I have Mossberg Maverick 88 that holds three shots. I have read that it is very hard to put a magazine extension on an 88 but that it is possible to remove a plug in the tube that will allow it to hold more shots. Can anyone confirm this and give me any pointers on how to do it?
Extending capacity in a Maverick 88
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The Deer Hunter
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just go buy a 870 express or 500/590 second hand with an extension
If memory serves, the maverick 88 and the mossy 500 are near identical guns. If that's the case, remove the magazine tube cap, & barrel, set this aside, and lightly shake the gun back and forth while pointing toward the floor. The "plug" is nothing more than a ultra-thin 'dowel' type wood rod that should protrude thru the screw hole of the end of the mag. tube. Simply pull this dowel piece out, and presto!, you now have increased capacity by 2-3 shells. Enjoy.
as for the plug. take off the barrel
do so, by clearing the weapon, check the magazine and the chamber to ensure theres no rounds.
move the action so that its about 1/2 way back. then unscrew the barrel screw ( at the end of the magazine.)
pull off the barrel.
point the gun at the ground, and giggle it untill the plug falls out the little screw hole
reassemble in reverse order, sans the plug obviously
do so, by clearing the weapon, check the magazine and the chamber to ensure theres no rounds.
move the action so that its about 1/2 way back. then unscrew the barrel screw ( at the end of the magazine.)
pull off the barrel.
point the gun at the ground, and giggle it untill the plug falls out the little screw hole
reassemble in reverse order, sans the plug obviously
cloudcroft
Member
Kentucky,
Mossberg 500s hold either 6 or 8 (9?) shots...yours apparently is the 6-shot (5 in the magazine, one in the chamber, 5+1...like my Mossberg "Cruiser").
If you wanted more, you could get the Mossberg 500 "Persuader" which is actually the better deal in that it is only SLIGHTLY longer but holds more rounds since it already has the extended magazine tube.
Yes, the lower-cost Mavericks are almost identical to the Mossbergs.
-- John D.
Mossberg 500s hold either 6 or 8 (9?) shots...yours apparently is the 6-shot (5 in the magazine, one in the chamber, 5+1...like my Mossberg "Cruiser").
If you wanted more, you could get the Mossberg 500 "Persuader" which is actually the better deal in that it is only SLIGHTLY longer but holds more rounds since it already has the extended magazine tube.
Yes, the lower-cost Mavericks are almost identical to the Mossbergs.
-- John D.
I dont know how in the world I put that not in there. It DOES hold 6 shots, I appreciate the help here. You guys are a fantastic bunch.
Yes I would like to have a 500 or a 590, but most of my spare gun cash goes towards rifles, and the Maverick is what I have to work with right now. With the new side folding stock I put on it and the increased capacity that is available to me now I think it will probably last me for a while.
cloudcroft
Member
I was thinking that Maverick might also make a 500 Persuader-equivalent shotgun, i.e., more magazine capacity.
Guess they don't.
But 6 shots of 12-guage -- whether in a Maverick or Mossberg (difference is negligible) -- is plenty of firepower...like having a .44 magnum revolver but x 2 power-wise.
That should get things done.
-- John D.
Guess they don't.
But 6 shots of 12-guage -- whether in a Maverick or Mossberg (difference is negligible) -- is plenty of firepower...like having a .44 magnum revolver but x 2 power-wise.
That should get things done.
-- John D.
Maverick sells a 6-shot security model and an 8-shot security model.
http://www.maverickarms.com/pages/88security.htm
http://www.maverickarms.com/pages/88security.htm
cloudcroft
Member
Then the OP should have gotten THAT one instead.
-- John D.
-- John D.
aaronrkelly
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I wish it was possible (without buying a different gun) to extend the capacity on a Maverick 88.
Mine is almost perfect for what I want.....but I would like another couple round capacity.
Mine is almost perfect for what I want.....but I would like another couple round capacity.
cloudcroft
Member
Well, ANYTHING is possible if you have enough money, including modifying your Maverick 88.
I mean, you could have a gunsmith machine your gun (take off the magazine attachment lug on the underside of the barrel), make a new magazine lug if required, attach it towards the end of the barrel, make an extended magazine tube, attach the magazine end to the new and relocated lug...and you'd have a "custom" Maverick 88.
But as you would think, the expense would be more that it'd be worth for a couple of extra rounds on an lower-end (cost-wise) shotgun...so it wouldn't be a good solution. For the amount it'd cost for a GOOD gunsmith to do that job, you probably could buy the other Maverick 8-shot, so there isn't any point of having that kind work done on it. I'm just saying it COULD be done...and by a good professional 'smith, it'd look like it came that way.
