SPAS-12: Franchi's Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun

[@AirTractor4321]

Rise and shine, Mr.Freeman

[@Randomthailanderwhoplayhsr]

Rise and shine

[@GiveMeA40oz]

"Not that I wish to imply you have been sleeping on, the job."

[@brian0057]

@@GiveMeA40oz "No one is more deserving of a rest... and all the effort in the world would've gone to waste until..."

[@langbo9999]

Hey Mr Freeman a little late.

[@tomcs7389]

The right gun in the wrong place.

[@TheRogueWolf]

"Red is fire; not red is... not fire." Don't try to dazzle us with your complicated terminology, Ian.

[@FutBoy281]

"Whoa, you lost me there with your hip young lingo son"

[@dustinsterling3248]

Lol

[@ReverendMeat51]

It's okay, I speak jive

[@JackWse]

In the land of the color blind, the green-eyed man is king.

[@beargillium2369]

is it bad that my mind always had trouble with this concept, but now it makes sense when you put it like that

[@catfishsiegel30]

In 85 I bought 1 of these and liked it a lot . Security company I knew bought 5 of them and 2 years later they closed up and I bought all there company’s firearms. 2 of them were still in boxes never fired. I still have all them 😊😊

[@skylinegtr4045]

You’re sitting on a big pile of dough!

[@ultrablue2]

You lucky son of a…😆

[@catfishsiegel30]

@skylinegtr4045 better than a savings account

[@alexanderrupert4379]

@@catfishsiegel30 This is where the negociations begin.

[@edmxero2029]

Big brain investor

[@ryklatortuga4146]

Franchi Goes to Hollywood

[@blshouse]

Relax

[@Skusty]

When 12gauge goes to war

[@HeroOfTheDay545]

Made from Blue Steel.

[@gwaters8067]

"the power of buckshot"

[@ComicGladiator]

Franchi says reload.

[@gregchapman5556]

I’m ex British Army. Our Military Police Close Protection teams carried SPAS 12 shotguns. We had a number in the armoury and used to take them to the range. Really good fun to shoot.

[@wills681]

Yep, one of the wiser MoD procurement decisions.

[@1982rrose]

You had HK53?

[@gregchapman5556]

@ MP 5 main weapon and SPAS 12 as well.

[@sphenodon2016]

Considering the thing is, in scientific terms, heavy as fuck, I bet this is one of the nicer shooting 12 GA shotguns out there. Would be curious to hear about reliability in semiauto!

[@gregchapman5556]

@ they were mainly used in buildings for defence or if required breaching. The CP operatives carried MP5 and Browning HP. I don’t remember any real problems with reliability.

[@javiersp15]

I’ve learn this is the perfect gun when on the hunt for dinosaurs in a remote island.

[@redcroft308]

Clever girl.

[@georgeoldsterd8994]

Ironically, they never managed to actually use it when dealing with dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. Maybe in the books or games, but not in the movies.

[@redcroft308]

@georgeoldsterd8994 at the beginning of the first one they unload into the raptor cage with spas twelves, i thought. Nevermind the aussie that didn't get his shot off.

[@JordanFlayer]

@@georgeoldsterd8994 Grant used it to fire multiple rounds at the raptors after they rebooted the system

[@JordanFlayer]

@@redcroft308 Muldoon was Kenyan, not Australian

[@PBAR_B1B]

Was in a gun store in FL in the mid-90s and they had a bunch of these as police trade-ins for like $500. I ended buying a Mossberg M590A1 instead and I'm still kicking myself.

[@ilovelamp61]

We all have a story about the things we should’ve bought at the gun store once-upon-a-time. It would be funny if it wasn’t so damn sad. 😂

[@stevenbobbybills]

Man, I always hear stories about people passing up on what would become rare and valuable guns. It's such a shame. Hopefully it's in a good collection now, right?

[@AdamOwenBrowning]

the 590A1 is a chunky monster, stellar in its class, looks amazing and would survive an indirect nuclear blast. I think you're still pretty good!

[@PBAR_B1B]

@AdamOwenBrowning had it almost 20 years before I got around to shooting it and it ran like a champ.

