"OK, I'll Play", says Foggy, picking up the Maverick gauntlet . . .
As tightly constructed and finished as an 870? In 1 word, no. Tough and reasonably well made? Yes. Goes BOOM! every time? OH, YEAH!
I put between 300 and 500 rounds a year downrange with my Maverick, a lot more than that during the first few years. It isn't any "looser" than it was new, but is smoother, with getting well broken in. I have put just as much, and in some seasons, more game on the table than my brothers with their 870 & 1100 Remmys. I have shot just about every 12-Ga load available, from the lightest "rodent flatulence" target/skeet/trap loads through slugs and 3-Inch Mag #4 Buckshot. (although those 3" buck loads are a pretty good thumper on both ends.)
It may well be the "Mexican Mossberg", but I'll take it over any of the Chicom knockoffs any day, all day long, 365/366 a year. Shooting buddy bought some Chicom gun (an auto, don't know which one). After 5 rounds, the handle broke off the bolt...no way to hand-open the action, short of poking a long rod down the muzzle. Took it back to the shop, got another one of same brand...this one worked 4 rounds, then the bolt would only open halfway. Shotty #3, barrel peeled like a banana on
Round 1. He was using good quality Federal ammo, not the "value-pack" stuff, 1-1/8 oz of #7-1/2.
He took that one back, bought a Maverick 88, and hasn't looked back in the 2 years since he made the swap. And he shoots about 4-5K rounds a year.
My only beef with the Maverick is getting the mag tube off, but how often do you need to do that? I took mine off after it got dunked in the drink on a duck hunt.
I expect that when I am no longer able to use the Maverick, it will get passed down to my oldest son...but I'm hoping that is a good 20+ years away.