It's been years since Smith & Wesson last put its brand name on a 12-gauge shotgun: the most famous – for having been used in the notorious 1986 Miami shootout – was the Model 3000, in the Springfield company's catalog between the 1970s and 1980s and manufactured in Japan by Howa. Now Smith & Wesson introduces the new M&P 12, a pump shotgun in bullpup configuration that benefits from all the most interesting features of the Military & Police range of firearms, starting from the construction with extensive use of polymers and the great modularity and versatility.
This pump shotgun can in fact chamber 12 gauge standard 2 ¾”, 3” magnum, and mini-shell loads – the latter are short cartridges very popular in the USA. The gun is fully ambidextrous, with the possibility of swapping the sling swivel attachments from one side to the other without any tool.
The M&P 12 offers the shooter an assist button that, once pressed, allows to quickly unload each tube magazine – there are in fact two independent tube magazines and you can switch between them for feeding the cartridges into the gun. On the back of the shotgun, a tactile and visual indicator alerts the shooter when a round is chambered.
Smith & Wesson M&P 12, a compact shotgun
The grip is AR-15 style with four interchangeable palmswell grip inserts that allow it to be adapted to the user's hands while the handguard is fitted with a vertical grip that facilitates charging/cycling the action and helps recoil management.
The Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver and the barrel shroud with M-Lok slots allow the gun to be accessorized with red dot sights, flashlights and other accessories. The short overall length of 27.8”/71 cm and the weight of 132.8 oz /3.7 kg make it an excellent gun for use in confined environments or from inside a vehicle.
The retail price of the M&P 12 in the US is $1165 – about 990 euros at current exchange rates.
Currently it's too early to talk about availability in EU. But as always: all4shooters.com will keep you informed. Stay tuned!
Watch the video released by S&W introducing the M&P 12
S&W M&P 12 pump action shotgun: technical specs and price
| Model: | M&P 12 |
| Gauge: | 12, Magnum (3”) chamber |
| Action: | Pump action |
| Magazine Capacity: | 6/7 rounds |
| Safety: | Ambidextrous, AR-15 style |
| Barrel Length: | 19”/48 cm |
| Overall Length: | 27.8”/71 cm |
| Stock: | Fixed, synthetic |
| Grip: | M&P, with interchangeable palmswell grip inserts |
| Weight: | 132.8 oz /3.7 kg |
| Price (in the US): | 1165 USD (about 990 euros) |
