Daewoo Precision Industries USAS-12

Last updated
USAS-12
USAS12shotgun4104.jpg
The Daewoo Precision Industries USAS-12 automatic shotgun.
Type Automatic shotgun
Semi-automatic (Civilian)
Place of originSouth Korea
United States
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerJohn Trevor Jr.
Designed1989
Manufacturer Daewoo Precision Industries, Interord Corp.(Nashville, Tennessee,) RAMO Defense Co., Ameetec Arms LLC
Produced1989–present
No. built30,000 [1]
VariantsSemi-automatic only for civilian commercial sales; select-fire for military and police
Specifications
Mass5.45 kg without magazine
6.2 kg with 10-round magazine
Length960 mm
Barrel  length460 mm

Caliber 12-gauge
Rate of fire 400-450 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity 400 m/s (1,300 ft/s)
Effective firing range30–40 m
Maximum firing range50 m
Feed system10-round detachable box magazine or 20-round drum magazine
Sights Iron sights

The USAS-12 (Universal Sporting Automatic Shotgun 12 gauge) is an automatic shotgun manufactured in South Korea by Daewoo Precision Industries since the 1980s. [2]

Contents

Design

The USAS-12 is a gas-operated, selective fire weapon, designed to provide sustained firepower in close-combat scenarios. It accepts detachable 10-round box magazines or 20-round drum magazines. [2] Both types of magazine are made of polymer, and drum magazines have their rear side made from translucent polymer for quick determination of the number of shot shells left. It has an effective range of 40 m. In the early 1990s, a new CQ model of the USAS-12 was created. It looks similar to the original model, but unlike the original, it lacks the front sight and has a re-modeled carry handle. The bolt locks on 1 cylindrical locking piece that moves up into round hole in barrel extension.

History

The history of the USAS-12 dates from the 1980s vintage designs of Maxwell Atchisson. In about 1989, Gilbert Equipment Co. (USA) decided to bring up the selective fired weapon, broadly based on principles employed in Atchisson shotguns. The design of the new weapon was produced by John Trevor, Jr. Since Gilbert Equipment Co. had no manufacturing capabilities, it started to look for possible manufacturers. It turned out that the only maker that agreed to produce this weapon was the South Korean company Daewoo Precision Industries, a part of the Daewoo conglomerate. Daewoo engineers adapted the new weapon to their manufacturing techniques, and mass production commenced in the early 1990s. The USAS-12 sold well to military and security forces of several (unspecified) countries in Asia, and more than 30,000 USAS-12 shotguns were made by the mid-1990s. [3]

During the same timeframe, Gilbert Equipment Co. tried to bring a semi-automatic version of the USAS-12 to the U.S. market, but Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen classified this firearm as "having no sporting purpose", so it became a "destructive device" under the U.S. National Firearms Act of 1934. [4] This greatly restricted its civilian use. During the late 1990s, RAMO Defence Co. began to assemble USAS-12 shotguns from Korean and U.S.-made parts for sale on the domestic market, but sales of this weapon were limited to government agencies only. [3] The shotgun is still being manufactured by S&T Daewoo (now SNT Motiv) in Korea for military and law enforcement sales only.[ citation needed ] [5]

A U.S. firearms manufacturer, Ameetec Arms LLC of Scottsdale, Arizona, started the manufacture of a USAS-12 semi-automatic clone in 2007, called the WM-12; it mainly differs from the USAS-12 by the lack of fixed sights and carrying handle, replaced by a Picatinny rail. The manufacturer stated that the WM-12 is not a "destructive device", and would thus be readily available to civilians. [6] As of January 2008, however, the WM-12 was no longer to be found on Ameetec Arms online catalogs, because it was discontinued after its pre-production run. Only a few WM-12s were built using USAS-12 demilitarized shotguns[ citation needed ].

Users

Non-state Users

Conflicts

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firearm</span> Gun for an individual

A firearm is any type of gun that uses an explosive charge and is designed to be readily carried and used by an individual. The term is legally defined further in different countries.

Gun laws and policies, collectively referred to as firearms regulation or gun control, regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, and use of small arms by civilians. Laws of some countries may afford civilians a right to keep and bear arms, and have more liberal gun laws than neighboring jurisdictions. Countries that regulate access to firearms will typically restrict access to certain categories of firearms and then restrict the categories of persons who may be granted a license for access to such firearms. There may be separate licenses for hunting, sport shooting, self-defense, collecting, and concealed carry, with different sets of requirements, permissions, and responsibilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M1 carbine</span> Auto-loading carbine

The M1 carbine is a lightweight semi-automatic carbine that was issued to the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The M1 carbine was produced in several variants and was widely used by paramilitary and police forces around the world after World War II.