[@recoilrob324]

@@AdamOwenBrowning Agreed....as a tool to be used in anger...the M590A1 is THE choice between these two shotguns. The SPAS-12 is very cool and has appreciated well beyond what I paid in the late '80's....but it's superior only as an investment tool. Bump in the night and the Mossberg 500 is the gun to go to.

[@anionleader]

So grab your HEV suits, dino hunting gear, and also prep your robot girl, feed her lots!

[@JoeSmith-xp5ll]

I understood every single one of those references.

[@anionleader]

@JoeSmith-xp5ll oh man, I totally forgot to add bank robbing too!

[@JoeSmith-xp5ll]

@anionleader And serving in Team Rainbow on behalf of the SEALs.

[@Calvin_Coolage]

Don't forget the dragon's breath shells!

[@mamitomoe321]

I got all those references.

[@SorakuFett]

Perfect for theoretical physicists, time-travelling cyborgs or anachronistically appearing in the Tet Offensive.

[@GrigoriZhukov]

And tuesdays...

[@neptunium2378]

Black Ops 1 campaign was full of weird goofs like having SA80s or Hind helicopters in 1968

[@Elite-Y-]

doesn´t help against smart girls

[@GrigoriZhukov]

@Elite-Y- all you can do irun, praying won't help.

[@nguyenquyetthang1326]

Also in Chernobyl Exclusion Zone for reasons

[@jeffreyoldham55]

I acquired a Franchi SPAS-12 in trade for a Steyr AUG, but found it a bit unwieldy and complicated, and sold it. I have never seen this weapon broken down entirely before, and had this video been available at the time, I would not have been so intimidated, and would likely have kept it. Thanks for your detailed look at this iconic weapon, and for the chance to own it again, Ian.

[@MikJ132]

"The 12 Gauge Autolodeh."

[@JonHanzoII]

"that's Italian, you can go pump or auto"

[@zombiTrout]

“Hey, you can’t do that”.

[@downunderrob]

​@@zombiTrout"Wrong!"

[@Windxd354]

@@downunderrob *BANG*

[@o0oWMDo0o]

Dah Oozey Nein Millimitahhh

[@jonathanenglish9146]

I bought one new in box at a local pawnshop outside Fort Campbell in the early 90's for $500. I loved the Hollywood appeal, but it weighted a ton compared to Mossberg or Remington shotguns. My brother traded it for a bubba'ed up Mini-14 while I was overseas and I still haven't forgiven him.

[@GunnyO326]

Now you can make him replace it at the low, low cost of like 5K.

[@TY-pf6vb]

@@GunnyO3265k isn’t bad thought it’d be like 10k

[@GunnyO326]

@@TY-pf6vb Not yet, give it a few more years. The SPAS 12 is one of the few guns that's worth more parting it out than it is intact. I bought mine about 4 or 5 years ago for about 2K and it has already more than doubled in value. Since approximately 1800 were imported prior to the ban, and production ceased in 2000, grab yours now before they hit that 10K mark.

[@electrichellion5946]

Had a friend/housemate that stole mine in early 1992

[@imnomoremaverick]

At least you can buy it,here in Italy you can't have access to this gun unless it is a used surplus model which has a lot of wear to it. Only military and law enforcement personnel have it,and i have a friend who recently got into the Carabinieri (basically Military Police) and tried the SPAS as part of a training and he said it was fun as hell

[@jolynejameson2630]

My favorite shotgun of all time, always a treat seeing them in video games :D

[@newdefsys]

I've crawled over every inch of the Ghost Recon _Wildlands_ map with a SPAS -12 strapped to my back (on the left side, for the best view, of course)

[@ChrisBrown-kh9wz]

The "umbrella handle" is used to cantilever the weight of the shotgun so the shooter may fire it single handed from around a barricade (The handle can be re-installed perpendicular to the axis of the weapon). I know it sounds crazy, but it works. I saw these being carried by police officers and security personnel all over Europe in train stations and airports. Two-man teams would have an officer with a submachinegun of the local manufacture but the other would always have the SPAS-12 ( A six-round version). I bought mine as soon as they were available in the United States and it retains the toggle safety switch. I also have the "Duckbill device" for flattening the shot pattern. A "hack" of this weapon is to load ten rounds into it by loading the eight-round magazine and engaging the magazine cut-off. Open the bolt and insert a shell in the chamber. Place one more upon the elevator and close the bolt. Fire two rounds and then release the magazine cut-off.

