[RMc]

I recently picked up a Maverick 88 for use as a truck gun. The problem I've run into is with heavy 3" loads of buckshot. The pump won't release until it is pushed forward and back several times - HARD! Even the headstamps of the hulls show slight headstamp distortion. This seems to be a headspace issue but for some reason does not show up with standard field loads.

What do you think?

[MCgunner]

Sounds to me like the ammo is too hot for the gun. I'd try something else. Sticky extraction is a sign of pressure as is the distortion of the head stamp.

[thebaldguy]

Use 2 3/4 inch shells; sometimes more is not always better. Try something with a little less power. Make sure things are clean and lubed; make sure barrel is not too loose or way too tight.

[RMc]

My 870's handle the same 3" loads with no problem. They feed and eject just like the lighter 2 3/4" ammo abeit with greater recoil.

[sadhvacman]

I shoot 3" turkey loads and have never had any problems. But with the buckshot I've always gotten a much better pattern with 2 3/4" shells.

[RMc]

This is a functional problem - not a pattern problem.

[camslam]

I've shot plenty of 3" shells out of my Maverick and that is all I have in it for home defense. I have never had a problem with it shooting or extracting any of them.

I guess you never know.

[kgriggs8@yahoo.com]

Send it in for repair. It is a cheap gun so it may not be worth it but you can try.

[foghornl]

Hmmmm

Does it have this problem with all/most 3" loads? Or perhaps one particular brand/load?

Every ammo maker once in a while lets out a bad lot of ammo. Still could be the gun, too, but changing ammo is the quick-n-cheap way to test.

My Maverick eats eveything from the super-cheap $15/100 target loads up to Rem 3" Mag #4Buck without hiccups (sometimes the Winchester 100-shell bulk ammo is a bit sticky, but nothing like you describe)

One other thing...find the lot number of that ammo, and look on the ammo makers website to see if there any recalls.

[scout26]

Does the barrel say it'll take 3" shells ???

[RMc]

Yes this is a recent production Maverick 88 with 3" chamber.

[The Deer Hunter]

Yes this is a recent production Maverick 88 with 3" chamber.

Well at least its not your fault...

[foghornl]

Something else...

Is this shotgun new or "new-to-you"? If factory new, may need some breakin/use polishing. I sort of very vaguely remember my Maverick 88 was a bit sticky for the first 200 rounds or so, but not as much as you describe...and it didn't deform the headstamp like you mentioned.

Any pix available of the deformed case heads?