Im looking at the mav 88 field 12 gauge and the moss 500 field 12 gauge. Theres about a 60 dollar difference between the two here in nc. All im wanting to do is dove hunt, clay targets, and maybe duck hunt. Is one really any better than the other. Thanks for help
Mav 88 or moss 500
- Thread starter dixie_717
- Start date
- Status
Since I own both I prefer the 500 because in my opinion the tang safety is so ergonomically correct compared to the crossbolt safety.
And for some weird reason they chose to place the Mav's crossbolt safety in front of the trigger guard instead of at the back.
Frankly that's just stupid too me.
I actually bought the Maverick back in 2001 because my old 500 was bought for me by a now deceased relative back in the late 1970's and I no longer wanted to mark up the very pretty wood stock the shotgun came with.
However all things considered my Maverick is a very good shotgun that has dropped piles of Doves and has never failed me.
And for some weird reason they chose to place the Mav's crossbolt safety in front of the trigger guard instead of at the back.
Frankly that's just stupid too me.
I actually bought the Maverick back in 2001 because my old 500 was bought for me by a now deceased relative back in the late 1970's and I no longer wanted to mark up the very pretty wood stock the shotgun came with.
However all things considered my Maverick is a very good shotgun that has dropped piles of Doves and has never failed me.
jonnyc
Member
I really love my Maverick. To me, the safety is in the perfect position. Many shooters, including myself, extend and lay the trigger finger along the side of the receiver and trigger guard. On the Mav.88, it naturally falls to the safety on the way to the trigger. Perfect.
HankR
Member
There's a thread on this just wrapping up down below:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=681202
I did get a chance to look at both side-by-side yesterday. The receivers did not seem identical to me (I had thought that the linked thread had indicated that the receivers were identical except for the trigger group and cut for the safety on the Mossberg). The Mossberg actually seemed to be longer, coming back about another 3/4 inch.
I didn't see any obvious quality difference in the store. The Maverick was $199 (it had been $179 a week or so earlier) and the Mossberg was $249. I was a little leery of the porting on the Mossberg but my son (who is really the one who will be using it) preferred the Mossberg's wooden furniture over the synthetic that the Maverick was sporting. (It was not pretty wood).
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=681202
I did get a chance to look at both side-by-side yesterday. The receivers did not seem identical to me (I had thought that the linked thread had indicated that the receivers were identical except for the trigger group and cut for the safety on the Mossberg). The Mossberg actually seemed to be longer, coming back about another 3/4 inch.
I didn't see any obvious quality difference in the store. The Maverick was $199 (it had been $179 a week or so earlier) and the Mossberg was $249. I was a little leery of the porting on the Mossberg but my son (who is really the one who will be using it) preferred the Mossberg's wooden furniture over the synthetic that the Maverick was sporting. (It was not pretty wood).
Last edited:
allaroundhunter
Member
Hank, the Maverick 88 is made by Mossberg as well. IIRC, most all parts except for the pump are interchangeable between the Maverick and the 500.
MrDig
Member
They for all intents and purposes are the same gun. Trigger Groups and Safety placement aside, all of the aftermarket parts you find will fit either gun. Having used and shot both the only thing to account for is the difference in the function of the safety. Which is more comfortable to you? To me the Mossberg safety is more comfortable to operate and function with in the field. But I am not so fumble fingered that I could not function with a Maverick.
I use and shoot the Mossberg but wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Maverick.
I use and shoot the Mossberg but wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Maverick.
Centurian22
Member
I am a big fan of the Mav88 but for that small of a price diff I would probably go for the Moss 500 if for no other reason than being 100% American made (IIRC correctly), in addition to the possibility of any quality / longevity improvements.
Or choose based on which safety feels right to you.
Or choose based on which safety feels right to you.
MCgunner
Member
The Maverick is made in Texas, I prefer that to made in the USA. 
Not stupid. Winchester's safety is at the front of the trigger guard, too. At the back, it's not as easy to reach, must bend the finger. Also, I shoot lefty and my trigger finger turns the safety on shooting a Wingmaster. I had to concentrate to keep my finger away from the safety on that gun. Safety is at the back on it. Now, on my Winchester, I installed a left hand safety, works much better for me, BUT, I'll give a big +1 to the tang safety. I would spend the extra to get the better ergos, especially for a lefty shooter, of the tang safety. My double guns have tang safeties, also. The only shotguns I have without a tang safety are the Winchester and two single shots that have tang hammers.
