Maverick 88 by Mossberg?

[JimJD]

Hi-ho Highroaders!

I was just at My local Wal-Mart Supercenter, superstore, whatever you call it... I forget.
Anyway, I'm looking at their rifles and notice a pump shotgun for $160.00.
It appears it is a "Maverick 88 by Mossberg". I immediately noticed that it has a crossbolt type safety located by the trigger instead of the top mounted tang type, a la model 500/590. Reminds Me of an 870 clone.
After going to Mossy's website I see it is an "88 All Purpose field model" with six round capacity, a 28" non-ported ventilated rib barrel, and an interchangeable Accu-Choke tube system with one "Modified" tube. After some searching, it appears I can change the barrel to an 18.5'' with bead for $74.00.
So, what say you? I know absolutely nothing about this specimen.
Is it worth the money? Are there any good or bad things I should know about? Should I hold on to My money and go for a 500/590 or even a Remington 870?
This would be My first Shotgun and it's main purpose would be to serve in a HD type capacity. What type of sporting can be done with the supplied 28'' barrel by the way?
Thanks in advance for any help on this matter!

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

If you're going to get a mossberg, get a mossberg. The 500 is, by most accounts more durable and has a decent reputation.

there is nothing wrong with the 870, either. I prefer the 500 on ergonomic grounds, as the loading port is not bostructed during the load cycle, and the safety and bolt release are in sane locations.

 

[Badger Arms]

The Maverick is the "Bargain" model of an already "Bargain" shotgun. That means it has more plastic parts and less machining. Being made in Mexico means that these shotguns support very few American jobs. I'd buy the Remington First, Winchester second if you want a bargain. Absolutely nothing wrong with the Maverick. They are sound guns and the location of the safety is ONLY a matter of taste. I despise the tang safety, myself.

One more factor that might push you away from the Maverick. The Maverick cannot accept an extended magazine. This is no problem so long as you use the shotty ONLY for home defense or ONLY for field use. With a 28" barrel, you have 6-shots. You can get a "Full Magazine" gun that has two extra shots, IIRC. With Remington, you can get an extended magazine that can be removed for field work. If it were me and I was limited to one shotgun, I would get a Remington 870 Express with an 18" barrel and 28" barrel. Add a good two-shot extension and you've got a field/home setup for around $3 hundred.

 

[JimJD]

Badger Arms said:

Being made in Mexico means that these shotguns support very few American jobs.

They're made in Mexico!?
Awww no! The Maverick has that big Mossberg sticker on the stock that proclaims it's made in the U.S.A., what's going on?

I'd like to get an 870 or such in the future, but I'm hoping the Maverick would fit the bill for now. Have to think on this one for a bit...

 

[SASS#23149]

I would venture to say it's the best 160.00 new shotgun around.IMHO.
My buddy has had his for at least ten years and shoots the heck out of it.
IF it's made in mexico then ,personally, I'd pass. My opinion again.
The 870 is a tough act to follow,so if u can wait....wait. If not,enjoy.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Badger: you can get 28 inch barrels for the long magazine tube guns.
also, don't confuse the maverick 88 with the mossberg 500. the maverick only comes in short mag tube guise, to my knowledge.

 

[M Jager]

Badger,
Going to go against the grain here and sugest shopping around on the used market. Watch local classifieds, gunshops, hit a gunshow or two (you might get lucky), talk to people at local ranges. You should be able to run into a winnie, remmie, higher grade mossie, even an Ithaca or a Benneli Nova for the same money give or take. All in my opinion would be a step up from the maverick. You will probably have better luck finding a longer barreled field gun, then watching ebay/gun shows for a beater short barrel for H.D.
H.T.H.
Matt

 

[Gabby Hayes]

Been discussed many times over the years, recently here: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=588

The Mossberg 500 and Maverick 88 are made on the same assembly line in Eagle Pass, TX, county seat of Maverick County. The Mossy has a tang safety that some prefer, the "88" has a cross-bolt like the Remington line. Other than a few "economy" measures taken on the Maverick, it's the same gun as your basic garden variety Mossberg. Check to make sure the one in your store has dual action bars, as some of the earlier Mavericks had only a single bar. The Maverick might not rank up there with the fancy top-of-the-line thousand-dollar field and game guns, but for HD use it's fine. Had one for years before giving it to a nephew, who beats it to death dragging it around in the field. You can ding it up and take it out in the rain without worrying about scratching the finish or, God forbid, getting a little mud on it. If, years down the road, it wears out, you can get another one for $150.

 

[Badger Arms]

Mavericks are available in short and long magazines. I know, I've carried both in the past:

Badger: you can get 28 inch barrels for the long magazine tube guns.

I stand corrected.

 

[Badger Arms]

The Mossberg 500 and Maverick 88 are made on the same assembly line in Eagle Pass, TX, county seat of Maverick County.

Yes, well, I read through and never saw anything on their site that they're 100% US made. A quick search yielded the following results:

Many companies have already taken advantages of the production sharing/maquiladora program in the Torreon area, including: AT&T, Thompson Consumer Electronics, Fabex, Alcoa Fujikura, LTD., Johnson Controls, Inc., Renault, O.F. Mossberg, Farah Manufacturing Co. Text-Togs Manufacturing, Inc. and Border Apparel, Inc.

Torreon is in Mexico. If they assemble the guns in the US, that doesn't mean they are US made.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I stand corrected on the short and Long mag tube thing.

 

[JimJD]

While out today, I went to My local sports authority to see what they had...
Oh boy... I wish I had gotten there sooner.
They HAD a Mossberg 500 Persuader for only $170.00!
Alas, they had no more in stock. I was informed by the salesperson that they might get more in. I'm not holding My breath or anything, but if they do get that 500 back in, it's mine!
I'm going to head back there tomorrow to see if they can get one sent over from another store or something.
Would anyone know offhand if sports authority does that for their customers?

 

[J.M.]

The only the difference ( to my knowledge ) between the 500A and the current Mavrick is that Mossberg saved a machien opperation buy moving the safety to the trigger group instead of machiening that safety slot into the back of the reciever. As far as I know all the parts interchange.

Yes - the current ones do have two action bars.

BTW - by switching around trigger groups you can make a 500A with 2 safetys and a Mavrick with no safetys! - JM.