Can the SPAS 12 be revived?

[Citadelgrad87]

Ergonomically, it was a mess. The stock is too short, the thing is too heavy.

I looked at one pretty hard but couldn't justify the coin on a limited use weapon.

I "settled" for an M1S90, and have never looked back.

[Quiet]

I doubt it. If there really was a huge demand for the SPAS 12, Benelli would not have discontinued the very similar Benelli M3.

Beretta Holding Group owns Franchi and Benelli.

Once the Benelli M3 was developed, Franchi discontinued the SPAS-12.
Reason was because the Benelli is far superior and to reduced competing within the Beretta Holding Group.
Same reason why the Franchi SPAS-15 was discontinued, once the Beretta M3P was produced.

The Benelli M3 has not been discontinued.
It is still available for Gov/Mil/LE agency orders. Due to it's low sales, importation for civilian sales has been severely reduced.

[dwtt]

I had a SPAS 12 and sold it in favor of my Remington 1100. The Remington 1100 is a better shotgun in all respects except showing off to nonshooters. If you really want the feel of a SPAS12, just hang 5 pounds on the front of any semiauto shotgun.

[Mute]

The SPAS 12 is a heavy, clunky shotgun with the ability to be both pump and semi-auto, so it can cycle a wide variety of ammo for specialized purposes.

Not sure who wants this in 2016 who can't get an M3.

This. Had one in the late 80's. Sold it. Never missed it. It works fine, but just way to big and unwieldy, with no real benefits unless you plan on firing a lot of 3 1/2" shells. Then, the weight might be nice to have.

[SJulian10mm]

I had a SPAS 12 and sold it in favor of my Remington 1100. The Remington 1100 is a better shotgun in all respects except showing off to nonshooters. If you really want the feel of a SPAS12, just hang 5 pounds on the front of any semiauto shotgun.

[emoji38]

[hermosabeach]

Gamer

Imagine the massive influx of people willing to buy and own one.

The Franchi SPAS-12 is a combat shotgun manufactured by Italian firearms company Franchi from 1979 to 2000. Production stopped fully in the year 2000 in favour of the newer, enhanced version, the SPAS-15, however, production of the SPAS-15 ceased in 2005, meaning there are currently no SPAS shotguns being produced. The SPAS-12 is a dual-mode shotgun, adjustable for semi-automatic or pump-action operation. The SPAS-12 was sold to military and police users worldwide on the civilian market, and has been featured in many movies, TV shows and video games.[1]

[hermosabeach]

The gun is similar to the Desert Eagle in that it has a very unique look....

It is an old design and did not sell that well and was dropped from production... referring tot he Spas 12 & 15... If it sold well, they would still make it...

I just checked Gun Broker and they are for sale and for a price lower than a Benelli M4.



OP-
Why do you think it would sell well? What is it about the gun that you can not find with the Benelli M4? or a long list of modern shotguns.... Or even the Benelli M3- Gas/ Pump gun

[BigPimping]

If you grew up in the 80s, that was the iconic shotgun. I would buy it in a minute.

[GW]

Cant technically someone, or some company buy or license the design, and begin manufacturing them inside the US?

Imagine the massive influx of people willing to buy and own one.

Oh yeah, because look at all the militaries and LE agencies that use them. They're heavy and cumbersome and it offers no advantage over more traditional designs.
It's a novelty gun, like the old Mossberg Bullpup or their "Chainsaw" except that Mossberg could try these ridiculous experiments at minimal cost to themselves. Setting up an entirely new production line for this would be a bad decision

[Stanze]

VEPR 12 FTW. Faster to reload 10 rounds even with the bullet-button.

[Jimmybacon43]

If they made a pump action only version of the SPAS 12 I would buy that thing so fast. Even if it was just a look alike made by a different company, which I'm sure would be very possible.

Look at the other already very similar looking firearms that are on the market. Ruger likes to copy designs of others, their American bolt action rifle is basically a copy of the Savage Axis, they look very similar externally and function very similarly, their SR22 is pretty much a copy of the Walther P22, the LCP is a copy of the Kel Tec P3-AT

So yeah if someone made a look alike SPAS 12 that was pump action only I would totally pick it up. I don't know enough about patents and licensing to determine the legality of it but I'm guessing if it functioned differently and was a completely different design from the original (like it being pump action only) then it would probably be allowed to be made.

I mean hell, if there's a market for a double barreled pump action shotgun there sure as hell's a market for a new SPAS 12

[EvoXguy]

Only wimps used the hook...







-- Michael

The Hitcher

[mif_slim]

Miculek made a video on the SPAZ....and i think.eveey video gamer would buy one just like most the gamers i know want a Rem700 just because.

[major burnout]

The people who write gun laws are the dumbest people on earth. Damn they are dumb.

[elSquid]

The Hitcher

A great B movie and a memorable performance by Hauer.

The final showdown... with the SPAS....( NSFW! )



-- Michael