[claybreaker0]

I am looking for an all around shotgun. I plan to use it for trap/skeet, waterfowl (well all birds), deer, as well as turkey. I am still in college and funds are a low. I would really like the Remington 887, but I don't think I can afford a $400 shotgun at this time. I saw a Mossberg Maverick 88 Field today in a local Wal-Mart for $187 dollars. WOW! Is that cheap! I know Mossberg makes a pretty good shotgun, but there next shotty starts around $350. Why is the Maverick so cheap? Is it going to break after 100 rounds? Is the Maverick a gun that I could go shoot 100 rounds in a trap match and be ok? Could I go Quail hunting and not have issue's? And is that front ball sight replaceable, with say a fiber optic sight? My dad has a bolt action 12 gauge that was his first shotgun, it was all that he could afford when he got married. I would deffinately be following in his footsteps with the Maverick, seeing how I got married 3 weeks ago :smile:.

All chime in are appreciated, thanks!! :yup:

 

[gumaro]

I own the Mossberg Maverick 88 with the 18 1/2 inch barrel and had no problems with it. Good quality shotgun for the price.

 

[cuban11182]

I own the Mossberg Maverick 88 with the 18 1/2 inch barrel and had no problems with it. Good quality shotgun for the price.

I have this one as well. Seems to be a good shotgun. Only problem I had with it was after a full tube of shooting the empty cartridge would stay lodged in the barrel. I cleaned it with a green pad and no problems since.

 

[SIXTO]

I like it will last you long enough until you can afford something better. With a name like claybreaker, I would have thought you already had a shotgun.

 

[Brady]

The Maverick is a fine entry level shotgun that will last a long time if you do your part and maintain it. It is similar to the 500 series but with some economical changes. Some of the parts are now made in Mexico but that doesn't seem to have effected their reliability.

One thing to keep in mind, I believe the Maverick has only one slide action bar, be careful to not twist the action when pumping a round. Practice a firm grip and pulling the action straight back.

Good luck.

 

[cuban11182]

Brady is right. The action bar is a single and it is attached to the pump action. This means that you can't change out the forward grip unless your purchase a dual action bar that would work for the Mossberg 500 series.

 

[claybreaker0]

I like it will last you long enough until you can afford something better. With a name like claybreaker, I would have thought you already had a shotgun.

Let's just say that my father has some wonderful shotguns lol. But its time for me to have my own. I have a 28ga Remington 870. Its a great gun, but it is time to step it up a bit :smile:

 

[SIXTO]

I have a 28ga Remington 870. Its a great gun, but it is time to step it up a bit :smile:

Seems to me that you have a perfect gun for clays etc, a maverick isnt exactly a step up. I'd save my money.

 

[Smokinbbl]

One thing to keep in mind, I believe the Maverick has only one slide action bar, be careful to not twist the action when pumping a round. Practice a firm grip and pulling the action straight back.

Good luck.

Are you talking about the prongs that come out of the fore grip into the actions that causes the action to cycle? cause I have a maverick 88 and mine has one on both sides of the fore grip..


also the front beads are replaceable, i replaced mine. most parts are interchangable with the 500, and it even comes with an accu chocke system.

I baught an 18.5 in 500 bbl, and a m4 style stock for mine, and I keep it for HD.

but I agree with you, it would need a new sight system on it for good trap shooting. you can change out the beads with anything that fits the 500!

James

 

[TerriLi]

My Maverick 88 also has two action bars, although I hear some of the older ones have singles, but all new Mavericks are supposed to have two action bars now.

 

[Brady]

My Maverick 88 also has two action bars, although I hear some of the older ones have singles, but all new Mavericks are supposed to have two action bars now.

That may have changed.
I also have an old Mossy 500 that only has one action bar, pre '68 (no serial #). Don't know when they changed the 500 either.

 

[SIXTO]

I have a 500 with dual bars, I bought it in 95 or 96.

 

[TheShadow]

I have the Wally Maverick also.

I've added the 18.5" barrel, sidesaddle and Specops recoil stock for HD.
With the Specops stock the Maverick is a better choice for some than the 500.
The 500's tang safety is hard to operate compared to the Mavericks crossbolt design.

 

[gumaro]

You can also purchase a .50 cal muzzle loading barrel sold for the Mossberg 500, but will work on the 88.

 

[obxned]

That 'cheap' shotgun will more than do the job. We called them 'farmer's guns' - you can abuse, neglect, and ignore them, leave them in the chicken coop or in the back of your pickup, and they still work, sort of the AK-47 of shotguns. They also pattern as well as the high dollar guns and you can get choke tubes from skeet through extra-full/turkey for just a few bucks. Go for it!!!

 

[AllAbtSlfDef]

I too have looked at these, what is the length from the store on the bbl? I have a NEF Pardner pump. I have been thinking about adding another one to the house, and want to go the inexpensive route again. I will eventually buy an 870 or 590a1 or Nova. I don't want to hyjack this thread so I am starting another one if anyone wants to chime in. Look for "inexpensive shotguns"