The SPAS-12 (Special Purpose Assault Shotgun) is an Italian made weapon designed primarily for use by military and civilian authorities.

Contents 1 Design Details 2 Specs 3 Terminator Franchise 4 Notes 5 Appearances 6 External Links

Design DetailsEdit

The SPAS-12 can function on two settings. The first is semi-automatic—the foregrip is locked forward and a gas system serves to load the next round without further effort from the operator. In semi-automatic mode, the gun can expend around 4 rounds per second, one round per trigger pull. The second setting is pump-action—the foregrip must be manually pumped back and forth after every shot to eject the spent shell and load a new round from the internal magazine. This mode is required to reliably fire low-pressure ammunition such as tear gas rounds or less-lethal bean bags. Switching between firing modes is done by pressing a button under the foregrip, and sliding the foregrip slightly forwards or backwards until it clicks into position.

The SPAS-12 also has a magazine cut-off feature that, when activated, prevents the loading of a new round from the internal magazine when the slide is opened. This allows the operator to load a specialized round into the chamber without going through the entire magazine first. Early SPAS-12 models also featured a lever-type safety, but it tended to malfunction. This was later replaced by a push-button safety. This shotgun fires 2¾ inch shells, and was not made to fire 3 inch shells.

SpecsEdit

Precise specifications depend on the actual sub-model, but the following info details the basic military version.

• Cartridge: 12 gauge 2¾" shells
• Weight: 9.7 lbs (4.4 kgs)
• Length: 41 in (1041 mm), with stock extended
• Action: Pump or Gas-Actuated (auto)
• ROF: 4 rounds/sec on Auto max. (one round per trigger pull)
• Effective Range: appx. 150 ft.
• Max. Range: appx. 300 ft.
• Capacity: 8+1 round internal tube magazine

Terminator FranchiseEdit

• A similar model (with a friendlier name) was used by the Terminator. The Terminator

• It is one of the standard weapons used by the T-800s in The War Against The Machines.^{[citation needed]}

NotesEdit

• Though the SPAS-12 was illegal from import in the US, it was available at the pawnshop in The Terminator, but the terminator referred to it as the 12 gauge autoloader (probably a brand name issue).

• The Franchi company marketed the rifle in the United States as the "Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun" in order to make it sound less "scary". It was banned from import anyway, simply because of its pistol-grip. The shotgun itself is no different than any other auto-loading shotgun used by skeet shooters and duck hunters.

AppearancesEdit

• The Terminator
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day

External LinksEdit

• Franchi Company Official US Website
• Unofficial Combat Shotgun Website