The appearance and intended purpose of the SPAS-12 initially led to its "military" designation as a combat shotgun.

In September 2004 the ban expired, but Franchi ended production of the SPAS-12 in 2000 to focus on the manufacturing of the SPAS-15 model.

The firing mode is switched by depressing the button under the fore-grip and also sliding it forwards or backwards until it clicks into position allowing the rotating sleeve to open or close the two gas ports.

With the stock extended, the hook can be pushed in and turned 90 degrees to the left or right, to fit under the user's forearm.

Lever safeties were recalled by Franchi and were replaced through the importer American Arms in the early 1990s.

of travel when the trigger was depressed; this would cause a lockup of the action that would require the user to re-lock the bolt assembly to the rear to reset the hammer and then reload the chamber.

The quick employment safety can be disengaged with the trigger finger when ready to fire and is intended for competition or tactical use.

After the United States imposed import restrictions on the SPAS-12 in 1989, a version was released in 1990 with the synthetic hollow fixed stock and a six-shell capacity to comply with federal regulations for sporting purposes.

These three "sister" shotguns accepted all SPAS-12 components, notably trigger groups, barrel threaded attachments and stocks.

The various magazine extension tubes of the LAW-12 and SAS-12 were never designed to be interchangeable with the SPAS-12 as this would cause issues with the gas selector switch moving from auto to pump-action on the SPAS-12 model.

The LAW-12 has a barrel length of 21+1⁄2 in (55 cm), a weight of 7 lb 4 oz (3.3 kg) and a capacity of 8 rounds in the magazine + 1 in the chamber.

The ATF allowed the importation of a SPAS-12 variant from American Arms because its size, weight, bulk and modified configuration were such that it was particularly suitable for traditional shooting sports.

[8] The SPAS-12 was tested by the U.S. Coast Guard and showed promising results but again was not considered cost-effective for a contract over other available suppliers.

The Assault Weapons Ban of September 1994 caused American Arms to stop the importation of the SPAS-12 with major losses of sales due to the legal restrictions invoked by the U.S.

[11] However, some U.S. States and territories currently maintain similar bans, including California,[12] Connecticut,[13] District of Columbia,[14] Maryland,[15] Massachusetts,[16] New Jersey,[17] and New York.