[@S3c7io81]

“It’s a fucking anti-aircraft gun Vincent”

[@RevBoose]

Well, we're supposed to raise pulses, ain't we?

[@S3c7io81]

you’ll raise hell, nevermind pulses

[@mountainbearoutdoors]

@@S3c7io81 get that dog off my seats!

[@seanieboi3100]

Would pair well with a 'Desert Eagle, POINT, Foive Oh'

[@mountainbearoutdoors]

@@seanieboi3100 "pull ya socks up Avi!"

[@ShadowBaofu]

It's a friggin anti-aircraft gun, Vincent. You'll raise hell, never mind pulses. Another clever reference for you. Always liked the design and how you could load it with just about anything.

[@WynnofThule]

Anti aircraft gun? Wrong shotgun

[@DS-kg4do]

Snatch😂

[@ShadowFalcon]

One of my all time favorite movies. Love Guy Ritchie's flicks 👌

[@RevBoose]

All. Bets. Are. Off.

[@S3c7io81]

@@RevBoose copper coins???

[@stephenmitchell3569]

I was issued one and carried it for a couple decades. Really great for rapid on target shooting while moving. Never had a problem with the shotgun and have let 100s of people shoot it. Been like a blast from the past now. Plus I'm old not the strong 235 lb health runner..lol. Thank You for Sharing !! Mine has AA serial number.

[@geodkyt]

OK, when I first clicked on this, I was thinking, "Didn't Ian already cover this several years ago?" until I got a few seconds in to the video.

[@AdamOwenBrowning]

it made me feel old when he said that video was from a decade ago...

[@hugoschmeisser2484]

I was thinking the same. I just about didn't watch it because I thought i already seen it.

[@RayleeRaven574]

physically aged after hearing that

[@whyjay9959]

@@AdamOwenBrowning 8 years actually...

[@MikeBobby-l7o]

Well of course he had to make a new video, he has a gambling scheme to push...

[@zerofunction-0]

Great video/update, Ian. Thank you. One Important note to add: Be sure to use full power 2.75" length 12 gauge shells; anything less will prevent the gun from cycling reliably in semi-automatic mode. A lot of other reviewers forget this and blame the gun when it fails to cycle. Also, 3"+ ammo cannot be used.

[@agentsmith555]

It often is the gun when it fails to cycle because it has not been properly maintained and kept CLEAN. These guns will happily cycle anything if kept clean and oiled and poorly maintained examples have given these guns a poor reputation for reliability. I've put thousands of 1oz and sometimes lighter birdshot loads through mine and it never malfunctions.

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

Clean your shotgun. Clean out the small holes in the gas block...the ones that are drilled through into the barrel...and are extremely hard to clean out. Ascertain whether these 1. 2 or three gas holes were actually drilled out properly by the factory to start with!

[@Mophony]

This is very good information, thank you!

[@DadsRCBench]

This was wonderful to watch, and as someone who doesn't get many opportunities to handle military grade weapons, it answered a lot of questions I had about the SPAS-12. I could listen to you talk about guns and watch you disassemble and reassemble them all day. Keep up the good work man, I appreciate all I've learned!

[@CobraCommander92]

Man, this thing makes such a good sound when cycling the action.

[@neubert500]

I DEARLY loved my SPAS-12 BUT being a young newly married deputy I had to let it go. I have regretted it ever since. I freely admit that I now prefer my Saiga-12s BUT if this were remanufactured, I would definitely get one! Mine was very reliable and light years ahead of what other shotguns I had available to me then . Thank you for the very honest review.

[@-Zevin-]

My old employer was this nice old hippy guy, very calm and the type you wouldn't expect to own guns at all. He casually had 2 mint Spas-12s just sitting around, that he bought back in the day. I constantly tried to buy one, but no luck.

[@gabrielinostroza4989]

For a long time sports shooters spoke ill of the SPAS-12 saying it was never good for anything, too heavy, too complicated and that it was basically always a hollywood toy only liked for its looks, and while its probably not competitive these days i keep finding actual users of it in police forces all over the world who actually like it quite a bit. I'm glad its reputation has improved quite a bit since then.

