Short barrelled SPAS-12
Anyone here ever SBS one of these? Apparently some of them originally had a short barrel, but had an extension attached to bring the length up. I see these barrels on GB all the time... has anyone here removed the extension on one? If so, does the original thread protector fit on the threads? In the pic, the barrel on the lower shotgun is the kind I'm talking about. 
Just looking for someone with some experience before I pay the money and start hacking things up. And I'll be sure to get the proper tax stamp before cutting anything less than 18".
Thanks for any replies!
Just looking for someone with some experience before I pay the money and start hacking things up. And I'll be sure to get the proper tax stamp before cutting anything less than 18".
Thanks for any replies!
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Depends on how early the gun is. On the earliest guns, the original barrel was threaded and a larger diameter extension was permanently attached on the threads. Later guns had an extension that stepped back down to the original OD. Latest guns had a longer barrel that did not require an extension.
Best bet for an SBS on the SPAS is to remove the extension (or cut back a later barrel), recrown to remove any outer threads, and tap for choke tubes.0 -
Thank you.
Do you happen to know exactly how permanently the extensions were attached? If they could be removed without damage, that would be the route I'd like to take.
And do you know if a short barrel would affect reliability of the gas operation?0 -
At minimum, a very high silver-content braze. Look carefully at the joint for traces of a weld. May end up cutting just ahead of the front sight and refacing the barrel.
On earliest guns, they were designed to operate with the shorter barrel and were ported accordingly. If the gun does not run well with full-power 12ga after shortening the ports may need to be opened a tad. Note that these guns incorporate a shock buffer in the receiver and I would certainly advise updating that part as well.0 -
Even the full sized ones ran with >3 and 1/2 DRAM EQ. shells, plus the dang thing is 2 and 3/4" only.
Back in the late 80s when you could find boxes of heavy field loads with lead shot BB/2/4 etc...it was happy times with my SPASs.
Now, expensive to feed, and everyone bitches because they try to put the cheapest Wal-Mart crap/Traploads through it and (gasp!) it won't run!0 -
Excellent, thank you both for the replies. Guess I'll just have to pick up the extra barrel and see what I have to work with.
I do have the updated buffer, as well as the new safety, thanks.
DRP, I have found that Estate brand dove and target load works well for me. Very cheap, 3 dram eq. and it cycles perfectly.0
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