Spas 12???

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how reliable are these? how hard to break down and maintain?


I'm looking at getting my one and only semi soon (probably by mid summer or so), and it's down to an 1000-1300 dollar Spas 12 in nice shape off of Gunbroker or a Saiga 12 converted well with a drum and a couple 10 rders for about the same price or a little more. I'm also pretty impatient, so I hate the idea of shipping the Saiga off to Timbuktu and waiting for weeks for it. This is also going to probably be my most expensive firearm purchase, now or ever, so I want to get it right.

The Benelli and the Mossberg 930 are being considered as well, but the first two just reach out there and grab me and I believe they have a higher magazine capacity as well, something I would probably value in a semi auto. The Spas 12 seems like it would be temperamental to say the least, but maybe I'm wrong. I've heard it's heavy, which I think is a benefit in the particular gun, and little else as far as reliability or upkeep. Like I said I only want ONE semi-auto. Anyone here ever own one? It's not THAT exotic, I've seen 4-5 for sale locally alone in the 9-1400 dollar range all in great shape, and theyre on Gunbroker all day long.
 
The SPAS 12 is practically a collector's item/curiosity from a bygone era.

The Saigas, on the other hand, have developed a large following, and there are multiple companies that support them both in accessories and modification, allowing you to build a Saiga to nearly any specification you could want.
 
i kind of view the spas that way as well. What I feel it has going for it is the heavy weight - beneficial for recoil absorption, the 9 shot capacity (8+1 iirc) and the fact it's tube fed which is inherently more reliable than a mag in my opinion.

I'm learning towards the Saiga for the very reason you specified though. It seems like it'd give me less of a headache in the long haul.
 
I also like the fact that its select fire, but for a practical reason.

IIRC, it's an inertia driven semi...which as far as I know is a little less complicated internally than a gas operated weapon and needs fewer parts to run on than a gas semi? I like that. I'm not a terribly recoil sensitive individual, plus the added weight takes care of that.

this is all speculation as i've never shot the thing, but it seems pretty versatile. i'm just looking to get the one do-all defensive semi and not worry about it quitting too hard on me over the years provided it's well maintained. im sure duw to that statement i'll have someone recommend me an 1100 or 11-87, haha. I'm thinking it's a more prudent decision to go with the Saiga, though.
 
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select fire usually means its semi burst and full auto. so are you using the right terms? i know its pump and semi.
 
select fire mode perhaps?


its selectable between semi and pump.


and you're correct, I forgot the Spas was 2 3/4" only.
 
I'm also pretty impatient, so I hate the idea of shipping the Saiga off to Timbuktu and waiting for weeks for it.
Click to expand...

Can you turn a screw driver? Then why not just do it your self? If you are going to pay for a good professional conversion, a drum, and some ten rounders it will run you more than $1200. A very basic conversion might run only a few hundred to pay someone but it is so simple you are getting hosed to pay that IMHO. You could simply buy any already converted gun but again the ones that are worth paying for run $1300 and up.

The saiga is a "better" gun IMO. The only reason to buy a SPAS 12 is just because you want to own one, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Get either one though, I have a feeling in no time at all there will be another thread announcing a shotgun you are going to buy:neener:
 
Wouldn't a Benelli M3 be about as good as a SPAS 12? Should be a hell of a lot more available.
 
If you want the SPAS-12 for a collector piece there's nothing wrong with that as they are awesome to look at. When I owned one I always enjoyed shooting it but you need to remember that it needs heavy loads to cycle it in semi. If you forget that little fact you'll better be fast a clearing jams if you're life depends on it.

I sold my SPAS-12 for the better shotgun which is a Benelli Super90 M3, it also goes from pump to semi but alot simpler and faster. The only ammo that it doesn't like in semi are those crappy Activ all plastic shells.
 
never fired a SPAS but i own a saiga410
the saiga has never failed me and i love it for snakes around the yard and plinking
i know that the 410 can only use 3 inch shells unless i get 2 3/4 magazines is that the same for the saiga 12?
if it were me id get the saiga 12 but its only a money thing for me
the SPAS is a bit out of my price range
 
i know that the 410 can only use 3 inch shells unless i get 2 3/4 magazines is that the same for the saiga 12?
Click to expand...

No the 12 will run 2 3/4 or 3" shells.
 
Anyone who would get get a SPAZ instead of a Saiga as a 'using' shotgun is beyond the reach of reason...

lpl

If you want a semiauto 'curiosity' shotgun (and are not left handed), look at http://v2.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=152487698 . I guarantee you it will draw more attention than that hermaphroditic Italian monstrosity every time it sees daylight (I have a Model 10A), and will almost certainly work better and longer too.
 
If you go with the Spaz buy a machine shop too cause parts aren't there WHEN it fails
the Saiga on the other hand is an AK-47 sized up and you know how sturdy they are.
I wonder why you laugh at the 1100-1187? I've seen them in 3 gun with a mag extension
out run most/all other guns including 1 Spazo and Saigas. I consider parts availability first
when buying guns cause they all break. Just my $2 worth (2 cents after taxes and inflation)
 
This is the Franchi SAS-12, the pump only version of the SPAS. The semi only version was the LAW-12. I'm still kicking myself for selling it.

SAS12.jpg
 
they're fun to shoot. they are reliable if you take care the recoil buffer and the "o" rings. If its going to be your only shotgun for hunting or HD there are better choices. But for having a nice piece in the collection that will always hold its value a spas 12 is a good choice. And if you got 5 grand laying around a spas 15 is a even better choice from a collecting point of view.
 
I always wondered why in terminator 2 linda hamilton didn't just click the gun over to semi instead of doing that one handed pumping motion. the gun's got the look down in spades though.
 
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