spas-12
what would be a good price to pay for a used SPAS-12 (w/folding stock) that has scuff marks on it?
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I have a Special Purpose Assualt Shotgun-12 from Franchi that I bought for just over $300 back in the early 80's, (SPAS-12). It has the folding stock, the hook and the 8+1 Magazine tube and the choke tube tool.
What I don't have are the chokes. Franchi just doesn't make them anymore since about the 90's.
I have looked and looked on line. So I need your help finding AT LEAST the full choke tube.
Or
Is there is another way to choke the barrel with an adapter?
Please write: DukeScout@aol.com Thanks!
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Well, I could use a little more info but here goes. Seems the general asking price these days is about $1,000+ which IMO hasn't gone up much from what it was about 3 yrs ago.
One thing you want to do is make very certain it does not have 2 lever safeties. That design has been recalled and you would probably have to pay out of your own pocket to get it corrected if you can at all. If it has already been fixed then it should have a button or cross-bolt safety and one lever safety that is on the side of the forward trigger guard. It moves front-to-back.
Does the gun have a magazine tube that runs the full length of the barrel?
Is that tube metal or plastic?
Where is the front sight? Is it right near the end of the barrel or is it set back a ways and barrel basically extended to 18" via an extension?
Like I mentioned the asking price seems to be about $1,000+ but I don't see a lot of them moving at that price. Without knowing much more I'm not sure if I should say that the price should be lower.
GL0 -
More like 750. in this area, gunshop just sold one last month, mint 800. nambu 0 -
I would consider $750 to $800 like mm8nambu mentioned to be a good price. 0 -
Saw one today, used at a gun show for about the $750 mark. Wasn't moving either. You do realize this is one heavy pig either loaded with ammo or empty. Personally, the double safety I feel is clumsy, but that's me. I've had two friends who over the last three years were extremely happy to unload theirs. We never did find a good, use for them that wasn't already served by a rem 1100 or 870, 500 Mossberg or other in one form or other. 0 -
Around Illinois they seem to be moving a little better and closer to the 1000 $ range. Safety lever issue is a good point as they made several configurations over their production life. Another important point s the side hook one arm folder stock. The very early guns had a top folding stock with a short side folding arm hook that resembles a sheppards crook. Those I have seen very little of over the years and they always seemed to command quite a premium. I'll agree they are a bit of a load to carry around but they are really cool looking and if that is a consideration for you then go for it! I always felt they were about the baddest a** looking things out there and wish I had not sold mine in '82. The gun I bought with the money is sold and I cannot remember what posessed me to part with it (the Franchi) in the first place. Have fun.
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"
"History is written by winners"0 -
I owned one of the very fisrt SPAS imported many years ago and while the design has to be one of the most intimidating ever offered on a shotgun, the reality is that the SPAS has very little going for it other than as a big and heavy blaster. The issue with the safety has already been covered but you should also inspect the method used to retain the magazine extention tube. The original design was simply a piece of heavy wire with latched into a series of grooves around the base of the magazine tube in a sort of ratchet fasion. This retainer would eventually work its way loose and since this is what actually holds the weapon together it will lead to malfunctions when it loosens (and it will).
I can also tell you that the SPAS is one of the most difficult firearms I ever come across for cleaning. The gas action is rather complex and while you can eventually get the hand of stripping the gun down the first few times will be an exercise in total frustration and don't loose that O-ring which rides on the gas piston!!!. If the SPAS you are considering does not have the factory manual included I'd suggest that you obtain a copy before you even consider the purchase because without detailed instructions on disassemby you'll be dead in the water because the SPAS needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. My own SPAS had both the factory folding stock as well as the seldom seen detachable wood stock (the entire unit could be switched over along with a complete pistol grip) and I frankly feel that the fixed stock is much more pleasent to use and that you will seldom if ever have a need to fire the gun with its stock folded. The hook on the folding stock is virtually useless in my own opinion and since it is easily removed I'd sugest doing so right away. $700 for a used example would be my top price and I'd want the box and papers to close the deal.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Mark makes a good point about assembly/disassembly. The bolt handle is held in by a little metal clip. After taking mine apart for the first time I found this clip on the floor and wondered, "What the heck is this thing?". Fortunately I had not vacuumed the floor yet! [:D]
While we have pointed out a number of negatives, if the price is right and the safety is the right one, I'd say go with it if you've always wanted one. I shoot mine a little but it's more of what I call part of my "collection".0 -
Isn't there another issue about the safety having to be OFF to load or unload the gun? Totally the opposite of what you want IMHO.
There is a LAW12 at a nearby pawn shop that still has the original lever safety. The safety is very stiff to move so you can tell that it is in the failure mode.
mag0 -
Lots of good Info on SPAS at http://spas12.com/ 0 -
I have seen MINT in Box ones going for around $950. 0
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