Maverick 88 or 870 Express

Even though the current 870's aren't finished like they used to be I'd still buy one over the 88. All of the 88's I've ever handled sure seemed to rattle a lot more than even the roughest 870 Express.
 
I've owned both. The 870's are long gone. The 88 with 18.5" barrel is still a strong bush and canoe gun, take it out more than any other as I don't care if I damage it. The aluminium alloy receiver doesn't rust.

The Mossberg rattle is what it is, it's never bothered me except when comparing side by side with another gun. Never once have I even really cared or noticed that it rattles a bit while using it. They have been rattling for years, will rattle for years to come. I found the 870 express was picky with cheap ammo (stovepipes etc.), none of my Mossbergs care what I put in them.

When I bought my first shotgun it was Mossberg vs. Remington debate. I watched the American Gunsmithing Institute videos of each gun(available on Youtube). The Mossberg is much more serviceable for the amateur. The Remington ejector is riveted in, need a gunsmith to replace it and refinish the receiver, the Mossberg is held in with a screw. The Remington action bars are staked in the receiver, the Mossberg are held in place by the trigger mechanism, they pop out easy if you need to tweak them. Most will laugh at my reasoning, saying these parts never break or fail. I like the piece of mind that I can fix a gun simply and easily on my own.

Remington today isn't the same as Remington of yesterday. I won't even buy their ammo.
 
Woody-to said:
I've owned both. The 870's are long gone. The 88 with 18.5" barrel is still a strong bush and canoe gun, take it out more than any other as I don't care if I damage it. The aluminium alloy receiver doesn't rust.

The Mossberg rattle is what it is, it's never bothered me except when comparing side by side with another gun. Never once have I even really cared or noticed that it rattles a bit while using it. They have been rattling for years, will rattle for years to come. I found the 870 express was picky with cheap ammo (stovepipes etc.), none of my Mossbergs care what I put in them.

When I bought my first shotgun it was Mossberg vs. Remington debate. I watched the American Gunsmithing Institute videos of each gun(available on Youtube). The Mossberg is much more serviceable for the amateur. The Remington ejector is riveted in, need a gunsmith to replace it and refinish the receiver, the Mossberg is held in with a screw. The Remington action bars are staked in the receiver, the Mossberg are held in place by the trigger mechanism, they pop out easy if you need to tweak them. Most will laugh at my reasoning, saying these parts never break or fail. I like the piece of mind that I can fix a gun simply and easily on my own.

Remington today isn't the same as Remington of yesterday. I won't even buy their ammo.
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Did they make a new 88 since I am missing something here??? Sure isn't the ones that I have seen
Then again I am still shooting my first new 870 that is now 52 years old and never an issue and my grandfather told me to buy it not you tube :)
Perhaps if you bought a good 870 like a wingmaster you would think as I do and even an express is a better choice
To each their own I guess
Cheers
 
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as i said i have th e88 and as the 500 barrels are compatible picked up the 18.5 to have both
dress it up as you need it
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3macs1 said:
Did they make a new 88 since I am missing something here??? Sure isn't the ones that I have seen
Then again I am still shooting my first new 870 that is now 52 years old and never an issue and my grandfather told me to buy it not you tube :)
Perhaps if you bought a good 870 like a wingmaster you would think as I do and even an express is a better choice
To each their own I guess
Cheers
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If you are talking about the old ones with single action arms , then yes, they have improved them. The only major difference between the Mossberg 500 and the 88 is the safety location, the 500 having the better tang safety, the 88 has it's safety on the trigger guard, but still keeps the convenient location of the action release.

If we are comparing apples to oranges, why don't we throw in a beautiful Browning into the race? You can't realistically compare a Wingmaster ($1000+) to a Maverick 88 ($300). As I mentioned, Remington isn't what they once were. I've owned 2 Express, wasn't a fan, sold/trade both. I prefer my Mossberg and Winchester over the Express any day. I don't go solely by Youtube, I have owned each and every gun I speak of. Watching a tear down video to see how each gun works before buying isn't such a bad idea if you ask me, better than going blindly by what someone tells you to buy.
 
