The AA-12 has one very big issue that I think is probably the main reason it hasn't been adopted in any significant numbers.
The magazine is heavy and it doesn't get a lot of support from the magazine well/magazine catch. That 'frame' looking thing that encloses the pistolgrip is actually the magazine support. You have to thread the mag onto that before you can slide it up into the mag well.
Did you notice how in the filmclips they never seem to be in any real hurry to change a mag?
Imagine trying to do that with cold hands, in the mud and rain and at night.
As for the claim that it doesn't need cleaning or lubricating, yes you did hear it right. I paid particular attention to this weapon after hearing the new company make that claim. They are wrong, plain and simple, but it's all part of their publicity hype. They paid big money for the rights to the AA-12 and to update it and they were desperate to recover their costs.
This also had them claiming it was the world's deadliest shotgun - not in the middle of a fumbled mag change it ain't...
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