AR-15 type shotguns

[Alan Fud]

Anybody know anything about these ...

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Type: gas operated semi-auto (select-fire version exists)
Gauge: 12 (2 3/4 in shells - 70 mm chamber )
Length: 960 mm
Barrel length: 460 mm
Weight: 5.5 kg empty, 6.2kg loaded with 10 rounds
Capacity: 10 rounds box or 20 rounds drum detachable magazines

USAS-12 shotgun was developed in South Korea by Daewoo Precision Industries somewhere in the 1980s, and according to some sources, its design is based on experimental Atchisson Assault Shotgun, developed in 1970s in USA by someone Maxwell Atchisson. USAS-12 was intended as a special purpose, military or special operations close combat weapon with extreme firepower. It was exported from South Korea in many countries, including the USA, but in 1994 under the new US law it was classified as a Class III "Destructive device", which limited its civilian sales and use. It is still offered for military and law enforcement agencies, though.

USAS-12 is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. It uses a gas system located above the barrel, with more or less conventional rotating bolt locking. The interesting feature, probably borrowed from Atchisson designs, is the long bolt overtravel, which results in relatively low peak recoil and low rate of fire, which is essential for weapon firing powerful 12 gauge shells. USAS-12 is an ambidextrous weapon, having two ejection ports on each side of the receiver, and two slots on the forearm for cocking handle. The ejector on the bolt and the cocking handle could be easily set to operate either side of the gun, depending on the present shooter needs and preferences. USAS-12 is feed from large capacity box or drum magazines, holding 10 and 20 rounds respectively (there are some sources that indicate that earlier versions of the USAS-12 were imported into USA with 12 and 28 rounds magazines). The polymer buttstock is hollow and is used as a space for bolt group to recoil, so the folding butt version is unavailable for this design. USAS-12 has a post type, hooded front sight at the top of the gas chamber and an adjustable rear sight built into the carrying handle, similar to one found on M16 assault rifles.

USAS-12 is very bulky and heavy, but the large mass greatly improves the recoil control, especially in full automatic (bursts) mode.

Are they available in America? Are they a good idea? Are they reliable?

 

[SDC]

I'm not sure, but didn't Clinton, Reno, etc. declare these as "Destructive Devices" the last year of their reign? They're neat, no doubt (I was at a demo for the full-auto version of these), but HEAVY, especially with a full mag (box or drum).

 

[lycanthrope]

Available in US? Yes.

A good idea? Hell yeah!

They are listed as a destructive device and you will need to follow your local legislation regarding owning such. This means the paperwork akin to acquiring a full auto weapon.

It's gonna be pricey.

Just buy a Saiga 12 and you'll be 7/8's there for 1/10 of the cash.

 

[Alan Fud]

I was hoping / thinking that maybe the AWB expiration might have had changed something.

 

[lycanthrope]

No such luck.

 

[CleverNickname]

Actually, the AWB did change something. When the AWB was in force, the USAS-12 met the definition of both a DD and an assault weapon. That made post-ban USAS-12s LEO-only. Now that the AWB is gone, any more that are made are legal for anyone that wants to go through the whole NFA process.

I don't think anyone is actually producing any right now, though. It's just it would be legal if they did.

 

[MrMurphy]

Actually, a different company started making either the USAS-12 or a close copy of it this year.

Get the Saiga and put a folding stock and pistol grip on it. Lighter, still mag fed and far cheaper.


Leave the USAS-12 to old seasons of Stargate SG-1.

 

[natedog]

Do you have a link/source?

I've always thought that a shotgun upper for the AR-15 would be sweet...I don't think 12 guage would fit in the magwell, but perhaps 20 guage would.

 

[Tamara]

I've shot a few, and a good friend owns one...

They are heavy, clunky, have lousy ergos, are prone to jamming due to ammunition finickiness, are hard to find shells for (most all plastic-hulled US 2 3/4" shells are too long for the mag body,) and are hard to get due to their NFA status.

