Newbie questions re mossberg maverick 88 shotgun

[Freedomharmonizes]

Yeah - I'm out. Good luck with the search, Brother.

Thank you!

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

So these two items I want to add to my maverick 88 shotgun.

https://www.themakogroup.com/rails-rail-mounts-and-rail-systems/fab-defense-pr-mo.html

https://www.themakogroup.com/foregrips/fab-defense-ag44-s-b.html


Found them while looking for related youtube videos. But when i do a little research I find a whole lot of comments & posts ( a few screenshots attached to this post ) from people saying the company is horrible about customer service, charges peoples cards but doesn't sent items or charges cards after being told not to after not sending products paid for for months, etc..
So I am not interested in purchasing from that company directly.

Anyone know of other places that sell these accessories that fit the maverick 88 12 gauge shotguns, and have excellent honest customer service and quality?

 

[entropy]

Google is your friend.

 

[herrwalther]

One of the best investments I made for my Mav 88 was a side saddle holder that also added a top rail for an optic. Because the receiver is not drilled and tapped, adding a rail isn't easy and you have to get inventive. But this one replaces the trigger housing pin and ejector pin.

https://www.amazon.com/TacStar-Indu...words=mossberg+500&qid=1601858945&sr=8-5&th=1

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

One of the only online or local options I found so far that has what they claim are compatible foreends, rails, pistol grips , is this company of which I just ordered these two things-

https://www.combathunting.com/Vertical_Foregrips-Vertical_Grip_With_Pressure_Switch_Housing_1.html


https://www.combathunting.com/Maverick_88_Shotgun-Mossberg_Maverick_88_Forend_Kit.html

Was weird after i clicked submit payment for those items in their online checkout cart, it did a little cycling time circle then that vanished and it reverted back to the items in my cart as if they were not yet purchased. Showing option still to purchase them. But my bank online history shows it took my payment.
I emailed them and they sent me a copy of receipt of payment at least

I'm hoping they fit and work reliably, sturdy. I prefer a different note contoured and rearward angled grip that I've seen elsewhere than what they sell. But since cant seem to find actual pricing and online ordering options for other companies and / or they are out of stock, I went ahead and ordered from this combathunting.com place.

At least if the foreend combo fits correctly I can find a better foreend vertical grip to attach to rail later

 

[amd6547]

Go slow on your modifications...I wouldn’t be so quick to swap out and add parts.
On my Mossberg 500, I went to the Magpul forend. It has m-lok slots to mount for grips lights, whatever.

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

well ****! I tried following the nonexistent instructions that didnt come with the https://www.combathunting.com/Maver...8_Tactical_Forend_With_3_Accessory_Rails.html

, tried following a youtube video and the tiny manual that came with the maverick. But now that the new forend is installed it wont pull back to cock it. Just stuck forward. I have no idea why or what was done wrong. At one point instructions said to make sure hammer is in fully cocked position to allow trigger housing to be inserted in receiver. But does not say how to do what with gun dissambled as it was at that point in instructions. So i pulled on trigger a little but nothing moved. Then another area in instruction pamphlet it said make sure do not pull trigger and allow hammer to fall when trigger housing assembly is removed from receiver. To do so may result in personal injury or damage to receiver! ***!!? Confusing!

So now I'm stuck with a non working new shotgun!

Here is a video of it not pumping backward after reassembly



Likely it something relatively simple that I am overlooking. But i dont know what Suggestion?

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

Update -
Today after hours of fing up trying to simply get this new forearm assembly installed to replace the factory forearm assembly, this is where I'm at. Isn't there supposed to be more of a solid click sound and feeling when squeezing trigger ( mock firing ) even with these dummy rounds?

Initially after removing stock forearm assembly, when I put new forearm assembly on the assembly would not rack the slide backward.
I took it apart again a few times and after fiddling with the cartridge stop & interrupter somehow it eventually corrected allowing forearm assembly to rack backward.

But then the elevator was not cycling up and down that would enable cycling rounds from the magazine tube into chamber. Again took out trigger housing assembly and somehow managed to get elevator assembly to work correctly as it is now cycling rounds from magainze tube into chamber. Have only used dummy rounds so far after this installing new forearm assembly.