The Pancor Corporation Jackhammer is a 12-gauge, blow-forward gas-operated bullpup automatic shotgun designed in 1984 and patented in 1987. Only three working prototypes of the Jackhammer were built. Nonetheless, its distinctive aesthetics and futuristic design have made it a prop in action films, television programs, and video games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grenade launcher</span> Weapon designed to fire large-caliber explosive, smoke, or gas projectiles

A grenade launcher is a weapon that fires a specially designed, large-caliber projectile, often with an explosive, smoke, or gas warhead. Today, the term generally refers to a class of dedicated firearms firing unitary grenade cartridges. The most common type are man-portable, shoulder-fired weapons issued to individuals, although larger crew-served launchers are issued at higher levels of organization by military forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automatic rifle</span> Type of autoloading rifle

An automatic rifle is a type of autoloading rifle that is capable of fully automatic fire. Automatic rifles are generally select-fire weapons capable of firing in semi-automatic and automatic firing modes. Automatic rifles are distinguished from semi-automatic rifles in their ability to fire more than one shot in succession once the trigger is pulled. Most automatic rifles are further subcategorized as battle rifles or assault rifles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAC-10</span> American machine pistol

The Military Armament Corporation Model 10, officially abbreviated as "M10" or "M-10", and more commonly known as the MAC-10, is a compact, blowback operated machine pistol/submachine gun that was developed by Gordon B. Ingram in 1964. It is chambered in either .45 ACP or 9mm. A two-stage suppressor by Sionics was designed for the MAC-10, which not only abates the noise created but makes it easier to control on full automatic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAC-11</span> American machine pistol

The MAC-11 is a machine pistol/submachine gun developed by American firearm designer Gordon Ingram at the Military Armament Corporation (MAC) during the 1970s in Powder Springs, Georgia, United States. The weapon is a sub-compact version of the Model 10 (MAC-10), and is chambered to fire the smaller .380 ACP round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automatic firearm</span> Firearm that fires continuously while the trigger is depressed

An automatic firearm or fully automatic firearm is an autoloading firearm that continuously chambers and fires rounds when the trigger mechanism is actuated. The action of an automatic firearm is capable of harvesting the excess energy released from a previous discharge to feed a new ammunition round into the chamber, and then igniting the propellant and discharging the projectile by delivering a hammer or striker impact on the primer.

The Remington Model 870 is a pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, LLC. It is widely used by the public for shooting sports, hunting and self-defense, as well as by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franchi SPAS-12</span> Type of combat shotgun

The Franchi SPAS-12 is a combat shotgun manufactured by Italian firearms company Franchi from 1979 to 2000. The SPAS-12 is a dual-mode shotgun, adjustable for semi-automatic or pump-action operation. The SPAS-12 was sold to military and police users worldwide, as well as on the civilian market.

The Franchi SPAS-15 is a dual-mode 12 gauge combat shotgun manufactured by the Italian company Luigi Franchi S.P.A.

The Ithaca 37, also known as the Ithaca Model 37, is a pump-action shotgun made in large numbers for the civilian, law enforcement and military markets. Based on a 1915 patent by firearms designer John Browning for a shotgun initially marketed as the Remington Model 17, it utilizes a novel combination ejection/loading port on the bottom of the gun which leaves the sides closed to the elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daewoo Precision Industries K2</span> South Korean assault rifle

Daewoo Precision Industries K2 assault rifle is the standard service rifle of the South Korean military. It was developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by SNT Motiv and Dasan Machineries. Shoulder-fired and gas-operated, the K2 is capable of firing both 5.56×45mm NATO and .223 Remington ammunition; however, using .223 Remington is only recommended for practicing for short distance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heckler & Koch HK CAWS</span> Bullpup automatic shotgun

The Heckler & Koch HK CAWS is a prototype automatic shotgun—designed as a combat shotgun—co-produced by Heckler & Koch and Winchester/Olin during the 1980s. It was Heckler & Koch's entry into the U.S military's Close Assault Weapon System program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atchisson AA-12</span> Automatic combat shotgun

