View source for Franchi SPAS-15

{{short description|Italian combat shotgun}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Franchi SPAS-15
| image              = SPAS15.jpg
| image_size         = 
| caption            = SPAS-15
| origin             = Italy
| type               = [[Combat shotgun]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = Yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 1986–present
| used_by            = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = [[Lebanese Civil War]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[Franchi (firearms)|Franchi]]
| design_date        = 1984<ref name="Walter" /> 
| manufacturer       = [[Franchi (firearms)|Franchi]]
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1986–2005
| number             = 
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| weight             = * 3.9 kg (8.5 lb) empty
| length             = * 1000 mm (39 in), stock extended
* 750 mm (30 in), stock folded
| part_length        = * 450 mm (18 in)
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = [[Gauge (bore diameter)|12 gauge]]
| action             = [[Pump-action]]/[[gas-operated|gas-actuated]], [[rotating bolt]]<ref>Firearms, an illustrated guide to small arms of the world, di Chris McNab</ref>
| rate               = [[Semi-automatic firearm|Semi-automatic]]
| velocity           = 
| range              = 40 m (130 ft)
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 3 or 6-round detachable [[Magazine (firearms)|box magazine]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://spas12.com/spas15-manual.pdf|title=Franchi SPAS-15 Manual|pages=2}}</ref>
| sights             = 
}}

The '''Franchi SPAS-15''' is a dual-mode [[Gauge (bore diameter)|12 gauge]] [[combat shotgun]] manufactured by the Italian company [[Franchi (firearms)|Luigi Franchi S.P.A.]]

==Design==
[[File:SPAS15.jpg|thumb|The Franchi SPAS-15, a smoothbore shotgun, used by the Italian Army.]]
The weapon is based on the [[Franchi SPAS-12|SPAS-12]], and has similar [[pump-action]]/[[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] firing modes. In semi-automatic mode, a gas piston drives a bolt carrier and rotating bolt. In pump-action mode, the same components are driven by sliding the fore-end backwards. Pump-action mode is required to reliably fire low-pressure (less lethal) ammunition such as [[tear gas]] rounds or [[less-lethal]] bean bags. Switching between firing modes is done by pressing a button above the foregrip, and sliding the foregrip slightly forwards or backwards. The barrel is chrome lined and features screw-in [[Shotgun#Pattern and choke|choke tubes]].<ref name="Jones">{{cite book|last = Jones| first = Richard| title = Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010 | publisher = Jane's Information Group| year = 2009| isbn =978-0-7106-2869-5 | page =308}}</ref><ref name="Walter">{{cite book |last= Walter |first= John|author-link= |date= 2002|title= The World's Elite Forces: Small Arms and Accessories|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5sS4OAAACAAJ|location= |publisher=  Greenhill|page= 57|isbn=9781853674969}}</ref>

Unlike its predecessor, the SPAS-15 is fed by a detachable box magazine.<ref name="Walter" /> The gun features either a fixed black wooden stock or a side folding metal stock. Both had the same pistol [[grip safety]]. 

Additionally, a semi-auto only variant called SPAS-16 was manufactured in small numbers.<ref name="Walter" />

Amongst Italian troops the weapon is known by the nickname "La Chiave dell'Incursore" (the key of the commando) because it is used to blast the locks of closed doors.{{cn|date=November 2023}}

==Legality==
In Italy, the SPAS-15 is a common weapon for both law enforcement and civilians.{{cn|date=November 2023}}

In Canada, the SPAS-15 is classified as a [[Possession and Acquisition Licence|Prohibited Weapon]] and cannot be legally owned or imported except under very limited circumstances.<ref>[http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/rp-eng.htm List of Restricted and Prohibited Firearms] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211000641/http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/rp-eng.htm |date=11 February 2010 }}, Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC)</ref>

In 1994, the United States banned the importation of the SPAS-15 with close to 180 shotguns imported, but later abolished the relevant regulations.

