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Franchi SPAS-15 (Italy)

Type: Selective semi-auto (Gas operated, rotating bolt) or manual pump action
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 70mm (2 1/2").
Barrel length: 450 mm
Overall length: 1000 mm (750mm with butt folded)
Weight: 3.9 kg empty
Magazine: 6 rounds detachable box

The Franchi SPAS 15 shotgun is a further development of the earlier SPAS-12 shotgun. SPAS-15 is intended as a law enforcement or a military weapon, that require reliability, versatility and firepower. The firepower is achieved by using detachable, single stack box magazines along with the gas-operated semi-automatic action, so multiple shots could be fired in quick succession and magazine could be changed much faster than reloading a conventional tubular shotgun magazine. The versatility is achieved by complementing the semi-automatic action with manually selectable pump action, which allows to fire low pressure ammunition, such as less lethal tear gas or rubber slug projectiles.

SPAS 15 utilizes short piston stroke, rotating bolt gas operated action. The gas chamber and cylinder are located above the barrel, the bolt group is mounted on the dual guide rods along with the recoil springs and could be removed as a single unit for ease of maintenance. The type of action (semi-automatic, or manual pump) is selected by the position of the forearm. To put the gun into the AUTO mode, one must push and hold the button, located at the top of the forearm, and then pull the forearm all the way forward until the red marking "auto" will appear on the barrel shroud. To switch gun back to the PUMP mode one must push and hold the same button and then pull the forearm a little back until it will lock and the red marking "PUMP" will appear on the barrel shroud ahead of forearm. The cocking handle is completely ambidextrous and located at the top of the receiver, under the carrying handle. SPAS-15 features a manual safety lever, located inside the triggerguard, that locks the trigger when engaged, and an additional automatic grip safety at the pistol handle, under the triggerguard. 

SPAS-15 feature a set of open, rifle type adjustable sights, and could be equipped with various additional sighting devices, such as red dot sights or laser pointers. The receiver of SPAS-15 is made from aluminum alloy, the furniture is made from polymer plastics. Earlier models were equipped with fixed plastic buttstock or with side-folding skeleton type metallic buttstocks. Recent production models are equipped with side-folding, solid plastic buttstocks. Magazines are made from plastic and can hold up to 6 rounds of 12 gauge shotgun ammunition. Barrels had a cylindrical bore and can be equipped with Variochoke system.

The SPAS-15 is a high quality, reliable and versatile arm, and it is being used by various law enforcement and military agencies, including some units of Italian army.

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