The AA-12, originally designed and known as the Atchisson Assault Shotgun, is an automatic combat shotgun developed in 1972 by Maxwell Atchisson. The most prominent feature is reduced recoil. The current 2005 version has been developed over 18 years since the patent was sold to Military Police Systems, Inc. The original design was the basis of several later weapons, including the USAS-12 combat shotgun. The shotgun fires in fully automatic mode only. However, the relatively low cyclic rate of fire of around 300 rounds per minute enables the shooter to fire individual rounds through the use of short trigger pulls. It is fed from either an 8-round box magazine, 20-round drum magazine, or a 32-round drum magazine. The charging handle is located at the top of the gun and does not reciprocate during firing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daewoo Precision Industries K3</span> Light machine gun

The Daewoo Precision Industries K3 is a South Korean light machine-gun. It is the third indigenous firearm developed in South Korea by the Agency for Defense Development, following the Daewoo Precision Industries K1 assault rifle and Daewoo Precision Industries K2 assault rifle. It is manufactured by Daewoo Precision Industries, current SNT Motiv. The K3 is capable of firing both 5.56×45mm NATO and .223 Remington rounds like the K2 assault rifle. The K3 light machine gun entered service in 1989, replacing the M60 machine gun in frontline use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assault rifle</span> Self-loading rifle that fires an intermediate-power rifle cartridge

An assault rifle is a select fire rifle that uses an intermediate-rifle cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles were first put into mass production and accepted into widespread service during World War II. The first assault rifle to see major usage was the German StG 44, a development of the earlier Mkb 42. While immediately after World War II, NATO countries were equipped with battle rifles, the development of the M16 rifle during the Vietnam War prompted the adoption of assault rifles by the rest of NATO. By the end of the 20th century, assault rifles had become the standard weapon in most of the world's armies, replacing full-powered rifles and submachine guns in most roles. The two most successful modern assault rifles are the AK-47 and the M16 designs and their derivatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automatic shotgun</span> Automatic firearm that fires shotgun shells

An automatic shotgun is an automatic firearm that fires shotgun shells and uses some of the energy of each shot to automatically cycle the action and load a new round. It will fire repeatedly until the trigger is released or ammunition runs out. Automatic shotguns have a very limited range, but provide tremendous firepower at close range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SNT Motiv</span> South Korean defence company

SNT Motiv is a South Korean firearms and auto parts manufacturer founded in 1981. Its firearms equip most frontline units of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.

References

  1. McCollum, Ian. "Video: USAS-12 Combat Shotgun". Forgotten Weapons.
  2. 1 2 Lee, Jerry (23 April 2013). The Official Gun Digest Book of Guns & Prices 2013. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 1162. ISBN   978-1-4402-3543-6.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. 1 2 Modern Firearms – USAS-12. Archived 2012-10-17 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  4. Walker, Robert E. (2013). Cartridges and Firearm Identification. CRC Press. p. 369. ISBN   978-1-4665-8881-3.
  5. "USAS-12". Modern Firearms. 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  6. Ameetec Arms WM-12. Archived 2009-03-05 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on December 28, 2007.
  7. "Armas que o exercito brasileiro usa - armas e bombas.projeteis". Archived from the original on 2017-07-25.
  8. "World Infantry Weapons: Colombia". 2016-03-12. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  9. "Con fusiles atacan al Gaula en el occidente de Medellín - 360 Radio" (in Spanish). 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2022-10-09.
  10. Dueñas, Ronald (2010-07-20), COPES - Policía Nacional de Colombia , retrieved 2022-10-09
  11. www.wazile.com, Wazile Technology Solutions-; Wazile (2019-02-20). "The Pros and Cons of Being a Security Guard in the Philippines". Corinthians Group of Companies. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  12. "World Infantry Weapons: Peru". 2016-05-29. Archived from the original on 2016-05-29. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  13. "World Infantry Weapons: South Korea". 2016-03-12. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  14. Picard, Michael; Holtom, Paul; Mangan, Fiona (December 2019). "Trade Update 2019: Transfers, Transparency and Southeast Asia Spotlight" (PDF). Small Arms Survey. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2019.
  15. 1 2 "Ya van 83 detenidos en Michoacán - Al Minuto". www.alminuto.mx. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
  16. Hernández, César (2016-06-08). "Mexico's lost guns: 13,000 over 10 years". Mexico News Daily. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
  17. 1 2 "Julius Schrank - Karen state". www.juliusschrank.com. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  18. 1 2 ALTHAUS
    , DUDLEY (2011-06-10). "Zetas' guns, uniforms captured in raid near Eagle Pass". Chron. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
  19. 1 2 "NPA squad leader captured, firearms seized in DavOr". Philippine News Agency.