[@NBSV1]

What works well for sport shooters is often different than what works well for police or special ops. For instance that pump action backup wouldn’t be worth the extra weight and complexity for a sport shooter. Especially when compared to a good pump action where this pump action is going to be far too stiff and hard to cycle quickly.

[@DS-gt1ft]

NO, they are right. I've had my SPAS for nearly 40 years. It is too heavy, too complicated and frankly antiquated next to the Benelli M4 for example. But a great collector's piece.

[@gameragodzilla]

I use mine as my primary home defense shotgun. Having a backup pump mode is nice and the pump also makes it extremely easy to ghost load.

[@Gameprojordan]

​@@DS-gt1ft better comparison would be the Benelli M3, which was also a dual pump/semi auto

[@GA-br8wj]

My favorite in Soldier of Fortune, guaranteed detachment of limbs every time.

[@arnox4554]

Probably the most satisfying and bad-ass shotgun ever made in a game. Only equaled by the M133 pump shotgun in Ziggy's Mod (Far Cry 3) and FEAR's VK-12. Or the Autoshotgun in Project Brutality (Brutal Doom). Or Far Cry 2's SPAS-12.

[@ReverendTed]

The sound effect was a rather theatrical "BOOM" as well.

[@RayleeRaven574]

get a PhD in theoretical physics, the magazine tube becomes a second barrel yes, it was necessary

[@thefunksbeats]

Also ...Comes with free crowbar.

[@cherenkov_blue]

I like the implication that it is Gordon's qualifications which cause the shotgun to defy the laws of physics

[@rogerborg]

You should always be prepared for unforeseen consequences.

[@abookishdragon4691]

They asked me if I had a degree in theoretical physics. I said I had a theoretical degree in physics. They said welcome aboard

[@ch3cksund3ad]

"Gordon doesn't need to hear all this, he's a highly trained professional."

[@ZP1993]

My favorite shotgun,it was in so many movies, TV shows and video games that I like (Jurassic Park, Terminator, GTA San Andreas, etc.)

[@KevinHallSurfing]

Sure it first popped up in The Terminator "The 12 gauge auto-loader." "That's Italian. You can go pump or auto." but highlighted in The Wraith with Charlie Sheen. Curiously the set armorers added LED's along the heat shield for effect but the detachable wooden stock together with the folding stock left on and folded forward was overkill but damn effective.

[@peppermillers8361]

I love how the SPAS in The Wraith is just an insta kill button.

[@donweatherwax9318]

Another early (and memorable) use of the SPAS-12 was in the original HITCHER film, in '86.

[@KevinHallSurfing]

@donweatherwax9318 I'd forgotten that. 😲

[@lonewolfemcquade8133]

Also made an appearance in Jurassic Park 1993. Muldoon used it "Clever girl"

[@Alex-by6hn]

I own 5 of these myself... These things are solid gold! Prices just keep going up, and show no signs of slowing.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

I read and heard SFAS12s had feeding, cycle problems. Both pump versions, semi auto.

[@alohm]

I was friends with a weapons tech in the 80-90s. He got one of these: the Spaz. We took it to a skeet and trap range. The looks on the old guys faces was golden...

[@hanisk2]

I love these long form videos going over guns you may or may not have already done they’re awesome. Better coverage on some of the more well known guns.

[@harrymorris2361]

*casually somehow fires two shells from single barrel*

[@WayStedYou]

Gaben has entered the chat

[@lyokianhitchhiker]

I always thought it was 2 shells in rapid succession

[@BinExis]

​@@lyokianhitchhiker IIRC the sound of double shot in HL2 implies two shots in a quick succession. I guess they changed it after people ridiculed them for HL1 double shot without getting rid of it.

[@lyokianhitchhiker]

@@BinExis That’s also what the sound in Black Mesa implies

[@JAB6322]

The perfect weapon to hold your incendiaries against the NVA lol

[@beagletheusher]

I get the refrence

[@alessioprincipe2304]

The numbers, Mason!

[@michaelrhodes6730]

This thing is really interesting and it's wild that you can go from pump to semi-auto. Some pretty genius engineering. Not my absolute favorite gun but I do think it's really cool.

