Franchi SPAS-15

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
Weight	3.9 kg (8.5 lb) empty
Length	1000 mm (39 in), stock extended 750 mm (30 in), stock folded
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. Amongst Italian troops the weapon is known by the nickname "La Chiave dell'Incursore" (the key of the commando) because it used to blast the locks of closed doors. It was featured in the movie "Showtime" but the true identity of the weapon was not revealed and it was referred to as a "custom job,probably from eastern Europe".

Legality

In 1994, the United States banned the importation of the SPAS-15 with close to 180 shotguns imported, 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.