Franchi SPAS-15: Difference between revisions

Franchi SPAS-15
Franchi SPAS-15
Type	Combat shotgun
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
In service	1986–present
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Franchi
Designed	1984
Manufacturer	Franchi
Produced	1986–2005
Specifications
Mass	3.9 kg (8.5 lb) empty;
Length	1000 mm (39 in), stock extended; 750 mm (30 in), stock folded;
Barrel length	450 mm (18 in);
Cartridge	12 gauge
Action	Pump-action/gas-actuated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	Semi-automatic
Effective firing range	40 m (130 ft)
Feed system	3 or 6-round detachable box magazine

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

Design

The Franchi SPAS-15, a smoothbore shotgun, used by the Italian Army.

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

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

Argentina: Used by Grupo Alacrán.^[6]
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]
India: National Security Guard.^[9]
Italy: 2,000 acquired in 1999 by the Italian Army.^[10] Also used by the Carabinieri.^[11]
Israel: Israeli special forces^[12]
Malaysia^[13]
Portugal: Portuguese Army.^[14]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Walter, John (2002). The World's Elite Forces: Small Arms and Accessories. Greenhill. p. 57. ISBN 9781853674969.
^ Firearms, an illustrated guide to small arms of the world, di Chris McNab
^ Franchi SPAS-15 Manual (PDF). p. 2.
^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
^ List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms Archived 11 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC)
^ "wiw_sa_argentina - worldinventory". 24 November 2016. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
^ "wiw_sa_brazil - worldinventory". 2 June 2016. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b "The Brazilian truckers strike: PRF firearms in use -". The Firearm Blog. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
^ "NSG gets shot in arm with grenade lobbing UAVs, dogo robo". Retrieved 16 January 2023.
^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Arma dei Carabinieri - Home - l'Arma - Oggi - Armamento - Armamento speciale - Fucile ad anima liscia Franchi SPAS 15 MIL". Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
^ "Isayeret.com | the Israeli Special Forces Database". Archived from the original on 31 July 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
^ Thompson, Leroy (3 December 2008). "Malaysian Special Forces". Tactical Life. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
^ "Franchi SPAS" (PDF). 17 January 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2018.

External links

Manual
Franchi SPAS-15 (archive) at Modern Firearms
Franchi Homepage in English
magazine patent

This article relating to shotguns is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[Walter-1] Walter, John (2002). The World's Elite Forces: Small Arms and Accessories. Greenhill. p. 57. ISBN 9781853674969.

[2] Firearms, an illustrated guide to small arms of the world, di Chris McNab

[3] Franchi SPAS-15 Manual (PDF). p. 2.

[Jones-4] Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.

[5] List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms Archived 11 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC)

[6] "wiw_sa_argentina - worldinventory". 24 November 2016. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2023.

[7] "wiw_sa_brazil - worldinventory". 2 June 2016. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2022.

[:0-8] "The Brazilian truckers strike: PRF firearms in use -". The Firearm Blog. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2022.

[9] "NSG gets shot in arm with grenade lobbing UAVs, dogo robo". Retrieved 16 January 2023.

[10] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[11] "Arma dei Carabinieri - Home - l'Arma - Oggi - Armamento - Armamento speciale - Fucile ad anima liscia Franchi SPAS 15 MIL". Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.

[12] "Isayeret.com | the Israeli Special Forces Database". Archived from the original on 31 July 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.

[13] Thompson, Leroy (3 December 2008). "Malaysian Special Forces". Tactical Life. Retrieved 10 February 2010.

