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Franchi SPAS-15

{{short description|Italian combat shotgun}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{Infobox weapon

| name = Franchi SPAS-15

| image = SPAS15.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = SPAS-15

| origin = Italy

| type = Combat shotgun

| is_ranged = Yes

| service = 1986–present

| used_by = See Users

| wars =

| designer = Franchi

| design_date = 1984

| manufacturer = Franchi

| unit_cost =

| production_date = 1986–2005

| number =

| variants =

| spec_label =

| weight = * 3.9 kg (8.5 lb) empty

| length = * 1000 mm (39 in), stock extended

  • 750 mm (30 in), stock folded

| part_length = * 450 mm (18 in)

| width =

| height =

| diameter =

| cartridge = 12 gauge

| action = Pump-action/gas-actuated, rotating boltFirearms, an illustrated guide to small arms of the world, di Chris McNab

| rate = Semi-automatic

| velocity =

| range = 40 m (130 ft)

| max_range =

| feed = 3 or 6-round detachable box magazine{{Cite book|url=http://spas12.com/spas15-manual.pdf|title=Franchi SPAS-15 Manual|pages=2}}

| sights =

}}

The Franchi SPAS-15 is a dual-mode 12 gauge combat shotgun manufactured by the Italian company Luigi Franchi S.P.A.

Design

File:SPAS15.jpg

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.{{cite book|last = Jones| first = Richard| title = Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010 | publisher = Jane's Information Group| year = 2009| isbn =978-0-7106-2869-5 | page =308}}{{cite book |last= Walter |first= John|author-link= |date= 2002|title= The World's Elite Forces: Small Arms and Accessories|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5sS4OAAACAAJ|location= |publisher= Greenhill|page= 57|isbn=9781853674969}}

Unlike its predecessor, the SPAS-15 is fed by a detachable box magazine. 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.

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.{{cn|date=November 2023}}

Legality

In Italy, the SPAS-15 is a common weapon for both law enforcement and civilians.{{cn|date=November 2023}}

In Canada, the SPAS-15 is classified as a Prohibited Weapon and cannot be legally owned or imported except under very limited circumstances.[http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/rp-eng.htm List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211000641/http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/rp-eng.htm |date=11 February 2010 }}, Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC)

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

  • {{flag|Argentina}}: Used by Grupo Alacrán.{{Cite web |date=2016-11-24 |title=wiw_sa_argentina - worldinventory |url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_argentina |access-date=2023-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124203421/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_argentina |archive-date=24 November 2016 }}
  • {{flag|Brazil}}: Used by BOPE, BFEsp,{{Cite web |date=2016-06-02 |title=wiw_sa_brazil - worldinventory |url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_brazil |access-date=2022-11-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602220038/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_brazil |archive-date=2 June 2016 }} Federal Highway Police{{Cite web |date=2018-06-04 |title=The Brazilian truckers strike: PRF firearms in use - |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/06/04/the-brazilian-truckers-strike-prf-firearms-in-use/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=The Firearm Blog |language=en-US}} and Military Police GRT unit{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}. Small numbers were also acquired by Federal Police in 2002 but retired due to reliability issues.
  • {{flag|India}}: National Security Guard.{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/597178/nsg-gets-shot-arm-grenade.html|access-date=2023-01-16 |title=NSG gets shot in arm with grenade lobbing UAVs, dogo robo }}
  • {{flag|Italy}}: 2,000 acquired in 1999 by the Italian Army.{{cite web |url=http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200712031402131.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-02-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025200453/http://asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200712031402131.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }} Also used by the Carabinieri.{{Cite web |url=http://www.carabinieri.it/Internet/Arma/Oggi/Armamento/Armamento+speciale/Spas15/ |title=Arma dei Carabinieri - Home - l'Arma - Oggi - Armamento - Armamento speciale - Fucile ad anima liscia Franchi SPAS 15 MIL |access-date=20 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208162117/http://www.carabinieri.it/Internet/Arma/Oggi/Armamento/Armamento+speciale/Spas15 |archive-date=8 December 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
  • {{flag|Israel}}: Israeli special forces{{Cite web |url=http://www.isayeret.com/content/weapons/shotguns/overview.shtml |title=Isayeret.com | the Israeli Special Forces Database |access-date=7 June 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160731154727/http://www.isayeret.com/content/weapons/shotguns/overview.shtml |archive-date=31 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
  • {{flag|Malaysia}}{{cite web |url=http://www.tactical-life.com/online/special-weapons/malaysian-special-forces |title=Malaysian Special Forces |first=Leroy |last=Thompson |date=December 3, 2008 |work=Tactical Life |access-date=2010-02-10}}
  • {{flag|Portugal}}: Portuguese Army.{{cite web|url=http://www.exercito.pt/meios/Documents/media_MeiosOp/Armamento/ESP+CA%C3%87+SEMI-AUT+FRANCHI-SPAS.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117213826/http://www.exercito.pt/meios/Documents/media_MeiosOp/Armamento/ESP%20CA%C3%87%20SEMI-AUT%20FRANCHI-SPAS.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 2016|date=17 January 2016|access-date=29 May 2018|title=Franchi SPAS}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://spas12.com/spas15-manual.pdf Manual]
  • [https://modernfirearms.net/en/shotguns/italy-shotguns/franchi-spas-15-eng/ Franchi SPAS-15] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20050805020221/http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh06-e.htm archive]) at Modern Firearms
  • [http://www.franchiusa.com/ Franchi Homepage in English]
  • [https://patents.google.com/patent/US4805333 magazine patent]

Category:Pump-action shotguns

Category:Semi-automatic shotguns of Italy

Category:Shotguns of Italy

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1986

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