Mossberg 500 or Maverick 88... What's the Difference?

[ChefGW]

I've been looking to get a new 12 gauge and mod it itno a tactical/HD gun.
The mossberg and the maverick are almost identical to me except the safety mechanisim. However, I thought the maverick only had one arm on the pump. I was at Wal-Mart yesterday looking at the two and the maverick did indeed have two arms on the pump. Is this a new model? Will tactical forends work on the maverick? The price difference between the two was only about $50 but that extra cash could go for accessories. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[scout26]

Placement of the safety is really about the only difference.

Maverick is owned by Mossberg, and most of the parts are interchangable between the 500 and 88.

Will tactical forends work on the maverick? The price difference between the two was only about $50 but that extra cash could go for accessories.

I'd use the extra cash for practice ammo. BA/UU/R, knowledge before bling as bling cannot buy knowledge or experience.

 

[cidirkona]

I've owned both, and the 500 just feels more sturdy, but it could be just me. The action feels smoother too...

I also heard a nasty rumor from a local shop that the 88s were made south of the border in a poorly run shop... but then again, maybe he was just racist.

-Colin

 

[ChefGW]

Oh, I have plenty of shotgun exp. I've been shooting them for years. My real question is if accessories will fit the maverick. Sites like ATI say the forends won't fit the mavericks and I am wondering why not. They seem to be the same gun.

 

[lrb111]

I belelive the forend for the Maverick has the ejector rods cast into the synthetic of the forend.

As far as i can tell that is the only difference. The heat shields fit fine as do the after market pistol gripsm and grip stock combinations.

fwiw the forend on the 88 is quite satisfactory, imo..

 

[ChefGW]

Yeah, after some thought, I think if I bought the maverick all I really want is the AR style stock and heat sheild w/ghost ring sights. Maybe a mini-mag under the barel with a pressure pad would be nice too.

 

[asknight]

Edited to add: Apparently the guy who bought the SSi-One claiming it was a Model 500 and was advertising for http://www.gunsunder300.com has deleted his post. I will leave my reply up, but wanted to say this for future clarification if someone wonders why I said what I did.

The SSI-One is not a Model 500. SSI-One is a break-action single shot, and the 500 is a pump action repeater.

Too, that's a rifled barrel. Don't shoot anything but slugs, preferable saboted slugs through it. It's specifically for hunting, and has limited use for home defense or small game hunting. Birdshot and buckshot will scatter to about a 10ft pattern at a distance of 5 yards... and fill the bore with lead.