[14] "Franchi SPAS" (PDF). 17 January 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2018.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|Italian combat shotgun}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
-{{Lead too short|date=May 2010}}
 {{Infobox weapon
 | name               = Franchi SPAS-15
-| image              = Franchi SPAS 15.png
+| image              =
-| image_size         = 300
+| image_size         =
 | caption            =
 | origin             = Italy
@@ Line 11: / Line 10: @@
 <!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = Yes
 <!-- Service history -->| service            = 1986–present
-| used_by            = See ''[[Franchi SPAS-15#Users|Users]]''
+| used_by            = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
 | wars               = <!-- Production history -->
 | designer           = [[Franchi (firearms)|Franchi]]
-| design_date        = 1986
+| design_date        = 1984<ref name="Walter" />
 | manufacturer       = [[Franchi (firearms)|Franchi]]
 | unit_cost          =
@@ Line 34: / Line 33: @@
 | range              = 40 m (130 ft)
 | max_range          =
-| feed               = 2 or 6-round detachable [[Magazine (firearms)|box magazine]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://spas12.com/spas15-manual.pdf|title=Franchi SPAS-15 Manual|pages=2}}</ref>
+| feed               = 3 or 6-round detachable [[Magazine (firearms)|box magazine]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://spas12.com/spas15-manual.pdf|title=Franchi SPAS-15 Manual|pages=2}}</ref>
 | sights             =
 }}
@@ Line 41: / Line 40: @@
 ==Design==
+[[File:SPAS15.jpg|thumb|The Franchi SPAS-15, a smoothbore shotgun, used by the Italian Army.]]
-The weapon is based on the [[Franchi SPAS-12|SPAS-12]], and has similar [[pump-action]]/[[Semi-automatic firearm|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 [[Shotgun#Pattern and choke|choke tubes]].<ref name="Jones">{{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}}</ref>
+The weapon is based on the [[Franchi SPAS-12|SPAS-12]], and has similar [[pump-action]]/[[Semi-automatic firearm|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 [[Shotgun#Pattern and choke|choke tubes]].<ref name="Jones">{{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}}</ref><ref name="Walter">{{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}}</ref>
-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]]. 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.
+Unlike its predecessor, the SPAS-15 is fed by a detachable box magazine.<ref name="Walter" /> 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.<ref name="Walter" />
+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 1994, the United States banned the importation of the SPAS-15 with close to 180 shotguns imported, but later abolished the relevant regulations. In Canada, the SPAS-15 is classified as a [[Possession and Acquisition Licence|Prohibited Weapon]] and cannot be legally owned or imported except under very limited circumstances.<ref>[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)</ref> In Italy, the SPAS-15 is a common weapon for law enforcers and civilians.
+In Canada, the SPAS-15 is classified as a [[Possession and Acquisition Licence|Prohibited Weapon]] and cannot be legally owned or imported except under very limited circumstances.<ref>[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)</ref>
+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==
-<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
+<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries to this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
-*{{flag|Brazil}}: Used by Military Police GRT unit and [[Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais|BOPE]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_brazil|title=Google Sites|website=Sites.google.com|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Argentina}}: Used by [[Grupo Alacrán]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
+*{{flag|Brazil}}: Used by [[Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais|BOPE]], [[1º Batalhão de Forças Especiais|BFEsp]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[Federal Highway Police (Brazil)|Federal Highway Police]]<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref> and Military Police GRT unit{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}.  Small numbers were also acquired by [[Federal Police of Brazil|Federal Police]] in 2002 but retired due to reliability issues.<ref name=":0" />
-*{{flag|Italy}}: 2,000 acquired in 1999 by the [[Italian Army]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Also used by the [[Carabinieri]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.carabinieri.it/Internet/Arma/Oggi/Armamento/Armamento+speciale/Spas15/ |title=Archived copy |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 }}</ref>
-*{{flag|Israel}}: Israeli special forces<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.isayeret.com/content/weapons/shotguns/overview.shtml |title=Archived copy |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 }}</ref>
+*{{flag|India}}: [[National Security Guard]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
+*{{flag|Italy}}: 2,000 acquired in 1999 by the [[Italian Army]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Also used by the [[Carabinieri]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
-*{{flag|Portugal}}: [[Portuguese Army]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Israel}}: [[Special forces of Israel|Israeli special forces]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.isayeret.com/content/weapons/shotguns/overview.shtml |title=Isayeret.com &#124; 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 }}</ref>
+*{{flag|Malaysia}}<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+*{{flag|Portugal}}: [[Portuguese Army]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
 == See also ==
@@ Line 66: / Line 77: @@
 * [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]
-* [http://www.google.com/patents/US4805333 magazine patent]
+* [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]]
+{{Shotgun-stub}}