I purchased a SP-12 "SPAS" from Tactical Imports launch day. Post range intial impressions can be found here:
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...nada-sg-12-spas.2595012/page-14#post-21413573
TL;DR gun has issues.
TI replied to my post with suggestion on how to make the gun work:
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...nada-sg-12-spas.2595012/page-16#post-21414198
TL;DR clean and lube the gun, use the OEM parts.
Following TIs suggestions, follower, spring, and retainer are all OEM now. But the extension has been removed, and replaced with a Beretta 1301 mag tube cap... and a milk jug lid.
Why did I just put a Beretta 1301 mag tube cap and a milk jug lid on a Turkish SPAS-12?
I am not a lawyer, and the following is not legal advice. If you would like legal advice, contact a lawyer that specializes in firearms.
I had to find a way to limit the magazine tube capacity of the gun. The SP-12 mag tube threads are the same as my Beretta 1301. But the mag tube cap outer diameter was too small, so the barrel could move forwards from the receiver. The milk jug lid is large enough to push the barrel into the receiver and retain it with the Beretta cap.
Why did I not just use the mag tube extension that TI supplies with the SP-12?
The SP-12 magtube extension is illegal.
The extension is limited by a metal rod. The rod threads into the cap of the extension. And the cap comes off the extension as well.
Why is the extension illegal?
Metal magazines that are modified to limit capacity to the 5 round max capacity of a centerfire semiautomatic rifle or shotgun can be limited by permanently attaching a limiter to the magazine with metal (i.e. welding).
Relevant regulations:
https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/regu/sor-98-462/95029/sor-98-462.html
Relevant section:
"PAR T 4 - PROHIBITED DEVICES - Former Cartridge Magazine Control Regulations - (4) & (5)"
(4) A cartridge magazine described in subsection (1) that has been altered or re-manufactured so that it is not capable of containing more than five or ten cartridges, as the case may be, of the type for which it was originally designed is not a prohibited device as prescribed by that subsection if the modification to the magazine cannot be easily removed and the magazine cannot be easily further altered so that it is so capable of containing more than five or ten cartridges, as the case may be.
(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), altering or re-manufacturing a cartridge magazine includes
(a) the indentation of its casing by forging, casting, swaging or impressing;
(b) in the case of a cartridge magazine with a steel or aluminum casing, the insertion and attachment of a plug, sleeve, rod, pin, flange or similar device, made of steel or aluminum, as the case may be, or of a similar material, to the inner surface of its casing by welding, brazing or any other similar method; or
(c) in the case of a cartridge magazine with a casing made of a material other than steel or aluminum, the attachment of a plug, sleeve, rod, pin, flange or similar device, made of steel or of a material similar to that of the magazine casing, to the inner surface of its casing by welding, brazing or any other similar method or by applying a permanent adhesive substance, such as a cement or an epoxy or other glue.
In summary, Tactical Imports sold over capacity guns to everyone with a SP-12 "SPAS". Exercise extreme caution, as the SP-12 as shipped is not legal with the magazine tube extension attached. Limit the capacity to 5 rounds of 3" 12 gauge sells via disassembling the firearm, replacing the extension with a milk jug cap and Beretta 1301 OEM mag tube cap (S&J +1 1301 extensions did not fit), or permanently limiting the OEM SP-12 extension by welding the rod to the extension cap, and welding the cap to the extension.
Thank you,
Crover
