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Meatball's Featured Reviews |
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Airsoft Core |
By Voodoo Sprout
Published: December 7, 2003
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Real steel background
The Italian SPAS (Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun) 12 is one in a line of semi and fully automatic combat shotguns from Franchi. It is over 20 years old, but it is still highly effective with a capacity of 8+1 shells and a variety of ammunition types. As such, it is popular with Special Forces and counter terrorist teams world wide including the Italian "NOCS", the French "GIGN" and Britain's own Special Air Service, the "SAS". The SPAS 12 is little brother to the SPAS 15, one of a new generation of fully automatic combat shotguns along with the Pancor Jackhammer and the Heckler and Koch CAW (Close Assault Weapon).
First impressions
The first thing you notice about the SPAS, is that it's BIG. Because while being shorter than many assault rifles, this is one fat, chunky cannon. It certainly doesn't feel small when you pick it up, as the pistol grip is at one end with the fore grip seemingly as far away as the manufacturers could get it. The gun is also quite heavy for a springer, and you can defiantly feel it when in a firing position as the gun is extremely front heavy. However, with the exception of the upper barrel and the magazine tube (the cylinder below the barrel) the gun is rather plasticy and squeaks a bit in places, particularly where the two receiver parts meet and the fore grip.
Function
The SPAS 12 was designed by Marui to act like a real shotgun while still being economical. They did this by using a unique system comprising of 3 separate pistons and 3 barrels, to make a trio of bb's spread out rather like a real shotgun which gives the advantage over other airsoft shotguns that each bb fired has the power of an AEG shot. The result of this is that not only does this pack a heavy punch at close range, but the kill zone is expanded form a straight line to a cone shape meaning you don't even have to aim directly at the target to have a good chance of hitting them. This is particularly useful at long range, giving a good spread. Unfortunately, that does mean that occasionally you'll aim right at an enemy only to find that the bb's all spread away from the target. The range is about that of a stock AEG, while the sights are set quite well (although they can be changed if required). The sights themselves are easy to use, with a big hole behind a big blade, useful for snap shooting. A lot of people say the SPAS is hard to cock, but if it's done correctly and quickly most people should be able to use it without problems. It can be harder if the grip or your hands are wet or gloved, but it is possible by pressing a finger against the front edge of the grip. So where does the ammo come from? Well that is another excellent feature of this. 30 rounds can be loaded into replica 12 gauge shotgun shells, or "shot shells" as Marui calls them. These reusable little things as such give you ten shots, which should last you long enough to find a safe place to reload. They are quite cheap (about £20 for a pack of 3 being average), and usefully very small so many can be carried in a pocket or pouch, although I usually have another pouch for empty shells to prevent confusion. The only problem with the shells is that they are easier to lose than rifle or sub machine gun magazines. they are released from inside the gun using a lever on the right side of the gun, just forward of the trigger. There is space in the magazine tube for 2 spare shells, but they are held in by a complex little cap which requires you to pull it out slightly, twist it round a bit and pull some more. To put it back, it is the opposite which is harder than it sounds and totally pointless in a gunfight. In a skirmish, this shotgun has a few advantages and disadvantages. the weather doesn't matter, so no worries about batteries going flat quickly or gas being next to useless. You don't have to buy the power (although eating plenty of energy food can help you cock the thing :-) ) and the spread of the shots is useful. However, having to cock every shot is a big disadvantage, especially when your hiding behind an impossibly small piece of with bb's zipping over your head. The 10 shot magazine also means that once you've fired at an enemy to keep his head down, it won't be long before it pops back again up behind an AEG. As such, it is always best to have at lest one automatic to back you up, especially in CQB situations where the time it takes for you to cock is more than long enough for a second enemy to shoot you.
Upgrades and maintenance
This shottie isn't a bad performer in stock form, and I haven't needed to do anything to the internals. I have, however, taped a small AA cell Maglite torch under the magazine tube. As well as providing a bit of visibility in dark conditions, it is a handy quick aiming device as long as the spot is easily visible. A sling is also a very useful addition, particularly if you get one, which holds shells as well. Being a springer, the SPAS doesn't require the same level of maintenance as an AEG or GBB. But it doesn't hurt doing a bit, and it's a good idea to do a couple of things every now and then. First, it is useful to clean out the barrels (make sure you've done all 3) using the tool provided. If you look inside the shell housing, you can see a number of working parts including the shell release, the pistons, and the ammo feed system. It is a good idea to lubricate these, although if the lube gets to the fixed hop up parts they won't work properly for a few shots, but it does help it to stay functional in the long run. I also apply lube to the cocking mechanism, where the fore grip runs along the receiver. Other parts, which may benefit form a little bit of lubrication, include the trigger and shells (to help prevent jams). Just make sure areas to be lubed are clean. This includes removing old lube, which will often pick up a lot of dirt.
Conclusion
The SPAS is a nice gun, which excels when conditions are less than ideal (not only poor weather, but also when you don't have as much money as you would like :-) ). Quite good in most situations with great reliability, but it is not really adequate when very rapid or prolonged fire is needed. Just make sure you've got A for a lot of shells, most people find 7+ a good number, and B for backup for sticky situations.
- Voodoo Sprout |
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