I swear I am developing a man crush on Ian from Forgotten Weapons. He gets to play with all the cool things including a Franchi SPAS-12, a combination semi-auto/pump action shotgun. The “SPAS” stands for “Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun”

While it failed at its namesake (I agree, it can barely be called “sporting”), the shotgun has an indelible place in our popular culture. The Matrix comes to mind, when a few SPAS-12 shotguns were used in pump-action mode (which if using buckshot, was entirely unneeded). Sadly, the shotgun was no match for Trinity and Neo.

While importation stopped in 1994, a few did make it into the country and one is ready for auction at the RIA December event. 

For those who have been living under an entertainment rock, the “Lobby Scene” from The Matrix is included below. Look for the guy who says, “Freeze!”