SPAS-12 facts for kids
The SPAS-12 is a powerful shotgun that was made in Italy. It was produced for over 20 years, from 1979 until 2000. What makes the SPAS-12 special is that it can work in two different ways: as a semi-automatic shotgun or as a pump-action shotgun. This shotgun has become very famous because it has appeared in many movies, TV shows, and video games, including popular titles like Call of Duty, Battlefield, Grand Theft Auto, and Left 4 Dead.
Contents
What is the SPAS-12?
The SPAS-12 is a type of shotgun designed for combat. It was created by an Italian company called Franchi. Shotguns are firearms that shoot many small pellets, or sometimes a single large slug, from a smooth barrel. They are often used for hunting, sports, and also by police or military forces.
How the SPAS-12 Works
One of the most interesting things about the SPAS-12 is its "dual-mode" feature. This means it can switch between two ways of firing:
- Semi-automatic mode: In this mode, the shotgun reloads itself automatically after each shot. This makes it very fast to fire multiple times. It uses the energy from the fired shell to load the next one.
- Pump-action mode: In this mode, the user has to manually slide a part of the gun (the "pump") back and forth after each shot. This action removes the empty shell and loads a new one. Pump-action is often used for less powerful ammunition or when more reliability is needed in tough conditions.
Users can easily switch between these two modes depending on what they need.
Why the SPAS-12 is Famous
The SPAS-12 has a very unique and recognizable look, especially with its folding stock and hook. This cool design has made it a favorite prop in many action movies and TV shows. It also appears in a lot of video games, which has helped make it well-known among players. Its distinctive appearance and powerful image have made it a pop culture icon.
History of the SPAS-12
The SPAS-12 was first made in 1979. "SPAS" stands for "Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun," which tells you it was designed for specific uses, like military or police operations.
Its Design and Production
The shotgun was produced by Franchi, an Italian firearms manufacturer. Over the years, different versions of the SPAS-12 were made, including ones with fixed stocks and others with the famous folding stock and arm hook. Production of the SPAS-12 stopped in the year 2000. Even though it's no longer made, it remains a popular and memorable firearm.
Images for kids
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Two of the most commonly found SPAS-12 variants: the folding-stock version (with an eight-round magazine extension) by F.I.E Corp and the fixed-stock version (with a six-round magazine extension) by American Arms Inc.
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(Top) Fixed Stock 1990 Sporting Purpose SPAS-12L receiver. (Middle) A rare Choate made aftermarket AR-15 grip style skeleton stock on a 1987 SPAS-12L. (Bottom) Special Purpose Collector SPAS from 1982 with the folding stock and hook.
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Franchi Barrel Length SPAS-12 21-1/2" Bbl VS 19-7/8" Bbl
See also
In Spanish: SPAS-12 para niños
