JTS-M12AR AR-15ish shotgun from Academy sports

[csspecs 1,987]

We just got one of these in, basically it is a giant AR-15. I don't think anything on the shotgun is really cross compatible with the AR-15, and likely not the AR-10 either.

I'm going to do more of a review and I have someplace to be in half an hour so I'll update it when I get home later tonight. The photos are not exactly awesome, I had my phone in my pocket and ended up sweat damaging my camera... I have a video that I did taking the gun apart just talking about the parts.. I'll try to add that tomorrow since I'm trying to edit in some still shots into it.

The Shotgun as it comes.

Showing the lower vs a normal AR-15. The lower one is the JTS-M12AR

Comparing the uppers, the lower one is the JTS-M12AR

Buffer and spring.. Lower one is the JTS-M12AR. The buffer is two parts with a large coil spring inside, like an extra shock absorber of sorts.

Showing the stock tube, the lack of additional holes makes use of an AR-15 stock non adjustable.. If the tube is not standard to an AR-10, maybe the better option would be to remove the stock tube and mill it to match the AR-15 pattern. But at best you are going to have a two or three point adjustment, because longer than A2 length would not really fit anyone, and any shorter and the tube will stick out the back.. As is factory stock is not terrible, the recoil pad is nearly 1" of rubber, firm enough to give some support with magnum slugs.. And the stock is pretty much as short as you are going to get since the tube runs the whole length.

An AR-15 stock does fit over the tube but there is only one position roughly 3/4" from the end of the tube. Stock seemed to fit very tightly. It is roughly equal to an AR-15 fully extended, so not super long.

This is the spring loaded catch that stops the buffer from popping out.. Ar-15s have the same thing but in the center. Not sure why this one is different.

The shotgun has two chokes, they are REM chokes. You get a plain Modified that fits flush and a Cylinder bore with muzzle brake..

Bolt carrier group compared with an AR-15, the AR-15 is obviously smaller.

Showing the gas piston system.. An advantage this system has is that there are no threads, it is toolless for cleaning just rotate to the top and pull and the whole gas system comes out the front..

Showing the receiver compared to a normal AR-15

[evlblkwpnz 3,418]

Well, not ideal, but certainly interesting. Do you think the grip, trigger, and selector design might allow use of AR parts there? Those are the main things I think a lot of people would want to swap out. Thank you for investing and posting!

[csspecs 1,987]

Grip looks standard.. Selector is a maybe. Trigger is likely not standard maybe it is ar10 pattern? The hammer is longer to reach the firing pin on higher bore center.

The front stock is aluminum looks like M-lok.. But I don't have anything M-lok to test with it..

 

Edited September 19, 2018 by csspecs

[evlblkwpnz 3,418]

AR15 and AR10 use the same FCG. The longer hammer could have something to do with the profile of the underside of the carrier too.

[sjgusmc21 850]

Looks very promising.  Has stoked my attention.  Thank you for posting.

[evlblkwpnz 3,418]

Other than the sheer size of it, the design looks like at least a few steps in a better direction. 

[gunfun 3,931]

Thanks for the overview!

[saltydecimator 482]

seems interesting, not horrible looking machining, and decently priced....

[Medivacs 0]

On 9/18/2018 at 11:01 PM, csspecs said:

We just got one of these in, basically it is a giant AR-15. I don't think anything on the shotgun is really cross compatible with the AR-15, and likely not the AR-10 either.

I'm going to do more of a review and I have someplace to be in half an hour so I'll update it when I get home later tonight. The photos are not exactly awesome, I had my phone in my pocket and ended up sweat damaging my camera... I have a video that I did taking the gun apart just talking about the parts.. I'll try to add that tomorrow since I'm trying to edit in some still shots into it.

The Shotgun as it comes.

Showing the lower vs a normal AR-15. The lower one is the JTS-M12AR

Comparing the uppers, the lower one is the JTS-M12AR

Buffer and spring.. Lower one is the JTS-M12AR. The buffer is two parts with a large coil spring inside, like an extra shock absorber of sorts.

Showing the stock tube, the lack of additional holes makes use of an AR-15 stock non adjustable.. If the tube is not standard to an AR-10, maybe the better option would be to remove the stock tube and mill it to match the AR-15 pattern. But at best you are going to have a two or three point adjustment, because longer than A2 length would not really fit anyone, and any shorter and the tube will stick out the back.. As is factory stock is not terrible, the recoil pad is nearly 1" of rubber, firm enough to give some support with magnum slugs.. And the stock is pretty much as short as you are going to get since the tube runs the whole length.

An AR-15 stock does fit over the tube but there is only one position roughly 3/4" from the end of the tube. Stock seemed to fit very tightly. It is roughly equal to an AR-15 fully extended, so not super long.

This is the spring loaded catch that stops the buffer from popping out.. Ar-15s have the same thing but in the center. Not sure why this one is different.

The shotgun has two chokes, they are REM chokes. You get a plain Modified that fits flush and a Cylinder bore with muzzle brake..

Bolt carrier group compared with an AR-15, the AR-15 is obviously smaller.

Showing the gas piston system.. An advantage this system has is that there are no threads, it is toolless for cleaning just rotate to the top and pull and the whole gas system comes out the front..

Showing the receiver compared to a normal AR-15

In regards to the buffet tube do you think an Ar10 rifle length tube would fit? I am mostly concerned about the length of the tube being long enough to not hinder the buffer/ buffer spring assembly.  Also how would you go about notching the tube for the offset buffer retaining pin? I might be over simplifying this but I thought about using a cutoff wheel and polishing the burr with a small wire wheel. Maybe touch up the threads if the get buggered on the end.