SPAS 12 Shotgun

[tonelar]

djandj, thanks for posting that link/ I couldn't find it for my initial post. every SPAS-12 owner should read Chris's site from page to page.

Mine started kicking a little harder and i realized the butt-stock shock absorber was hardened and brittle, have you changed yours out yet?

For the record, I change my Gas Tube O-ring every so often, mine shoots some light loads in semi really well. Not talking bird and skeet loads, but definitely #4-#7 buck.

The reason they aren't getting the big $$$ on gunbroker etc is because there are a TON of opinions about it from people who have never owned much less shot the SPAS 12. Mostly people parroting what their brother's sister's cousin told them. I sold my newer model a number of years ago for about a grand. Luckily I caught a Benelli for under a grand back then. Between the two, the Benelli is a lot faster and more confidence inspiring in a SHTF situation. However, I like shooting that SPAS-12 on the range a TON more than the Benelli.

[Endless]

they were $500-$515 OTD when I bought my pair
i sold one a few years ago yo fund a sweet M1 Benelli / kept one cause it's RAWd and runs great (mostly cause i read the owner's manual)



i love shooting mine folded

NICE ONE ENDLESS! Shoot it in good health...

PS just make sure you keep an eye on the internal buffer

Yes, I read that page and will keep an eye on the buffer.
I had to trade since it was brand new in the box. A rare find.

[randy]

If you want a shooter you'd be better off with a Benelli. If you are more concerned with showing it to people then buy that.

[Endless]

If you want a shooter you'd be better off with a Benelli. If you are more concerned with showing it to people then buy that.

Not really. Already been through the M3 and M4 Benelli. Those are simple and easy to find. Under $1200 as well so in the "cheaper can get any day of the week" category.

Been there done that and just added this to my collection. Not saying the Benelli is a bad gun at all. Owned them.. Infact here are some of my Benelli accessories on my SPAS now...lol

Putting my C-more on here too..

[ih8ca]

I bought a clean used spas 12 without the folding stock on gunbroker a few years ago for around $900 to $950. It sucks because I have to leave it in Wa and can't bring it to CA. When I was looking for it, they were always on gunbroker. Also I saw a used one at a gunshow in Wa for $1,000 recently.

[Endless]

I bought a clean used spas 12 without the folding stock on gunbroker a few years ago for around $900 to $950. It sucks because I have to leave it in Wa and can't bring it to CA. When I was looking for it, they were always on gunbroker. Also I saw a used one at a gunshow in Wa for $1,000 recently.

This one was a 1990 model. One of the very last new ones. This one will easily go if I keep it unfired for $1500 and up. The pricetag from 1990 says $1100.

[Rob454]

You'd lose that bet... $500 was money, but it wasn't BIG money. HK91's and Valmet M78's were BIG MONEY at $1100 back then.

In the latter half of the 1980's people in CA were just getting rumours of an impending ban- so a nice AK was $450 A2 ARs were over $750. The HK M1Super90 was $600.

A milled receiver Norinco SKS was about $200.

I bought a used CAR15 (all COLT) and a Model A UZI for $550 each (to give you an idea).

All this changed as 1988-89 rolled up and suddenly the LAW 12 was almost $900 at Trader's in San Leandro.

(AND FOR THE RECORD: I was agreeing with your "to begin with" post. They weren't CHEAP in the 80's- a nice shotgun was about $250 in the 80's. Just telling someone that $1500 is a STEAL is a little misleading considering a nice SPAS 12 should set you back about $1000 now-a-days. Maybe even less as it's a buyer's market lately.)

Should would could means absolutely nothing and you know that as well as I do. how many SPAS 12s do you see come up for sale and HOW MANY can you legally purchase in california NOW? Oh yeah none for the average citizen. So you are limited on who you can sell to and who can buy also unless you go out of state. Were not talking about a cali legal AR or AK. SPAS 12s are not legal in Cali cause they are listed AW. IMO considering what the gun is that he can own it and the actual rarity of the gun itself ( in all my years of owning and having friends with guns Ive seen two and held and shot one.)
As for the 500$ in the 80s that was a lot of money. Considering minimum wage was 2.75 a hour later 3.25$ 500$ was a lot of money. Maybe for you it wasn't but to a lot of people that was a good chunk of change. Either way I stand by my statement due to the rarity, and availability and BNIB condition I think it wasnt a bad deal. personally I think its worth more than that if I were to sell it

[Mute]

Too heavy and poorly balanced for serious use. Fun enough for general use and it's certainly unique.

[ChrisTKHarris]

Oh herro EndlessAP1.

[Q]

Nice!

[faterikcartman]

It looks cool, evil, and illegal. I've bought guns for lesser reasons. Desire ends in satisfaction.

[stix213]

I've liked the look of this shotgun ever since I was younger and saw good old Jurassic Park in the theaters. I think I've always just liked how that stock folds up on it (wonder if I can get a similar stock for my Mossy 500???)



Though I can't say this movie was good advertising for the gun, as it eventually jammed when defending against Velociraptors

[supermario]

The SPAS is the original evil shotgun! I'm pretty sure the spas was the first to utilize the both semi/pump function, the pump function was a plus so that you could manually pump out a shell if jammed in semi auto! Also the spas uses a slug barrel, so if u put some Hornady sabot slugs, its gonna be pretty deadly even out to 200yds! Cool purchase, great shotgun even though others say different! Majority of people never even held one! I shot one when I was in my teens! Fun shotgun!

[Endless]

The SPAS is the original evil shotgun! I'm pretty sure the spas was the first to utilize the both semi/pump function, the pump function was a plus so that you could manually pump out a shell if jammed in semi auto! Also the spas uses a slug barrel, so if u put some Hornady sabot slugs, its gonna be pretty deadly even out to 200yds! Cool purchase, great shotgun even though others say different! Majority of people never even held one! I shot one when I was in my teens! Fun shotgun!

I agree with you. Only thing I feel sick about is I lost my new condition FN FS2000 in the trade however I looked at it as I can always buy another one of those or trade for one here. I really liked it but it pails in comparison to the SPAS since I wanted it since I was a teen. The $3000+ FN FS2000 is what I lost for the SPAS which is in a $1500-$2000 condition if I was ever going to sell it but I am not.
I honestly am going to buy another FN FS2000 probably this Summer. It was just the State Trooper was about to sell it and I didnt have $2000 on me. lol

[pyromensch]

When you turn the hook 90 degrees to the outside, it's a perfect cradle for your arm and stabilizes the shotgun for one-handed operation. I owned one of these in the late 80's (in Oregon) and loved it. I sold it when I needed some money for college ($500!) and that is currently one of my only regrets in life... oh well, things could be worse!

FWIW, mine was incredibly reliable and very easy to control while shooting semi-auto as fast as you can pull the trigger. It also makes a VERY distinct, metallic *chank* sound as the bolt cycled - love that sound.

thanks arnold!