Advanced Weapon Systems Spets-12 non-NFA Firearm – Video Review

Opinion: This excellent article first appeared on AmmoLand News in December of 2018 and appears here now with fresh updates.

The Mossberg Shockwave and Remington Tac-14 brought the idea of non-NFA “firearms” mainstream.

By building these firearms on receivers not yet declared, shotgun manufacturers are able to chamber a firearm in 12 gauge and have a barrel shorter than 18″ without creating a title II firearm.  This, in effect, creates what looks like a short-barreled shotgun but is not, legally, and so frees prospective owners of the legal hassles of owning such a firearm.

Pushing legal silliness aside, these non-NFA firearms provide potential solutions for those looking for 12-gauge power in a more compact package.  Easier to stow and easier to wield in tight confines.  Advanced Weapon Systems has produced the Spets-12 using SDS Import receivers based on the Saiga-12 design.  All the features SDS Import’s Lynx-12 (a Chinese-manufactured variant of the Saiga-12 and legal for import) remain, but in a more compact package, only 28.5″ long with a 13″ barrel.  As with the Shockwave and Tac-14, controlability is a concern.  The Spets-12 comes equipped with a brace that makes handling closer to that of a rifle.

The short clip below was filmed firing Russian zinc slugs:

Those familiar with AK-style 12-gauge firearms know they do have a few complications.  The most common of these complications can be a sensitivity to light loads.  The Spets-12 offers an adjustable gas block, but with just a 13″ barrel, there is only so much gas available to cycle the action.  The gun cannot be expected to run reliably with loads lighter than #6 shot.  Were the Spets-12 to be a bird gu,n that might be a problem.  This firearm is clearly intended as a defensive firearm, so a limitation to size 6 shot or larger is more of a check on the shooter than it is a limitation of the firearm.

Warnings aside, we hit the range with it:

This firearm is available from a variety of retailers including Atlantic Firearms and Classic Firearms.  Retail price hovers around $899.  Features are described as:

• Coated with Black Cerakote for a very durable and good-looking finish.
• 13-inch 2 ¾ and 3” chambered chrome-lined barrel threaded for all Saiga 12 accessories.
• The overall length is 28.5 inches to comply with ATF regulations.
• Uses all Saiga 12 magazines and drums.
• 4-position gas system.
• Enhanced AK safety and Bulgarian-style rail mount.
• Hammer forged bolt and trunnion for increased life and durability.
• A 1.5MM receiver for increased strength.
• Single-point sling mount.
• Utilizes the SB Tactical SBAS collapsible arm brace and TDI Mil-Spec AK to AR adapter with flutes and sling mount.
• Included is a 5-round magazine and owner’s manual.

For those wanting a closer look at the internals of the Spets-12, see the video below.  The build quality maintains what I have come to expect from SDS Imports, whose receivers are the heart of the Spets-12.

AWS Spets-12 Tabletop Review:

The power of a 12-gauge in a package reduced in size to that of a pistol.  What’s not to like?  Saiga-pattern magazines are plentiful and reasonably priced, and the gun runs on defensive loads for which it was intended.  I see no drawbacks to the Spets-12.  It does cost more than similarly-sized platforms in 12 gauge, but it offers a semi-auto rate of fire and a higher capacity.  I could see the Spets-12 finding a home beside or in a squad car as a lightweight and portable way to pack some extra firepower.

Live Inventory Price Checker

	Saiga 12 12-Round Magazine - 12-Rd Saiga Shotgun Magazine	Brownells.com	$ 58.99
	Arsenal Circle 10 Bulgarian AK-47 Waffle Pattern Magazine - 30 Rd	Rainier Arms	$ 54.99
	Soviet Arms AK-V 9X19mm 35 Round Patterned Magazine, Gray	Palmetto State Armory	$ 29.99 $ 16.99
	B&T APC9 PRO-S Semi-automatic 9MM 7" Barrel, 21Rd, 1 Magazine, Fits Sig Sauer P320 Pattern Magazines	Bereli	$ 2249.99

About Graham Baates

“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the local 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .

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