i am gonna get me a shotgun for woods when camping, i don't have much to spend and with the money i have i only have these two choices from my local stores. a hatfield single shot 12 gauge for $105 after tax at wal mart or at my local gun shop a used maverick 88 for $175 otd. the maverick's are out of my range at $237 at my wal mart new and have to be ordered, the only pump they have cheap is a savage at $199 and i only have $175, i won't be able to put anymore with it till july and i want to start camping soon. so which of these would you get on a budget? thanks
hatfield or maverick?
- Thread starter old fart
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I would go with the Maverick. I own, several Hatfields (as lending guns for clay shooting) and I would have to say that they are kind of spotty, quality wise.
I also own several maverick 88's and they have all been very reliable guns thus far.
If you are worried about prices, and you're willing to put in the work, I would recommend looking at a hatfield 20 gauge. The 12 gauge is quite a bear to shoot after awhile, but I've found my 20 gauges will be used for longer without any issue at all.
Things I would recommend looking for when buying a hatfield:
Barrel/Rib Fit and quality (yes I have found many hatfield with misaligned ribs, and one that had metal imperfections in the Barrel steel)
Barrel Release Fit: When pulling back on the trigger guard to open the barrel, check to make sure it is not overly difficult to operate
Barrel to Frame fit: When the gun is open, fold to make sure the barrel is not binding on the frame anywhere, it shouldn't be tough to open or close
Wood quality: I have seen several hatfields with cracked stocks, be sure to carefully check over the entire stock for major imperfections
Things you probably won't see:
My most used hatfield has a misaligned Forearm retaining nut, so reassembly can be a bear at times.
You may not be able to test trigger pull in store, but if it is too heavy, there are tutorials online to lighten the pull weight a little
The Finish is not good at all, and with you're first cleaning, wiping the exterior of the gun will wipe a lot of excess finish off, I promise it's not grease, I'm still wiping finish off my gun whenever I use a little bit of oil.
That's pretty much it for my Hatfield buyer's guide. As I said, I have had a few for lender/beater guns. A good Hatfield seems to shoot alright, but there's a lot to have to look for when buying, especially since these are NIB and not used.
If you were looking for a workhorse that will be a great gun overall, I would recommend the Maverick. Overall the quality is much better, and It won't let you down. Since the maverick you're looking at is used, I would check it thoroughly to ensure the gun isn't suffering from any concealed issues, such as barrel pitting or something similar.
Hope that helps
~Leo
I also own several maverick 88's and they have all been very reliable guns thus far.
If you are worried about prices, and you're willing to put in the work, I would recommend looking at a hatfield 20 gauge. The 12 gauge is quite a bear to shoot after awhile, but I've found my 20 gauges will be used for longer without any issue at all.
Things I would recommend looking for when buying a hatfield:
Barrel/Rib Fit and quality (yes I have found many hatfield with misaligned ribs, and one that had metal imperfections in the Barrel steel)
Barrel Release Fit: When pulling back on the trigger guard to open the barrel, check to make sure it is not overly difficult to operate
Barrel to Frame fit: When the gun is open, fold to make sure the barrel is not binding on the frame anywhere, it shouldn't be tough to open or close
Wood quality: I have seen several hatfields with cracked stocks, be sure to carefully check over the entire stock for major imperfections
Things you probably won't see:
My most used hatfield has a misaligned Forearm retaining nut, so reassembly can be a bear at times.
You may not be able to test trigger pull in store, but if it is too heavy, there are tutorials online to lighten the pull weight a little
The Finish is not good at all, and with you're first cleaning, wiping the exterior of the gun will wipe a lot of excess finish off, I promise it's not grease, I'm still wiping finish off my gun whenever I use a little bit of oil.
That's pretty much it for my Hatfield buyer's guide. As I said, I have had a few for lender/beater guns. A good Hatfield seems to shoot alright, but there's a lot to have to look for when buying, especially since these are NIB and not used.
If you were looking for a workhorse that will be a great gun overall, I would recommend the Maverick. Overall the quality is much better, and It won't let you down. Since the maverick you're looking at is used, I would check it thoroughly to ensure the gun isn't suffering from any concealed issues, such as barrel pitting or something similar.
Hope that helps
~Leo
cdb1
Member
Maverick, three shots or more vs one.
FL-NC
Member
I would go with the Maverick. They are just a cheap mossberg, and thus supported by mossberg.
Schwing
Member
Another vote for the Maverick. I have had my 88 for more than 20 years and, frankly, still use it more than any other shotgun. They are inexpensive, reliable, simple to field strip and I don't have to worry too much about it when I am out in the dirt.
If you are in reasonable distance of a Sports Academy store, a new Maverick 88 can be had for under $200
http://www.academy.com/shop/browse/SearchDisplay?searchTerm=maveric+88
http://www.academy.com/shop/browse/SearchDisplay?searchTerm=maveric+88
i went and got the maverick, got the guy down to $145otd and spent the rest on ammo and a sling. this thing looks nearly new, no scratches or wear except at the forend, called mossberg and the gun was made in late 2015. its almost like my wifes new mossberg 500, she's trying to sell the 28" barrel to get a shorter one. i put 25 rds. thru it today and not one problem, thanks everyone. ya'll for sure steered me the right way.
Congrats on the gun, you made the right choice.
Speaking of the barrel, if you have a shorter length barrel on the maverick 88, your wife's 28 inch barrel should screw right in. Any 500 barrel designed for the 6 round mag tube will interchange no problem.
Speaking of the barrel, if you have a shorter length barrel on the maverick 88, your wife's 28 inch barrel should screw right in. Any 500 barrel designed for the 6 round mag tube will interchange no problem.
Excellent sling mount for the 88 or 500:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...mossberg-500-maverick-88-12-16-20-gauge-black
AJumbo
Member
I'd check the used market for a Maverick. They're better guns than the Hatfields when new, so they'll be better when used, too. Bear in mind that a used Mossberg 500 may not be a lot more expensive than a new Maverick. Check the classifieds on various gun boards.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Get the Maverick. I have had mine for 10 years
mokin
Member
Congratulations on the Maverick. A good gun for the money.
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