Mossberg 500 vs. Maverick 88?

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Someone here knows the full detail but from what i know the Maverick is the cheap entry level shottie by Mossberg. They are made in Texas or Mexico .
 
Maverick 88 and a basic Mossberg 500 are largely similar shotguns. The position of the safety is different (tang vs crossbar), but other than that they operate the same. Most Mossberg 500 accessories fit the Maverick 88. You can use Mossberg 500 barrels on the Mav 88 too, if I'm not mistaken.
 
As far as reliability goes, I don't know if a Maverick 88 could pass the same drop tests as one of the "military grade" Mossbergs, but a few members here on THR have said that the Maverick 88 stands up really well to field use, truck gun duty, and even police cruiser duty.

It's an inexpensive shotgun, not a cheap one. Don't expect it to feel like a Wingmaster or a Mossberg 590, but it should perform for you as long as you keep it maintained.
 
The Maverick has a different safety and a different forearm. One upside is that the Maverick usually has a thicker barrel.
 
My brother & I both had Mavericks & to this day I have not completely gotten over them. I ended up hating the gun & I am not a gun snob. Mine was the better of the 2. Maybe things are better these days, that was a long time ago. Examine some others like the 500 & 870 & decide if you want to spend some extra on them.
 
The Maverick 88's design has changed. Originally, they had a single slide rail. Now they have dual slide rails. Also, I have often heard that they were produced in Mexico, but the recent ones say they're made in the USA, somewhere in Texas.

I would give a new Maverick or a recent-model used one a chance.
 
New Mavericks are much better than the older versions. The old ones were pretty rough guns not fit for much use, the new ones are on par with the Mossberg counterpart.
 
I just looked it up. The Maverick is indeed assembled in Texas, but some parts are still imported from Mexico.

Still, the design of the newer ones has been updated and much improved since Mossberg originally started selling the Mav88 as a low-cost alternative to the Mossberg 500.
 
Depends what you want it for. I shoot birds and clays, and I think the 500 handles surprisingly well; a lighter barrel helps this. But if I wanted to shoot slugs, I'd probably want the heavier barrel.

That said, the price difference between the two is not very big. It's not uncommon to see a 500 on sale for about $229 here. So I'm not sure why I'd want to get the 88, especially since the tang safety is one reason people cite for preferring the 500 to the 870. Since I've been shooting over/unders more, I've gotten kinda fond of the tang safety myself lately.:)

I can't help thinking of the Maverick as the official Skinhead weapon.
 
My "old, rough Maverick 88" is still running at full speed after 11 years and over 10,000 rounds or thereabouts. Hardly junk! Still the first shotgun I grab most of the time because it "fits" me and weighs next to nothing.
 
Have "owned & operated" a Maverick 88 since 1991 or so. It was a bit 'rough' at first, but a few hundred shells smoothed that out quite well.

I do have the 18-1/2" cylinder bore barrel on mine since it serves as my HomeLand Security shotgun..it Secures my Home and Land.
 
If you're buying this with the idea of your wife shooting it,have it cut to fit her size and a recoil pad installed.You can also put weight into the buttstock to dampen recoil in ADDITION to the recoil pad.

above all,start her out with the lightest loads you can find,and work up from there.Slugs are NOT the beginning shooters' friend.

back on topic; my buddy has had his maverick for bout 20 years and used it HARD the first 10 years.It's still running,and always has.
 
Hopefully the wife can handle it if she needs to. It'll kick the hell out of her but pain is always better than dead.
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It's a lot easier to get a shotgun that she can handle (Think Bantam or Youth mode, maybe even in 20 ga, SM will probably be along here sooner to recommend a 28 ga.) and fits her well. It's much easier for you to adopt to shooting a shorter stocked shotgun then having her try to shoot a shotgun that's way to long and front heavy for her. It's much easier for me to shoot my wife's or daughter's 20 ga 500 Bantams, then it is for them to shoot my full size 12 ga 500.

Or you each can buy you own shotgun for yourselves that fit.

Wat is the difference, if any, functionally?
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Location of the safety, Tang on 500, Cross Bolt on 88. Barrels and most other aftermarket parts are interchangable as long as the guns are the same gauge.

I've got a Maverick 88 (with a Mossberg stock and Trigger assembly) that stands ready for HD service. Goes bang everytime I pull the trigger. Even hits various (paper or clay) targets, if I do my part.
 
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Wow, Thanks Guys!

You all are great! I never expected so much help!

I think scout26 is right about the size issue. Besides, she's leftie and the 500/590 would probably be better because of the safety-should have thought of that sooner. I think I'll let her choose what she wants-at least 20 ga.....Then I'll get what I want! :D Can you have too many? :what:
 
I recently picked up a maverick 88 8 shot for HD duty. I took it out to the range and put a few boxes of birdshot, slugs and buckshot. It ate everything w/o a hitch. I think this is one of the best deal's going (I paid $198+ tax for it) for a new shotgun that can do just about anything.
 
I found my 88 on an auction site 3 years ago for $85, was new but shopworn, had a ribbed barrel. I found a plain barrel, same auction site, for $35, cut it off at 18-1/2" and the gun now resides beside the bed. If I want to use it for hunting, it is quickly put back to field use in a couple of minutes.
 
trackaddict88 said:
...I think I'll let her choose what she wants-at least 20 ga.....
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Depending on how tall she is, you might want to look at the Mossberg Super Bantam, they are designed for smaller framed folks...

54210.jpg
 
"If you're buying this with the idea of your wife shooting it,have it cut to fit her size and a recoil pad installed.You can also put weight into the buttstock to dampen recoil in ADDITION to the recoil pad.

above all,start her out with the lightest loads you can find,and work up from there.Slugs are NOT the beginning shooters' friend."


In response to that, I have the 88, and it has functioned wonderfully for me as well. It is the newer-dual slide type, and the barrel is beefy. The accuracy is good, considering one can be had from Wal-mart for about $160. If recoil is an issue, and to help her get a feel for it, cut open a few birdshot loads from the top, take out all the pellets, and pour them into the stock. The loads will be very low recoil, and the recoil will impart force on the lead shot, moving it up the stock, like the mercury system in Benellis. Also, it will be more balanced out.
 
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