[@sleepofgc]

I ordered one a few years back and it's the queen of my safe. It's heavy, cumbersome, it needs hardware made in somebody's garage to modernize, it's overy complex and really picky with ammo... but it's just so damn cool. A thick, cleverl girl but heavy where it counts.

[@ptrisonic]

I used to use one of those - quite brilliant. If the auto jammed , switch to Pump action in seconds. Just looking at one stops most fights.... as it should. Get one with the side folding stock, much better. Oh, I forgot you can insert a different variety of shell in regardless if the magazine is empty or full...(without having to eject any, I mean). It works!!! Pete.

[@beargillium2369]

to be fair you can load different shells into any shotgun

[@stuntman7799]

7:12 8 round capacity plus 2. I've found you can ghost load the spas quite easily if you use the manual mode to pull the bolt back, insert a shell onto the lifter, let the bolt forward enough for the lifter to rise, top up your magazine tube, then press the shell and lifter back down, and insert another shell directly into the chamber and carefully slide the bolt all the way into battery. The added benefit of loading it this way is you don't have to fight the loading gate or keep the bolt release button held while flipping the gun over

[@spinjitzutaco]

I like how you can press a button and it goes semautomatic to Pump Action

[@Sh-epard]

A true "Clever Girl" moment, and another of our firearm on the channel🇮🇹🖤

[@GRIZZLYSGEAR]

My favourite shotgun of all time. First learned about it from Half-Life (I probably saw it it movies but just didn't retain it), then recognized it other media and got curious about it. Finding out about it's remarkable features just made me a fan for life. It gets an unfair reputation for being unreliable, but people keep putting underpowered ammunition in it and expecting it to cycle. I also learned about it's little brother, the SPAS-15 that improves the design, by having a 6rnd removable magazine. Great designs by Franchi that, unless I win the lotto and get to come to America, will never get to use in real life. I got a shell ejecting SPAS 12 Gel Blaster for my 40th birthday present last month, and if I wasn't living in Queensland, it would be illegal to own. Hold on to your gun rights, never stop fighting. From your Firearm Deprived Aussie... P.S. Please find that stock cross pin buffer and do a shooting video with this amazing gun. Remember, not all high brass ammo is high power, some manufacturers just add more brass to standard power shells; so they can charge you more.

[@andyd2960]

I have never been crazy about shotguns but the spas-12 is just iconic.

[@paranoiia8]

24:25 For a moment I though he will say: All right, lets put that on a tray xD

[@AyCe]

Nice!

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

MRE Jesus has a new video as well.

[@WayStedYou]

We need forgotten MRE crossover

[@spiritofthetime]

Such a well crafted piece of design, you can see why it became iconic in popular culture.

[@HistoryCollectorsForum]

Clever girl…

[@violakrone8429]

😉

[@MrNeverseeme]

You Beat Me

[@Boneless_Chuck]

British accent, though. So, "Clevah gahl."

[@randysavage1]

I was looking for this

[@TimRobertsen]

I was looking for this :p

[@Floridablaze97]

I used to use this back in the good old days of 2009. The Spetsnaz had no clue what hit em!

[@HeroOfTheDay545]

Thank you for your service.

[@TY-pf6vb]

Mw2

[@LordStarbeard]

@@HeroOfTheDay545 i think he meant Call of Duty 🤣

[@HeroOfTheDay545]

@@LordStarbeard You're telling me the US wasn't engaged with an armed conflict with the Ruskies and were fielding outdated Italian shotguns?

[@olliejabooty6777]

ENEMY AC130 ABOVE!!!!!!!!!!

[@Phantom.Gaming64]

I love this gun. Never fired a real one, but it's such a stylish weapon that if a video-game has a version of it, you can safely bet I'm gonna be using it.

[@deputygunner]

Remember buying one used in 1987 for $150, only had it a week before I traded it for a S&W 58, to a local Deputy Sheriff. It was a blast to shoot LOL

[@anteshell]

16:42 Considering it was designed for tactical operations and such I would say loading one breacher round would be more apt situation. I have hard time to imagine a tactical situation where you are using lethal rounds and actually have time to load in another kind of lethal round.

