r/canadaguns • u/Zen_Bonsai • Jun 10 '26
Feets / Collection / My build Finally one of you
Ok ok. Im new. Like I got my license in the mail yesterday new.
I know almost nothing. Although I already know that those who know don't like this gun. Ok. But it's my first piece, and I got it for free from a friend by helping them out, and it hasn't seen a single shot fired yet. Brand new. I cut the tag off today.
...it's a Federation SPM-12
I've got questions. Go easy on me.
1) I leaned in my gun safety course that I match the head stamp with the data stamp. But wtf, I can't find the data stamp. Unless the info is buried within the serial
number I don't know what ..inch (?) of the shell is. And I feel like it's not cool to share the serial number? Online searches assume 3" but I need to be sure.
2) Even though I got this second hand, why can I find a manual online??
3) What the heck is this switch for in the second picture?
4) I assume these are my chokes in the third picture. I don't really know how to differentiate them. Whatever comes stock has this, I assume flash suppressor (see pic 4), seemingly welded to the stock choke. How do I know which choke is which and transfer the flash suppressor?
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u/Jolly_Welcome_1046 Jun 10 '26
The "flash suppressor" choke is probably your cylinder bore, and the rest probably have notches cut in the end which designates the constriction. Your chamber length should be marked on the barrel maybe hidden under that extra stuff thats clamped and screwed on. Its probably a 3inch chamber.
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 10 '26
I wondered if the info was covered up. If so, dumb placement as it came stock with the rail stuff
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u/3e_Design Jun 10 '26
I sell these. it will take 2.75" 12ga ammo in addition to 3" 12 ga ammo. however customer feedback suggests that if you load the magazine up with more than seven 3" shells, it does not feed well.
no manual that I know of.
The muzzle brake is cylinder bore (no choke). Use this if you want to run slugs
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 10 '26
Thanks for the reply!
Odd that over 7 3" shells is an issue. Id have thought that the reciever in the gun wouldn't care how many are in the mag.
So I guess I can just load up 10 2.75" shells and be fine?
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Jun 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 11 '26
Thanks for the great response!
Can I simply get a better mag then and get past this issue?
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u/Thatwokebloke Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
It’s a fun enough shotty for shooting clay, I put the full choke in after using the comp and did notice a minor difference in recoil but it was worth it for the tighter spread. I got mine discounted while buying a rifle otherwise probably wouldn’t have got it but glad I did as it’s been fun and reliable so far. I think the “switch” is just for looks but it’s been a while since I had mine out so could be mistaken
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 10 '26
Thanks for the reply!
That switch can only change position while the pump is held back. Still puzzling
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Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 10 '26
Wow thanks for the detailed reply!
I did see some notches on the chokes so I'll investigate that when I get home.
The breacher choke sounds oddly tactical..don't think I'll be shooting door locks anytime soon. I do hope to hunt grouse- often close range obvs so maby I'll leave it in place of it's the least restrictive?
Is it easy enough to find out and complete a full disassembly?
The lock in battery explanation you offered is a bit foreign to me. Is this also the reason the pump can't stay back and automatically moves forward via spring? I remember in the safety course the shotgun had a button that had to be pressed in to action the pump. Maybe this is what you're referring to? I thought that was actually burdensome and I like that I can just action it without a button. Sucks that this means it's not as reliable.
I haven't chambered a round yet, so I'll try to be cognizant of making sure the pump gets fully extended
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u/SpinachStunning5547 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
Chambering size os probable right on the chamber ( start of the barrel) hidden by the black sleeve that has your rail. My best guest would also be 3in. You can take the sleeve off if you want to make sure.
For the switch, my best guest would be akwardly placed safety but an other guy said it was decorative. And since there is already a safety in the triggerguard, I tend to believe him.
For the chokes, yours came with a breacher choke. The other are probably cylinder, modified and full. If you look them from the top, they will get increasingly thicker. You don't wsnt to shoot slugs out of the full choke. Take your cyl or lesve your breacher. Use the mod it you want to hunt.
Edit: also, on your cyl and mod, it is probably written something like "steel shot ok" which mean you can shoot steel shot out of them. Don't shoot steel out of the mod. You can damage it.
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u/SunAdministrative621 Jun 10 '26
A lot of people didn't get manuals even buying new. I actually did get a manual but it wasn't very helpful in regards to disassembly, if I can find it I can send you photos of the pages.
Its a cool looking gun but I had so many issues with it I ended up buying another shotgun a few months later.
