[DKSuddeth]

A friend of mine had one of these in 96 and I'd like to find one myself, but are they an NFA weapon if it's capable of automatic fire?

[carterbeauford]

He had a full-auto SPAS12? :eek:

They are a dual mode shotgun, pump or semi-auto, Franchi never made a full-auto version, so if your friend had one, it had to be an illegal conversion.

[zinj]

Like carterbeauford said, Franchi never produced a full-auto SPAS-12. The feature of the gun was that it was a convertable semi/pump.

IIRC they were barred from import along with the Streetsweepers, but the ones already in the U.S. are treated as normal shotguns. Since they aren't imported (or even made) they have become something of a collector's item, which drives up the price. Also, most of the guns imported had flawed safeties that can cause unintentional discharges as they wear. Unless you want one for a collection I would look for something else.

For another convertable semi/pump the Benelli M3 (http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/specialpurpose.tpl) is about the only choice. The Saiga-12 (http://www.raacfirearms.com/Saiga_12.htm) is probably the best value in a combat shotgun otherwise.

[hksw]

SPAS-12s can still be had for under $1000 from what I've seen (highest price I've seen this year was $900, IIRC, maybe $950). This includes folders. Concerning the safety, just be sure to have one with the left-right push button instead of the front-back lever.