Maverick 88 questions/opinions

[LY]

I've been interested in buying a 12 gauge pump for a while now. As a young guy on a budget, I have been looking at the Maverick 88. I really would like a shotgun that can do everything (trap/skeet, slugs, home defense). I was thinking about buying the Maverick 88 Field with the 28" barrel. Because the 88 takes Mossberg parts, I was thinking I could buy the 18.5" HD barrel and a rifled barrel for slugs separately. As an alternative, I also checked out the H&R Pardner Pump. The only problem I have with it is that the Pardner doesn't readily accept the 870 barrels, but the Pardner is (slightly) cheaper. Comments/opinions appreciated!

P.S. my local Wal-Mart sells the 88 for $177 and the Pardner for $159

P.P.S. What's your opinion on using the Pardner and 88 for hunting?

 

[MikeRussell]

I got a pair of 88s (one 12ga, one 20ga) for cheap field guns. Both have performed well in the field. Not the same as a good, higher end pump...but still a good shotgun.

The Mossy 500 barrels, chokes, and stocks interchange. However, it looks like the forearm is different. Not a big deal really, the 12ga 88 I have has the same style forearm (though not identical) as my 590A1.

Around here, the Mav88s sell for $159 at Academy Sports/Outdoors.

 

[jon86]

I have an 88, but no experience with the pardner pump.

I have 2 barrels for it, a 24 inch smoothbore with rifle sights, and 18.5 with a bead. I've used this thing so much that the action is extremely slick and smooth. I've had it out in the rain a few times. I've never had a problem with mine at all. I say buy with confidence and enjoy.

 

[Sicari]

Depends on your tastes.
The main practical difference is that the 88 is alot lighter and, as you mentioned, cheaper/easier to set yourself up with extra barrels.

On the other hand, the Pardner is a very nicely finished and pleasing, (except for the trigger guard)all-steel shotgun. It is however, one heavy hoss of a gun, Pardner.

 

[malakili]

My co-worker, my sis, and I all own Maverick 12gauges and have never had an issue. They're good, reliable, LIGHT shotguns. Smooth feeding and ejecting even with cheap cheap shells.

I hear the Pardners are reliable too, but I don't think they're worth the extra heft.

 

[INMY01TA]

I have the Mav, came with the 18.5 hd barrel. I bought the 28" vent ribbed barrel for trap/skeet as well. Personally I like the corn cob fore end that comes on the 18.5 version better than the blocky square one on the field version.

 

[Sky]

They kick like a mule due to their light weight but they always seem to go boom and provide excellent reliability; or the one I have does.

 

[LY]

The only place locally I have been able to find the Maverick is at Wal-Mart, and they only have the field version. I guess I could ask them to ship it in for me, they've done it with other things. I want the field barrel for trap anyhow, so it's not so bad!

 

[LY]

I will probably go with the Mav, nothing wrong with the Pardner, but I like the interchangeable barrels on the mav. Its with a few extra bucks.

 

[mdThanatos]

I have a maverick, have had a couple of shells that didn't want to eject and took extra force to move the forearm back but I like it. I was using the 100 round value pack from wally world, federal. Limbsaver recoil pad helps with reducing the kick.

 

[jonnyc]

I did the Walmart Mav. 88 for $177 and have been very happy. It came with the 28" and I bought an 18.5" for the house. Can't go wrong with it.

 

[KevininPa]

I like mine.

First my stepsons cousin owned it. For some reason he put a Mossy slide on it. Then my stepson bought it off of him. Didn't like it so he gave it to me. When I got it, it had a cracked wooden forestock, a Speedfeed pistol grip and a ribbed barrel that was sawn off at 24 inches. Anyway, I put an 18.5 barrel on it from gunbroker and a wood stock set from Havlins. Cost me a little over $100 and shoots great. The firearm was shot so much between the three of us, it's as slick as you're gonna get. And I still have that butchered barrel. If work gets steadier I plan to take it down a tad more and put a polychoke on it. Make it more utilitarian.

 

[Whacked]

I looked at the 88 and seriously considered one for my first shotty.
But since I wanted 2 barrels, the 500 I think is a better option.
Big 5 has them on sale frequently for $280. comes with a 18.5" and 28" vent rib barrels.

If my local B5 has one instock on my way home from work, I'm going to pick one up.

 

[LY]

Big 5 has them on sale frequently for $280. comes with a 18.5" and 28" vent rib barrels.

Wish I could find this deal!

 

[MikeRussell]

You could buy an 88 with the 18.5in barrel for about $170, then buy a field barrel for a Mossy 500 at about $100. The 88 uses the 500 barrels.

 

[bubba in ca]

Mavericks are assembled in the US with many US parts and have a good track record. When China launched it`s first aircraft carrier I decided to never buy anyother Chicom arm.