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries to this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

*{{flag|Argentina}}: Used by [[Grupo Alacrán]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-24 |title=wiw_sa_argentina - worldinventory |url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_argentina |access-date=2023-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124203421/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_argentina |archive-date=24 November 2016 }}</ref>
*{{flag|Brazil}}: Used by [[Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais|BOPE]], [[1º Batalhão de Forças Especiais|BFEsp]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-02 |title=wiw_sa_brazil - worldinventory |url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_brazil |access-date=2022-11-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602220038/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_brazil |archive-date=2 June 2016 }}</ref> [[Federal Highway Police (Brazil)|Federal Highway Police]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-06-04 |title=The Brazilian truckers strike: PRF firearms in use - |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/06/04/the-brazilian-truckers-strike-prf-firearms-in-use/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=The Firearm Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> and Military Police GRT unit{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}.  Small numbers were also acquired by [[Federal Police of Brazil|Federal Police]] in 2002 but retired due to reliability issues.<ref name=":0" />
*{{flag|India}}: [[National Security Guard]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/597178/nsg-gets-shot-arm-grenade.html|access-date=2023-01-16 |title=NSG gets shot in arm with grenade lobbing UAVs, dogo robo }}</ref>
*{{flag|Italy}}: 2,000 acquired in 1999 by the [[Italian Army]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200712031402131.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-02-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025200453/http://asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200712031402131.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Also used by the [[Carabinieri]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.carabinieri.it/Internet/Arma/Oggi/Armamento/Armamento+speciale/Spas15/ |title=Arma dei Carabinieri - Home - l'Arma - Oggi - Armamento - Armamento speciale - Fucile ad anima liscia Franchi SPAS 15 MIL |access-date=20 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208162117/http://www.carabinieri.it/Internet/Arma/Oggi/Armamento/Armamento+speciale/Spas15 |archive-date=8 December 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
*{{flag|Israel}}: [[Special forces of Israel|Israeli special forces]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.isayeret.com/content/weapons/shotguns/overview.shtml |title=Isayeret.com &#124; the Israeli Special Forces Database |access-date=7 June 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160731154727/http://www.isayeret.com/content/weapons/shotguns/overview.shtml |archive-date=31 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
*{{flag|Malaysia}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tactical-life.com/online/special-weapons/malaysian-special-forces |title=Malaysian Special Forces |first=Leroy |last=Thompson |date=December 3, 2008 |work=Tactical Life |access-date=2010-02-10}}</ref>
*{{flag|Portugal}}: [[Portuguese Army]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exercito.pt/meios/Documents/media_MeiosOp/Armamento/ESP+CA%C3%87+SEMI-AUT+FRANCHI-SPAS.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117213826/http://www.exercito.pt/meios/Documents/media_MeiosOp/Armamento/ESP%20CA%C3%87%20SEMI-AUT%20FRANCHI-SPAS.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 2016|date=17 January 2016|access-date=29 May 2018|title=Franchi SPAS}}</ref>

===Non-state users===
*{{flagicon image|Forces_Libanaises_Flag.svg}} [[Lebanese Forces (Christian militia)|Lebanese Forces]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-17 |title=Lebanese Forces: The Weapons: Pump Action Shotguns|url=http://www.lebaneseforces.com/wpumpaction.asp |access-date=2022-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317111140/http://www.lebaneseforces.com/wpumpaction.asp |archive-date=17 March 2016 }}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[List of shotguns]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://spas12.com/spas15-manual.pdf Manual]
* [https://modernfirearms.net/en/shotguns/italy-shotguns/franchi-spas-15-eng/ Franchi SPAS-15] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20050805020221/http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh06-e.htm archive]) at Modern Firearms
* [http://www.franchiusa.com/ Franchi Homepage in English]
* [https://patents.google.com/patent/US4805333 magazine patent]

[[Category:Pump-action shotguns]]
[[Category:Semi-automatic shotguns of Italy]]
[[Category:Shotguns of Italy]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1986]]


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