Manual

3
HOW TO LOAD
.AND UNLOAD
The shell carrier (Part No. 93) has 2 spring tensions. With the hammer
cocked, it is easy to move, but with the hammer uncocked it is more
difficult. YOU WILL FIND LOADING MUCH EASIERWITH THE GUN
COCKED, but be very careful to be sure the chamber is empty for
safety.
PRESS IN THE
CARRIER LATCH BUTTON
MAGAZINE
CUT-OFF BUTTON
SHELL CARRIER
(PART NO. 93)
CROSS BOLT SAFETY
- "ON SAFE"
With the carry safety "on safe" hold the SPAS 12 upside down, press
the carrier latch button and push 8 12 ga. 23/4" shells into the
magazine to load it fully.
TO UNLOAD
There are two methods for unloading the SPAS 12.
You may cut off the ammunition supply from the magazine by
pressing the magazine cut-off button in until it catches. Move the
quick employment safety back to the "on safe" position and open
the bolt. ejecting the shell from the chamber. Close the bolt by
pressing the carrier latch button on the left side of the receiver.
Holding the shotgun bottom up, release the magazine cut-off button
and press the carrier latch button. Reach in and press the magazine
shell latch (part no. 13) with the tip of your finger, and let the shells
slip out one by one.
MAGAZINE
SHELL LATCH
(INSIDE OF RECEIVER
PART NO. 13)
Or simply eject the shells manually, using the pump mechanism or
semiautomatic mode to cycle them throuah the chamber. Use cau-
tion when doing this. To unlock the bolt after it closes each time,
engage the quick em:->Ioyment safety. Keep the carry safety "on
safe" all during this procedure.
I
CHANGING THE CHAMBERED CARTRIDGE
When you wish to fire a type of shell not in the magazine, you need
not cycle all remaining shells through the action to clear the
chamber. Press in the magazine cut-off button. Flip the quick
employment safety back to its "on safe" position. Open the bolt with
the operating handle (in semiautomatic) or by pumping the forend,
to eject the shell in the chamber. Place the desired shell in the
receiver and close the bolt by pressing the carrier latch button on
the left side of the receiver, NOT THEMAGAZINE CUT-OFFBUDON.
A jam will occur ifyou disengage the cut-off button before the bolt
closes.
Firing the shot will release the magazine cut-off button.
STEELAIR COOLED HANDGUARD
Even when the barrel is hot from repeated rapid firing, you may
safely hold the SPAS 12 upside down for loading or unloading. Your
hand is protected from direct contact with the barrel by the
perforated steel handguard.
MAGAZINE PLUG
The SPAS 12 comes with a nylon rod which limits the magazine to
a capacity of 2 shells. To install it, unscrew the magazine extension
and insert the narrow end toward the receiver, inside the large
magazine spring. Place the magazine extension over the wide end
of the rod and screw it back onto the magazine tube. Be sure to
tighten the magazine extension very firmly.
4
AMMUNITION
Because of the dangers of poor or nonexistent quality control
standards among some companies and people who make
reloaded ammunition, and the well known fact that dangerous
overloads and underloads (squib loads) sometimes occur, we
recommend that only good quality factory ammunition be fired in
the SPAS 12. If you prepare your own hand loads do not exceed
recommended pressures in line with those generated by factory
loads as manufactured by Remington, Winchester, Sovereign,
Federal or other reputable companies.
When firing if) PUMP MODE you can use any kind of 23/4" shell from
the lightest target load to the heaviest buckshot, rifled slug, and
magnum loads.
However, when firing in SEMIAUTOMATIC MODE you must use loads
which provide sufficient energy to ensure reliable operation.
These may be 23/4" standard or magnum bird shot, buckshot or slug
loads, so long as they contain at least 11/4oz. of shot and 31/4 - 31/2
dram equivalent of powder. You may wish to test various
combinations of shot charges and powder charges to find a load
(or set of loads) which appeals to you.