[jhco]

I have been looking at a spas12 and keep seeing the folding stock with a "hook" what is the hook for
and can you take it off?

[SDC]

You can conceivably take the whole stock off, and leave it as a PG-only shotgun, if you don't like hitting what you want. The "hook" is a pretty useless gadget except when the stock is folded and you want to use it as a carry handle, but in at least one of the advertising spreads for the SPAS-12, they showed someone using it as an arm brace, so they could aim and fire the shotgun one-handed (you can pull and twist the "hook" to one side or the other, so it would hook over your forearm while you held the pistol-grip in your hand). Anyone who's actually TRIED this will tell you that the shotgun is so heavy that trying to "aim" it in this manner is a joke. The edges of the stamped stock will also do a nice job of slicing your cheek up if you actually try to use the stock as a proper stock. The SPAS is sort of a neat idea from a functioning standpoint, but it's an ergonomic nightmare, and the Benelli M3 is a far better design.

[hksw]

The hook is removable. With the stock folded and the butt plate in the up position, the hook extends upward and can be used as a carry handle. With the stock unfolded into its regular shooting position, the hook can be turned outward and hook under your shooting arm givving you more support to allow you to shoot the gun one handed, provided you are strong enough. It is part of the gun and there are meny out there that have either lost their hook or a previous owner scavenged it. Because it is a part of the gun, missing it will lower the overall value a little.

[CWL]

Hook is for 1-handed operation when firing semiautomatic.

Haven't you seen Ahnold Schwarzengovernor shooting it that way in "Raw Deal"?

[Slater]

Used to own a SPAS-12. Seemed a bit over-complicated but had the softest recoil of any shotgun I've ever fired (due to it's weight).

[EHCRain10]

if you get one and decide to remove the hook let me know id be interested in taking it off your hands

[jlbraun]

Get a converted Saiga-12. For what you would spend on a SPAS-12 ($3k) you can get a Saiga-12 ($800), 6 5rd magazines ($250), 1000 rounds of ammunition ($170), a training class ($500), and have money left over.

http://www.keepshooting.com/productimages/firearms/shotguns/saiga12cshotgunbig.jpg

[jhco]

thanks for all the info but spas 12s go for about 1200 not 3000 and for that price dif ill take the spas

[Mainsail]

As mentioned, the hook was to facilitate one-handed shooting. The manual had something about doing this as a way of shooting around a barricade to avoid exposing yourself. It also emphasized that you should thrust the shotgun forward as you pull the trigger to prevent short stroking.

[sinistr]

if you want the spas for the looks go for it.if its the features,go for the benneli m3t.their kinda hard to find,but with the stock folded you can shoot around barricades without exposing yourself.i have shot mine pg only semiauto, and it did not jam.