Now I'm maybe over worrying since this is my first time doing this process and only shot this new gun twice last week. But I'm thinking even with these dummy rounds, when I squeeze the trigger as if shooting gun, isn't there supposed to be a solid click feeling & sound? Currently only sound it makes is the small movement back & forth of the trigger.

Just want to be clear and safe that everything is back to correct operational condition before shooting with live ammunition tomorrow.

 

[Ernie Bass]

Heed the advice of the DROP SAFETY, they will go off and have done so on many occasions. In fact this just happened to a hunter just a few years back . Leaned his gun up against a vehicle and it went off and killed a man.. Another time, One of the dogs got hit. Do not buy into the nonsense that someone will hear you racking the slide. Who cares, it takes less than a second to rack a slide.
It would not hurt to take a class. And like all guns, you need to be very familiar with the gun and train diligently.
I grew up shooting shotguns and have a 500 for home defense. One of the posters recommended this video and I also recommend. I will not keep a pump shotgun in the home for defense in other way.

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/cruiser-ready-how-to-store-a-home-defense-shotgun/


Good Luck, Congrats, and be safe.

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

New to me mossberg maverick 88 12 gauge shotgun. I ordered and had a b#*="of a time correctly replacing stock forearm assembly with new forearm assembly that has rails.

I'm still not clear what exactly I was doing wrong when putting trigger assembly housing, cartridge stop & interrupter, bolt slide, elevator assembly & forearm assembly parts back together on shotgun.
First the forearm assembly would not rack and elevator assembly wouldn't rack round into chamber. Eventually I somehow fixed that , but the cartridge still would go back in.

Finally everything seems to operate ( as shown in this video ) functionally from what I can tell only dry firing it with dummy rounds. Except it is racking back without needing to press the action lock lever.? Isnt the forearm assembly supposed to stay in place, not be able to rack back toward chamber & stock unless the action lock lever is pressed or the gun is fired? Am I just spacing something here?

Dont mind the music and playful video editing. Just relieving some stress by making a little lighthearted video of it.





This video below shows the shotgun cycling even without firing ( its only a dummy round in the chamber ) and without pressing the action lock lever. Maybe I am just overly worried after making such a needless complicated process of replacing the forearm assembly? But isnt the magazine assembly only supposed to be able to be cycled, pulled back after a round is in chamber if the action lock lever is pressed or the gun is fired?

 

[entropy]

??? The magazine assembly does not move on the Maverick. ???

In the bottom video, you're 'short-shucking' it. (actually, it looks like it never fully goes into battery, either.) It needs to be opened fully, and closed fully, with violence of action. (That is, vigorously.)

Also, you're loading it wrong. Either drop the round into the action, and let the bolt slam it home when you shut the action (vigorously!) , or push it into the magazine, then work the action to chamber the shell.

Bet it works just fine if you do that.

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

??? The magazine assembly does not move on the Maverick. ???

In the bottom video, you're 'short-shucking' it. (actually, it looks like it never fully goes into battery, either.) It needs to be opened fully, and closed fully, with violence of action. (That is, vigorously.)

Also, you're loading it wrong. Either drop the round into the action, and let the bolt slam it home when you shut the action (vigorously!) , or push it into the magazine, then work the action to chamber the shell.

Bet it works just fine if you do that.

Thank you. Except I think I have been opening and closing it fully. Doing the same as when i shot it with live ammunition successfully at the range. Its going all the way forward and back as it will go.

And its still going back without using action lock lever, even when I also drop dummy rounds into acton and let bolt slam into chamber, and when i load into magazine and vigorously work action to cycle it into chamber.
...
Okay...So after writing those two above paragraphs, i decided to try again and video record it again. Only now it suddenly is working correctly - requiring pressing action release lever to cycle another round into chamber. I dont get it. I was cycling it fully before. And had been loading most rounds into magazine tube then cycling them into chamber by racking forearm assembly backward and forward.