Other than that, they look really Rainbow Sixy and will make tackytical folks swoon. Also, they're black and semiautomatic, which is cool.

By way of faint praise, they don't suck as badly as a Striker or Streetsweeper.

 

[max popenker]

If ypo want one uber-tactical shotgun, you have to look at this :

details: http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh08-e.htm

 

[Wakal]

USAS-12 are just pure fun (if heavy). I use one for 3-Gun competition:



Finally got to use the drum on a (non-USPSA) field course. 30 clay pigeons...started with the drum, switched to a stick mag, and was done



Alex

 

[wardog]

The full auto versions are a hoot to shoot. I know a guy that has one and have had the opportunity to shoot it a couple of times. They do seem to be ammo finicky. His works well with a certain kind of high brass loads, (can't remember now which one) so he sticks with those for it.

He put a "Ducks Unlimited" sticker on the stock of his USAS 12.

 

[Bergeron]

I always thought that one of those would be an ideal 3-gun setup.

Tamara, you said

most all plastic-hulled US 2 3/4" shells are too long for the mag body

Do you mean shells like the Activs or regular style US shells with the brass base and plastic body?

Wakal, have you found this to be the case for your shotgun? Is there a brand or style of readily available hulls that do fit the magazine?

Thanks.

 

[Wakal]

I've been running mine in 3-Gun matches, where unreliable guns are worthless. Not too bad this year: Third overall at the 2004 USPSA Texas State 3-Gun, fourth overall at the 2004 New Mexico State 3-Gun, and fourth overall (factoring the big shotgun stage) two weeks ago at the Tiger Valley 3-Gun. I'll try Superstition Mountain next year and see how things go at a National-level match

If you feed the USAS real ammuntion, they run like champs. I don't know what Tamara has been shooting, but they are nothing like my USAS-12s (I've owned two, but only have one left ).

I use Wal-Mart's Winchester Super-X 3 3/4 dram loads, usually 7 1/2 although I keep 4 and 9 on hand for special target needs. Slugger (max dram) 1-ounce slugs, and max dram OO buck round out my usual loadout. I have not had any problems with any 2 3/4" shells provided that they were 3 3/4 dram or stronger. My USAS has removable choke tubes, thanks to the fine folks at Briley, FWIW.

Guns that don't work won't place you in the top five of a bunch of state-level championship matches



Alex

 

[Bergeron]

Thanks for the reply.

I figured yours ran properly, but I didn't know if you had performed any special modifications or were just lucky. I must admit, I drool everytime I see that you post that thing. I was fortunate enough to be able to handle one that a customer at the local shooting range had purchased, and I am in agreement with everyone who said it was heavy.

That said, have you ever considered doing any "race-gun" style mods to your USAS? Since the box mag forces you into Unlimted anyway, what about comping the gun? I don't know which is more effective, the Benelli-Practical style muzzle comp, or the JP style barrel comp, or if yours is already heavy enough that recoil does not matter, but it sure would look trick.

Another thing that I have thought about would be milling off the iron sights into a Picatinny rail, that would give you more optic options, and you could probably still use AR flip up style BUIS.

 

[Wakal]

I've removed the front sight assembly and machined a custom scope rail for that EOTech. The magazine catch assemblies are all tuned and mirror-polished, and the mag slot has been radiused and polished. The trigger has been tuned, but not lightened at all. I've been meaning to drop a JP into it, but I'm both lazy and apathetic.

With the huge gas system on this pig, I haven't had a reason to think about comp'ing it. It will dance straight across a plate rack in fine style

The Saiga-12 (and soon, the Saiga-20) has a JP-style (but much improved, naturally) aluminum compensator assembly, required due to the lighter weight and different reciprocating mass. Not that I CAN'T build comps, just that I don't see a need on the USAS

Once I shoot the USAS to pieces, I'll machine my own flat-top upper. In the meantime, it is VERY nice to have a carry handle. Wheels wouldn't be out of place as well. I'm 6'3" 225, and even I get tired if I have to carry it more than a half mile or so.



Alex