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 10 '26
Id appreciate an image if you can find one!
Sucks to hear so many people are disappointed with this one. I hope it helps me learn and functional enough to keep me safe
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u/Tough-Illustrator-52 Jun 17 '26
I have a manual for the spm-12 send me a private message and I’ll send you the manual
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u/Less_Budget8989 Jun 10 '26
Holy hell the amount of dudes commenting about the takedown lever that have zero clue what they're talking about is peak cringe. Why would it be "decorative" or a magazine release when its so high at the top of the magwell? Those guys have clearly never handled a gun with a detachable mag or cleaned a turkish shotgun. If you dont know what it is just zip it, no need for fudd information yah goofs.
You have to pull back on the pump and switch it down to unlock your bolt assembly from the receiver and then when putting back together you pull back and switch it up to lock it up. I recommend taking apart every gun you get before taking it to the range and cleaning it and understanding how it functions. It'll be easier to tell if its becoming damaged over time like this.
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u/NIBLZ_HAMSTR Jun 10 '26
No feet?? Hahaha nice gun, man... and you cant beat free. Thats a fabulous start.
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 11 '26
Thanks hamstr! Took her out to bush tonight and emptied a full box!
Can't say I haven't fired a shotty now!
Had zero problems.
Now I have to figure out how to clean it
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u/NIBLZ_HAMSTR Jun 11 '26
Fabulous!!! Cleaning is one of my favorite parts of range day... Crack a beer or pour a bourbon, get out the CLP and just detail that sucker. Has anybody talked to you about maintenance? How to clean, where to oil, etc?
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 11 '26
My knowledge of cleaning is thus:
Clean after every session, clean after wet conditions.
Use one cleaner for the inner barrel and for what ever metal slams into the shell.
Use the other cleaner/oil on the outside.
Wipe of excess.
When buying ammo yesterday I got an expensive kit and the two cleaning solutions. Beyond that I don't know what tools to use in the kit or exactly which parts need attention. Many have said I should take the whole thing apart but I'm nervous of getting it all back together. Also of the time suck
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u/livingliesdrumr Jun 10 '26
1- it’ll take 3”
2- mine also didn’t come with a manual and I couldn’t find one either online
3- switch is decorative
4- yes those are your chokes and choke tool. I had to put them on my finger and figure out which is which by how far they engaged my finger then I marked them for future
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u/StimulateWithLiqour Jun 10 '26
That switch is the ramp lever. You need it in the downward position in order to remove the hand guard and bolt assembly when disassembling.
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u/JETRUG Jun 10 '26
Do your choke tubes have notch codes like this?
My Charles Daly single shot came with a choke tube installed that has the notch code.
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 10 '26
For the switch, it only changes position when the pump is held back. With the mag out and looking into the mag hole, I see a bit of metal moving when I toggle the switch.
For the chokes, Ill the the finger test, and I assume the one that goes down the least is full choke?
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u/Enough_Challenge7264 Jun 10 '26
Join and surf around "Canadian Gun Nutz" (CGN).
1) What you have is a pump action, detachable magazine fed, 12 gauge shotgun that will accept 3 inch or 2.75" 12 gauge shells.
2) you'll be able to find something, poke around the internet as to how to field strip the gun.
3) box magazine release
4) yes chokes. They are a whole different area of study as to what can be shot through them, when to use which choke etc.
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 10 '26
Thank you for your reply!
The box mag release is on the other side tho
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u/Enough_Challenge7264 Jun 10 '26
A safety perhaps? With the gun empty of ammo, rack the gun and see if the lever can be moved on the opposite position of where it rests now. Muzzle then in a safe direction, see if you can pull the trigger, tripping the sear. I thought it had an 870 type safety behind the trigger?
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 11 '26
It's apparently something that is used to take the gun apart.
Just shot my first box of shells though her and forgot to check it's position.
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u/DougMacRay617 Jun 10 '26
Your one of somthing thats for sure. Ive had my license for 10 plus years, never had a cheesy turkshit shotgun
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 11 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
Tell ya that emptying a box of shells through her was fun as hell tonight
Zero problems too. She cycled and shot those shells like a mad wench
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u/DougMacRay617 Jun 11 '26
Classic "25 rounds no issues very reliable"
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u/Zen_Bonsai Jun 11 '26
You seem like you're sour about something and I'm not sure why or why you're wasting your time to do so
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u/AdeptArt Jun 10 '26
For free? You can't really beat free. What did you do to get it?