This time I only fed ( 2 ) dummy rounds into magazine tube then racked forearm assembly and when i tried to rack forearm assembly backward after first dummy round was elevated into chamber, it wouldnt rack backward until I pressed the action release lever. Tried it a few cycles and it keeps working so far.

Feels a little twilight zoney to me. I swear I was racking it fully. Definitely with same vigor as in this video where it is working correctly now.



Thanks for the tip. Guessing I maybe just messed it up at some point by putting dummy rounds into chamber or something? Even with out rounds, now when I just tried pulling forearm assembly back it isnt moving back until i press action release lever. Hopefully it keeps working correctly! I am going to take it to the range thursday, friday and / or this weekend to use live rounds in it.

Am quite happy with the new fore end, fore end vertical grip and light , by the way. I may change the foreend vertical grip for a more contoured rearward slanted grip at some point? But feels much safer, more secure hold than just cupping the forearm assembly.

 

[entropy]

Guessing I maybe just messed it up at some point by putting dummy rounds into chamber or something?

Yes. Pump and semi auto shotguns are not designed to be loaded by inserting a shell directly into the chamber. Sometimes that will work, but with a defense shotgun, it's not something to bet your life in. (It's also slower and requires fine motor skills vs. dropping one in the ejection port and slamming it shut.)
When loading it up to put it where it will be kept at the ready (in whichever condition you choose to keep it) load it as you did in the video; one in the magazine, work the action to load that round (safety on), then fill the magazine. To quick load one round ( say you ran empty ) drop one down through the ejection port, vigorously close the action, and you are ready with that round. (Or if you shoot Trap with it, this is how you'd load-one at a time) If time and cover permit, in a self-defense situation, then you could fill the magazine again.

 

[danez71]

well ****! I tried following the nonexistent instructions that didnt come with the https://www.combathunting.com/Maver...8_Tactical_Forend_With_3_Accessory_Rails.html

, tried following a youtube video and the tiny manual that came with the maverick.

Use the instructions for the Mossberg 500 stickied here in the shotgun section.

The safety location difference between the 2 isnt relevant for assembly.

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

Thanks!

So no instructions or screws came with the pictanny rail and fore grip I ordered. And not finding any youtube videos that clearly say how to install fore grip. So I assumed I just attach the fore angrily by screwing the plastic end cap at button of grip that pushes circular plastic top part into space on the rail. As seen installed in previous video I posted if my dry firing.

However today ar range, on my 2nd shot with live round ammunition the friggin fore grip popped off!! Major fail!

Is there supposed to be screws or something that go through holes on top sides of vertical fore grip, even though no such screws or instructions came with grip? The rail is still attached fine.

 

[entropy]

The correct way to attach it is to screw the end cap down all the way, slide the grip down the rail from the front to where you want it, then screw the cap up until it is tight. You may have damaged the nub that fits in the slot. You might have to replace the foregrip. It looks like the grip is molded for a small allen head screw, #10 x 2", probably, and a corresponding hex nut. These are easy enough to find at your local hardware store, bring the grip with to ensure fit.

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

The correct way to attach it is to screw the end cap down all the way, slide the grip down the rail from the front to where you want it, then screw the cap up until it is tight. You may have damaged the nub that fits in the slot. You might have to replace the foregrip. It looks like the grip is molded for a small allen head screw, #10 x 2", probably, and a corresponding hex nut. These are easy enough to find at your local hardware store, bring the grip with to ensure fit.

That is how I installed it. I dont think I damaged it. Makes no sense as I just put it on as such. Seems very poorly made ? There was no instruction or hardware included so naturally I trusted there was nothing else needed.

 

[entropy]

I have had one do the same thing that happen to you, but on an AR. I tossed it and got a better quality one. I prefer angled forends for AR's now.

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

I just a few minutes ago bought this grip pod bipod from a nearby gun store. $110 versus the less than $20 grip that broke earlier today.

This new one has a cross bar attachment style that seems better. I'll upload a photo of it soon

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

I have had one do the same thing that happen to you, but on an AR. I tossed it and got a better quality one. I prefer angled forends for AR's now.