[@walterscientist]

That is what I heard, that it was so you can load one breaching round while having the tube loaded with regular ammo.

[@redrumsocialclub]

$50 plus shipping to enter your competition? I'll shut my mouth here Ian. Dope gun.

[@MoldyStir-Fry]

Far from forgotten, but still to date one of the absolute coolest shottys of all time.

[@bigfatassviking]

For me the Spas 12 will always be linked to Rutger Hauer and the Hitcher...

[@Xtoxinlolinecronomicon]

RIP. Great actor.

[@Goc4ever]

The SPAS-12 is undoubtedly an icon of pop culture, appeared in many well-known franchises from Terminator to Call Of Duty to Trepang2 and many many others and becoming an iconic gun for both gun enthusiasts and pop culture fans alike😎!

[@brivas3343]

Used to shoot them in the 80s. The J hook is actually pretty useful. It makes the shotgun balance well with one hand. The main problem with them was the o-ring. It is a (very) consumable item and most folks didn't change them out.

[@-Devy-]

Balance well? LMAO That gun is so front heavy.

[@brivas3343]

@@-Devy- The J hook held the back end down well when used hooked correctly.

[@898792]

I actually have spas-12, and it was Ian's first video on the gun, that helped me alot when buying mine.

[@irishijo1]

The Italians certainly know how to make a shotgun.

[@OmegaKillswitch303]

It's pretty awesome to see this. I can see some parallels between the way this assembles and the Benelli M4... The lineage is definitely apparent. Very cool

[@arealbigboss]

You may be thinking: “when would a cop ever need to lean out of the window of a car and one-arm fire his shotgun”? These are *italian* cops, not regular cops.

[@Brian-tn4cd]

Extrapolate pls

[@ncrvako]

@@Brian-tn4cd see napoli, rome, florence and milano criminals, the years of lead and some really hard issues with immigration.

[@paulbarnes2752]

Owned one of these back in the 1980's. When on the semi-auto mode, it was the softest shooting shotgun that I've ever fired.

[@AakeTraak]

Ah, the forgotten SPAS-12

[@thebaricat]

Oh yeeeah, I feel like I remember one being in that game. Where you shoot people. Yeah, that one.

[@theblobconsumes4859]

@@thebaricat Wasn't it the one where you shoot dinosaurs? Or zombies? Can't remember.

[@gabormasli6129]

​@@thebaricatI think it was the one where you shoot bad guys actually

[@shingofan]

As this point, the name of this channel is a misnomer

[@Xtoxinlolinecronomicon]

​@shingofan True. Maybe next vid will be an oldtimer again.

[@mho...]

nothing goes through a Raptor Skull like a Spas12 apart from being soo iconic & just looking good, i really like the addition of the pump mechanic! makes it seem much more reliable/prepared for "issues"!

[@GutterV]

Aww... I was hoping he'd redo or bring in that Jurassic Park clip he made from the previous SPAS-12 video.

[@Matt-md5yt]

glad you did an update of covering the SPAS-12. it's cool weapon

[@JaenEngineering]

Gotta love the fact this is banned in the US but is still perfectly legal (with the fixed stock) in the UK and while I initially thought it had to have a restricted capacity it turns out i was wrong. Turns out there's no capacity restrictions and I even found a UK webshop selling 25 round Saiga drum mags 😮

[@JamesChurchill3]

The boss of my local range owns one. It’s a lovely piece of kit.

[@daemonspudguy]

It's no longer banned in most of America but California, being the state that Ronald Reagan was from, naturally still bans it.

[@JT-nd6qp]

That's gotta be a mistake. Every UK guntuber says the shotgun capacity in the UK is 2+1 for a pump action.

[@JaenEngineering]

@@JT-nd6qp on a basic shotgun certificate yes, but if you have a Section 1 Firearms Certificate it's unrestricted.

[@JT-nd6qp]

@@JamesChurchill3 Which range is that, if I may ask? Would be a dream to try one IRL.

[@johnerdis5094]

Taking that apart looks like nearly as much fun as shooting. Beautifully made functional piece.

[@Bigcat726]

The coolest shotgun ever made

[@DKNguyen3.1415]

Even more than the Pancor Jackhammer?

