| SPAS-15 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Combat shotgun |
| Place of origin |
 Italy |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Franchi S.p.A. |
| Produced | 1986 - 2005 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.9 kg (8.5 lb) empty |
| Length |
|
| Barrel length | 450 mm (18 in) |
|
| |
| Cartridge | 12 gauge |
| Caliber | 18.5 x 76 mmR (2.75 in) smooth bore |
| Action | Pump-action / gas-actuated, rotating bolt [1] |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Effective firing range | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Feed system | 3, 6 or 8-round detachable box magazine |
The SPAS-15 is a dual-mode 12 gauge combat shotgun manufactured by the Italian company Luigi Franchi S.p.A..
Design[]
The weapon is based on the SPAS-12, and has similar pump-action/semi-automatic firing modes. In semi-automatic mode a gas piston drives a bolt carrier and rotating bolt. In pump-action mode the same components are driven by sliding the fore-end backwards. Pump-action mode is required to reliably fire low-pressure (less lethal) ammunition such as tear gas rounds or less-lethal bean bags. Switching between firing modes is done by pressing a button above the foregrip, and sliding the foregrip slightly forwards or backwards. The barrel is chrome lined and features screw-in choke tubes.[2]
Unlike its predecessor, the SPAS-15 is fed by a detachable box magazine. The gun features a folding stock and a pistol grip safety.
Legality[]
In 1996, the United States banned the importation of the SPAS-15, but later abolished the relevant regulations. In Canada, the SPAS-15 is classified as a Prohibited Weapon and cannot be legally owned or imported except under very limited circumstances.[3] In Italy the SPAS-15 is not subject to any kind of restriction for sale, purchase or possession, and despite no longer being in production it is still fairly common on the civilian market.
Users[]
Belarus: Used by the "Almaz" anti-terrorist group.[4]
Italy: Acquired in 1999 by the Italian Army.[5]- Portugal: Portuguese Army.[6]
- Serbia: Special Brigade.[7]
- Tunisia: Tunisian Armed Forces.[8]
See also[]
- KSK shotgun
- List of shotguns
References[]
- ↑ Firearms, an illustrated guide to small arms of the world, di Chris McNab
- ↑ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 308. ISBN 0-7106-2869-2.
- ↑ List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms, Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC)
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VEykPjHWp8&feature=related
- ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20110707174225/http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200712031402131.pdf
- ↑ http://www.exercito.pt/meios/Documents/media_MeiosOp/Armamento/ESP%20CAÇ%20SEMI-AUT%20FRANCHI-SPAS.pdf
- ↑ http://militaryworld.wordpress.com/2009/10/03/specijalna-brigada-vojske-srbije/
- ↑ http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JV7_JbaLQh0/TzE4ai_EtXI/AAAAAAAAOoA/HcvjumhBeJ4/s400/1image.jpg
External links[]
- Manual
- Franchi SPAS-15 at Modern Firearms
- Franchi Homepage in English
The original article can be found at Franchi SPAS-15 and the edit history here.