazine tube. As the rods push the bolt carrier rearward, it disengages the locking lug and drives the bolt rearward, allowing the system to cycle. The SPAS-12 has a magazi- ne cut-off feature, which prevents the magazine from releasing a new round when the action is cycled (more about it later). Barrel is almost completely co- vered with a stainless steel hand- guard (heatshield) with rear sight attached on the rear. Barrel is thre- aded on the outside (protected with factory plug) which allows it to install chokes/barrel extenders. Tube magazine is placed under the barrel. The magazine cap is availa- ble in three different sizes. On the magazine there is also a rotating swivel for sling. Massive forend (aka action sleeve) is made from polymer. In a very specific way it wipes the coating of the handguard (heat- shield). The condition of coating in this area is one of the ways to verify the condition of the shotgun. The receiver is made from alum- inum alloy and it features a large ejection port, loading port with fol- lower inside and steel trigger group installed with two pins. In the rear of the receiver there is a rubber buf- fer which is hit with the bolt carrier moving rearwards. Early buffers were cone-shaped and later ones are tube-shaped. Pistol grip with buttstock is scre- wed to the rear part of the upper receiver. Folded steel stock is fol- ded on top of the receiver – the butt pad might be added to make it more flat. Between butt pad and rear of the buttstock there is a buf- fer which softens the recoil forces and protects the stock hinge aga- inst damage. To the bottom part of the buttpad the famous butt hook might be at- tached. Hook is the most characte- ristic part of the SPAS-12. When the stock is folded it might be used as a carrying handle. With stock unfol- ded and hook deployed, shooting SPAS-12 single-handed is possible (in semi-automatic mode). On the left side of the stock hinge, there is a metal ring for sling attachment. SPAS-12 VARIANTS There were a couple variations of SPAS-12 with different barrel leng- ths: 18", 19/75", 21.5" and 24". The shortest barrel is currently consi- dered to be the most rare one as it 20 www.fragoutmag.com