Franchi SPAS-15
| Franchi SPAS-15 | |
|---|---|
| File:SPAS15.jpg SPAS-15 | |
| Type | Combat shotgun |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1986–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Lebanese Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Franchi |
| Designed | 1984[1] |
| Manufacturer | Franchi |
| Produced | 1986–2005 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass |
|
| Length |
|
| Barrel length |
|
| Cartridge | 12 gauge |
| Action | Pump-action/gas-actuated, rotating bolt[2] |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Effective firing range | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Feed system | 3 or 6-round detachable box magazine[3] |
The Franchi SPAS-15 is a dual-mode 12 gauge combat shotgun manufactured by the Italian company Luigi Franchi S.P.A.
Design
[edit | edit source]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.[4][1]
Unlike its predecessor, the SPAS-15 is fed by a detachable box magazine.[1] The gun features either a fixed black wooden stock or a side folding metal stock. Both had the same pistol grip safety.
Additionally, a semi-auto only variant called SPAS-16 was manufactured in small numbers.[1]
Amongst Italian troops the weapon is known by the nickname "La Chiave dell'Incursore" (the key of the commando) because it is used to blast the locks of closed doors.[citation needed]
Legality
[edit | edit source]In Italy, the SPAS-15 is a common weapon for both law enforcement and civilians.[citation needed]
In Canada, the SPAS-15 is classified as a Prohibited Weapon and cannot be legally owned or imported except under very limited circumstances.[5]
In 1994, the United States banned the importation of the SPAS-15 with close to 180 shotguns imported, but later abolished the relevant regulations.
Users
[edit | edit source]- File:Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina: Used by Grupo Alacrán.[6]
- File:Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil: Used by BOPE, BFEsp,[7] Federal Highway Police[8] and Military Police GRT unit[citation needed]. Small numbers were also acquired by Federal Police in 2002 but retired due to reliability issues.[8]
- File:Flag of India.svg India: National Security Guard.[9]
- File:Flag of Italy.svg Italy: 2,000 acquired in 1999 by the Italian Army.[10] Also used by the Carabinieri.[11]
- File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel: Israeli special forces[12]
- File:Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia[13]
- File:Flag of Portugal (official).svg Portugal: Portuguese Army.[14]
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Non-state users
[edit | edit source]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c d Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Firearms, an illustrated guide to small arms of the world, di Chris McNab
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms Archived 11 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC)
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
[edit | edit source]- Manual
- Franchi SPAS-15 (archive) at Modern Firearms
- Franchi Homepage in English
- magazine patent