[@kenibnanak5554]

They had a really good advertising campaign. However a nickname in the 80s amongst many people that actually got to handle one (or who were facing the potential of having to use one) was SPAStic 12.

[@mimisansan3333]

Sabrina finally gets another video

[@noobasdfjkl]

This thing is crazy complicated. I was day dreaming about owning one until Ian started taking the thing apart. Goddamn.

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

Disassemble it one small extra step at a time. Reassemble it; tear it down one step further; reassemble etc. until you are comfortable with it....

[@jaredthehawk3870]

"SPAS-12. It'll hold your incindiaries."

[@JayjayElon]

Some MaGvsog operator in burning Vietnam city

[@mauricestevenson5740]

Oh, ho - a Franchi SPAS-12! Wow! I first met this when I saw a photograph of one in a publication several/many years ago. I thought "cool" and decided I would like to see one in real life. It was a while but one day at a club shoot we were holding an event specifically for shotguns and we had several visitors in attendance. One of these men turned up and, by the amount of ribaldry flying about, he knew several of the longer-term club members and one of his bros asked him what he had brought along. His grin - already pretty wide - got wider as he reached into his vehicle and pulled out - a Franchi SPAS-12! I contained my excitement and got ready for the first match. I got into one of the earlier details, shot my Mossberg for a modest result, and joined the audience to watch the performance of the piece of exotica represented by the Franchi SPAS-12. The Range Officer called "Fire!" and the usual noise started. Except for the Franchi SPAS-12. The owner/operator seemed to be having trouble with it. It would not fire. He checked the controls, tried again, nada, checked the controls, tried again, nada, ejected the shell using the pump-action option, tried again, nada, checked the controls, tried again, nada... you get the picture. When "Cease fire!" was called, there was a pile of shiny new (unfired) shells on the mat and the owner/operator was muttering. Several comments about the expense of a firearm that seemed to be very safe because it was incapable of hurting anyone or anything ensued and someone (I wish I could say it was me) coined the nickname "Jam-O-Matic". The owner/operator withdrew from the field. I saw him again a couple of times over the ensuing years but I was too polite to remind him of his moment of shining ignominy. Now, I am quite happy to suggest that there are reasons for the refusal of this particular Franchi SPAS-12 to perform as promised and expected. The owner/operator might not have read the User Manual in sufficient detail, if at all. The gun might have been a pre-loved specimen with a condition that required resolution. The ammunition might have been unsuited to the gun. I am sure there are other fair and reasonable explanations. But I am unable to see a Franchi SPAS-12 without the term "Jam-O-Matic" popping up - unbidden - in my mind.

[@VaterOrlaag]

Assault import ban is such a nice cover for market protectionism. If only they could define an "assault car".

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

The Chicken Tax defined an assault pick up as "any foreign pickup that screws the USA manufacturers unless we whack 25% tax on them"... and then followed up with the "25 years until you can import foreign cars that are right hand drive".....

[@ciderandthorazine]

as a kid i always thought you could store 4 special-purpose rounds in the circular cutouts of the folding stock assembly. clearly at least two of the cutouts overlap with mechanical bits, and likely none have the appropriate diameter for snugly holding some 12-gauge munitions. i still like the idea though.

[@cuh21]

Feels criminal to be 17s early

[@buitenaards]

This was my go-to backup during my tour in the second wave of 21st-century operations back in '09.

[@jessicasimp4459]

Jurassic Park vibes!!!

[@praetorxian]

Clever Girl

[@jasonsantos3037]

Jurassic Park and Terminator

[@Roethorn_pb]

Feels criminal just to be here, RE-Spazzed SPAS 12!

[@Roethorn_pb]

that said that auto self-safety

[@chaoticiannunez2419]

“Clever Girl.” My dream gun.

[@Anonymous-ks8el]

Ian at some point in the past (maybe at an IRL Q&A) you said the SPAS-12 was obsolete and I always wanted to know why Did something superior replace it? did the requirements change?

[@LedosKell]

My childhood dream gun. It's such a beautiful shotgun.

[@davidcarr7436]

My first issue of Guns and Ammo magazine had a HUGE article on the SPAS. Always wanted one.

