First range trip: Maverick 88 12 gauge

[Warhawk83]

pretty much sums it up.

I took 5 3''magnum shells and 50 2 3/4'' target loads with the 18.5'' Mossberg Maverick. I fully expected to shoot every shell, I have only shot .410 and 20 gauge mind you. I started off with the magnums and my first thought was "holy ****!". shooting 2 of those was enough for me. It hit dead center with 15 pellets of 00 buck. Blew a hole clean through the paper. The target loads weren't that bad, if I hadn't started with the magnums I probably could have shot the whole box. All in all I am impressed ( and sore) with the Maverick, I'm confident that it is my choice for HD.

After 6 rounds it was time to switch to the .22 Beretta because the shotgun beat the crap out of me. The buttpad is basically non-existent.

 

[Motodeficient]

I am picking up my maverick 88 20" tomorrow. However, I have a knoxx recoil-reducing stock waiting to be installed which should make it a dream to shoot I will have to shoot a bunch with the factory stock first though so I can see what kind of difference the knoxx stock makes in terms of recoil reduction and overall ergos of the gun

 

[frankiestoys]

I have the 88 ,nice gun but like most 12's they kick hard i don't shoot it much anymore it sits under the bed as my back up gun .

 

[AcceptableUserName]

buckshot went clean through the paper? holy smokes!!!!

 

[Warhawk83]

LOL, guess that does sound a wee bit silly. I was impressed with the big ass hole it left. After 2 shots about a 3'' circle was blown out of the middle. At 7 yards it scatters about a foot.

 

[deputy tom]

Install a Limbsaver pad and you will be very happy.tom.

 

[ChefKristian]

I just picked up an 88 too... I haven't shot it yet, but I hope to this weekend. From what I have heard, people like this gun a lot. It is 18.5" barrel with folding stock and mini rail attachment for a light and has bandoleer sling. I also want to get the heat shield with the ghost ring sights. The action on it is super easy. Perfect HD gun...

 

[Papaster]

I took my first duck with my Model 88 this past Saturday. I'm happy with mine. (and pulling the trigger on a duck, I hardly even notice the recoil )

 

[BushyGuy]

i had a maverick-88 it was a piece of crap , too light too much recoil i now own a Remington 870 express 12 gauge pump, the recoil isnt as bad as the maverick-only when i fire magnum turkey loads 3" i stay away from those they aint needed the 2-3/4 are powerful enough with high brass.

the Maverick is good for a beater shotgun but no way would i ever buy another mossberg again they are made cheap and after a thousand rounds or so they can have mishaps. The Remington 870 has a milled reciever form a solid steel block so it will never blow up. Mossbergs have aluminum recievers , if the breech fails it can be very dangerous shooting magnum rounds.

junk the 88 buy the 870 you wont regret it.

 

[Warhawk83]

I bought it for home defense, sense I don't live in Tikrit or Rwanda I think I'll be fine. Not worried about mishaps after thousands of rounds.

By the way,you do realize our military chose the Mossberg as their shotgun, right? Didn't choose the 870, and I have heard of PLENTY of problems with that particular Remchester.

 

[RandKL]

i had a maverick-88 it was a piece of crap , too light too much recoil

Let's see....a Remington Express 12 with a 28" barrel weighs 7 1/2lbs....a Maverick 88 with a 28" barrel weighs 7 1/2lbs. Hmmmmm. Not even going to address the other flaws in that post.

Congrats on the purchase, Warhawk! You got a good gun there. Have you had a lot of experience with shotguns, though? After a while, that self abuse will lessen a bit. Just remember to lean into it and keep it solid on your shoulder. Not bicep/arm....and not the shoulder joint. Plant it right there at the end of your collarbone and keep it tight. The right cheek weld and position can make a hell of a lot of difference.

r

 

[1557]

The Maverick 88 is a good little shotgun,in spite of the elite naysayers.
Of course,being as light as it is, it is one of the hardest kicking pumps out there.
I started using Federal's LE132 Tactical 00 low recoil with the flite control wad. Made it more comfortable for sure and the tight patterns with this load are amazing.Best I've seen.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

always a troll about.


FWIW, I like the Mavericks I've shot better than the 870 Expresses I've owned. And I'd put my 590a1 up against ANY Remington, any time any place. let alone the Expresses, LOL! I like Remington's I really do. But these days, AT BEST, the companies are at a dead heat. I've owned enough of each and dealt with the companies enough to know, I think. And I chose Mossberg.


But that's all besides the point, the Maverick's a great gun, it's priced really good and will serve you faithfully as long as you need it to provided you look after it. SHOULD anything ever go wrong with, you'll see just how good Mossberg customer service is.

 

[-v-]

Have an Mossberg 500, which is basically identical to your Maverick, other than some slight manufacturing differences (slide held on with a large nut on Mossberg vs rivetted on Maverick, tang vs cross bolt safety), and I love it. I have had exactly ZERO problems with that gun, in probably close to 1000 rounds in under 9 months of ownership.

Only thing I do not like about it, and its a gripe I have with ALL shotguns, is how overly-complex their breakdown procedure is, versus say an AK or AR.

As for 3" magnums. Buy a limb-saver, those 3" suddenly get a lot tamer, and practice loads are a dream to shoot. One of the best $20 purchases for my M500 to date. If that is still too much, consider filling the stock with BB gun BBs and something to keep them in place. A limb-saver and about an extra 3/4-1lb of BBs will make 3" magnums feel like 2 3/4 practice loads, from my experience.

 

[Fish Miner]

That was the first gun I ever bought and I have many thousands of rounds down range. I love it so much more then my 870 (which Ibought on a super deal at Bass Pro just to have and compare)- the Mav was my fav skeet gun even though I got funny looks on the line with my all black pump. They were a little surprised I shot so well with it. I use a sweet 16 semi for skeet now, but my Mav 88 is next to the bed ready to go. The 870 is buried in the closet behind shooting supplies.

Also I like the location of the slide release on the Mav/Moss better then the 870... works better with my grip/hands ergonomic whatever....

 

[glove]

Maverick 88

I like my Maverick 88 Great gun for the price.
Dave