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Woody-to said:
If we are comparing apples to oranges, why don't we throw in beautiful a Browning into the race? You can't realistically compare a Wingmaster ($1000+) to a Maverick 88 ($300). As I mentioned, Remington isn't what they once were. I've owned 2 Express, wasn't a fan, sold/trade both. I prefer my Mossberg and Winchester over the Express any day. I don't go solely by Youtube, I have owned each and every gun I speak of. Watching a tear down video to see how each gun works isn't such a bad idea if you ask me.
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I don't think you have to look that hard to find a older wingmaster for less than $400 in the EE
 
Codyg14 said:
I don't think you have to look that hard to find a older wingmaster for less than $400 in the EE
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Yes, with full choke usually, no good for me.
So now we have gone from new gun A vs. new gun B, to different gun 3x$, to used gun C. We could just open this up to a "What gun should I buy" thread and start all over again. There are many other guns we can add to the mix.
 
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Mossberg is decent enough. A good bit lighter than 870. I love mine, literally THE most abused gun I own. Still runs great. 2 extractors too (1 on 870) which helps when you run cheap ammo.
 
I'd choose the 870.

And I don't understand the "they ain't finished like they used to be" comments.

IT'S THE EXPRESS LINE..... of course it's not hot blued or parkerized !

The express gets a bad rap, the one I had was actually pretty darn good for the money.

I do agree they should polish the chamber a bit better but other than that it's fine.
 
870 would be an easy choice for me. Way more aftermarket accessories for the 870, especially on EE. With the grizzly parts being interchangeable, you'll find all sorts of extra barrels, stocks and accessories for cheap for both new and used.

If the gun works, doesn't matter, but Maverick 88 is 1 year warranty, Remington is lifetime warranty. And if you have warranty issues, Gravel will cover shipping both ways too. You'll pay in time because sometimes if they have to order parts in, it may take a while, but otherwise you're covered for parts and labour for life, hard to beat that. I've used their service before for my versamax because the rib was a bit canted and I got a brand new barrel, invoice on the barrel $951 before 100% discount. Sure it would have been nicer to have it right the first time but I have no issues buying Remington now knowing that they stand behind their products 100%

I just picked up a 870 from coastal, $349 - $50MIR makes it the same price as a regular priced maverick 88. EASY choice. My only gripe is holy crap the stock recoil pad is as hard as a hockey puck, in the search for something softer.
 
Maverick just wont break. Warranty would be at bottom of my list regarding these 2. Reliability and weight matter most to me. In these 2 categories the 88 or 500 wins everytime for me. The older I get, the more I appreciate lighter guns.
 
Woody-to said:
If you are talking about the old ones with single action arms , then yes, they have improved them. The only major difference between the Mossberg 500 and the 88 is the safety location, the 500 having the better tang safety, the 88 has it's safety on the trigger guard, but still keeps the convenient location of the action release.

If we are comparing apples to oranges, why don't we throw in a beautiful Browning into the race? You can't realistically compare a Wingmaster ($1000+) to a Maverick 88 ($300). As I mentioned, Remington isn't what they once were. I've owned 2 Express, wasn't a fan, sold/trade both. I prefer my Mossberg and Winchester over the Express any day. I don't go solely by Youtube, I have owned each and every gun I speak of. Watching a tear down video to see how each gun works before buying isn't such a bad idea if you ask me, better than going blindly by what someone tells you to buy.
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What is $1000 for a gun that I have shot 52 years and will pass down to my kids. PEANUTS
The word cheap and guns do not go in the same sentence for me and if need be I will wait and save to get a better made product.You have not experienced a true 870 unfortunately until you own a wingmaster and nothing wrong with the new ones either
You get what you pay for
Cheers
 
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Woody-to said:
Yes, with full choke usually, no good for me.
So now we have gone from new gun A vs. new gun B, to different gun 3x$, to used gun C. We could just open this up to a "What gun should I buy" thread and start all over again. There are many other guns we can add to the mix.
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No big deal or huge cost to have choke tubes fitted, especially a 12ga
Cheers
 
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