Franchi LAW-12 semi-automatic shotgun (Italy)

Franchi LAW-12 semi-automatic shotgun was designed by Italian gun making company Luigi Franchi Spa during early 1980s as a less expensive and lighter alternative to their tactical flagship shotgun of the time, the SPAS-12. LAW-12 shotgun was widely exported from Italy, but ban on it importation into the USA during the infamous Assault Weapons ban of 1994 resulted in decline of sales, and its production has ceased in around 2000.

Franchi LAW-12 semi-automatic shotgun

Franchi LAW-12 shotgun is a gas operated, semi-automatic weapon which uses annular gas piston, located around the magazine tube, below the barrel. Bolt is locked to the barrel extension via single tilting locking piece, mounted inside the bolt. Ammunition is fed from tubular magazine, permanently mounted below the barrel, and gun features magazine cut-off button on the right for quick manual change of cartridge in the bore. LAW-12 also features unique dual manual safety system. So called ‘travel safety’ is located at the front of the trigger guard. On early guns it was made in the form of a swinging lever, on later guns it was a cross-bolt type button. Another, so-called ‘quick reaction’ safety was made in the form of a slider, somewhat similar to safety used on M1 Garand rifle, which can be flicked off by index finger, inserted into the trigger guard. Other features include screw-on choke system, and several types of stocks, compatible with SPAS-12. Standard stock was of fixed type, made from plastic along with separate pistol grip. Optional top-folding sock featured swinging “arm hook”, which allowed gun to be held and fired more or less steadily by a single hand.