What kind do you replace it with?

This is what I just bought today to replace the broken one.

 

[entropy]

You got the best one made.

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

You got the best one made.

Good to know. It's worth paying a bit more money for truly well made, reliable things.

Hopefully at least the forearm assembly with rails and the light that came as part of the set are sturdy reliable. It racks fine so far.

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

So an fyi in case whoever owns this website doesnf yet know. Its often showing error message when trying to view this site. Screenshot attached.

Also included is a video of the comical failure of the new forearm grip after 2nd shot.

 

[Freedomharmonizes]

Little update - The newer grip I bought after first one broke, is holding up excellent! Totally worth paying a bit more for sturdiness reliability.

Anyone use a red or green dot sight & magnifying scope on your shotguns?

Although some refer to shotguns as just point and shoot, it seems and from videos I've watched have heard that they can be used with some precision out to a point. And I'm not a fan of keeping my face right up against the gun when firing due to recoil and how some peoples teeth & face have been injured from recoil.

Having a pinpoint focus sight can only help improve accuracy which is worthwhile imo.

Any recommendations about specific types and models of scopes that will fit pictanny rails and stay reliable with use on shotguns and their recoil?

 

[entropy]

Anyone use a red or green dot sight & magnifying scope on your shotguns?

Sure, on my slug gun I did. Not on a defensive shotgun. You want full peripheral vision.

Although some refer to shotguns as just point and shoot, it seems and from videos I've watched have heard that they can be used with some precision out to a point. And I'm not a fan of keeping my face right up against the gun when firing due to recoil and how some peoples teeth & face have been injured from recoil.

Although this seems logical, it is not a good idea. that is exactly how people get bruised faces and cracked teeth from firing a shotgun. You want your face firmly on the stock for two reasons:

1.) Your eye is your rear sight. In order for you to be accurate, it must be in the right place. If your face is off the stock of your typical shotgun, it is not in the right place. "Wood on wood" is the old Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays mnemonic for this. Usually when people get bruises or skin tears from the comb if their cheek is on it , it's from riding the comb too far forward and placing the cheekbone right on the very front of the comb. (Climbing the stock) There is enough room back and forth along the comb of most shotguns so most people can place the cheek so the eye is behind the receiver at barrel height for a good sight picture.

2.) The space between your cheek and the stock creates velocity with recoil, and the stock will hit you much harder if you hold you face off of it, vs. a nice tight 'cheek weld'. You could ask my wife, it's why she won't shoot a shotgun; her brothers handed her a .410 when she was 9, and didn't tell her to put her cheek on the stock. Or you could watch some of the 'gun fail ' compilations on You Tube, there's always one or two, usually ladies, who hold the shotgun lightly, as if afraid to hurt it. It ends up hurting them.

Having a pinpoint focus sight can only help improve accuracy which is worthwhile imo.

On a rifle or pistol used to shoot at static targets, yes. Shotguns were not designed for that. They can be adapted for it, but then lose or reduce the function they were designed for-shooting at moving, mostly flying game. The reason they became popular for self-defense lies in the first uses of them for that; Stagecoach guns. Usually the attacker was moving, (horses rarely stand perfectly still when ridden) and coach drovers learned a fowling piece was handier than a pistol for defense.

A simple bead is all one really needs for a home self defense shotgun, though a fiber optic bead/front sight is a very good addition. I have one on my Ithaca 37, it amplifies low light wnough so you know where the bead is. You don't want the bead to be what your eye fixates on, you want it focused on your target; the bead is merely a reference point. Some people like ghost ring sights, but unless you will be using slugs at distances from 10-50 yards or more, not needed. (They are popular for Police, which is why some 'have' to have them on their Home Defense shotgun, which if used will be shot at a maximum of 10 yards. (in my house, 7.)

Any recommendations about specific types and models of scopes that will fit pictanny rails and stay reliable with use on shotguns and their recoil?

As you can guess from my answers here, I don't believe in fancy sighting systems on a self defense shotgun. I have a very expensive Trap shotgun, and it has a plain white bead.