Mossberg maverick 88 questions

[303 hunter]

I recently bought a Mossberg Maverick 88 20 gauge. I wanted the 20 because of lighter recoil(I recently had major neck surgery). What are the pros and cons of this model?

 

[mdThanatos]

Biggest con for me, with my 12 gauge, is that the aluminum makes it lighter so it kicks more than lets say a Mossberg 500. It isn't a bad little shotgun really, I have fun with mine.

 

[heeler]

I own a Maverick 12 gauge I purchased new about ten years ago as I wanted a synthetic stocked shotgun for Dove hunting.
It has never once given me a problem and mine appears well made.
The only thing I do not like about it is the position of the crossbolt safety as it is in the front area of the trigger guard and could possibly cause a discharge if one had cold fingers or perhaps a new person with firearms.
Safety first and all that other jazz.
It has not ever been a problem with me as I have always given any shotgun a healthy dose of caution while using it.
Still I find my Mossberg 500's tang mounted safety much better and consider it ergonomically superior to any crossbolt safety.
Ymmv.

 

[Kiln]

My Maverick 88 is the 12 guage model, I've put hundreds of rounds through it with no issues. My wife's grandpa has two that they shoot skeet with all the time and he says both of them work well and have for years. He encouraged me to buy mine and I am happy with it.

My only advice is to cycle the action a couple hundred times to smooth it out. The action will lose the gritty feel after a little use so don't worry much about it if you are at all.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Biggest con for me, with my 12 gauge, is that the aluminum makes it lighter so it kicks more than lets say a Mossberg 500. It isn't a bad little shotgun really, I have fun with mine.

A 500 has an aluminum receiver.

 

[MCgunner]

My main gripe with the Mavericks is they have a crossbolt safety. I LOVE the tang safety. But, for home defense, this isn't really an issue. I hunt with mine and I'm a south paw. The Mossberg 500/535/835 are the best shotguns going for a lefty short of a Browning BPS.

 

[whetrock]

I'll have to echo what Mcgunner said. The only quarrel I have with the Mav 88s over the mossberg 500s is the lack of the really conveniently placed and ambidextrious (I'm not a lefty but rather prefer tang safetys) safety. While they are a bit more utilitarian in apperance and lack the Mossberg 500s safety the Maverick 88s are great seviceable field guns at a reasonable price. I used to scoff at them until I shot a round of casual skeet with a relatives. I've actually come to know several different owners of Maverick 88s and have come to the conclusion that they have become quite popular especially with their owners.

 

[heeler]

Another nice thing about the Maverick is price.
Some good deals on used ones at ye local pawnshops too.
In fact at Sunday's gun show I saw two,both 12 gauge,that were reasonably clean and one was $225 and the other was $215.

 

[MCgunner]

Heeler, I bought a like new Mossberg 535 (3.5" capable) for 169 today at a pawn shop. THAT is a deal. This thing looks almost new. I guess the jury is out until I shoot it, but it all checks out inspection. You may have seen the thread.... http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=662315

 

[heeler]

Wow!!!
You certainly got a deal guy.
Summertime can have one stumbling upon great bargains on hunting type long guns at pawn shops.
I doubt anything is wrong with it.
Probably a case of some poor sap needing money and the pawn stars gave him $90 for it.
Now you have me tempted to go looking.

 

[Tony617]

I recently bought a Mossberg Maverick 88 20 gauge. I wanted the 20 because of lighter recoil(I recently had major neck surgery). What are the pros and cons of this model?

I have a 12 gauge Maverick 88 and I put a LimbSaver recoil pad on it. I really like pad as the default pad was a piece of hard rubber. It is much more comfortable to shoot now.

 

[packindapistol]

Does anybody have a heat shield on theres?

 

[kcshooter]

is that the aluminum makes it lighter so it kicks more than lets say a Mossberg 500.

What exactly are you saying is steel on a 500 that is aluminum on a Maverick?



(the correct answer is nothing, btw)

 

[packindapistol]

is your Maverick the pistol grip model?

 

[oneounceload]

Your 20 may or may not have less actual or perceived recoil depending on weight, loadings and fit - start with VERY light loads after your doc gives the OK and go from there

 

[Twmaster]

I have a Maverick in 12 Ga. IT's a terrific shotty.

One great thing about the Maverick is all of the Mossy 500 accessories, barrels and chokes will fit the Maverick. The only stuff that doesn't swap is the trigger group.