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Fostech Origin 12
View on WikipediaThe Origin 12 is a semi-automatic magazine-fed combat shotgun, developed by Fostech Outdoors, which has a very high rate of fire.[1][2]
Key Information
Similar to the Saiga-12 and Vepr-12, the Origin 12 is primarily based on the AK action.
Design
[edit]The Origin 12 is a semi-automatic shotgun derived partly from the Saiga-12 shotgun, which was itself derived from the AK. To improve user accuracy, the Origin features a large ejection port, and an adjustable gas system.[3] The Origin uses proprietary magazines to ensure reliability, compared to the Saiga, whose magazines were described as its "weakest link."[3] The Origin's receiver cover and forend are made from polymer, which helps to reduce weight.[3] The Origin's upper receiver can be removed, allowing for switching between the regular and short-barrel variant. Both versions are compatible with a SilencerCo SALVO suppressor.[3]
Variants
[edit]- Origin 12 SBV (short-barreled variant) — A variant of the Origin 12, which ceased production in 2019, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives declared it a Title II weapon, making unregistered possession of the weapon a violation of the National Firearms Act (NFA). In response, Fostech allowed people who had purchased the SBV to send it to the company, and have it replaced either with the short-barrel or full-length Origin 12.[4]
- Origin 12 short-barrel shotgun — A short-barrel variant of the Origin 12, with a 9.75 in (248 mm) barrel, and a side-folding stock, which when folded, gives the weapon a length similar to the Uzi.[3]
- Origin 12 SABS (semi-automatic breaching shotgun) — A breacher variant of the Origin 12 with shortened barrel and no stock, classified as an Any Other Weapon by the NFA.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "This is perhaps the fastest shotgun in the world". We Are The Mighty. 2018-11-01. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- ^ Eger, Chris. "Getting down with the Fostech Origin 12 (VIDEO)". Guns.com. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- ^ a b c d e "Fostech Origin 12 - Next Level of Semi-Auto 12 Gauge Shotguns". AmmoLand. 2017-11-21. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- ^ "Origin SBV Recall Information". Fostech. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- ^ "Origin 12 SABS Semi-Automatic Breaching Shotgun (AOW)". Fostech. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
Fostech Origin 12
View on GrokipediaDevelopment and Production
Origins and Design Inception
FosTecH, Inc., founded in 2011 by Judd Foster and his wife Sophi in Seymour, Indiana, initially specialized in firearm components before expanding into complete weapon systems. The Origin 12's development emerged from this evolution, driven by the Foster family's— including Judd and cousin David Foster—aim to produce a domestically manufactured, magazine-fed semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun superior to imported alternatives like the Saiga-12 in reliability and adaptability. Early efforts focused on overcoming inherent limitations in gas-operated designs, such as inconsistent cycling with diverse ammunition types, leading to the inception of a proprietary system in approximately 2012.[10] Central to the design was an innovative patented gas piston mechanism that vents directly from the chamber rather than relying on barrel ports, enabling immediate and adjustable gas capture for optimal function across light and heavy 2¾-inch loads without manual tuning for specific ammunition. This addressed empirical shortcomings observed in prior shotguns, where port placement often caused failures with low-power or buckshot rounds, prioritizing causal reliability through first-principles engineering of gas dynamics. Ambidextrous controls, modular barrel quick-change features, and compatibility with detachable box magazines (5- to 30-round capacities) were integrated from inception to enhance tactical versatility and user ergonomics.[1][11][12] The prototype was publicly debuted at the 2014 SHOT Show, marking the transition from conceptual testing to production, with initial shipments beginning in late November 2014 following pre-order fulfillment. This timeline reflected rigorous prototyping to validate the gas system's performance under varied conditions, positioning the Origin 12 as a high cyclic-rate platform—capable of exceeding 300 rounds per minute in bursts—while maintaining semi-automatic compliance.[12][13][11]Production History and Updates
The Fostech Origin-12 semi-automatic shotgun entered production following its design inception around 2012 by Judd Foster at Fostech Outdoors, with initial prototypes and public unveiling occurring at the 2013 SHOT Show.[14] Manufacturing commenced in the United States shortly thereafter, with commercial availability to the public by early 2015, as evidenced by hands-on evaluations and first-look demonstrations from that period.[15] Fostech, founded in 2011, positioned the Origin-12 as a modular, magazine-fed 12-gauge platform inspired by AK-pattern designs, initially offered in configurations with 18.5-inch or longer barrels to comply with federal regulations, at an MSRP of approximately $2,800.[16][17] In 2017, Fostech introduced the Origin-12 SBV (Short Barrel Version) variant with a 10.67-inch barrel and stabilizing brace, marketed as a non-NFA "firearm" to avoid short-barreled shotgun classification under the National Firearms Act.[18] This configuration, measuring 27.5 inches overall, aimed to provide compact tactical utility without requiring a $200 tax stamp or registration. However, in December 2019, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reclassified the SBV as either a short-barreled shotgun or Any Other Weapon (AOW), mandating NFA compliance; Fostech responded by recalling all distributed units and offering owners options such as barrel extensions for non-NFA use or assistance with tax stamp applications.[19][8][20] Subsequent updates included the release of the Origin-12 GEN-2 series, featuring enhanced modularity such as quick-change barrels, improved ambidextrous controls, and refined gas systems for better reliability across ammunition types, with production continuing as of 2025 in both long-barrel (non-NFA) and short-barrel configurations compliant with updated ATF guidelines, including AOW designations where applicable.[5][2] GEN-2 models maintain pricing around $2,999–$3,099, reflecting iterative improvements based on user feedback for components like the patented inertia-assisted gas operating system.[21] Despite ongoing production, some short-barrel variants faced intermittent availability due to regulatory scrutiny, though Fostech continues to manufacture and sell through its official channels.[3]Design and Features