[@Drrolfski]

I would actually argue that most of the iconic guns in popular culture are good guns because they saw significant use in the first place before being noticed and picked up by the entertainment industry. Only when rare guns specialists like a certain Ian McCollum get hired for the WW1 shooter game Battlefield 1 do you see all kinds of weird, exotic weapons popping up that rarely saw any real-life use.

[@pillscottvt6628]

The hook also was used to hold it upright on a bench seat in the car when folded.

[@farshadmn4273]

one of the best, if not the best gun in STALKER Games

[@Hxca-ti4oy]

sneeki breeki

[@michaelw2263]

Fun fact, it can shoot two shots at once if you pull the alt fire

[@tariktimsiline2617]

This shotgun was in 1986 The Hitcher's favorite and last weapon ... Interresting video sending back to many decades...

[@jebdunkins6796]

A Weapon to fight Terminators with

[@XingaBoy098]

I always loved how the folded stock changed completely the aesthetics of the gun Unfolded stock? Weird slim long shotgun Folded stock? Oh hello there ol realiable bulky semi auto spas!

[@mosin_man7.62]

DONT SHOOT!! I’M WITH THE SCIENCE TEAM!!

[@newdefsys]

Franchi SPAS Practical application: 5/10 Cool as hell factor: 11/10

[@RocketsQuintupled]

One of my friends in college had one. Spent 100% of the time being broken in one way or another.

[@hoilst265]

Yes, it is Italian.

[@lucignolo8333]

I’m italian and i own a spas 12 for sporting purposes here in italy, he likes very hot ammo, and is actually very reliable. I went skeet shooting and with those low pressure cartridges I’ve experienced the only malfunctions

[@scherry9198]

@@lucignolo8333 I've owned one of these since the late 80s and my experience with ammo mirrors your own. Hot loads are key.

[@BBBBBEDBBBBBUGS]

Hot take (maybe): I actually like the look of the SPAS with the fixed stock

[@carlettoburacco9235]

Governments decisions about weapons are always hilarious: " We ban the import of a weapon, not because it is something for which (perhaps) other reasons can be given for the ban....... but because it looks scary...... we have seen it and verified it in a movie."

[@reliantncc1864]

Never mind the fact that in America, it's perfectly legal to own something like this, just not to import it. For... reasons I suppose.

[@carlettoburacco9235]

@@reliantncc1864 Yep, reasons.... like "you can't have a pistol in 9 Para because it's a too powerful and dangerous military caliber....but you can have the same one in 9x21 IMI that can be loaded to 357m level or a 454 Casull revolver that can take down a TRex" (Italy for decades) or like "you can't have curved sword like a katana, because they are dangerous ninja weapons" (UK) Movie knowledge and culture...... in laws.

[@reliantncc1864]

@@carlettoburacco9235 As far as I'm aware, it's illegal in France to have "military" ammo, but equivalent or more powerful ammo is fine.

[@okami36]

Saw one of these for sale in a pawnshop in Radcliff, KY back in '96/'97. Wish I'd grabbed it.

[@crimsonsnow4465]

Ah, Sabrina. My beloved.

[@anandakang]

Finally, a cultured comment.

[@mamitomoe321]

Fellow SKK, I tip my hat to you.

[@supercreamypudding9841]

make sure to give her a lot of food

[@AM-yr7rz]

Funny how similar (for the most part identical) the spas is to the franchi prestige, the semiauto shotgun I used the last 10 years for hunting, only to replace it this hunting season with the benelli 121 (yes, I'm poor and I use old guns). Greetings from Italy, from an old time viewer!

[@Uncle_Roadkill]

This is a shotgun, Sol.

[@sjbmx]

It's an anti-aircraft gun, Vincent!

[@praetorxian]

Thank you! Nobody mentioned “Snatch”. “It’ll raise some pulses. It’s raise hell!”

[@Hamionder]

I’ve owned a SPAS 12 for several years. It has the original lever safety. It’s never even been engaged, I rely 100% on the “quick” safety.

[@JT-nd6qp]

Are manufacturers ever gonna produce a SPAS-12 clone?

[@KokoB1883]

Loved the Punisher comic cover with him holding the Spas 12 🔥