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Crime & Justice • Firearms

SPAS-12

The SPAS-12 is an Italian 12-gauge combat shotgun made by Franchi from 1979 to 2000.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The SPAS-12 is an Italian 12-gauge combat shotgun manufactured by Franchi from 1979 to 2000. It is known for its dual-mode design, allowing the user to switch between semi-automatic and pump-action operation. The weapon was marketed to military and police users and also sold on the civilian market.

Design

The SPAS-12 is a 12-gauge shotgun designed with dual operating modes: semi-automatic for standard ammunition and pump-action for lower-pressure or less-lethal rounds.

Production history

Franchi produced the SPAS-12 in Italy from 1979 until production ended in 2000.

Use and marketing

The shotgun was intended for military and police users but was also sold on the civilian market, depending on local laws and import rules.

Name and variants

Sources describe the acronym SPAS as meaning Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun, though later marketing also used Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun in some contexts.

Key facts

  • The SPAS-12 was manufactured by Franchi from 1979 to 2000.
  • Its name is commonly expanded as Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun.
  • It is a dual-mode shotgun that can switch between semi-automatic and pump-action operation.
  • The design was aimed at military and police use, especially for varied ammunition types.
  • It was also sold commercially to civilians in some markets.
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Canadian context

The SPAS-12 is of interest to Canadian readers mainly as a historically notable military-style shotgun and as an example of firearms whose availability has been shaped by import and ownership rules in different countries, including Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What does SPAS-12 stand for?
Sources most commonly expand SPAS as Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun; some later sources note Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun in commercial contexts.
Is the SPAS-12 semi-automatic or pump-action?
Both: it is a dual-mode shotgun that can switch between semi-automatic and pump-action operation.
Who made the SPAS-12?
It was made by the Italian firearms company Franchi.
When was the SPAS-12 produced?
Production ran from 1979 to 2000.
What caliber is the SPAS-12?
It is a 12-gauge shotgun.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchi_SPAS-12
    Supports: Manufacturer, production dates, dual-mode operation, and market use.
  2. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPAS-12
    Supports: Acronym expansion and production dates.
  3. Internet Movie Firearms Database — https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Franchi_SPAS-12
    Supports: Dual-mode operation and ammunition rationale.
  4. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kTcclkUT1M
    Supports: Operating concept, intended use with less-lethal ammunition, and general specifications discussed in the video transcript.
  5. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT_zyFpI7r4
    Supports: Historical overview, name change, and import-related commercial context.