The Iconic SPAS 12

Lord Vader

The SPAS 12 was a law enforcement shotgun made by Franchi from the 1970's until the late 1980's. It was a dual mode semi automatic and pump action 12 gauge shotgun.

It came with many variants, including a fixed stock with pistol grip and 6+1 capacity. The most popular and valuable variant was the one with a 21.5" barrel, extended magazine tube to be an 8+1 capacity, and the top folding stock with a hook. The variant used in Jurassic Park was the 8+1, top folding stock without the hook.

In Jurassic Park, the SPAS 12 was used by the Game Warden, Robert Muldoon. Despite the fact that he never fired it throughout the course of the movie, it would appear that it had served him well prior to his death. The shotgun was used however, but the damage done to the pane of glass, as well as the sound it produced, didn't do the weapon justice.

It was discontinued in 1989 when Franchi was bought out by Benelli, and their law enforcement models were discontinued. Among the models discontinued were the SPAS 12, and several of its sister shotguns, such as the SPAS 15 (same as the 12, but magazine fed instead of tube), as well as the LAW 12, Franchi PA8 and Franchi PA7.

SPAS 15

LAW 12

PA8 and PA7

UCMP 118742

Pretty interesting.

Raptor-401

Interesting. reminds me of the part in the first book of when Muldoon throws a rant at Hammond of how they should have gotten better guns for the park, and then all they had was a pistol and a few bazookas against the dinosaurs.

x_paden_x

Very interesting Weapons tidbit. 

A question for you, Because I know how much you enjoy fire arms.

What gun would muldoon have used, If they had done the books varient of said weapon?

Rex Fan 684

I'm actually kinda surprised it took you this long to make a discussion about the SPAS 12, haha. Cool info.

Lord Vader

Muldoon would have used a custom M72 LAW with a laser sight if the movie used book weapons. I'm not sure what other weapons Muldoon had in the book, I haven't read it in a month or two, and my memory is pretty bad. 

I personally think that Muldoon (Bob Peck actually) made the SPAS 12 Badass. If he used a tactical Remington 870, I'd be in heaven because I could have an exact replica of Muldoon's shotgun because the 870 is legal.

Searching the internet for shotguns for sale (Franchi PA8 to be exact), I found a website with 6 tactical Franchi's for sale. 1 PA8, and 5 SPAS 12 (one was Florida, one was Texas, one was, Rex Fan might be interested, Pensilvania). The SPAS's ranged from $1200 to $6000 (in mint condition, WITH the hook).

I was bored as f*ck today, I was tempted to start TS:JP a day early and post Chapter 1 this morning.

Lord Vader

One of the SPAS's on that website was the pre ban model. The pre ban model I'm telling you! The one that only less than 200 were imported with before they were banned as SPAS 12 was changed from "Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun" to "Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun." 

Is it wrong that I have a grudge against Benelli and the Canadian Government? Seriously, 5 round semi automatic for centre fire (anything higher cap is illegal), were they f**king stoned when they made that law? Or did they just watch too many war movies? Seriously, five rounds! I'm getting attacked by a freaking bear and all I have is a 30-06! Five rounds (if you don't have time to aim very well) isn't going to save me! Neither the 25 round .22 I keep with me.

Damn Canadian gun laws. Centre fire Semi is a 5 round limit.

Centre fire bolt action or pump action, who gives a damn about capacity?

Rimfire in General, who give a damn about capacity? 

Some people can fire a pump action faster than some can fire a Semi. .22 is accurate for 150 yards or so. I can fire a pump action 12 gauge fast enough that my friend thought I was using an automatic (not semi, automatic). My friends think the speed I can use a bolt action at is really fast (it is, quarter of a second after the shot and I've got the next one chambered and ready).

Raptor-401

Our countries all have dumb laws.

Lord Vader

One of the SPAS 12s I saw for sale was in Arizona.

Raptor-401

I live there. Of course I can't get it, though.

Rex Fan 684

Show's how you can get just about anything in America, haha(that's a bit of an exageration, haha).

indiana jones

Lord Vader

You kidding? Shotguns beat everything for close range.

Shows why I want to move to Texas. At the same time though, I'd trade Canadian Alcohol laws for American Gun laws in a heart beat. So what if I have to wait an extra two years before I can (legally) have a cold beer?

Raptor-401

Eh, tust me, not everything is as good as it seems.

indiana jones

Raptor-401

Also, I don't get the concept of beer. It tastes nasty and SMELLS nasty. My dad said he FORCED himself to like it, why FORCE yourself to like something that is bad?

Lord Vader

Perpetual winter where I have next to nothing in commen With anyone or endless summer where I can relate to everyone with something about and go fishing and hunting, and NOT be looked at as "cruel" or a "murderer?" 

indiana jones

Lord Vader

I prefer liquor myself Raptor. Ever have Brandy beans? I won a box at a family thing, and it must have equalled a litre or so of liquor in the whole thing, and I ate them all. 

indiana jones

indiana jones

Lord Vader

So? What's your point? I snuck a Budweiser when I was 12.

Lord Vader

If anyone is wondering, no, I'm not an alcoholic.

Raptor-401

Well, I just don't like liquor at all. I have tasted wine at a church before, and don't like it. Why spend so much money on drink that you most likely have to FORCE yourself to like? Also, you save more money, too.

Lord Vader

Once again, it's all opinions. Remember, I'm the guy who likes country music. I love a drinking song (One in every crowd, Red Solo cup, and so on).

Raptor-401

Eh, still like to save money...

Lord Vader

Having a beer is a once in a while thing for most people. Usually a Friday after work or at a party. There's just the occassional alcoholohic. My friends wouldn't be surprised if I had a six pack once a month or so.

Raptor-401

Eh, some people have half a pack in one day but they're not alcoholics. Still, the only beer I like is ROOT beer... now I crave one...

Lord Vader

It's the people who get drunk all the time who are alcoholics. I could easily see myself getting my hands on a six pack and going through it in a few hours.

Raptor-401

...

Same with me and Dr. Pepper...

Lord Vader

I can go through half a pop bottle in one go and a few seconds. I went through a 2 litre bottle of root beer in a few minutes.