Armsel Striker
| File:Protecta-DAO-12.jpg | |
|---|---|
| DAO-12 specifications | |
| Country of origin: | South Africa |
| Action: | Semi-Automatic |
| In production: | Available |
| Caliber: | 12 Gauge (2 3/4 in - 70 mm chamber) |
| Length: | (Butt folded / open), with 12" barrel: 508 / 792 mm 500 / 800 mm |
| Weight: | 4.2 kg empty, 4.4 kg loaded |
| Barrel: | 12-14 Inch |
| Magazine capacity: | 12 Rounds |
| Magazine type: | Non-detachable rotary cylinder |
| Rate of fire: | 3 rounds per second. |
Creation
The DAO-12 (Also known as Striker, Protecta and Street Sweeper) is a semiautomatic 12-gauge shotgun created for the purpose of riot control. It was created in Rhodesia by Hilton Walker in the early 1980s. After Rhodesia fell Walker moved to South Africa, bringing with him the design for the Striker shotgun. His shotgun became a success, and found its way to the four corners of the world. Even though it was successful the shotgun still had its flaws. The rotary cylinder-type magazine was bulky, had a slow reload time, and the basic action was not without certain flaws.
Mr. Walker redesigned his weapon in the late 80's, removing the cylinder rotation mechanism, and adding an auto cartridge ejection system. Mr. Walker new shotgun was named the Protecta.
Design and Features
The reason one would favor the DAO-12 over an ordinary shotgun would mainly be because of the weapons magazine capacity and its capability of semi-auto firing. The weapon fires similar to a revolver, using a rotating magazine. Since the Striker used more or less conventional DAO trigger, and a very large and heavy cylinder (compared to handguns), the trigger pull for the conventional design could be flawed. Walker added a pre-wounded clock-work spring to revolve the magazine. This proved to be a slow and ineffective way to load the weapon. Walker changed the design so that a front vertical grip is swung to the right and back to load a cartridge into place.
Fictional Appearances
The DAO-12 makes appearances in films and video games, usually as a close-range weapon with high firepower and semi-auto firing capability. It almost always surpasses the "technologically inferior" and slower-firing pump-action shotguns, both in firing rate and ammo capacity.
- In Resident Evil 4, the DAO-12 was the last and most powerful shotgun which you could obtain. It is called the Striker in this game.
- In Battlefield 2, it is an unlockable weapon for the Anti-tank class.
- In Max Payne 2: Fall of Max Payne, it is the strongest shotgun. It is also called the Striker in this game.
External Links
http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/SH09-E.HTM, A more detailed article