New HD Shotgun

[DAdams]

Obviously this is nothing new to the posters here. I just had to share anyway.

I was given a Maverick 88 for Fathers Day. It came with a vented 28 inch barrel. I have a few shotguns, but nothing with a barrel suitable for around the house use.

I could have gotten an 18" with no vent, and no choke changeout capability.
Instead I picked up a 20 inch with a rib and it came with an AccuChoke set and wrench. In my view it was worth the extra 1.5 inch length to have the choke versatility and I have always liked the vent look.



I may not go any further with it, although the stock is just about an inch too long for me. It catches my shirt coming up. Short of growing longer arms or putting a pistol grip on it....

What do you all recommend in the stock category?

No range report yet.

 

[MAX100]

Nice choice, I like the choke tube option also.


GC

 

[VARifleman]

I just cut my wooden stock down with a jigsaw and put a limbsaver pad on it. So sue me...

I don't know if you can do that with a synthetic one or not, also it's important to keep the same angle as the original pad unless you really know how a stock should fit you.

 

[kcshooter]

The Maverick is a great gun, huge value vs cost.

To eliminate the shirt snagging problem, try rounding out the top and bottom corners of the recoil pad a bit.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Seems a perfectly suitable piece for the job. Now your task is to turn it from a new shotgun to a thoroughtly used one!

Too-long stocks are indeed a pain, figurtively and sometimes literally. Most folks find it easier to shoot a stock that is a bit too short, rather than one that is too long. So your options are to try shortening the stock you have, or buy a production stock that is shorter.

Shortening synthetic stocks, especially thin-walled ones, can be a chore. There isn't a lot to work with, too often. Check yours by pulling the recoil pad- should be two screw holes in the face of the pad, holding #2 Phillips screws. Soap the screwdriver shaft a bit with dish soap to ease its passage through the holes and remove the screws.

If the recoil pad is fitted socket style, with part of it protruding into the stock cavity, it's gonna be a pain to shorten that stock. I'd go ahead and look at buying a shorter stock. Options?

Check with Mossberg at http://www.mossberg.com/ . See what they offer these days. Unfortunately every new iteration of Mossberg's website seems to get less and less dial-up friendly, so I never got past the front page there. If all else fails, dig up the phone number and give 'em a call. Mossberg used to offer what they called Bantam stocks for 500s that were shorter than the usual issue stocks.

Look at the Speedfeed Youth Model ( http://www.speedfeedinc.com/?location=products ). It has a 13" LOP, and should be about right from your description.

Also see Hogue's 12" LOP offering, at http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchant.ihtml?pid=4615&lastcatid=18&step=4 .

Swapping stocks is a DIY thing, if you are the least bit handy with tools.

Happy shopping and Stay Safe,

lpl/nc

 

[rantingredneck]

Mossberg made a run of 18.5" heavy wall accuchoke barrels for a federal LE agency and they had an overrun that got surplussed through havlinsales.com. Those are now gone though. I think I got one of the last ones. The 20" accuchoke is the next best thing. I've always preferred a choked short barrel even if it is a fixed IC it's better than Cyl Bore.

I second Lee's advice on the stocks. Speedfeed makes a good product as does Hogue. All about preferences.

 

[DAdams]

Thanks

for the stock sugguestion. As opposed to a probable destructive event, I think I'll check out the commerical version that may allow me to loose an inch or more.

More shopping fun.

Swapping stocks is a DIY thing, if you are the least bit handy with tools.

Would a "youth" stock fit?

I can handle that program.

I too think a bit too short, especially when colder weather comes is better than to long. With a tee and a regular shirt especially one with some slack, well it just isn't going to work at all and with a jacket forget about it.

I am going to have to learn what shot works with what choke also.

Thanks again.

 

[rantingredneck]

Best thing you can do there is to buy several different brands and head to the range with a pattern board and a few chokes.

FWIW, my Mossberg 18.5" with Mod choke likes both Rem Managed Recoil and Federal LE 00 with Flite Control wad.

at 15yds the difference is negligible. at 25 yds the Federal has a distinct advantage.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Yep, the Youth stocks are just shorter- front end's the same as the regular stock.

lpl/nc

 

[Goblin]

See if you can fit it with a shell holder sling with a tube swivel!!

 

[RacingJake]

Nice looking 88 there

I've had mine since 92 For the price of a hacksaw blade and a 25 round strap it was a snap turning it into a HD gun. I can put oem stock back on as needed.

Make's me want to go out and pick up a newer one.

 

[sm]

DAdams,
You are quite smart and way ahead of many folks in regard to a serious shotgun.

Lee speaks volumes, get a youth stock, then shoot the gun until it becomes an extension of you.


Note: Pendulum effect is a serious one when slings have shell holders.
Not recommended.