The first SPAS12 and SAS12 and
LAW12 used the old style shock absorber shown above. It was
(I think) made out of cast Cast Nylon 6, not a very good material.
It yellowed and became brittle over time. The tit that held
the part in finally broke off on most of them, with the rest suffering
a fracture of the whole part into shards.
Franchi then converted
to this part, the new style. It was still cast nylon with
a tit, but had two new features. One, a steel face (with belly
button hole) and, two, a slotted cylinder body versus the old "Hershey's
Kiss." The steel face did stop the total fragmentation of the
part; it distributed the load evenly to all the material.
The old style really
had no way to compress when hit except deform the small amount outside
the receiver's recess. The new part had a much longer body and
the whole body could compress. The grooves on the sides allowed
the part to deform and get a bit "fatter" when hit, allowing it to take
the shock better. It lasted longer, but the nylon still turned yellow
and brittle. And the tit broke off, releasing not only nylon shards
but the steel disc into the gun's action.
This new style was also
used on the SPAS15.
More details on how they
failed.
I make replacements for both
the old style and new style shocks. The material
used is UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) Polyethylene. For information
on materials -- UHMW Polyethylene, Polyurethane, Nylon -- click on Material Properties. The part
material has a forever guarantee -- it will outlast you and the
gun. We have never had a failure (or a single customer return for
any reason).
I use a small screw to hold
the shock in. Yes, you can buy replacement parts with the plastic
tit on them. They pop right in! And they will fall right
out. You can use one if it falling out at some point won't be a
problem -- carry a spare! Yes, sure seems simpler to pop one in.
But Franchi never made that work, and you likely won't either.
Be sure you determine
which part you need -- the new style or the old style.
Look here for details. (Yes,
if you mess up, I'll swap parts).
Material Properties
Which Style Do You Need?
Installation
New-Style:
The cost is $39.95
(Out of Stock)
Old-Style:
The cost is $34.95
Shipping and handling is a flat rate of $10.00 per order to anywhere in the USA, sent via USPS First Class Mail (2-5 Days).
