Dickinson Commando v.s. Maverick 88

[Good Ol' Boy]

Looking for differences between the two guns in the title. Couldn't find a whole lot of reviews on the Dickinson, the Maverick reviews are everywhere and seems to get great marks for a dirt cheap pump.

Honestly I hadn't even heard of the Dickinson until checking a LGS today. They have them on sale for $149. The 88's run around $199 locally.

Mainly just looking at a cheap pump just to have one. It would mainly see target use, maybe something to throw in the truck or take through the woods. Perhaps a informal turkey shoot or skeet occasionally if longer barrels are an option. Basically a general purpose beater.

So any advice from anyone who's had hands on experience with both of these would be appreciated. Any info on differences would also be helpful.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Well I went ahead and picked up a XX3B2 Commando today. I was able to find enough positive reviews to make me feel at ease for a $150 shotgun.

Feels very well built given the cost, I expected a lot of loose tolerances but everything's smooth and functions good.

Had chores to do this afternoon but shot a few shells as soon as I got it home to check for function and pattern.


00 buck in the center and rifled slug at the top from 30yds....




Seems to shoot well, pretty much POA. I actually like the rifle style front sight instead of a bead. Recoil was surprisingly pleasant given those loads out of a 6lb shotgun.






Hopefully next weekend I can get to by buddies range down the road and stretch it out to 100yds.

 

[22250Rem]

Interesting........Never even seen one of those in person. Looking forward to a range report after you get it out to your buddies range.

 

[bannockburn]

Good Ol' Boy

As you said there seems to be a number of favorable reviews on this relatively inexpensive Turkish shotgun. At that price you're not laying out a lot of cash for one even if it turns out to be less than what you expected it to be. Let us know how it does at your buddy's range and then long term after awhile.

 

[MachIVshooter]

They're both decent, lightweight aluminum receiver budget shotguns. I like the look & feel of the Commando better, but it's not really supported in the aftermarket beyond universal fit stuff. I bought one on sale for $119, and for that price, no complaints. It did require a "fluff'n'buff", if you will, as it had difficulty extracting after the first couple shots, had to wait a second or two for the shell to cool and contract. This was easily remedied by smoothing out the tool marks in the chamber with some 240 grit wrapped around a mandrel that was spun by a die grinder, took about 5 minutes, but if you're not inclined toward such minor smithing, that's a strike against the Commando. I've never had to do such a thing on a Mossberg, even the Maverick. It's not the first time I've seen it with a Turkish gun, though. The chambers look lathe turned at a fairly high feed rate, not reamed, and are sometimes a bit rough.

One thing to consider is that neither of these bare bones budget scatterguns are threaded for choke tubes, and are cylinder bore, so if any work that requires choke is in order, you'll be money ahead buying a 500 or 870 Express that's already threaded. I reamed and threaded my Commando for Winchester/Mossberg pattern tubes, but I already own the reamer and tap, so it only cost me a little time. It's a $440 reamer & tap from PTG, and most smiths will charge in the arena of $60-$100 to thread for choke tubes (I charge $75 as long as it's just a straight forward ream & thread, no posts or anything from a sight, etc. that my expensive reamer has to chew through).

 

[#1buck]

I'd have gone with the Maverick.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Well I still haven't gotten to shoot this thing beyond 50yds but I have put several more boxes through it and no complaints or issues so far.

Matter of fact I like it enough that I bought another one. I checked into getting a 26" barrel for the one I have and it's almost as much as another gun, so I bought another gun. This one has the walnut stock and fore grip and looks more like a traditional shot gun.

It should be here Friday and will post a picture once I have it.

Supposed to go to my buddies range this Saturday and will report back about both guns.

I'm thinking now I'd like to get into some clay shooting and this second gun should be a pretty cheap way to have some fun. This is a whole new world for me so I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions in the future.

 

[MAKster]

The problem with these rebadged budget imports is that the U.S. company in a year or two might decide it is unprofitable and stop importing them. Or they will switch to another Turkish manufacturer who will provide them with guns for an even lower price. Or the foreign manufacturer will sign an exclusive deal with a different US importer and cut the other company off.

 

[kozak6]

Yeah. It's probably a decent enough shotgun, but if you ever need parts or service, you are probably out of luck.

Whereas, the Maverick is mostly compatible with the Mossberg 500, both of which will probably be in continuous domestic production for at least a couple more decades.

 

[amd6547]

If there is 00 buck on that target, from 30yds....I’d expect to see more holes.

 

[milemaker13]

I have the maverick that came with 2 barrels. The 28" barrel is threaded for choke tubes. At just over $200 i feel it was a solid purchase. Support and parts are the big difference here. You can use moss 500 parts for the mav (same gun) whereas parts for the turkish gun may be harder to find.

I will say the commando has a unique and interesting look to it... not to mention a way cooler name! Lol.

Is that a green color or just look that way on my phone?

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

No green, all black.

You can check the other thread I made "Another Dicky" for an update.