History

 The SPAS-12 is a combat shotgun that was manufactured by the Italian firearms company Franchi S.p.A. from 1979 to 2000. The SPAS-12 is a dual-mode shotgun, meaning it can be used as a semi-automatic or pump-action firearm. The SPAS-12 has sold well to military and police groups around the world, but the appearance and intended purpose of the weapon eventually led to it being banned from import into the United States, due to a lack of "sporting purpose". Franchi had even named the gun the Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun, but to no avail.

The SPAS 12 was designed to function primarily as a semi-automatic firearm, with the pump-action mode used to reliably fire low-pressure ammunition such as tear gas rounds or less-lethal bean bags. Switching between firing modes is done by pressing a button under the foregrip, and sliding the foregrip slightly forwards or backwards until it clicks into position.

The SPAS-12 has a magazine cut-off feature that can prevent the loading of a new round from the internal magazine when the gun is cycled. This allows the operator to load a specialized round into the chamber without going through the entire magazine first. Another unique feature of the SPAS-12 was the hook seen on folding stock variants. This hook could be rotated in 90 degree increments so that it would fit under the user's forearm when the stock was extended. With the stock supported under the forearm the gun could theoretically be fired with one hand, allowing the user to fire around cover or use their support hand for other tasks.

Early SPAS-12 models featured a lever-type safety, but over time it would begin discharging the firearm when switched on or off. This was eventually recalled by Franchi and replaced by a push-button crossbolt safety. Many guns remain with the lever-type safety and are unsafe to us

The barrel of the SPAS 12 was externally threaded to accept a wide variety of attachments, from chokes to gas grenade launchers. One interesting and particularly rare attachment, called a "diverter", spread shot vertically or horizontally. All barrel attachments are considered rare, and demand premium pricing on the secondhand market.

Singleplayer/Co-Op

In The Defector, the weapon is able to use Dragon's Breath incendiary shotgun shells.

 When Pack-a-Punched, the SPAS-12 comes out as the 'SPAZ-24' which fires 24 shots and when reloading it just takes one shell to fully reload. This version is also fully automatic. The SPAS-12 is available in the mystery box. It is effective in the early-mid rounds, often capable of 1 shot killing zombies, but it has a long reload time as each shell is loaded individually.

Multiplayer

Magazine Size 8 rounds
 
Tier 3
 
Unlocked at Level 24
 
Starting Ammunition 24 (MP)
 
Maximum Ammunition 64 (MP)
 
Fire Mode Semi-Automatic 

The SPAS-12 featured in multiplayer. It must be pumped after picking it up and reloading, but operates in semi-automatic mode. It is available for purchase at level 24. The SPAS-12's only attachment is the Suppressor.

It deals medium-high damage, and is best suited for medium distances, although it will often take two or three shells to get a kill. The suppressor has no effect on damage, range or spread, making it an extremely beneficial attachment.

Challenges