Operating Mechanism
The Fostech Origin 12 employs a gas-operated, long-stroke piston system with a rotating bolt for semi-automatic operation.[6][3][22] Upon firing, high-pressure propellant gases are vented through ports in the barrel shortly after the projectile passes, driving a piston attached directly to the bolt carrier group rearward in a long-stroke motion.[6][23] This rearward force rotates the bolt head via lugs, unlocking it from the barrel extension, extracts the spent shell via dual extractors, and ejects it through a large port on the right side.[3][22] The patented adjustable gas system captures gases immediately post-chamber, enabling reliable cycling across ammunition types from low-brass target loads to high-power magnum shells.[1] Adjustment is achieved via a gas plug at the piston end, turned with a 12-gauge shell acting as a wrench, with settings optimizing ejection distance to 5-8 feet to prevent over-gassing, which could lead to excessive wear or structural issues.[1] The system includes a non-reciprocating forward charging handle for manual operation without interfering with cycling, and a last-round bolt hold-open feature that locks the carrier rearward upon magazine depletion.[1] This design enhances reliability through the robust rotating bolt and dual extractors, minimizing failures to feed or eject compared to inertia-driven shotgun mechanisms, while the long-stroke piston reduces fouling in the action by keeping gases forward of the receiver.[3][22] The Origin 12's mechanism supports high cyclic rates exceeding 200 rounds per minute in testing, though practical rates depend on ammunition and user control.[6]Key Components and Modularity
The Fostech Origin 12 employs a gas-operated, long-stroke piston mechanism housed within a quick-detachable barrel assembly, which includes the patented adjustable gas block, fluted high-strength steel barrel, and integrated handguard.[1][5] The gas system features an infinitely adjustable ported plug, threaded outward to increase port size and bleed excess gas for heavier loads, ensuring compatibility solely with 2¾-inch 12-gauge shells while optimizing ejection patterns at 5-8 feet.[1][24] The receiver, constructed from billet-machined aluminum, incorporates ambidextrous controls such as a non-reciprocating forward charging handle, safety selector, trigger guard, and magazine release, alongside a last-round bolt hold-open function and a full-length Picatinny top rail for optics mounting.[1][5] A folding stock, mounted on a Mil-Spec buffer tube, collapses to reduce overall length to approximately 28 inches or folds to the side for compact storage at 21 inches, enhancing portability without tools.[5] Modularity is achieved through a two-assembly breakdown—separating the receiver from the barrel/handguard/gas unit via a quick-change pin alignment—facilitating field maintenance, cleaning, and transport.[1] The quick-change barrel system supports rapid swaps between configurations like 9.75-inch short barrels (threaded M22 x .75) and 18.5-inch long barrels, with tool-free forend removal providing access to the piston for adjustments or repairs.[5][24] The handguard integrates side and bottom Picatinny rails for accessory attachment, such as lights or grips, while the design accepts multiple detachable magazines (5-, 8-, or 10-round box types, plus 20- or 30-round drums with steel feed lips) and threaded muzzle devices compatible with suppressors like the SilencerCo Salvo 12.[1][24] This configuration prioritizes user-configurable adaptability for tactical or defensive roles.Variants
Standard and Barrel Configurations
The Fostech Origin 12 is available in standard configurations distinguished primarily by barrel length, with the long-barrel variant serving as the baseline shotgun model and the short-barrel variant offered for compact applications. The standard long-barrel configuration features an 18.5-inch smooth-bore barrel with M22 x .75 -6G threading, accommodating 12-gauge shells limited to 2¾-inch length, and yields overall lengths of 36.75 inches collapsed, 40 inches extended, and 29.75 inches folded.[21][25] This setup complies with federal shotgun length requirements under the National Firearms Act (NFA), avoiding short-barreled shotgun (SBS) classification when paired with a qualifying stock.[3] The short-barrel configuration, often designated as the Origin-12 GEN-2 Short Barrel Shotgun or SBS variant, employs a 9.75-inch barrel of identical smooth-bore design and threading, resulting in more maneuverable dimensions: 28 inches collapsed, 31.25 inches extended, and 21 inches folded.[5][26] This shorter barrel requires NFA registration as an SBS in standard stock-equipped form, though pistol grip-only (PGO) or brace adaptations can configure it as a non-NFA "firearm" with an overall length exceeding 26 inches.[3] Barrel assemblies are interchangeable between configurations, supporting user modularity for maintenance or customization, though sights and accessories are typically excluded from barrel kits.[26]| Configuration | Barrel Length | Overall Length (Collapsed/Extended/Folded) | NFA Status (Stock-Equipped) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Long Barrel | 18.5 inches | 36.75 / 40 / 29.75 inches | Non-NFA shotgun[21] |
| Short Barrel (SBS) | 9.75 inches | 28 / 31.25 / 21 inches | SBS (requires registration)[5] |