Still, I'm not informed about gunsmith labor costs nowadays so maybe it would NOT be that expensive to do -- relocate the mag-lug and extend the mag tube (seems not that big of a deal) -- but you could find out by asking 'smiths in your area.
But as I said, 6 shots is still plenty...if you hit with the 1st or 2nd one you'd still have 4-5 rounds left.
-- John D.
P.S. With an 18.5" barrel, even with an extended mag tube, you might get only ONE extra round capacity...you may need a 20" barrel for two rounds. You'd need to check. If just one round, it'd be even less worth it to do a conversion.
JD
I mean, you could have a gunsmith machine your gun (take off the magazine attachment lug on the underside of the barrel), make a new magazine lug if required, attach it towards the end of the barrel, make an extended magazine tube, attach the magazine end to the new and relocated lug...and you'd have a "custom" Maverick 88.
But as you would think, the expense would be more that it'd be worth for a couple of extra rounds on an lower-end (cost-wise) shotgun...so it wouldn't be a good solution. For the amount it'd cost for a GOOD gunsmith to do that job, you probably could buy the other Maverick 8-shot, so there isn't any point of having that kind work done on it. I'm just saying it COULD be done...and by a good professional 'smith, it'd look like it came that way.
Still, I'm not informed about gunsmith labor costs nowadays so maybe it would NOT be that expensive to do -- relocate the mag-lug and extend the mag tube (seems not that big of a deal) -- but you could find out by asking 'smiths in your area.
But as I said, 6 shots is still plenty...if you hit with the 1st or 2nd one you'd still have 4-5 rounds left.
-- John D.
P.S. With an 18.5" barrel, even with an extended mag tube, you might get only ONE extra round capacity...you may need a 20" barrel for two rounds. You'd need to check. If just one round, it'd be even less worth it to do a conversion.
JD
One way to do it...
Barrel for the 8-shot [20" length] Security Models is $74 direct from Maverick Arms. Then you would also need the magazine tube, and spring. By this point, though, you are getting pretty darn close to the cost of a whole new 8-shot model, depending on what the price the mag & spring run.
I have sometimes seen the 8-shot model on sale as low as $139.
Barrel for the 8-shot [20" length] Security Models is $74 direct from Maverick Arms. Then you would also need the magazine tube, and spring. By this point, though, you are getting pretty darn close to the cost of a whole new 8-shot model, depending on what the price the mag & spring run.
I have sometimes seen the 8-shot model on sale as low as $139.
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swampgator
Member
Numrich arms sells the Mossberg 8 shot tube and 20 inch barrel. I posted the links in another thread. Less than $100 IIRC. Should be a direct drop in for the Maverick.
Robo_Railer
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Out of idle curiosity, I just now checked their site, and searched for 20" barrel and 8-shot mag tube. The tubes are just over $30 each, but the "old style" ones are sold out. I have no idea how the Mavericks and Mossbergs compare as far as the long and short actions.
All Numrich had listed for the barrel was 20½", used, also sold out. Under $100, though.
I think items come and go so fast around there that you might still find something by checking the site on a regular basis.
I just acquired a 20" barrel/mag tube/spring set, with sights, via eBay. I was on that auction like a chicken on a bug.
aaronrkelly
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I bought my 18 1/2" barrel from Buds Gun Shop for $57 shipped......
I thought that was a damn good price.
I thought that was a damn good price.
swampgator
Member
Robo,
I'm not sure about the long and short action, either. I know parts from a 1999 purchased Mossberg are direct drop ins on an older Maverick. Don't know how old that gun was, just know that it's owner said he'd had it awhile.
aaronrkelly,
Sounds like a good price to me as well.
I'm not sure about the long and short action, either. I know parts from a 1999 purchased Mossberg are direct drop ins on an older Maverick. Don't know how old that gun was, just know that it's owner said he'd had it awhile.
aaronrkelly,
Sounds like a good price to me as well.
cloudcroft
Member
aaronrkelly,
Buds Guns has great prices.
Unfortunately, they never had the models I was looking for each time I checked them out.
But certainly they are a must-stop-and-check site if you're looking for guns online.
-- John D.
Buds Guns has great prices.
Unfortunately, they never had the models I was looking for each time I checked them out.
But certainly they are a must-stop-and-check site if you're looking for guns online.
-- John D.
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