Not stupid. Winchester's safety is at the front of the trigger guard, too. At the back, it's not as easy to reach, must bend the finger. Also, I shoot lefty and my trigger finger turns the safety on shooting a Wingmaster. I had to concentrate to keep my finger away from the safety on that gun. Safety is at the back on it. Now, on my Winchester, I installed a left hand safety, works much better for me, BUT, I'll give a big +1 to the tang safety. I would spend the extra to get the better ergos, especially for a lefty shooter, of the tang safety. My double guns have tang safeties, also. The only shotguns I have without a tang safety are the Winchester and two single shots that have tang hammers.
Last edited:
HankR
Member
That's what pushed me to the Mossberg. I'm a lefty. Even thought it's really for my right-handed son, it's my gun (for now). I coulda got a used 870 for $210 or so, and the new 870 in Walmart (with much better looking wood than the Mossberg) was $299.
I figure this way all of our pump shotguns have the same controls. If the ported barrel is a problem, I've got a 28 inch vent rib that normally isn't on my Mossberg, so I can swap him.
For those saying it's almost the same gun, I noticed that the box for the Mossberg gives a customer service/repairs shipping address as (from memory) "Maverick Arms" at the Texas address. I think if the Maverick had still been $178 I would have gotten it. When we got there, there were no Mavs in the display and I was happy w/ the Mossberg but I had the salesman look in the back afterwards and he did have the Maverick. I think we'll be happy either way.
Last edited:
Centurian22
Member
Mcgunner:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mossberg_Maverick#section_1
Overview section.
"The Maverick line of shotguns are assembled in Eagle Pass, Texas using some non-USA manufactured parts, mainly from Mexico; which contributes to their relatively lower price in comparison to the Mossberg 500 series of shotguns which is assembled and manufactured in the USA."
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mossberg_Maverick#section_1
Overview section.
"The Maverick line of shotguns are assembled in Eagle Pass, Texas using some non-USA manufactured parts, mainly from Mexico; which contributes to their relatively lower price in comparison to the Mossberg 500 series of shotguns which is assembled and manufactured in the USA."
LeonCarr
Member
Righty - Maverick 88
Lefty - Mossberg 500
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Lefty - Mossberg 500
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Although i don't own either of those mentioned here jonnyc gives good advice. This trigger group is perfect for right handed shooters as the safety is located right where your finger should be resting. The maverick trigger group is a cheaper copy of Winchesters trigger group.
evan price
Member
@ HankR:
The M500 and Mav88 receivers are the same casting. The bolt, bolt slide, interruptor, shell stop, etc are interchangeable. The shell lifter and the action tube/fore-end are interchangeable. The barrels are interchangeable. The buttstocks are interchangeable.
I own examples of both and like to take them apart.
I think the tang safety gives an optical illusion of a difference.
The M500 and Mav88 receivers are the same casting. The bolt, bolt slide, interruptor, shell stop, etc are interchangeable. The shell lifter and the action tube/fore-end are interchangeable. The barrels are interchangeable. The buttstocks are interchangeable.
I own examples of both and like to take them apart.
I think the tang safety gives an optical illusion of a difference.
Centurian22
Member
And?!?!? What did you decide???
LuvMyGuns
Member
They are both **** for duck hunting they will rust out trust me refinishing a barrell right now for that very reason. Weatherby makes a nice cheap shotgun
MCgunner
Member
I've used two 500s in the salt marsh (my primary interest with shotguns). I never had THAT much rust problems with the old one, branded "Revelation M310", was tougher on the wood than the metal, but the newer one I bought 20 years ago is a camo model (much tougher finish in salt marsh conditions) with plastic stocks and it's tough as nails, no rust after hunting every season sometimes hard, sometimes not as much. I do take care of it, strip and clean it when I drop it in the muck which happens occasionally. Strip and clean it after every season regardless. I also wax my blued guns now, which seems to help, and I use Corrosion X on 'em and grease the choke tube regularly. In short, TAKE CARE OF YOUR SHOTGUN! Don't be lazy, ain't that hard to care for.
If you want a rust magnet, get an 870 express. Most guys I know that hunt with 'em strip the oil and just paint 'em flat black, touch it up once in a while.
So, the 500 is built by YANKEES? GET A ROPE!
I drive a Toyota and ride a Kawasaki and shop at Walmart. Is the Mossberg plant Union? That will drive the cost up big time. Texas is a right to work state.
Last edited:
I believe im going to go for the mav 88. I already have a 500 thats about 10 or 12 yrs old.,its n woodland camo, but I cant find a 28in woodland camo barrel. So thats gives me reason to buy another gun. I was just curious if the mav 88 was crap or not. But from what ive read it sounds like a reliable piece thatll save me some money.
- Status