Armsel Striker
Armsel (Pty) Ltd · Shotgun · Limited Production · 1983
Also known as: Protecta, Streetsweeper, Street Sweeper, Sentinel Arms Striker-12, SWD Striker-12, Cobray Streetsweeper
Overview
The Armsel Striker is a 12-gauge revolving shotgun designed by Hilton R. Walker, a Zimbabwean (formerly Rhodesian) citizen, in the early 1980s. Its most distinctive feature is a 12-round non-detachable revolving cylinder, giving it an exceptionally high capacity for a shotgun. The original Striker uses a pre-wound clockwork spring mechanism to rotate the cylinder: the operator winds the spring with a key before loading, and each trigger pull releases tension to advance the next chamber into alignment with the barrel. This double-action-only trigger mechanism results in a heavy but consistent pull. The weapon features a top-folding tubular metal stock with a rubber buttplate, reducing overall length from 792mm to 508mm for compact storage and transport. A vertical foregrip aids in controlling recoil, and an ejector rod on the right side of the barrel is used to manually extract spent casings. Walker emigrated to South Africa and brought the design with him, where it was first manufactured in the mid-1980s by Armsel (Pty) Ltd. In 1989, Walker redesigned the weapon as the Protecta, replacing the clockwork spring with a manually advanced cylinder operated via a side-swinging front grip, and adding an automatic cartridge ejection system. The Protecta and its compact Bulldog variant are still produced in limited quantities by Reutech Defense Industries in South Africa. In the United States, the Striker was manufactured under license by Sentinel Arms and later by Cobray/SWD as the Streetsweeper. In 1994, the ATF reclassified the Streetsweeper and Striker-12 as destructive devices, effectively banning civilian sales without a special tax stamp.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4200 g (148.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4900 g (172.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 792 mm (31.18") |
| Folded Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Barrel Length | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Height | 230 mm (9.06") |
| Width | 80 mm (3.15") |
| Action Type | Double Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Only |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Trigger Pull | 49 N (11.0 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 12 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12 ga, 12 bore
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Revolving Cylinder Drum, Clockwork Spring Mechanism, Top Folding Stock, Rubber Buttplate, Vertical Foregrip, Ejector Rod, Iron Sights, Pistol Grip
Variants
- Armsel Protecta — Redesign
- Armsel Protecta Bulldog — Compact
- Sentinel Arms Striker-12 — Us Production
- Cobray/SWD Streetsweeper — Us Production
- Cobray Ladies Home Companion — Compact Stockless
Service history
Operators
- South African Police Service · adopted 1983
- South African National Defence Force
- Israel Defense Forces
- Israel Police
Conflicts
- South African Border War (1966-1990)
- Internal unrest in South Africa (1983-1994)
Production
Production years: 1983-present
Original Striker production was limited by apartheid-era trade isolation. The redesigned Protecta continues in limited production by Reutech Defense Industries in South Africa. US-produced variants by Sentinel Arms and Cobray/SWD were reclassified as destructive devices by the ATF in 1994.
Origin
Country of origin: South Africa
Designer: Hilton R. Walker
Notes
The Striker's clockwork mechanism must be wound manually with a key prior to loading, and if not fully wound the cylinder may fail to advance. Loading is slow, requiring each shell to be individually inserted into the cylinder chambers. Spent casings must be manually ejected one at a time using the ejector rod, making reloads exceptionally time-consuming in practice. The Protecta redesign addressed these issues somewhat with its manual cylinder advance and auto-ejection. The Striker chambers standard 2-3/4 inch (70mm) 12 gauge shells only; it cannot accept 3-inch magnum shells. A 10-round cylinder variant was produced for export markets with capacity restrictions. The weapon saw use primarily for riot control and close-quarters security applications.
Background
Designed by a Rhodesian emigre in apartheid-era South Africa, the Striker's menacing revolving drum and high capacity made it an icon of 1980s action cinema. Its fearsome reputation in the US led the ATF to reclassify it as a destructive device in 1994 -- one of only a handful of shotguns ever to receive that designation -- effectively killing the civilian market overnight.